The evening world., 1921-01-13
GENERALS IND0RSE
EDUCATIONPLANS
IN army TRAINING
Congress Expected to Recog-
nize Its Value in Consider
ing Appropriations.
By DGUtd laurence.
Especial Correspondent 81 The Eve
nina Worldly


the cutting down Of the standing
army 70 175,oOO man. Whioh means
that a surplus Of about 5000 men
would have to DO hOuorabiy discharged
when their enllstments end while
normally tn nuctuation N the size
Of the United States Army IL not a
matter Of general oonosrn, there are
indications OF widespread dlsappoint-
inent among the young men who had
been rushing into the army to got the
benefits OF the new educational sys-
tenn.
From practically every army corps
area In the United States has come
word OF the success OF the educational
and vocational training s,Btem which
has been In operation for about a
year. Enlisted graduates Of CONNER
cial courses are serving as instruc-
tors and clerks in many posts, gradu-
ates of printing schools are earning
since their separation from the SER
Vtce goOd wages in the printing
trades. and enlisted men who have
studied agricultural and tractor work
are finding many opportunities 10
make good use Of their training.
II Is a safe bet that the educa-
tional system started in the army has
come TO stay and that It "a the INST
time the peace-time army has had
something 30 attractive 10 offer that
recruiting has been an easy task.
The Dig question u how far the
United States Government should
provide educational opportunities for
those who want the military life 40
well Either the cutting down OF the
army to $4,000 men win mean some
plan whereby enllstments are accept
ed for a year and no longer or else
the regulars who have been in the
service for years win have to be en-
couraged to seek honorable discharges
30 as TO make way for the youngsters
desiring vocational and general edu-
cation.
Commenting on the educational
system, Major Gen. Liggett of the
Ninth Corps area at San Francisco
writes:
Education is q necessity; vOca-
tional training il necessity. The
present scheme Of operation has
proved, by obtaining definite results.
that the program Of educational and
vocational training and recreation can
be successfully carried GOT in the
army"
Major Gen. c. p. summerall, COM
mandinE General at Camp Dix, N. ],
writes:
''The only way by which any one
can understand the magnitude and
the Dar-reaching value Of education
and. recreation to the army and 70
the country Is TO visit the classes
and the shops and see the attitude
and the progress Of the students and
the devoted zeal Of the teachers"
Major Gen. ]. g. Har6Ord, COM
handing General at. Camp Travis,
Tex, writes: o.,
81 not only believe sthe educa-
tional and vocational work 70 be per-
missible in the army but emiRently
desirable"
Brig. Gen. George Bell il. says
educational and recreation work is
producing wonderful results for the
country and the army, and nothing
in this present generation has ac-
complished as much.
Major Gen. David c. Shanks OF the
First Corps area, Boston, says he re-
CARDS educational and vocational train
ing las important, beneficial and far
reaching. Major Gen. Bullard Of the
Second Corps area. Governors Island,
New York. says the system Of educa-
ton and vocational training as shoWA
by his own experience with parents Of
enlisted men has helped to remove q
former prejudice against service in the
army.
These comments from the veteran
officers Of the army, not written for
publication, give birdseye view Of
how the plan is being received. Some
of the old Generals who have been
asking big appropriations for this or
that purpose say frankly that IL any
thing Is to be cut it should not be APP
propriations for education end voca-
tional training.
But that's not the dificulty. Com
gress probably will recognize the
value Of the plan. The new develop
ment is that by cutting down the
size Of the army the detail work at
| the army posts win increase for the
men left In the service and they will
not have as much time for study.
| Half the enlisted men arc in schools
now. and at least eighty per cent of
| those who enlist ask for education
and say It is their chief reason for
entering the service. The cost OF re-
| cruiting has therefore been out down
| from $50 a man 70 ~ a man ana
there's a big waiting list.
The question Is whether Congress
will take advantage OF the oppor-
! tunity to reach thousands OF allen
adults aslwel as American born who
| for one reason or another have In
their youth been deprived Of ednea-
| tion. The plan for a new Depart
ment OF Education in the Cabinet
| wFn.tlN Wnt lnrlttaa ElrarN l1SkrwnNt,vs