Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-02-24
ARMY SCHOOLS
ARE POPULAR
Offer Only Opportunity for Edu-
cation to Many Thousand
Americans.
MANY PLEAD FOR ENLISTMENT
Parents Of Children Under Enlistment
Age Ask Special Permission for
Sons to Enlist-War Depart
ment Receives Inquiries.

ment Receives Inquiries.
Washington.-Tha the army offera
the only opportunity for even an ele-
mentary education for thousands Of
young Americans who live in undevel-
opcd communities Is evident from
the food of letters which have been re-
ceived by the adjutant general since
the policy Of education in the army
was recently announced.
Mothers and fathers whose sons have
been declined for enlistment because
OF minority or physical defect have
written stating that there are no
schools 10 which their boys can be
sept and that they are unable, finaIi-
cially, TO send them away from home
to schools where gainful occupations
are taught, and asking that special
permission be granted for their ac-
ceptance into the army.
Public-spirited citizens in many COM
mnnities have sent in the names Of
young men who should be in school,
requesting the army to send them lit
erature calling their attention to the
opportunity being missed.
Plead for Enlistment.
The father Of eleven children, nine
of whom are boys, including a pair Of
twins, writes that he sees no POSSIBLE
ity at home for a proper education for
any Of them, and desires that special
permission be given to enlist his Sec
ond oldest son and the twins, all three
of whom are little short Of the mini
mum age. He says his boys ARE large
for their ages and will grade well up
to the average country boy in looks
and intelligence" He lives on run.
down" Ozark farm in Missouri, and
finds difficulty In even QUILTING his
children to attend the common district
school.
A letter from Nebraska reads in part
as follows:
II don't know where the recruiting
office around here is, but have q bow
who will be eighteen years old Christ.
mas. He has quit school and has NO
profession; at present he Is helping
on farm. We read the literature
all through, and we wish he was old
enough to 60. He might better be In
the army for three years learning to
be good farmer or whatever he would
rather learn and also earning some
thing, too"
This letter came from a small town
in Oklahoma:
II have read the letter that was sent
to -- and see it Is an opening for
anyone with ambition. Since my par.
ents died have not had the chance to
obtain the education I desire. sin.
cerely hope I may Join the army. al
though l am not Of age. l am only
sixteen years old. I am five feet,
eight Inches tall and weigh 1856 pounds.
l am doing mans work and drawing
mans pay. l am working In the
mines, not In the ground, but on top.
l have not desire to attach myself
to the mines, but to better myself anu
country. Therefore hope that l may
join the army and schools with your
consent"
Widow Pleads for Son.
A widow pleads that her son be TAX
en- into the army training schools,
since she Is compelled to work out, and
she feels that he Is not having proper
associates under present circum-
stances. ut is killing me to see my
only boy go to ruin. He Is not bad
boy, but he needs training. Please
let me know II / can get him in the
army's schools. Please help me to
save my only boy, and please let me
hear as soon as possible. Please state
what l may have to do to put him
there"
Another Missouri father writes that
his boy is anxious to go on with
school, but has to attend school un-
der great difficulties, as we live six
and half miles from town and he
has to 60 on horseback" He states
that the boy Is only fifteen years old.
is five feet eight and half inches
tall and weighs 1875 pounds, and asks
that age requirements be waived.
AS a part Of the campaign to widely
advertise the new educational work In
the army, circulars were sent to thou.
sands of rural address where recruit.
ing officers could not be sent. This was
done In November, so that farm work
would not be interfered with by enlist.
ments. Twenty occupational subjects
which are taught In the army we're al.
'vertised In this circularizatiOn. Thou.
sands Of replies have been received re-
fur I'M ton