Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-30
CAPTAIN JAMES p. LYONS
On Officer Training

DROVISION for q sufficient number OF
L trained officers in case of future eventu-
alities and the development OF Intelligent
and effective citizens are the principal aims
of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, ac-
cording to Captain James p. Lyons. pro-
fessor of military science and tactics Mt
Drexel Institute. This Is one of many In
stitutions of learning In the country that
have added this work to their courses. -,
'Thc purpose of the organization. said
Captain Lyons, ''is to develop trained Off
GERS and intelligent. patriotic and non,
political citizens, men Of physical, mental
and moral force, who will think straight
and become regular American citizens.
During the recent war we discovered
that most of the mistakes were made by the
comparatively unframed men on the field OF
battle. In many instances they proved
costly and in order to prevent rcpettlon
of these in any future service that we may
be called upon to give, we are trying 10
establish sufficient number OF wel-trainea
men to lead our forces should it again be-
come necessary.
Hopes for Disarmament
s'The nations of the world have made
moves trending toward general disarma-
ment 1t is to be hoped that their efforts
will be crowned with success. But even If
they are II considerable military force Is
necessary to preserve order and to take
care of other details having to do with the
we'll, while hoping for the millennium. to
keep our heads about us, and remember that
there Is many n slip, and therefore not to
be too sure in making our calculations for
the future
The first step in the making of n good
citizen is to cultivate a sound body with
trained mind and good morals.
"patriotism Is big factOr-not the sort
that manifests itself on July and similar
gala occasions--but the everyday variety
that will be willing to pay the taxes neces-
sary to support the Government, to study
and face national problems and not only TO
vote, but vote for the best man and the
best principle.
'In addition, the good citizen must be a
man who obeys the laws of his country and
his community. Such man is the man to
train troops and lead them in time of neces-
sity.
Proper Training Needed
at is necessary that men should have the
proper physical equipment. the set-up and
bearing that imprcsses itself on ones fell
lows. The good citizen with the military
training cannot help but benefit too by
learning and practicing the three cardinal
military virtues that is, to be honest, just
and faithful to themselves and their fellows
1.-The honor of a soldier Is his greatest
asset On that the whole structure of n
military organization is built. and upon that
foundation stone must country depend in
time of need. He must be just and learn
to think of the other fellow ms well as him
self, and he must play the game
washington said that the people should
| not only be armed but disciplined. With
| perhaps greater vision than he realized, he
| said that one of the greatest national de-
| fects was the lack Of respect for authority
Respect for authority breeds loyalty. and
| the success of any country or any community
| II dependent to large extent upon the
practice of this virtue.
Real Leaders Needed
eve want to train men for leadership-
men who will know how to deal Justly and
| wisely and humanity with the man under
| him. 1t is a common trait in human mn :
| ture that n little bit of authority is likely
| to be abused by those who do not know how
| TO administer it wisely. So in our course
we put the responsibility on the bows and
| let them find out from the start that thew
| have to develop these necessary Qualities
"The way to fit men for offcershp is not
| to grind them daily, continuously with
| drills, drills. drills. 1t il an American
| trait to want to know what the work ia nj
| about and what il the general plan, So in
| such n course as we provide the coming
! officer gets n vision of the whole field EyerV
| phase of the work Is studied during the four
| wears that he il enrolled, the first two boing
| compulsory, the remainder elective. Ii is n
! slow course. with the result that the tocb
| niaue of being an officer will have become
more or less second nature In that time.
| Makes Better Citizens
- 'The boys learn to shoot, they leorn
topography, planning and numerous other