The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1921-06-24
wAsHINaTON i NEWS LETTER

" Representative q. B. Burtness, 1st
district, is disappo pointed by the lack
Of interest shown by North Dakota
youths in failing to take advantage
OF the opportunities offered them in
the United States academies at An
napolis and West Point and hopes,
by cooperating with the newspa-
pers in his district, to give the home
boys an idea Of just what they are
missing by neglecting to investigate
the courses at the educational insti-
tutions Of Uncle Sam.
OF late there has been a dearth Of
applicants for appointment and Of
those who have applied a majority
have failed to qualify through their
inability to meet the entrance re-
quirements. This is true not only of
the First congressional district but
Of the whole state aas well. Yet
that the condition is local one is
appsrent since appointments allot-
ted to eastern states are eagerly
sought after. In fact congress
man from New Jersey recently told
Mr.. Burtness that he was compelled
to hold elimination examinations in
his district before he was able to.
certify fors appointment those best
qualified for the openings. APP
pointments to West Point and An
gnapolis are made in the spring of,
each year and Representative Burt
ness hopes to have SO stimulated in,
terest among the youths of his dis
trict by the coming spring that there
will be a sufficient number of appli-
cants available to fill his quota in
both schools.
The whole difficulty seems to be
one Of misunderstanding upon the
part Of North Dakota boys. In the
east aspiring candidates usually take
special work at preparatory schools,
of which there are several in Wash,
ington and the vicinity, in order to.
better prepare themselves for en-
trance requirements. This however
is really not necessary since any
first class high school offers the re-
quired courses and if boys consider
ing such step would first ascertain
just what work should be taken
there should be but little difficulty
in, meeting the qualifications. Any
data of this nature may be had by
writing to any of the North Dakota
congressman or senators, any one of
whom will willingly supply the in
formation desired.
Then, too, aside from the lack of
adequate preparation there seems to
be a lack of a proper appreciation
of just what the United States aca-
denies have to offer in the way of
education. advantages. Many are
doubtless Of the opinion that such
training fits one for a military or
naval career and nothing more.
This idea is altogether an erroneous
one. West Point and Annapolis
graduates, after leaving the service,
have made their mark in almost
every field Of endeavor. This is
particularly true Of the commercial
field. And today graduates Of both
schools are to be seen actively en-
gagged in the affairs of the nation.
Secretary of War Weeks, formerly
United States Senator from Mas
sachusetts, and prominent in fnan-
cial circles, Is an Annapolis man. So
is Senator Weller Of Maryland, re-
Gently elected to the Senate as Re-
publican, and q leading business man
Of his home city Of Baltimore. West
Pointers have shown equal versatil-
ity.
Nowadays appointments to West
Point and Annapolis are made prac-
tically upon merit alone and no poll
tical pull is necessary for q boy to
secure an appointment if he can
show better. qualifications than other
aspirants. OF course tie early bird
is naturally the one who has the
best opportunity. for consideration
but in any event the fellow who has
the goods is bound to be a serious
contender. Since the government
provides students with sufficient
spending money while in attendance
at the. schools the matter Of finance
does not need to be consideration.
II q boy can get to his school and
satisfy the entrance requirements
his troubles are over.