The Washington times., 1921-06-19
63 ENLISTED MEN
READY TO enter
NAVAL ACADEMY
Class Lacks Full Quota Of 100
as Has Been Case in
Past Years.

mont OF one hundred enlisted men OF
the Navy and Marine Corps as mem
bsrs of each new class OF midship-
men. has not accomplished all of the
desired objects. Though the law has
been effective for four years. no
class has secured the full quota. and
thore is no doubt that those who
entered tho Naval Academy in this
way are, In most cases, youths who
enltstod with the idea OF leaving
the enlisted status for that OF q
midshipman as soon as possible.
The UNDERTAKING. idea of those who
secured the passage of the act was
to attract TO the enlisted ranks of
he service Intelligent and ambitious
youths by Increasing the opportun-
tiles of those who enlisted. 1t was
intended. further. that officers would
kesp q careful watch for the kind
Of youths who would develop into
good officers. and encourage them to
enter the Naval Academy.
Those In the best position to judge
are certain That very few youths. at
ready in the Navy or Marine Corps,
have conceived the idea of becoming
midshipmen. but that nearly all of
those who do enter in~this way, en-
listed for that special purpose. Cases
are known of midshipmen who have
Rad Congressional appointments. but
who have failed, and who at once
enlisted, fearing that they would not
be able to secure another appoint
ment.
While the underlying idea of the
act has not been carried out, there
10 no claim that 1t is an entire fail
ura. 1t has, in fact, opened tho way
fos a number Of the best of youths
10 secure admission to the academy,
when they were not In b position to
secure a regular appointment More
over. there is no question but what
all who have had the year In the
enlisted ranks have received great
bsnefit from 1t. Many of them have
done splendid work in the academy
and there are two instances in re-
cent years of such midshipmen lead
ing their classes In studies.
sIxTY-THREE QUALIFY.
The number of those who have
qualifed mentally this year for ad-
mission to the academy is sixty-three.
All are physically qualified unless
something has developed since they
entered the Naval Acadmy. This is
about the maximum of those who
have entered In this way In any
year since the law went into effect.
This being the case, although the
examinations are nominally competi-
tive, any youth who epteres the
navy can become a midshipman II he
can pass the prescribed examinations.
Under the law, youths to secure
designations to the Naval Academy
In this way must not be more than
twenty years of age on April 1 of
tive. any youth who enters the
they must have been in the navy or
marine corps for at least one year
by August is OF the same year. There
fore. those who wish TO enter the
academy next year by this method.
must enlist by August 10. next
ACADEMY CHANGES.
In addition TO the change in the
hsad of the Naval Academy. Admiral
Hsnry B. Wilson, succeeding Rear
Admiral Archibald II. Sacales, as su-
perintondent, there will be new heads
to nearly all the departm ents of the
academy, in which changes are regu-
larry made, when the new term of
the institution begins on October l.
Admiral Scales desires to leave the
academy by June 20, but the change
viii probably be later than that date.
a. the department wishes Admiral
WIlson to complete his duty with the
retirement board before taking up
his new position Admiral Scales has
nat received his new assignment
Captain Thomas r. Kurtz, who will
suecced Captain Wat It. Cluverids.
oommnndant CT midshipmen and head
Of the department of discipline. which
has to do with the discipline, drill
and subsistence of the midshipmen-
has reported for duty. However.
Captain Cluysrius has not yet been
relieved. and the actual successlon
Of Captain Kurts has not taken place.
Comdr. John Downes has succeeded
Cumdr. Walter N. vernous as head
Of the department Of navigation, and
Comdr. Wilbur r. Van Auken has
taken charge OF the department OF
ordance and gunnery, succeeding
Ccmdr. Arthur p. Fairfield. Comdr.
Henry d. Cooke shortly will assume
charge of the department OF elec-
tYtofty and physics, succeeding Comdr.
Burrell c. Allen. Capt. Amos Bron-
scu, head of the department of sea-
manship, has been detached, but his
susGessor has not been named.
Comdr. Joseph o. Fisher has been
designated to succeed Capt Ernest J.
King as head Of the post-grauate
school. There will also be many
changes In the assistants in the Diff
fsrsnt departments.
RULING Is ASKED
Rear Admiral A. H Scales, super
intendent of the Naval Academy, has
been called upon to determine wheth-
er membrs Of the academy personnel
may become candidates for municipal
offices in the City of Annapolis and
accept tho positions IL they are elect
ed. He II comforting with the Navy
Department on the subject, and will
act in the matter shortly. Two pos
sibls candidates have been suggested
for aldermen One is an Instructor
in one of tho departments, and the
other, a coiored man. holds = sub
ordinate place
AilAE eli lIA RpOTAERC