The Washington times., 1922-01-22
WEEKLY DRILLS
MAKE BOYS
BETTER
From Two Companies the Brig
ade Has Grown to Several
Regiments.
BY EDWARD J. DUFFY.
THIRTY-NINE years ago this
i fall, in 1882, the Washing


were organized. Two COM
panies of fifty boys each were
formed. George Israel, q
teacher in Central High School
at the time, drilled them.
The companies used fifty old
Austrian rifles to drill with.
Squads took turns with the dilap-
idated equipment, but those
hundred boys were the forerun-
ners of the present High School
regiment. Today there are more
than 1900 boys in the cadet corps.
corps.
FIRST APPEARANCE.
The cadets made their first public
appearance in May. 1888. when q
picked company marched in a par
ade Of the Grand Army of the Re.
public. In the same year Captain.
later Lieut.. col., Burton r. Ross. of
the District Militia. became a regu-
larly appointed instructor Of the
cadet corps. In 1885 the orsaniza.
ton in which Allan Davis, principal
OF Business High School. was a
cadet, appeared at the exercises at.
tending the dedication Of the Wash.
ington Monument.
After the death of Colonel Ross
the cadet corps was put under the
direction Of Major McCathran, N. @.
ID. c. In the spring of 1916 Major
McCathron was called to the Dor
der" for service. For a short time
the corps was without an official in
structor. Major Steever, u. 8. A.,
voluntarily granted his services and
did work of much value. 1t was
under his supervision that the first
training In elementary science was
given. In November, 1915, Lieut.. N.
b. Briscoe, u. s. A.. was appointed
Instructor by the War Department
and under his direction the first
brigade was formed. Upon the
Declaration Of War with Germany,
however. Lieutenant Briscoe was
assigned by the War Department to
more important duties and the as.
distant military instructor, former
Cadet Colonel Wallace M. Yater, was
promoted to fill his post. The po-
sition Of assistant was filled during
1918 by former Cadet Major Worth
Shouts. In November, 1918. Major
Shouts was promoted to military in
structor upon the resignation of
Colonel Yater.
DAY APPOINTED.
81 In the fall Of 1919, Lieut.. r. r.
Day. United States Marine Corps,
was appointed the military instruc-
tor of the corps. Lieutenant Day
has introduced an entirely new drin
In extended order, but the close
order drill Is the same as in pre-
vious years. On May s, 1920, the
cadet corps paraded with different
army units in the national army
essay contest parade. They were
complimented on their splendid ap-
pearance by the Hon. Newton d.
Baker, then Secretary Of War. This
a IN ~ hA tn
where the cadet corps has made its
appearance in the last few years
and received many compliments
from high army officials. The off,
GERS Of the corps furnished a guard
Of honor at the exhibition Of the
original documents of historical
note at the State Department. For
this excellent performance of duty
these officers received written
letters Of merit from the Secretary
Of State.
On Washington's birthday. 1921,
Company L, First Regiment, and
Company I. Second Regiment, fur
nished a guard Of honor at cere-
monies held at the Washington
Monument
GUARD OF HONOR.
On March 4. 1921, the whole
cadet corps was q guard of honor
at the White House. and gave Presi.
dent Wilson his last safuss and
President Harding his first. Gen.
J. J. Pershing. U. 8. A., presented
the commissions to the officers of
the corps on March Q, 1921. On
April s, 1921, the two regiments
were presented with regimental
colors by the girls Of the high
schools. After the presentation Of
the colors the cadet corps was re-
viewed by Secretary Of War Weeks,
by whom they were complimented.
The brigade holds an annual
parade and review on the Ellipse
back Of the White House. Tho re-
..l.,.,tx- .fficar ta fh. Dr>~idnnx -