Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-17
COLLINS ATTACKS
D. C. CADET CORPS
Asks Type Of Americaniza.
ton Taught in Schools at
Hearing on Budget.

Disspproval of the Washington High
School Cadet Corps as an organization
which teaches children the art of war
fare" was voiced by Representative Ross
r. Collins of Mississippi. member of the
subcommittee of the House committee
on appropriations, during the hearings
conducted by that body on the District
1881 budget.
Mr.. Collins had Just finished ques-
tioning school officials on the type OF
Americanization taught in Washington
schools. during which he expressed his
objection to turning the schools into
propaganda agencies" when he de-
manded of Stephen E. Kramer, f1rst as
sistant superintendent in charge OF nigh
schools and cadets:
Il want to ask you something about
this playing around with war that you
folks are engaged in. How many
Regular Army officers have you in the
schools"
simmons Endorses Cadets.
He was told there are four commits
stoned officers and a first sergeant in
the white schools and a warrant officer
and a sergeant from the War Depart
ment in the colored schools. and when
he pursued a line Of questioning that
indicated that he was opposed to the
Robert G. Simmons of Nebraska, chair
man Of the subcommittee and the chief
inuuisitor of the school authorities dur
ing the hearings. voluntarily voiced his
Endorsement of the cadets.
Mr.. Kramer stated that membership
in the cadet corps is voluntary, and that
cadet officers are selected by their own
merit based on cadet corps record and
scholastic attainment. Mr.. Collins
thought differently about the voluntary
membership.
II don't know about that being the
case" he said The making of scholar
ship important to officer personnel is an
encouragement of this activity by school
authorities. In other words. you are
linking UP scholarship with the higher
ranks, and boy knows by this your
attitude"
Mr.. Kramer replied that he did not
see how scholarship had anything TO do
with the volunteer phase of cadet men,
bership. He said a boy joins or not as
he pleases and that personally he, him.
self, believes in the cadet work mot as
military work at all but as part OF the
regular school work
Collins Doubts Wisdom
Mr. Collins said that every child .
wears or more old wants q uniform
and he doubted the wisdom of cultivat-
ing this inclination. Mr. Kramer de-
Tended the corps with:
L would like to say that as far as
our cadet service is concerned regard
it as the most valuable vehicle we have
in teaching manhood and a sense OF
obligation"
Il have heard other sensible men say
that returned the Mississippian, and
Mr. Kramer replied that we would
have TO differ on that"
You will have to let me get into
the same class" Mr. Simmons inter-
posed, because I indorse it-that is,
Mr.. Kramer's statement"
Mr.. Simmons later said that the
cadet corps teaches cooperation and
coordination of mind and body.
It cannot agree that the greatest
thing in life Is the teaching 0f chill
dren the art of warfare" Mr.. Collins
returned. Il believe right thinking and
correct living is much more important
and should be emphasized
The discussion was ended when Mr.
Kramer simply remarked:
I'VE cannot all agree"
Mr. Collins queries regarding Amer
icanization work here centered cnief1y
about the brand" being taught He
asked specifically. What are you teach
ing them?" and when Mr.. Robert L.
Haycock. assistant superintendent
undertook to list such subjects as the
English language, American customs
and American home ideals, the Con-
gressman said he didn't want those de-
tails.
Il want to know exactly what you
teach when you teach Americsniza-
tion." Mr.. Collins demanded You
can answer that in Is or 80 words"
81 would say the object of the Amer
icanization school in the teaching oi
Americanization. Mr.. Haycock triec
again, ''is to throw around the chill
dren. or the persons who come under