The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1940-06-20
The American Army School

Representative Kent E. Keller, Democrat, Illinois,
introduced in congress this week a bill for the crea-
ton of the American School Army.
The plan calls for tn training Of p, $50 youths be-
tween the ages of Is and 18, each year in military,
vocational and academic education to be increased as
found necessary. These cadets would be selected ac-
cording to the apportionment of various congressional
districts. Under this plan the Educational Board under
Education, would have charge of the academic and
vocational training and would cooperate with the War
Department which would provide housing, discipline and,
military training. There would be no educational re-
quirenents but the boys would have to be physically lit.
Thus would be created a large school which would
give adequate military training and establish a vast re-
source of manpower in the event of this country be-
coming involved in war. Year after year there would
be added to the reserve rolls thousands of men with
some idea of army tactics and discipline, men better
prepared to serve their country if called upon.
In reviewing the merits of his bill in Washington, Mr..
Keller stated:
I repeat that no country will attack America, with u
unlimited resources if America is fully prepared. The ooun-
tries that understand nothing but force, a be met only by
force. America must start low and fully prepare not only
for the present time, but for all time to come. The American
School Army plan will provide ar adequate defense for future
time. Twenty years from now there would be on the rolls Of
the United States Army, 100000 men who would have had
thorough military training in their formative years; who will
be sounder of body and trained of hand and mind in the
event they should have to bear arms in defense of this
glorious country.
"Tsch a Americas resources ae W cannot afford to keep
a large standing army, no is that necessary. Neither can
we afford the exorbtant cost of emergency preparation under
the stress and waste of the excitement of a n emergency after
it is upon us. The American School Army plan provides
the necessary defense at the lowest possible cost, from the
points of view of training, of benefit to the cfizenry and of
releasing man power to industry during adulthood.
In the light of the studies of the defects found in drafted
men of the World War, the benefits of this training to the
health of the youth of the Nation will be great. Each
graduate will be equipped with a worthwhile education,
trained for the responsibility of defending the nation that is
already borne by every ablebodied male citizen whether he
is equipped or not. Training in THE AMERICAN SCHOOL
ARMY therefore imposes no new obligation upon the young
manhood of the nation, but equips the youth to better carry
out the responsibility which is already his. Each graduate
of the American School Army is to be carried on the rolls
as a Reservist and subject to bear arms in defense of the
United States, the anne as all men now are.
1T is my sincere wish that w will never have cause to
use the services of these young men in this way, and it grows
more apparent day by day that the way to keep from ac-
rifciag young mems lives needlessly is to be fully prepared.
Toward this end 1 have worked out the American School
Army plan with the cooperation of the Office of Education
and the United States Army"
Unless something better can be offered at this time
the American Congress would do well to support the
establishment and maintenance of the American School
Army