Evening star., 1941-09-11
Parents Of Cadets
May Settle Proposal
To Change Uniforms
Board, Undecided by
Pros and Cons, to
Await Reaction

Washington is apparently all "het
up" about proposals TO change the
uniform of the high school cadets.
I've had about 40 people didn't
know call me up and ask me not to
approve a change" DR.. James A.
Cannon told fellow members Of the
Board of Education in committee
session yesterday on the question.
"a lot Of people have spoken to
me about 1t, too" added Mrs. Velma
G. williams, chairman of the Stu
dent Activities Committee.
At the boards last meeting In
July, a revamping of the uniform
In the interests of economy was
suggested by school and cadet
officials and a demonstration Of the
proposed change, involving blue
sweater and overseas cap to replace
the present blue blouse and cap,
was provided.
Critics Scout Economy Factor.
DESPITE the fact that the alter
native would have cost about half
the price of the present uniform,
DR.. Cannon branded 1t reform
school" uniform and Charles D.
Drayton, a former cadet, objected
to the lack of "snappiness" in the
proposed change.
School officials argued that the
high cost of the uniform-about
S23-acted as barrier to keep many
BOYS out of the cadet corps. The
two board members said the appear
ence of the new uniform would keep
more people out than its economy
would let in. SO they let the matter
lie over until yesterday.
During the summer months school
officials gave favorable consideration
to a khaki uniform which would
give the cadets much the appear
ance of selectees. The uniform
would have consisted of trousers,
shirt, overseas cap, black shoes and
black tie.
Only few days ago the school
principals of both the white and
colored high schools voted unan-
imously for third proposal, which
is to keep the present uniform and
make the blouse optional.
About $12 for Blouse.
DR.. Holmes pointed out that the
blouse costs about Sl2, against about
$40 for the rest of the uniform, and
that the boys would wear simply
the white shirts at their competitive
drills.
The boys who can afford them
can buy the blouses for dances and
special parades if they like" DIR.
Holmes said. But they will not be
required for the cadet drills"
The board was supposed to have
voted on the change yesterday, but
postponed action on the hope that
between now and the next board
meeting next Wednesday parents Of
cadets and cadets will give an indi-
cation Of their position in the
matter.
The present uniform is a tradi-
tion," declared DR.. Cannon, "and I
don't want to see it changed"
Dr.. Holmes said the change was
proposed only for the emergency
period and thereafter the board
could go back to the present plan.
G. Melvin Sharpe, another board
member. said he favored the white
shirt for summer wear during hot
periods in which the annual cadet
drills often are held. But he added
he thought the weak point was in
having the blouse optional.
The boys in the Northwest will
have them and the others won't"
put in DR.. Cannon.
Shop Proprietor Protests.
Another person who opposed
change of the uniforms is a pro-
prietor of a uniform shop. He sent
special delivery letters to each board
member telling them why no change
should be made. The present dress,
he said, when cleaned and pressed
looks fine no matter how old and
can be obtained for as little as IS
second hand. He said many cadets
had told him Of their opposition to
tIle cnange. one uniform he has,
he added, is 10 years old and still
looks good.
He told the members he has been
19 years in the business of selling
secondhand cadet uniforms and
had all his money tied up in it. "A
sudden change would absolutely ruin
me after l9 years, he pleaded.
Mrs. Francis M. Walters, ir..
mother OF a past and prospective
cadet also urged in a letter to
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, president
of the board, that no change be
made. She thought the present uni
form, while expensive, helped i'm
prove the posture of her son and
that the first proposed change last
July would encourage a good slouch.
She suggested better ARRANGEMENTS
for secondhand sale of uniforms by
the schools or some plan of deferred
payments and volunteered her serv-
ices to any school to recondition old
suits, belts and gloves.