Evening star., 1942-10-04
Percentage Of Cadets
Rises Despite Decline
In High School Rolls
OfficioIs Note Effects
Of War Employment
And Physical Programs
By MARION WADE DOYLE,

And Physical Programs
By MARION WADE DOYLE.
Despite the lower enrolment OF
boys in senior high schools, princi-
pals announced at the end of the
first week of cadet corps recruiting
yesterday that the percentage OF
cadets is already higher than here
tofore. Registration continues an
other week.
The officials have been watching
enrolment closely to see the effect
of war employment and expanded
physical fitness programs on the
numbers of cadets. The Board OF
Education stressed its interest in
enrolment last month when 1t
asked parents to join the movement
to emphasize "tfe Importance OF
military training"
At Eastern, Anacostia, Central
and Western High Schools, for ex-
ample, the percentage OF cadets to
the total number of boys enrolled
has already risen to to per cent
over last years total.
Reports Awaited.
Though definite figures were not
yet available at Coolidge, Mckinley
Wilson, Armstrong, Dunbar and
Cardozo High Schools, principals
and military instructors report the
percentage Of cadets enrolled as
already "approximating" last years
total and probably higher"
At only one school, Roosevelt
High School, has any drop in the
percentage of cadets occurred.
There, the enrolment has dropped
from Ais to 81 per cent OF the total
enrolment Of boys. Charles E. Bish,
assistant principal, emphasized,
however, that the registration
period is not yet over.
There will be fewer cadets, ex-
planned Col. Wallace M. Craigie,
superintendent OF the cadet corps,
because enrolment of boys in every
school but Coolidge and Anacostia
has dropped. The enrolment Of
both boys and girls at these schools
has increased because of the influx
Of population into the areas.
If this high percentage Of ca
diets to the total number of boys
continues, however commented
Col Craigie, 1T will be most en-
couraging."
Three Factors Cited.
He explained that cadet officials
have been worried about the ef-
feet OF three factors on the size
of cadet companies. First, he said,
hundreds of boys have after school
employment now.
Second. cadets are no longer ex-
cused from physical education
classes. Each cadet, besides his
after-school drilling, must take the
three periods a week OF physical
activity and two periods a week
Of health lectures.
Third, Col. Craigie said, the cost
OF privates uniforms has gone up
81 and officers uniforms 81. Onicials
finally had to change the cost be-
cause Of increased labor and ma
terial problems, he said, but they
feared the effect on enrolment.
Cardozo High School is taking care
Of the increased cost problem, said
r. N. Mattingly, principal, by pro-
viding drill for all boys, regardless
of attire. The regular cadets will
drill after school and non-cadets
will be given some drill and a Ger
tain amount of military instruction
during the day.
Program TOughened.
1--WE believe in preparing all the
boys in military instruction. he
commented. The drilling will be in
addition to the physical fitness pro-
gram.
The cadet program this year, said
Col. Craigie. will emphasize calls
themes. a completely new step in the
local corps. The calisthenics pro-
gram will make use Of the exercise
possibilities of the new, light, 3la-
pound wooden rife all the cadets
are carrying instead of the regula-
tion Springf1elds which the Army
recalled to active service.
In addition. he said, the military
maps and military problems course
which has always been part of the
training, will be "toughened' in all
the high schools.
All OF the principals emphasized
yesterday that the numbers Of ca
diets, though probably not as large
this year as last, will be. somewhat t
higher by the end of registration
this week. At that time the regular
school cadet enrolment reports to
the War Department are due.
Eastern High School. with 235
cadets, and Western High School,
with 21l cadets, so far lead the
schools in actual numbers enrolled.
woodrow Wilson, however, expects
q total OF 200 to 250";; Mckinley
approximately that; Coolidge close
to 220, and Roosevelt around ITO.
The figures now available are:
Eastern High School, last year, 264
cadets, "a per cent of the boys en-
rolled; this year. 235 cadets, u per
cent of the total; Anacostia. lS7
cadets, 29.8 per cent last year, and
154 cadets at 3l.2 cadets this year;
Central, 205 cadets at 25.9 per cent
last year, and l65 cadets at Is per
cent this year, and Western, 249
cadets at 38 per cent last year, and
2ll cadets at about 80 per cent this
year.
Drops in enrolment of boys,
though not yet complete through.
out the city, are typified by the drop
from $50 to 583 at Western and 500
to 509 at Roosevelt.