Evening star., 1943-09-23
School Heads,
Randolph Back
Cadet Training
Conference Voices
Unanimous Favor Of
| Compulsory Plan
BY WILL P. KENNEDY.

Strong sentiment. In favor OF COM
pulsory military training in the Dis
trict high schools was expressed with
practically unanimous voice at q
conference today among Chairman
Randolph Of the House District
COMMITTEES, the subcommittee on
education and representatives Of the
Board Of Education.
Representative Rowe, Republican,
Of Ohio, who served during the
World War In the Navy submarine
chaser service, emphasized that the
high school youths should be given
full military training" by being
removed during the training period
from school and family and put into
camp life for stiff training. Rep
resentative Hebert, Democrat, Of
Louisiana said It was most im-a
portant that this training should be
compulsory and the youth made to
realize that he must take the train
Ing and learn to obey orders"
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle. presi-
dent of the Board Of Education,
asked the committee to delay action
until the result of an intensive drive
Tor volunteer enlistments in the
Cadet Corps could show the atti-
tude OF both the youth and parents.
Others Gain in Opinion.
All others attending the session
declared they felt compulsory mili-
tary training was desirable, not only
In preparation for national defense
but as character training for youth.
They would learn discipline and
civic obligations, they said, and the
training would bring out their man.
hood and responsibility in serving
the Nation.
Chairman Randolph said that
while no legislation has yet been
introduced, the question would not
be permitted to lag and that the
frank discussion showed that all
objections and administrative prob
lens could be adjusted.
The viewpoint of those present. :.
ne said is that instead of encourage
ing military training in the high
schools it should be made COM
pulsory."
Russell Reaffirms Stand, &:
Chairman Russell of the 'Subcom-
mittees on Education and National
Defense, said he has advocated COM
pulsory military training since the
World War, with proper reserva-
tions and provisions, and felt that
1t should be for more than one high
| school year.
representative Rohrbough, Re-
publican, OF West Virginia, veteran
educator, said that if he were per-
mitted to draft an educational uro-
gram he would provide fol. three
years academic work and one wear
OF military training under the Army.
/ Mr.. Rowe reiterated his conviction
that compulsory, full military sery-
Ice will be of the greatest value to
youth in moral and civic stabiliza-
ton, preparing him for the fight of
Life even more than the fight of
war"
Hebert Backs Reed.
| Mr. Hebert said it is a definite
need in our school system and that
many youths have fallen because
they lacked respect for discipline.
He felt that the Army should supply
uniforms and training officers be-
cause it is a national problem rather
than one for the individual school
or student. He and Mr.. Rowe both
insisted there should be consultation
and collaboration with the armed
services to see If drill and instruc-
ton officers could be detailed.
Robert A. Maurer, vice president
OF the Board of Education, who has
four sons in the service, and Robert
L. Haycock, assistant superintendent
| OF schools, spoke in favor of COM
pulsory military training.
| Chairman Randolph said school
officials would be consulted in draft
ing the proposed legislation in an
attempt to adjust it to the academic
curriculum.