Evening star., 1944-06-04
Plan 10 Revise
Cadet Training
Causes Storm
Proposal of Holmes
Sharply AssoiIed by
D. c. Civic Groups

Members of parent-teacher groups
and the commanding officers of the
Washington high school cadet corps
joined yesterday In opposing sur-
gestions made by DR.. Chester w.
Holmes, assistant school superin-
tendent. to revamp the training
technique Of the corps.
DR.. Holmes Friday advocated
abolition of the annual competitive
drill and revision of the training
program. In a letter to military
instructors In the high schools he
said that perpetuation of the pres
ent system Of instruction seemed to
him to put the entire school organ
ization "out on limb" and to make
the corps social" rather than a
strong functioning body"
Maj. Allan Smith. physical educa-
ton instructor of Eastern High
School, also has made proposals for
changes in training which have won
the backing OF DR.. Holmes.
Called Training Outmoded.
Maj. Smith, candidate to succeed
1t. Col. Wallace E. Craigle as cadet
head when the latter retires this
month, Friday criticised District
high school students in general as
poorly disciplined and ill-mannered.
The cadet corps training, he said,
was outmoded and In need of q
complete revision.
Cadet Col. Roger E. Saunders. II.
Central High School senior who
commands the entire cadet brigade.
led cadet officers in opposing any
change in the 60-year-old corps.
Il am sure former cadets now
serving in the Army would be
shocked" he said, ito see the corps,
with it's glorious traditions and his
tory, turned into an experimental
instruction class. I think I will
ask to appear before the school
board at its meeting Wednesday to
object"
Col. Saunders urged the WASH
ington public to judge the value Of
the cadet corps training by the per-
formance of the cadets in their
annual competitive drill to be held
at Griffith Stadium Thursday and
Friday.
Wants Public to Decide.
'The public can decide" he said.
They have only to watch U.S."
s. j. McCathran, member of the
Central High School Parent-
Teacher Association, himself a for
mer member of the cadet CORDS and
now the father of son In the Army.
was. sharp in his criticism of DR..
Holmes.
II think" he said, that it is most
presumptious of DR.. Holmes, and
further convinces me that he Ia
totally untitled for his job"
Mrs. Frederick Ferguson, presi.
dent of the Anacostia Parent-
Teacher Association, said she did
believe there should be more actual
drilling lin the corps but urged re-
tention of the annual competitive
drill.
Il feel very strongly that If cadet
competition were eliminated" she
said, there will be no cadet CORPS"
Arthur L. Eskey, president of the
Western Home and School Associ-
alton, declared:
I think the organization as now
established-with tradition back of
its pretty good. I would hesitate
to see them change a practice so
successful"
Lauds Corps As 1t Stands.
Mrs. John Donaldson, president of
the Central Parent Teacher Associ-
alton, praised the corps as it
stands" She said her executive
committee had recommended ap-
pointment of Col. William E. Bark
man, present assistant to Col.
Crsigie, as head of the cadet corps.
Meanwhile the 1000 white cadets
polished buttons yesterday in prep
aration for the annual competitive
drill Thursday perhaps the last
drill they may hold if the revision
goes through. Companies from all
eight white high schools will don
blue uniforms and carry wooden
guns to drill and maneuver at Grit
fifth Stadium. Upon completion of
drilling Friday afternoon, the dia-
mond- studded Allison Nailor Medal
will be pinned on the winning COM
pany captain and ribbons on mem
bers of the winning, second and
third companies
The colored cadets polished but
tons yesterday, too. but without
fear that their annual drill at the
stadium Tuesday may be the last.
DR.. Garnet C. Wilkinson, in charge
of divisions 10 OF 10, has not joined
in suggested changes.