Evening star., 1944-06-05

in charge of Ca Chester W. Holmes
diets regarding the status OF TIT
proposal to name at the next meet
ing of the Board of Education
successor to Col. Wallace M. Cralgle
present professor of military science
and tactics and commandant of the
corps.
The facts are these: Col. Craigit
having reached the compulsory age
of retirement of 10 in May, 1943
received from the Board of Educa-
ton an extension of service for ont
year which expired in May. The
board at its meeting in May, 1914
extended the colonel's appointment
through the close of the school veal
in June, 1914.
Thus the question of his successor
naturally arose. Board members
have been informed that thought
it was logical to consider 1t. Col
William E. Barkman, a teacher at
Mckinley and at present assistant
to Col. Craigie, as his successor
because of his recognized ability and
experience, knowing as I do the
policy of the board to promote per-
sons from within the service when
ever they possess qualifications at
least the equal of, if not better
than, those possessed by applicants
from without the service.
Maj. Smith Seeks Position.
I also stated that Maj. Allan c.
Smith. at present on terminal leave
from the Army, had expressed to me
orally desire to be considered as
a candidate for Col. Craigie's posi-
tion If and when it was declared
open. Since at the time this in
formation was conveyed to the men,
bers no action had been taken-nor
has any yet been taken by the Board
of Education-So to declare it, the
matter was naturally not pursued
further. 1t seems reasonable, how
ever, to presume that it may be
considered at the next meeting of
the Personnel Committee, and it
was this presumption which un-
doubtedly led the reporter to ques-
ton me.
Unfortunately 1t has been in
ferred, if not directly stated, that
Maj. Smith has had my indorse-
ment for Col. Craigies position.
Nothing could be further from the
truth. I have studiously avoided
making any comment other than to
answer the question from a board
member as to whether there was
any one within the service quail
fed to fill it.. 1t was then that I
pointed out Col. Barkman's avail
ability. I do not have "favorites,"
as was intimated, but always con-
slider all applicants for teaching
positions and oficerships on the
basis of their demonstrated merits.
Since that meeting, however. word
has reached me-but not from Col.
Barkman-that he might not care
to consider taking over Col.
Craigie's work, but might prefer to
remain in his present assignment.
Maj. Smith was the first to call
me when the Saturday afternoon
edition of local paper appeared
bearing the story of his interview
by reporter and to deny having
spoken so disparagingly of the cadet
corps. He was much disturbed by
the unfavorable light which the
published story gave to the cadets
Favors Strong Cadet Corps.
Certainly it should need no words
of mine to tell cadets or their par
ents or the citizens of the District
that l do not share Maj. Smiths
originally reported views. On the
contrary, I have annually for the
past five years addressed the cadet
officers at the beginning of the cadet
year in October, at the special in
vitation of Col. Craigie, and in each
address I have tried to make plain
my interest in the cadet corps ana
my eagerness to aid in every way
its effectiveness as highly impor-
tant school agency. High school
principals can testify, / know, to
my interest in making the corps just
as strong a school organization as
possible.
At no time have I advocated the
discontinuance of the competitive
drills. Again, on the contrary, am
definitely on record, as both the
principals and Col Craigie can
verify, as being in favor of adding
to the public drills more demonstra-
tions of the training the corps re-
ceives.
In short, I have at all times been
an advocate of a strong, vigorous,
virile program of cadet instruction,
believing that it is the finest insur-
ance we can give our boys as they
leave us for the armed forces or as
they prepare for civilian pursuits.
The outstanding achievements of
former cadets now serving in those
armed forces constitute sound in
dorsement of the value of military
instruction, and references can be
found in the public press in recent
years indicating that 1 have urged
making the military training COM
pulsory for all students, which it is
not now.
1t is only too true, however, that
our cadets are very deeply con-
cerned over the winning of the
Allison Nailor Medal, so much sc
that. according to recent report
coming to me from Col. Barkman
representing the military instructors
the cadets resent having to take
time from company drill to learn
or do anything not Immediately con-
nected with the competition.
Maladjustment of Focus.
1t strikes me that when the desire
to wear medals and TO win compe-
titions, as the colonel'S report states
the cadets prefer to do, becomes
greater than the desire to extend
ones knowledge, there is malad-
Justment of focus on desirable edu-
cational outcomes that must OBJ
viously be of considerable concern
to an educational officer.
The extremely unfortunate word
ing and inferences contained in
the three recent references to our
cadets have done much harm wholly
unnecessarily hecause there has haap