Evening star., 1948-09-30
Square Deal for Cadets

To the Editor OF The Star:
am the mother of two sons, one of whom
persuaded to participate in military drill for
half his high school career; the other now Is
Cadet, hence my concern for the thinning
Cadet ranks" The main reasons for the slump
in Cadet enrolment which I have gathered
from observation and inquiry during the period
of decline of this excellent organization, must
be obvious to many parents. They seem to
me more vital than any previously mentioned
in the articles in The Star.
As see it, the causes of decreased enroll
ment are of two sorts, physical and psyche
logical. The expanded compulsory physical
education program of five hours weekly plus
a minimum of two afternoons of Cadet drill
after school make program of physical effort
too strenuous to permit participation in COM
petitive sports the remaining three afternoons
when homework and participation in extra
curricular activities are to be included in the
weekly routine. Every year hear parents ask
if it is possible for their sons to be Cadets
and 60 out for athletics. The answer always
is the same as that given to me, that it can
be done; but experience soon shows that boy
really must make a choice between military
drill and athletics When intensive work in
either activity is necessary, coaches are loath
to excuse boy for military drill and Cadet
officers are loath to excuse him for athletics.
The boy soon perceives that the school policy
is not unified, and that there is antipathy
between the athletic group and the military
group From this stems the psychological rea-
son for decreased enrolment.
The most distressing condition cited by the
boys is that the schools do not support their
Cadets The Cadets know that some members
of the teaching staff are opposed to their
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marks about it by athletic instructors; the
"roorers' who appear at the competitive drill
are so few that the boys are disheartened.
And when students of high school boo their
own Cadets, one may infer that active phy-
Geological causes are at work. Opposition may
even start in Junior high school. I have been
told that Junior high school boys assembly
was addressed by senior high school athlete
on athletics in the school they would eventually
enter, whereas a Cadet officer requesting
similar opportunity was refused it by the junior
high school principal
1 regard the Cadet Corps as the finest
extra-curricular activity. Its outstanding adj
vantage is that it offers every one an oppor-
tunity to advance strictly according to merit
and scholastic record. do not regard it as
evidence of Objectionable militarism, but as an
activity which, when backed by the teaching
staff, furnishes splendid training. 1t incul-
Gates good fellowship, courtesy, neatness and
teamwork. All who wish may participate. BY
contrast, its competitor, athletics, is the privi
lege of the few. To athletics go the time and
effort of the coaches, while the rest must
satisfy their desire Tor competitive sports
vicariously, in the grandstand. AS to ideals
inculcated, imagine the disillusionment of a
good student in whose presence a principal
and coach demanded an easy examination so
that physically proficient but failing student
would be eligible for forthcoming game!
Belated attempts have been made to remedy
the situation, but the opponents of military
drill have done their work well Reduction in
the ranks still goes on; and one can hardly
blame the boys. Having suffered the taunts of
the athletic crowd, the Cadets need the zeal of
the Crusaders to keep going without the sup
port of the school officials. Let us back them
and excuse them from some of their gym
periods, just as athletic squad members are
excused Physical fitness is as well developed on
the drill grounds as in the gymnasium. Let the
teachers and school officials give the Cadets
square deal. A PARENT.
A Southerner for Mr.. Dewey
To the Editor of The Star:
Recently the Republican presidential norni-