Evening star., 1949-07-23
Army FindsLag
In Cadets Due 10
Drilling Hours
After-SchooI Plan
Shares Blame With
Instructor System

in the Districts public high
schools will remain bleak as long
as the program is conducted after
school hours and instructors are
obtained on a catch-as-catch-can
basis.
This consensus appears in re-
/ ports of Army inspectors made
public yesterday by Representa-
tive league. Democrat, of Texas.
q member of the House District
Committee.
An effective Junior ROTC pro-
gram could be developed here If
cadets were given their training
during regular class periods by
full-time instructors. participation
was made compulsory. uniforms
were provided and summer
camp was set up under Army
supervision, the reports indicate,
Many of the present instructors
in the schools recommended these
changes to the inspectors, and
they were Endorsed by a number
of the principals.
Await School Action.
Mr.. league has said he wants
to give school officials every op-
portunity to present plan for
revitalizing the disintegrating
corps. If no constructive pro-
posals are forthcoming, he has
stated, he intends to ask the
House District Committee to ini-
tiate a formal investigation of the
problem of cadet recruitment.
The reports furnished Mr..
league yesterday by the Army
consist of completed question
naires submitted by inspection
teams who visited the schools last
spring and in the same period OF
1948. Different sets of inspection
teams participated in the two
years.
The continuing decline in STU
dent interest in cadet activity has
been recognized by school authori-
ties. But the sharp drop in rat
ings of individual schools. as
shown on the reports, may reflect,
also, differing inspection stand
ards among the Army teams.
In 1948, one schools cadet unit
(Roosevelt) was found superior;
four were termed excellent; seven
were called satisfactory, and only
two phelps and BelD were re-
ported as unsatisfactory.
Only Western Held Satisfactory.
This year, on the other hand,
only Western was called satisfac-
tory: All others were termed un-
satisfactory.
It is clear from the reports that
the inspectors found instructors
discouraged and students unen-
thusiastic-the latter often speak
ing of the "ridicule" to which
cadets are subjected by their non
participating classmates. f
Here are excerpts from this
years comments, school by school:
Coolidge-"Recomme that a
(rife) range be provided
Principal recognizes need of "dras-
tic action" to place cadet corps
in it's former position in eyes OF
all"
Cardozo-"The principal feels
that the School Board and not
the principal is responsible for
success or failure of the cadet
corps, and the principal should
not be held responsible for failure
to meet Army requirements, unless
and until adequate facilities, time
and accommodations are provided
by the board. 1t is evident
that the military instructor has
displayed knowledge and pro-
ficiency acquired during the recent
war"
Uniform Cost Handicap.
Western-"P cipal wants
closer supervision by Army; says
the cost of uniform detrimental
to enrolment. Principal concurs
with instructor on excusing cadets
from physical education"
Anacostia-"Principal favorsI
compulsory cadet training.
Training schedules are unbal-
anced."
Central-"Principal suggests ca
diets be taken to summer camp.
- Sole effort seems to be to-
ward perfection of drill team
rather than well-rounded military
unit"
Mckinley - Principal reported
as commenting that under pres
ent conditions, cadet training is
worthless. - This cadet COM
pany lacks the support and suffers
the antagonism of the principal,
faculty and student body. - 1t
is unfair to the cadets to expect
them to volunteer for training
under such conditions"
Bish Makes Statement.
DR.. Charles E. Bish, principal
of Mckinley, asked to comment
on the reference to him. said:
It can't understand how the
inspectors got such an impression.
Certainly, there has been no an
tagonism. We have been striving
in a number of ways. within our
limitations, to build up the cadet
program.
Every encouragement has been
given. There have been no re-
strictions on space, for example.
And, if boy wants to join the
cadets, we see that he gets al
uniform, even if he feels he can't
pay for it. The Parent Teacher
Association has been co-operat-
ing in this"
Wilson-Principal reported as
concurring with instructors rec
ommendation that "the Board of
Education place military training
on a par with athletic activities.
Emphasis on close order drill
at expense of other subjects.
Roosevelt - Cadet companies
reflect enthusiasm and s,1pport of