Milford chronicle., 1956-07-06
APPOINTMENTS TO THE ACADEMIES


Post. ULYSSES S. Grant almost lost his chance
at the academy because his father and con-
gresham did not see eye to eye politically"
Thus begins an article whose title ex-
plains it premise: "Take the Academies Out
of Politics. The great majority of appoint
ments to the service schools-eight out of
ten in the case of West Point, and six out of
ten in the case of Annapolis-are made by
congressman. And the resultant situation,
as Senator Kennedy sees it, is shocking"
First, not enough appointments, or the
right kind of appointments, are being made.
Last year, which was fairly typical, members
of Congress were entitled to send 866 boys
to West Point. But 324 of the vacancies were
not flled-because congressman either neg
lected to make the appointments, or because
they nominated candidates who couldn't quail
ify. And 460 nominations out of an author
lied 1,134 to Annapolis similarly went un-
filled.
Secondly, in Sen. Kennedy's view, "Va-
cancies are not the only problem-the quality
of personnel is just as disturbing" A War
Department study has shown that, over
ten-year period, candidates gaining appoint
ment through competitive examinations were
generally superior to those appointed by the
congressman.
However, it seems that the competitive
examination system, as present constituted,
is far from an adequate answer to the prob
lem. For one thing, top grades are likely to
90 to those young men who can afford to at
tend special "cram schools" For another, as
Senator Kennedy puts it, such system
places too much emphasis on mere grades to
the exclusion of other factors" There is
plenty of evidence that scholastic achieve
ment does not necessarily mean that the man
will be an outstanding success as an officer
There have of course, been great officers who
ranked at or near the top of their classes
General Macarthur and Admiral King
among them. But there have been others who
were in the middle third-including Generals
Grant and Eisenhower. And there nave been
still others in the bottom third-such as Cen
eral Vandenberg and Admiral Halsey.
Senator Kennedy cites criticism of the
existing system going back as far as 1915.
His own solution-which he follows in max
ing his own appointments-iS based on eX-
aminations which are open to all. Especially
tailored tests are given, following stiff physi-
cal examinations, and are carefully evaluat-
ed. Scientifically devised questionnaires de-
signed to bring out data on character and
personality are sent to former teachers, en-
ployers, and others Then special selection
board, serving without pay, takes over. This
board thoroughly weighs all the factors that
may mitigate for or against prospective
candidates chances for success And this
board does the selecting. Senator Kennedy
says that he has not even met one of his own
appointees until after the board has acted.
This, Mr.. Kennedy feels, points the way
toward eliminating the worst of the abuses.
To quote him again, "By using available mod
ern selective methods, we in Congress can
get the type of boys we need to become the
guardians of our future security"
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VOX POPULI
Untold billions of the peoples dollars
oil oil trio
projects and systems. Yet the people have
never had an opportunity to say, at the polls,
whether or not they want this program. 1t
is matter of record that in late years when
local public-power proposals have been voted
on, they have been turned down in the great
majority of cases.
A while ago it looked as if New York
voters would have a chance to make their
views known on a really big prOject-a S4O0
million hydroelectric development on the
Niagara River. The background story here
is significant one. For many years group
of regulated, taxpaying utilities has been
ready to go ahead with this needed develop
ment This program has been approved by
organizations representing every category
of consumer and taxpayer-labor, agricul-
ture, industry, and so on. 1t has been en-
dorsed with near-unanimity by the press.
But, to date, it has been blocked by power
full political cliques which want the power
to be produced on a SOc1al1Zed basis.
Early this year, Congressman Cole of
New York advocated a referendum where
by the voters of the state would be allowed
to make a clear and simple choice-develop-
ment by the State, or by private enterprise
The vote was to be taken at next November's
election. For a time it appeared that neces-
sary enabling legislation would be passed
by the legislature. But this is a general cleo
tion year, and members of both parties are
anxious to avoid 'ticklish" questions. So
the people won't get the chance for a vote
this year. Needed power development which
politics has already held up for years is
again delayed-no one knows for how long.
And the right of voters to say what shall or
shall not be done with their money and their
resources has been blocked as well.
f1W@6%