HARVARD MAN UPHOLDS WEST POINT TRAINING

In the N. Y. Times of Sunday, May 9, there appeared an article purporting to quote Dr. Charles Eliot on the subject of West Point and its graduated product. Assuming that Dr. Eliot was quoted correctly, I wish to take exception to his statements--statements minimizing the value of the Military Academy as an educational institution and reflecting on the quality of its graduates.

First, however, let me state that I am a Harvard man--for three years and more an undergraduate in the class of '19--now a member of the class of '22 at West Point. I have the greatest respect, admiration, and love for my old Alma Mater, but I also have the same for my new. Consequently, I can ill conceal my displeasure at. Dr. Eliot's remarks, coming from a man whose opinions are so highly respected. I believe he is sadly misinformed.

The portions of Dr. Eliot's statements to which I have particular reference are as follows--quoted as I have occasion to use them.

Thorough Preparation Required

First, "in my opinion, no American school or college intended for youth of between 18 and 22 years of age should accept such ill-prepared material as West Point accepts." If there is any school or college harder to get into, or more difficult to stay in once having arrived, than West Point, I have yet to learn of it. The entrance examinations are notorious for their severity and comprehensiveness, especially in mathematics and allied subjects. The number of failures among the candidates each year is ample proof of this fact. Furthermore, certificates admitting without examination are not accepted from high school or preparatory school graduates unless the average of marks is exceptionally high--I believe 80 per cent. is required; college Entrance Board certificates may be accepted, but the passing mark demanded is considerably higher than that required by nearly all colleges; satisfactory certificates are accepted from college men of one year's standing or more.

Perhaps Dr. Eliot would suggest college-trained material as a substitute for "such ill-prepared material as West Point accepts." In that connection it is interesting to note that high school men have almost always far outdistanced college men in academic standing at West Point. A case in point is my own. After three years at Harvard, I was found deficient in mathematics at the first semi-annual examination at West Point, and was able to re-enter the Academy three months later only by passing a re-examination. That is a single case, to be sure; and it is balanced by the contrasting excellent record of Richard Partridge, also Harvard '19, who graduates from the Academy this June. But it shows that college preparation is no guarantee in itself of a successful career at West Point. Wherein is the material accepted by West Point so "ill-prepared"?

Prescribed Curriculum Best

Dr. Eliot says secondly, "no school or college should have a completely prescribed curriculum." Why not? West Point does not aim to produce a learned scholar but an educated officer, a man who, though he does not "know it all," is capable of finding out what he needs to know when he needs it. Certain courses of study have been found best suited and peculiarly adapted to the needs of an army officer; these are given the cadet. The rest of his time is devoted to learning the duties of his profession, horsemanship, marksmanship, drills of the different branches of the service, athletics, and all the other attributes of an efficient, well-trained soldier. Mens sana in corpore sano--a sound mind in a sound body--is West Point's aim. Its whole curriculum is directed toward the accomplishment of that aim.

Further, Dr. Eliot announces, "no school or college should have its teaching done almost exclusively by recent graduates of the same school or college who are not teachers and who serve short terms. West Point, so far as its teachers are concerned, breeds in and in, a very bad practice for any educational institution." Yes, most of the teachers at West Point are graduates of the Academy. They have been "through the mill" as cadets and have proved efficient teachers. Moreover, they are not teachers in the ordinary sense of the word. True, they are thorough masters of their respective subjects; but they are merely guides who point the way. They do not "cram" knowledge into the cadets; they draw it out of them. In other words, the cadet teaches himself. The character-forming habits instilled by the rigorous system of study are as valuable as the subject-matter learned. Self-reliance, concentration, constant application to the work in hand, all these qualities are developed, must be developed to attain success.

If the West Point teaching staff "breeds in and in," the stock must be exceptionally good not to have run out long ago. Results are what count; the West Point instructors get them.

A variety of teachers, opinions, and methods are neither necessary nor desirable. Such a variety may be highly desirable in arts courses; but arts courses not essential to the immediate education of the cadet form no part of the curriculum.

Notable Graduate's Record

Lastly, I fail to see wherein the record of West Point graduates during the World War is anything but highly honorable and creditable. In self-sacrifice and devotion to duty they stand ace-high. What of the officers who, against their fondest hopes but in keeping with their sense of duty, remained on this side to train thousands of reserve officers; the pupils went across while the teachers had to stay--because their work here was invaluable. What of the records of men like Goethals, Pershing, and hundreds of others less renowned but no less worthy?

As to the War Department and the Regular Army, it is generally conceded that they showed marvelous powers of adaptation and expansion in time of emergency. West Point graduates laid the foundation that made such efficient expansion possible.

Since 1802 West Point has stood, the Military Academy of the United States, acknowledged everywhere as the best of its kind in the world. Its aim has been, is, and always will be, the production of an efficient soldier, a good citizen, a real honest-to-God man.