Letters

Fuly Issue

To THE EDITOR: Congratulations on the July issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE which has been one of the most interesting of the year and carried out all that it was designed to accomplish. Let's have it each year.

New York City

To THE EDITOR: Congratulations upon the July ALUMNIMAGAZINE, which I have read with interest "from cover to cover." A fine idea to report, just as you have done, the Commencement which lots of "old grads" (like me) regretfully could not attend. A nice job of printing, too.

Century ClubNew York City

Citizen Soldier

TO THE EDITOR: I had the privilege of spending the month of July as a trainee at the Special Course given at Plattsburg, New York, for Professional and Business Men living in the Second Corps Area. There were several reasons which prompted me to enroll for this training offered to men between 25 and 50 at their own expense. During 1916 I had attended a "Junior Plattsburg" Camp for boys of 15 to 18 years at Fort Terry on Plum Island, New York. Five weeks' concentrated training at that time instilled in my mind the value of such camps. Although I was too young to enter the World War I resolved at that time to continue my training at some future date if possible.

When world conditions changed rapidly this Spring it seemed a logical time to act on my resolution of years ago, so when the Military Training Camps Association in June announced their plans for a renewal of the Plattsburg Camp, I immediately became one of over 2,000 applicants from this area and considered myself fortunate in being among the 800 accepted.

As early as June it seemed evident to me that the Burke-Wadsworth Bill for compulsory military training would become a law and consequently from possibly a selfish viewpoint I felt it would be of considerable value to have at least a slight knowledge of modern military tactics so that I would be better prepared along these lines if required to serve for a year in an Army Camp. Also, in case of any emergency I felt if I could obtain some training as quickly as possible it might stand me in good stead in the years to come.

I was particularly anxious to observe first hand the many problems involved in training recruits and also as modern warfare tactics have so completely changed since the World War I desired to become familiar with the fundamentals of these changes.

I feel it is the duty of men in my age group to urge upon younger men the termendous value of military training. It also happens that I have several young friends and relatives who may look to me for advice. I do not see how I could justifiably urge such training upon them without at least making some sacrifice of time and money myself to obtain limited amount of training.

The month at Plattsburg proved the wisdom of my decision. The program was well organized and thorough. The camp was governed by sufficient discipline to enable us to obtain a mental and physical picture of the difficulty- of trarnrrrg- troops.

We were taught the many problems of instructing a recruit by actually participating in the training ourselves. We lived in tents, slept on army cots and were fully equipped with olive drab uniforms, fatigue clothes, rifles, packs, etc. Our daily routine followed the same hours as observed by the 26th Infantry which is located at Plattsburg Barracks. We were thoroughly instructed in close order and open order drill, in the manual of arms, in firing the Springfield rifle and the Browning machine gun and taught how to field strip the new Garrand semi-automatic rifle. We attended lectures which were frequently accompanied by actual demonstrations by the 26th Infantry Regiment. We rode in a tank and participated in a three days' manoeuvre, sleeping in "pup" tents and engaging in mimic infantry warfare. We hiked with our packs and rifles. We worked out our own combat problems that involved marches, skirmishes and the climbing of Burnt Mountain at the Army reservation at Schuyler Falls, a twelve-mile hike from Plattsburg. It was a rigorous climax to the strenuous training period.

Of the 792 men who received certificates upon completion of the course 532 were college men. The average age of the men was 37-94 years. Of the 108 professions and occupations represented the lawyers had the largest group, 187. There were 93 men who had served in the World War as officers and 69 had served as enlisted men.

Of the college men in attendance I should say by far the largest group were Harvard graduates. There were only five Dartmouth men enrolled. College graduates can aid this movement by helping to arouse citizens in their communities to an appreciation of the grave dangers that lie ahead of us as a nation unless we prepare ourselves for any emergency. Men in the age group such as participated in the Plattsburg Camp last summer can guide younger men more intelligently if they themselves make an effort to acquire a sane background on the defense problem with which we as a nation find ourselves facing today.

My reaction to the camp was most favorable. I found myself in excellent physical condititon at the termination of the training period. It was an intensive course, well directed and well co-ordinated. Until one has participated in such training it is quite difficult fully to realize the problems facing the U. S. Army in training men.

The camp proved to be a magnificent si cess in carrying to the nation the message the national will to prepare and train, sincerely feel that the men attending camp led a campaign in behalf of an id and an ideal and that we were in the van the effort to provide adequate defense for the nation.

Congress has appropriated millions of do lars for defense. We have the manpower, it is untrained. The Selective Service will provide for the training. I feel that sue training will be productive of great bene! to all who participate.

Short Hills, N. J.[Mr. McMillan submitted the above discription of his summer military expernieniat the request of the EDITORS.—ED.]

C. M. T. C.

To THE EDITOR: I am glad to answer your request for reasons for attending Fort Meade, reaction to the course, and opinions regarding the college man's attitude. I shall endeavor consider only my own case in relation to an alumni who find themselves in a simila position.

Early in June the Citizens' Military Cam) Association, a private organization, par tioned the War Department to make avail able some form of military training to bus ness and professional men. It was thouglh that there were many men whose education and civic backgrounds would be of use the Government in time of emergency bi who lacked knowledge of military life Therefore, it was proposed that groups men from 25 to 50 years of age who we not connected with any military organization by reserve, national guard, or retired con missions be given 30 days' basic trainin The War Department consented with proviso that the trainees pay their own transportation, plus $43.50 for overhead an food. The name given was the Business an Professional Group, CMTC.

This same plan was used in, I believe, 191 and 1916, and was popularly known as the Plattsburg Movement. Many men who as tended these camps at that time went on: distinguish themselves as officers in the Fin World War. It was understood that this 3 day course would not count toward a con mission, nor would it commit the trainee! further service.

Being a resident of the Third Corps Are I was assigned to Fort Meade, Md. This we fortunate inasmuch as we were so locate that we could see such places as Aberdee Proving Grounds, Langley Field, Forts Hoyl Howard, Belvoir and Monroe, as well as ou own camp. It was unfortunate so far weather was concerned, however, for the he was terrific.

We were given the same basic training all recruits—close order and ertended ore drill, marksmanship and rifle fire, field wo with compass and the not too spacious pu tent. Our discipline was also the same that of any recruit. We were busy from A.M. until 7:30 P.M.

The only advantages we had over regular "rooky" were the side trips, institutional movies and lectures, and weekend leaves from Saturday noon until Monday morning. Thanks to this arrangement we aw field artillery in action, the firing of 12- inch coastal guns, the building of emergency bridges by the engineers, anti-aircraft batteries in action, and each man rode in a tank.

Now what is the good of this? That must be answered two ways. First, what is the benefit to the trainee? Second, what has the Army gained? The first question is easy to aswer. We have a start toward preparing ourselves. We know how varied are the probems in maintaining any army and can begin to figure out in what arm of the service we can be of most use. We are made "preparedtess-conscious." We have seen what kind of nen are going to build our Army and the system by which it will be done. We know what to expect of army life.

The second question is harder to answer, however, the training has sent back to their homes men of some standing in their communities who will be doing their best to help in the problems we must face. These men will be planning what they can do and discussing with others what can be done. And, finally if the military should need us here will be less rough edges to rub off. You may gather that I consider this only an introduction. The freshman is not a college man after the opening "smut" lecture, so none of us are soldiers. However, it is all I have been able to do so far and it is a starter.

Why did I go? I think every graduate of Dartmouth ought to be considering his position in the face of what is coming. The com bined efforts of a great many people, living and dead, made it possible for us to enjoy a liberal arts education. This gave us an opportunity

to rise in our communities as leaders. We did not earn this—it was given So us. (And that applies even to those who worked their way through.) Now the system which made the liberal college possible is threatened. It is crying out for the leadership Which we should have acquired. America bets billions of dollars on her college graduates every year; if they do not "come through" when they are needed, then the colleges will be told to close up.

I do not .say rush out and enlist. If a man is a Dartmouth graduate he should be more Useful in some branch requiring his developed idents than in the front lines. He need not fen wear a uniform. But I do believe that very one of us need be wondering what we can do rather than what we can get.

It was because of this feeling and the fact that I had not had military training that I joined the Business and Professional Group Of the CMTC and I never made a better deef cision. However, I hope the College authori- will investigate all possible opportunities for the alumni to avail themselves of training and will keep us informed.

I think I can say for most of us that our general impression was that we have a very fine army—what there is of it. Lessons learned from the blitzkrieg are already being acted upon. The personnel is of a very high type. The morale is good and the men are treated better than in private industry. we have the finest, most modern equipment in the world, but only in minute quantities.

Please remember that all my opinions are purely from the standpoint of an uninstructe layman. I hope that any military man amon your readers will bear with me. However, shall be happy if it helps toward any pos tive action by the College or any alumnus.

Philadelphia, Pa.

Approval

To THE EDITOR: As an alumnus, member of the class 1906, please accept my approval and commendation for your article expressing the views of the student body on the war quiestion, as appeared in the Commencement issue

Waterbury, Conn.

Diluted Green

To the Editor: The press report that a thousand Dartmouth students signed and sent to Preside Roosevelt a protest against the possible in volvement of our country in the Europe) War, leads me to suggest that Dartmouth banner be changed from solid green to six percent green, and forty percent yellow at red,—the proportion of the dilutant colon to be determined by an investigation of ancestry, early environment, and education! the individual signers.

Mr. Bolte's effort to laugh-off that lurk protest, in the June number of your magazine, indicates that he has a mistaken notie of alumni sensibilities, or that Dartmouth humor, now, is not what it used to be.

Hilton Village, Va.

Alumni Council Action

to THE EDITOR: At the joint luncheon of the Trustees of the college and the Alumni Council in June at Hanover, Dr. Don Cunningham '13, Councilor from Denver, moved that members of the Council give President Hopkins a vote of appreciation for what he had done for Dartmouth, and of confidence and support in what he might find it necessary to do in the future. The action was taken with warmth and enthusiasm—and with understanding of the complexities of a modern college president's job. In his informal talk of 30 minutes which had preceded the vote of appreciation and support, President Hopkins had spoken intimately of undergraduate attitudes at Dartmouth and other colleges throughout the country. He cited the backgrounds that led to present feelings, and revealed contingencies that might occur in the future.

Your Alumni Council which has been termed the "Senate" of the alumni body, is privileged at times to hear intimate facts about the College and its problems. In face of such knowledge, it has re-affirmed its appreciation and confidence in the leadership of President Hopkins, and its determination to support him in such courses as he may deem advisable to Billow.

There are troubled waters ahead through which no one now knows the course. It is exemely satisfying to know that Dartmouth allege has at its head a leader who is exerting now, and will exert in the future, virile id talented leadership necessary to bring the college through successfully. We should be, id are, thankful that the President of Dartmouth College is now Ernest Martin Hopkins.

President, Alumni Council.

canaan Street, N. H.

Dartmouth-In-Politics

To THE EDITOR:

The Presidential campaign still has several weeks to go. There is plenty of time for ac- five and important volunteer political work. Dartmouth-In-Politics" is ready to assist any alumnus in making political contacts with the organization of his chosen party in his locality. A letter to either of us will bring a prompt response.

Hanover, N. H.

Faculty Cooperation

To the Editor: The writer of a letter in the June issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE protests against the coddling of alumni by faculty members in replying to queries put to them by the former.As an example, he cites his own requests for information, which, he states, "a less lazy person could find in any reference library, or which he could learn from a competent librarian." He goes on to suggest that the members of the faculty to whom he wrote "might very properly have ignored" his letter, or told him that if he could not find the desired information for himself, he was "a disgrace to the college."

Can it be possible that your correspondent can't think of any question on any subject more difficult to answer than, let us say, what is the capital of New Hampshire? If there are no knotty subjects in the field of history, if there are no insoluble problems in the field of chemistry, it would seem that thousands of persons are wasting decades of their lives in fruitless research. Each, with no need to consult another, should be able to bowl over any alleged problem the moment he fixes his gaze upon it. If there are no genuine problems, what a wonderful world we live in! The reference libraries, it would seem, contain all the answers to every conceivable question, and, what's more, all able librarians are omniscient gods. Most likely in the Elysian fields Socrates has long ago drunk another cup of hemlock.

The matter of the relation between alumni and faculty not only embraces the type of question asked, but also the propriety cf asking for any information at all. Faculty members of course are under no legal obligations to reply to questions from the alumni. Also it is conceded that the vast majority of questions asked could be avoided with the display of an ounce of initiative. But may an alumnus consider he is keeping within the bounds of good form if, once in a while, he chooses to put a question to a member of the faculty of the college he attended? I believe there is no glib answer. The rules of common civility between human beings apply. If the question is reasonable and is not asked with the view of solving a cross-word puzzle, if the tone of the inquiry indicates the writer hopes for a reply as a favor and does not expect one as a light, and if he encloses postage, then I am inclined to answer the question just put in the affirmtive. Though there are some exceptions, undoubtedly the great majority of faculty members welcome such queries. If all correspondence of this nature between alumni and faculty should be utterly proscribed as improper, I for one should like to be so informed.

Philadelphia, Pa.

October Reunion

To THE EDITOR: Will you kindly announce in the October issue a reunion of the

HEN TEAGUE ALUMNI

in Room 528 of the University Club of Boston from 6 to 10 p.m. on October 25th, the night before the Harvard game?

GEORGE E. LISCOMB '07. Somerville, Massachusetts.