VMI Cadet. May 17, 1938

              MAY 1938
VIRGIN/A MILITARY
Headquarters Publishes
Final Examination
Schedule
. . .
Sh e I). M.% Cab rt Week-End Is Date
Of First Class
Hop
VOLUME XXXI No. 2778 LEXINGTON. VIRGINIA MAY, 17, 1938. NUMBER 29
Commanders To Play
For Hop Saturday
Dance To Be Last
Before Exams And
Finals Activities
Digges and Crew to Pres-ent
Catchy Tunes for
Edification of Corps
By D. P. SMITH
Map 14.—Next Saturday night
will see the dance floor of >94 Hall,
familiarly known as the Gym, tilled
"with Keydets and their dates -who
are swaoring to toe sweet swing of
leader Dudley Dti gges and his VMI
Commanders. 'From nine o'clock
until midnight rhythm will rule
VMI in this last fling ait social life
before the Gorps knuckles down in
earnest to cram for that tense, try-ing
two weeks just above the hori-zon—
iFtool Exsandnaltiions. Contrary
to any reports, the Commanders
will play fgar the Hop, not Earl
Miller as it was rumored. Dudley
Digges and bds local talent, who
miaicle such a big success at toe
March set of First Class Hops will
again he equal to the needs of the
occasion.
The Gym wtHl be gaily decorated
wdftih colored streamers and Tom
Moseley's sounding board theme of
the Seven Dwarfs will again re-flect
the Commanders' miusic ouit
over the dance floor, so the setting
of the ooe-nighit informal affair
will be quite in keeping with the
gay spirit which usually prevails
and' which should be more evident
than usual,, since this will be the
last chance for the Corps to relax
and enjoy life before the two-week
siege of exams.
Hope for 100% Attendance
The Hop Committee has express-ed
the hope tthait the Corps will
•turn out one hundred per cent for
this Hop. Easter Hope incurred a
(greater expense than was to be
expected and the Hop Committee
wishes thait the whole Corps may
put out a dollar far one last warm-up
for the three big gala dances
during (the 'long-awaited Finals
Week for they want to close their
books by the first of June with a
balance on the right side of the
ledger.
'39 Hop Committee Takes Over
The 1939 Hop Committee will be-gin
to take over its duties for this
Hop by putting up the decorations
under the supervision of the pres-ent
committee, and it will take over
all of the duties of the Hop Com-mittee
for the all-important period
of Finals. The success of the Final
Hops will depend in a large mea-sure
on the amount of money which
the outgoing Hop Committee can
turn over the new committee.
Leader
iltSliliS
Dudley Digges able leader of VMI
Commanders, orchestra for First
Class Hop.
Rumors of New Subs;
Gibbs, McNeal to Leave
May 17.—Although there has been
no official information received the
subject, and now that graduation is
a bare month away, the question
has been raised as to Who in tlie
graduating class will return to the
Institute in the capacities of Tac-tical
Officers.
Rumor 'has iit that Ned Ealdwin,
Captain of Company "F", and
Frank Pancake, Second Lieutenant
in Company "E", will return to fill
,those positions. Accompanying
this rumor is the saying that J. R.
Worsham of 'the Clfss of '37, and
now irystruofcor at the Augusta Mili-tary
Academy, will also join the
tactical staff.
The only definite information
ten Headquarters is that Captains
Prank McNeal and "Pete" Gibbs
will not return.
Corps Observes The
Traditiomal Rites
Of New Market Day
W M. Wood, New
Market Cadet,
Present At Ceremonies
Maor 10.—The annual exercises
oomsmarating the participation of
the VMI dorps in the Battle of
New Market were held alt 5:45 this
afternoon. Cadet Captain J. A.
Powell placed 3 Wreath on toft
statue of "Virginia Mourning Her
Dead" under which [five of the
cadets who took part in the Battle
of New Market are buried. A
platoon from Company B fired a
salute as the wreath was placed,
and Taps was blown while the
Corps stood at "present arms."
New Market Cadet Present
Mr. W. M. Wood, who fought as
a cadet in the Battle of New Mar-ket,
was present and received the
salute of the Corps. Mr. Wood was
a member of the Class of 1867, and
iit was during his "Rat" year that
the Corps wenit to New Market and
took part in the battle. Mr. Wood's
grandson, J. L. Parrish, is- now a
Fourth Classman, and he advises
that his grandfather did not come
back to school after that year be-cause
VMI had been burned. Mr.
Wood wenit into business without
finishing his college education and
he is now residing in Richmond,
Virginia.
Tribute To Ten Cadets Killed
The names of each cadet killed
in the battle are called by the first
sergeant of their respective com-panies
and the report "Died on the
Field of Honor, Sir," is given ait
each formation throughout the day.
Two hundred and sixty-three men
organized as a battalion of in-fantry
of four companies and as a
section of artillery, serving two-three-
inch rifle guns, took part in
ithe battle. These members of the
corps were part of General Breck-inridge's
army. This incident in
dhe history of VMI is outstanding
and has had considerable bearing
in helping to farm the traditions
and the spirit for which VMI is
known today.
Reverend Cosby of the Lexington
Baptist church opened the cere-monies
today with an appropriate
prayer. The members of the
faculty and many visitors were
present at the exercises, which
were followed by the commissioned
officers of the Corps being intro-duced
to Mr. Wood. The actual
day of the battle was May 15, 1864,
but, as hias been the custom when
this date falls on a Sunday, the
Corps was given the privilege of
being absent from barracks until
time for the ceremonies today, the
Monday fallowing this date.
Blisters, Rain, And Large Appetites
Mark Annual Spring Hike Of Corps
Cadets Don Full Field Equipment
For Seven Mile Trek To Big Springs
The Corps of Cadets returned to-day
from the annual spring hike
in a cold, drizzling rata that turned
the larger part of ithe seven miles
from Big Springs into mud. The
practice march this year was cut
short one day because there had
been so many academic suspensions
during ithe last several months.
The crops breakfasted at 6:10
yesterday morning in field dyke.
Many anticipated a cold, uncom-fortable.
and sleepless night in the
open, buit the briskness of the air
made the day perfect for the hike.
One hour after breakfast the troop
and battery assembled and marched
to the stables to harness up and
move off.
The body of the corps followed
the mounted units on foot at 8:15.
Follow River Road
The column filed out through
East Lexington, across the North
River, then to the left and up the
river road—the same route which
the Penality Tours follow. The
first rest period, fifteen minutes,
took place about three miles out on
the road at the end of forty-five
minutes, and every one was glad to
take full advantage of the sbort
let-up. Although a tew had to fall
out along the way to have blistered
feet patched up, most of (he cadets
were little affected by the march,
even after the second rest period.
Singing was heard all along the line
during >the entire march out to ithe
camp site at Big Springs, where the
singing changed to cbeerinfe*.
Camp Well Situated
Camp was located in an ideal
spot, on a fairly level plain be-tween
two low hills. Immediately
upon arriving, tents were pitched
in areas, laid out by 'the service de-tail.
This group had ridden out to
camp ahead of the Corps, and had
laid out the camp, dug latrines, and
'generally set things in order. A
period of rest and relaxation fol-lowed,
ended only by the welcome
call to dinner.
The entire afternoon was open
for the Keydets to do as they chose.
Many preferred to lie in the sun
and sleep, while others spent the
afternoon playing ball, chasing a
lone stray steer, or hiking over the
hifls. A few of the more energetic
persons attacked Hog Back Moun-tain
and actually reached toe top.
Others got only as far as the coun-try
store just over the hiH, where
they spent their time and money.
There was an inspection of tents
and equipment alt 4:30, but this was
not a check formation. Hie garri-son
stood Retreat ait 6:00 and sup-per
was ready immediately after-wards.
Rumors of a dance ait toe store
over the hill took practically every-one
out of the camp after supper,
but it turned out that there was no
dance. Eventually, everyone joined
in a mass song fest, end the hills
resounded for miles around with
music until long after night had
fallen and a full moon had risen.
Taps was blown at ten o'clock and
the humming, buzzing camp gradu-ally
settled down for the night.
Shortly after midnight, though,
rain1 began to fall—toe first rain
in weeks. When First Call sound-ed
at 5:10 in the morning, the
whole camp seemed to be one big
mud puddle. Morale hit a new low
when rain came down so hard it
filled canteen cups up as fast as one
could drink the coffee out of them.
Start Home at Seven
Things pepped up a irttte as eetap
was struck and ithe corps slowly
moved out for the long, muddy re-turn
trip to Barracks. Two hours
of marching through the mniud and
rain with only a five minute rest
brought the long column otf cadets
back to the Institute's gray walls.
Soon after the corps' return, Al
Fiedler, president of the First Class,
made a turnout that the rats would
not have to walk ithe "rat line"
over the week-end. Thus, especial-ly
for the raits, the hike ended very
happily, rain or no rain.
Mathews New Glee Club President;
Officers To D r a f t C o n s t i t u t i on
May 16.—A meeting of the VMI
Glee Club tonight in JM Hall
brought to light some of the plans
and hopes of the members far next
year. The prime motive of the
meeting, however, was to elect of-fices
for the coming year.
Elect Officers
Larry Mathews was chosen by
,the members of the club to succeed
Matt Beebe, president of this year's
'organization. Bab Smith, of next
year's Second Class, was elected to
fill the office of vice-president, the
position held this year by Billy
McCarthy. Fred Adams, '39, was
chosen secretary-treasurer, replac-ing
Wat Ellerson, also, '39. The
librarian will be appointed by Mrs.
Ramey at a later date. Henry Cro-nin,
'39, is the cadet accompanist.
New Organization
Following ithe election of offi-cers,
Major M. G. Ramey presented
to the Glee Club a tentative sketch
of some of its plans and activities
for next year. Perhaps the most
important item was that regarding
the invitation received by the club
to join the American Federation of
Music Clubs, a nationwide and
authoritative organization. Ac-cording
to indications it 'is the first
ranking organization of ts kind in
America. A umber of advantages
not otherwise possible would be toe
privilege of joining. Among these,
transportation and audiences would
toe assured as well as percentages
of gate receipts. Sponsored tours
would lessen to a great extent toe
work of toe head of toe club who
must necessarily, unde rthe old
system, make all the arrangements.
In addition to these items, the VMI
Glee Club would meet with other
clubs and give a concert at the
national convention in Baltimore
next May. Before any of these
plas reach fulfillment, however, the
club must draft a constitution. For
this reason, the present and future
officers plus two other members of
the club will meet as a committee
with Major Ramey in the near fu-ture
to draw up and present a draft
of the constitution which will be
presented to the superintendent for
his approval. At the same time
Major Ramey will submit a request
for a certain number of academic
hours of furlough, as do the ath-letic
teams.
Tryouts Next Year
While the Glee Club thsi year
'has been run on a rather experi-mental
basis, the organization as
planned by Mrs. Ramey, director,
will be highly efficient. The mem-bership
will 'be limited to fifty
cadets, and tryouts will be held.
Concert At Finals
During the present week the
Glee Cluib will practice for a recital
to be given at the Superintendent's
Reception during Finals, and pos-sibly
another in toe Memorial Gar-den
on toe Sunday night before the
Corps leaves on its summer fur-lautfi.
Other than this the work of
toe club for this ysar was termi-nated
with ithe tr.p to .rue Apple
Blossom Festival in Winch. '~r.
V. M. I. Foundation
Plans Endowment
President
John C. Hagan
Final Examination
Schedule Published
From Headquarters
Examinations To
Last From May
•31 To June 9
Publication is hereby made of
the May-June, 1938 final examina-tion
schedule tor all classes of toe
Virginia Military Institute:
Monday, May 30—'First Day of
Examination period.
Friday, June 10—Last Day of
Examination Period.
Re-Examination Dates: Monday,
May 30; Thursday, June 2 (except
for Fourth Class); Tuesday, June
7 except far Fourth Class); Friday,
June 10.
First Class
Economics—Tuesday, May 31 S-S 86.
Industrial Chemistry—Friday, June 3
M-B 102.
French—Friday, June 3 S-S 13.
German—Friday, June 3 S-S 12.
Physical Chemistry—Saturday, June 4
M-B 102.
Comparative Anatomy—Saturday, June 4
S-S sub-basement.
English and Speaking—Monday, June 6
S-S 18.
Organic Chemistry—Wednesday, June
8 M-B 102.
Civil Engineering Section
Economics—Tuesday, May 31 S-S- 37
Sanitary Engineering—Wednesday June
1 N-E 106.
Concrete Design — Saturday, June 4
N-E 105.
Hydraulics — Monday, June 6 N-E 106.
Bridge Design — Wednesday, June 8
N-E 105.
R. R. Engineering—Thursday, June 9
N-E 105.
Electrical Engineering Section
Economics—Tuesday, May 31 S-S 38.
A-C. Machinery—Wednesday, June 1
N-E 201, 202.
Elec. Power Transmission—Saturday,
J u n e 4 N-E 202.
Hydraulics—Monday, June 6 N-E 105.
Electrical Laboratory — Wednesday,
J u n e 8 N-E 201, 202.
Heat Engineering — Thursday, June 9
N-E 201, 202.
Liberal Arts Section
Economics—Tuesday, May 31 S-S 38.
Sociology—Wednesday, June 1 S-S 11,
18.
French—Friday, June 3 S-S 18.
German—Friday, June 8 S-S 12.
English—Saturday, June 4 S-S 37.
English and Speaking—Monday, June
6 S-S 18.
History—Thursday, June 9 S-S 88.
M-B is Maury-Brooke Hall.
S-S is Scott Shipp Hall.
N-E is Nichols Engineering Hall.
Rooms indicated by numbers.
SECOND CLASS
Chemical Section
Biology — Wednesday, June 1 S-S Sub-basement,
Inorganic Chemistry—Friday, June 3
M-B 106.
French—Friday, June 3 S-S 14.
German—Friday, June 3 S-S 15.
Mineralogy—Monday, June 6 M-B 805
Psychology—Monday, June 6 S-S 11.
Physics—Wednesday June 8 S-S 18.
Embryology—Wednesday, June 8 S-S
Sub-basement.
Civil Engineering Section
Mechanics of Materials—Tuesday, May
81 N-E 105.
Materials of Construction—Friday, June
8 N-E 10S.
Geology—Saturday, June 4 S-S 18.
Structures—Wednesday, June 8 N-E
106.
Physics—Wednesday, June 8 S-S 18.
Electrical Bngineering Sac tion
Mechanic* ot Material—Tuesday, May
81 N-E 106.
D-C Machinery—Friday, June 8 N-E
201.
Alternating Currents—Saturday, June 4 V-F 201.
'Continued On Page 8)
Organization Now
In Second Year;
Activity Delayed
Materialization of
Plans Will Produce
"The Greater VMI'
EDITOR'S NOTE:—The VMI
Foundation, though of utmost im-portance
in the light of an ap-proaching
Future, is today com-paratively
unknown and unrec-ognised
by all but a few VMI
men. Yet so complete is its or-ganisation,
and so vital Ms pur-pose,
that it cannot remain con-tinually
out of public notice. It
is therefore the intent of this
article to tell in brief something
of the Foundation, and its pur-
The VMI Foundation, Incorporat-ed
caime into estahHshmenit chiefly
through .the efforts and assistance
ot two prominent and active
alumni, John C. Hagan, Jr., of Rich-mond,
and Goldsborough Serpell
of Norfolk, both of whom ventured
to underwrite its preliminary func-tioning.
Briefly, the Foundation, organiz-ed
as a non-profit corporation, met
for .the first time in the Fall of
1936, and incorporated itself under
the laws of Virginia early in the
Spring otf 1937. Under this incor-poration
charter officers were elect-ed,
and the purpose and functioning
of ithe Foundation was defined.
Objective of Foundation
Tlhe purpose of the Foundation is
a definite one. Its objectives are
to "discover the immediate needs
of the Institute; to evolve an ef-fective
plan for presenting these
needs to 'alumni, friends, and pros-pective
benefactors; and to thus
raise the funds to meet them."
In short, the Foundation is en-deavoring
to create sr. adequate
endowment fund, separate and
aside from the appropriation yearly
passed by the Virginia Legit ature.
In .this way the Foundation ie plan-ning
to supplement the iiat? ap-propriation
and so be able to pro-vide
for such items as sahola hips,
a pension plan, the buying of prop-erty
for Institute use, can? .ruction
and repair of Institute auildings,
and many other plans thai, if mate-rialized,
would cost several mil-lion
dollars. This amount, how-ever,
is not the immediate goal otf
the Foundation, but only the ulti-mate
in design.
Activity of the Foundation
At present, the activity af the
VMI Foundation has been deterred
Continued On Page 8)
Government Inspection
Begins This Wednesday
May 17.—In an interview with
Colonel Burress, today, the final
plans and program for the annual
government inspection were re-vealed.
Star tig next Wednesday,
the government inspection will con-tinue
through Friday during Which
'time the military phase otf VMI will
be graded. The inspectors of the
three units at the Institute will be
Lieutenant Colonel E. N. L. Glass,
U. S. Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel
Daniel Corner. U. S. Field Artillery,
and Major C. D. Cole, U. S. Infan-try.
The distinguished guest dur-ing
toe inspection will be Major
General John A. Herr, Chief of
Cavalry, U. S. Aarmy, who will vis-it
with General and Mrs. Kil-bourne.
Wednesday, the Second Claas ar-tillery
sections will pass under the
critical eyes of toe judges as toey
proceed with their duties on ROOP
iCcnt'nued Or. Psge 8)