Sixty-Second Annual Report of the Association of Graduates of The
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KOSCIUSKO's GARDEN BATTLE MONUMENT _ I I _I SIXTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York June 10, 1931 dbe Ralkezibe eress R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA CHICAGO - -I I v~J *Q O 0F ?-- 1N S3 &o bo f-4 >4hi 1 > 9 Ca, 3o Pt CONTENTS Photograph-Kosciusko's Garden. Photograph-Review of Corps of Cadets by Lieutenant-General Kishimoto. Foreword by Brigadier General Palmer E. Pierce, '91. Report of Annual Meeting. Annual Report of the Treasurer. Annual Report of the Secretary. The Origin of the Association of Graduates by Brigadier General Samuel E. Tillman. Photograph-Athletic Review, June, 1931. Officers of the Association. Board of Trustees of the Association. Photograph-Army-Navy Game, 1930. Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund. Constitution and By-Laws. Photograph-Awarding of Stars to Distinguished Cadets. Program for June Week. Photograph-Washington Hall (New Cadet Mess). Photograph-Graduation Exercises, 1931. Address By the Honorable Frederick H. Payne, Assistant Secretary of War. Facts Concerning the Military Academy and Its Graduates. Miscellaneous Information. Announcement. Contributions by Classes to the Endowment Fund. List of Class Representatives. Photograph-Washington Hall in the Winter. Visiting Alumni Officially Registered at West Point, June, 1931. Photograph-View from Cullum Hall. Graduates Who Have Died Since Last Annual Meeting. Announcement. Necrology. List of Unprepared Obituaries. List of Unknown Addresses. Index. V Y0 Q m o H u W z 0 h .4 FOREWORD HIS Annual Report is worthy of the careful consideration of all members of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy. As General Andrews has told you, the Trustees decided to endeavor to make these annuals, insofar as possible, a current history of the Academy, supplement- ing them occasionally by bulletins and pamphlets. To carry out this purpose, it is planned to publicize you about as follows: September-Circular letter November-Circular letter January-Bulletin April-Circular letter July-Annual Report Through them it is hoped to give you information of our Alma Mater that will be interesting and make it possible for you to keep abreast of changing conditions. It is desired that you assist in making this service efficient by constructive criticisms of it. During the past three years, under the able administration of General Avery D. Andrews, the Association has made distinct progress. The Association is indebted to him for the reorganiza- tion of its finances, so that the receipts are sufficient now to pay cur- rent expenses. In largest measure this was accomplished through the establishment of an Endowment Fund. The Financial Com- mittee, which had the matter in charge, estimated that this should amount to $100,000 in order that the income from it, added to other revenues, might place the Association in a solvent position. About two-thirds of this amount has been contributed. It is very desirable that the remaining third be raised in the near future be- cause, until this is accomplished, it will be difficult to secure con- tributions to the "New Memorial Hall Fund." It is believed that the total amount of the Endowment Fund would be secured in the near future, if the classes that have made only nominal contribu- tions would give serious consideration to the importance of com- pleting the Fund. It is urged that the President of delinquent classes take the steps necessary to secure subscriptions to an amount sufficient to bring their contributions up to the aver- age. In this connection, attention is invited to the published state- ment given on page 59 of contributions by classes. Serious consideration will be given during the current year to the solution of the important problem of securing closer coopera- tion between the Association and the many existing local organiza- tions of former cadets. It is believed desirable to increase thus the influence of the Association in order that it may become a more effective agency for the betterment of the Military Academy and the welfare of its members. To this end suggestions are desired, especially from the Presidents or Chairmen of local West Point Societies and Committees. Any suggested changes in the Con- stitution considered necessary to accomplish this or in methods of procedure, will be gratefully received. Attention is especially called to the resolutions adopted at the last Annual Meeting as to the services of Major General Wm. R. Smith, Superintendent of the U.S.M.A., Brigadier General Avery D. Andrews, President of the Association of Graduates, and Cap- tain Wm. H. Donaldson, Secretary and Treasurer. PALMER E. PIERCE, '91, President. Annual Report, June 10, 1931 11 Report of the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Association of Graduates Held at West Point, New York, June 10, 1931 1. The meeting was called to order at 2:00 P. M. by the Presi- dent of the Association. 2. Prayer by Chaplain Kinsolving of the U. S. Military Academy. 3. Upon motion, duly passed, the calling of the roll was dis- pensed with. 4. In his address to the Association, the President, Avery D. Andrews, '86, stated that he wished to make due recognition of the services of the Superintendent, Wm. R. Smith, '92, who had se- cured the detail of an active officer of the Army to serve in the capacity of Secretary and Treasurer of the Association of Grad- uates and as the Officer in Charge of Cullum's Register, resulting in the combining of three offices into one and assigning the partial duties of the three officers to the full duty of one. The President pointed out that among the outstanding work com- pleted during the past two years was the publication of Volume VII, Cullum's Register. He also pointed out that there was contained in the seven volumes of Cullum's Register an unequalled record of outstanding gallantry. The President informed the meeting that 251 of a total of 296 of the graduating class had joined the Association. It developed during the year that about 1200 graduates were not members of the Association of Graduates. Letters were sent to all inviting them to join the Association and from the number 78 accepted. The President spoke of the status of the Endowment Fund and reminded the members that 16 classes had raised 64% of the total contributed, while the remaining 51 classes had given but 36%. Letters had been sent to the various class representatives and many 12 Annual Report, June 10, 1931 promises were on hand that efforts would be made to raise the funds. General Andrews then read a list of bequests, insurance and pledges, all totaling over $100,000 but pointed out that it was still encumbent upon all classes to raise the $100,000 immediately. In referring to the Sustaining Membership, the President called attention to the fact that in 1927, when the Association was spend- ing more than it was receiving, the members of the Association were asked to make a contribution as Sustaining Members. This emer- gency now being past, the trustees had authorized that the call for Sustaining Membership contributions be suspended. Attention was also called to the fact that work on the Harmonic Division of the Cadet Chapel organ had been completed and the committee dissolved and that the work on the Organ Screens, as well as the Koehler Tablet, had been completed, accomplishing all present objectives. Emphasis was laid on the need for a New Memorial Hall. The President thanked the Secretary and Treasurer for his work with the Association and expressed the hope that future adminis- trations would not depart from the policy established by the pres- ent administration-that of having an active officer whose sole duty was to attend to the affairs of the Association and of Cullum's Register. 5. The Report of the Treasurer was then read and approved. (Appendix 1). 6. The Report of the Secretary was then read and approved. (Appendix 2). 7. Palmer E. Pierce, '91, reporting for the Memorial Hall Com- mittee, stated that his committee had pursued a policy of inac- tivity, awaiting the completion of the Endowment Fund. He pointed out that such inclement weather as that of the present June Week, emphasized the need of a New Memorial Hall. 8. Wm. N. Dykman, '75, then spoke of the general high caliber of the Academy's Superintendents and remarked that none had accomplished more for West Point than its present Superintendent, Wm. R. Smith, '92, whose accomplishments along academic lines were only surpassed by the physical improvements that he had achieved for West Point. He pointed out that the Superintendent, Annual Report, June 10, 1931 13 almost singlehanded, had gone to Washington and secured a large sum for improvements and that of one thing all could now be as- sured-that West Point would not be transplanted-certainly its spirit could never be. The following resolution pertaining to the services of the Su- perintendent, Major General Wm. R. Smith, was moved by Colonel Dykman, seconded and unanimously adopted by a rising vote: WHEREAS, The term of service as Superintendent of the Military Academy of Major General William R. Smith, which commenced February 26, 1928 and will end before another Annual Meeting of the Association of Graduates, -and whereas, his administration has been marked by many notable achievements, to wit: (a) Maintaining scholarship standards, discipline and customs of the Academy in accordance with the ideals and standards of West Point and (b) Securing authority to purchase some 15,000 acres of additional