Its Basic Course was considered an elective which a student could substitute for shop
and physical training and for which two semester credit hours were given for the first two years.
During these first two years, the students were issued uniforms at government expense; those
following through into the last two years were allotted $100 a year by the government.
The advanced two years were not scheduled to begin until 1938-39, and would deal
chiefly with engineering problems, similar to subjects taught at West Point and Annapolis. With
this program, Clarkson joined the 136 other colleges in the United States hosting 227 ROTC
units; approximately 88,000 students were enrolled in military courses.
In December, a military fraternity was formed on campus among selected members of
the ROTC unit to promote military efficiency and social activities, and to petition the national
chapter of Pershing Rifles, honorary military society, for membership. The nucleus of this
group consisted of the acting noncommissioned officers' staff. They in turn selected 10
outstanding ROTC privates for charter membership.
Rifle Team
. Clarkson students could participate in a rifle team without having to be members
of the ROTC. Capt. Mulligan of the ROTC Department made arrangements for interested
students to form two teams, and then to compete on short ranges from 50 feet to 100 feet using
.22 caliber rifles of the standard small bore type on a rifle range constructed in the wagon shed
on the Clarkson estate.
After the teams had been organized and had practiced for only a few hours, they began
competing against the ROTC team in December. Then, the best shooters from each team
formed the Clarkson rifle team. In its first real match, the team outshot the Potsdam Rifle Club,
1,059 to 984. They lost their final match of the season to Virginia Polytechnic Institute,
Blacksburg, Va., 1,594 to 1,503.
New Deal Poll.
A Niagara University poll was conducted among seniors in New York State
universities and colleges on five questions. The institutions that took part were Niagara
University, Canisius College, Adelphi College, Elmira College, Cortland Normal, St. Lawrence
University, Wells College, Keuka College, and Clarkson.
The questions and summaries of the answers were:
1.
"Do you favor the participation of the United States in the coming Olympic games in
Germany?" Totals showed 512 in favor and 170 opposed. The Clarkson figures were
64 to 16 in favor of participation.
2.
"Do you favor the continuation of New Deal policies and the reelection of President
Roosevelt?" Totals: 394 against to only 274 in favor. Clarkson figures: 58 against and
18 for.
3.
"If the United States should declare what seemed to you to be an aggressive or
offensive war, would you willingly bear arms, or cooperate to a reasonable extent
without being forced?" Here the answers supported peace with 533 seniors saying
"no," while 126 said they would. Clarkson men followed the trend, 60 to 10.
4.
"Do you favor athletic scholarships to athletes in your school to strengthen your
teams?" Answer: 364 yes, and 214 no. Clarkson's response: 50 for and 20 against.
5.
"Do you smoke cigarettes? if so, what brand?" The reply: 373 did and 219 did not
smoke. Camels led with 144, Chesterfields next with 101, Lucky Strike 31, and
Philip Morris 17.
