1922 Encyclopædia Britannica/West Point

WEST POINT (see ). The following important buildings were completed at West Point after 1910: the Administration Building, East Academic Building, Riding Hall, two new cadet barracks, cadet chapel and chaplain's quarters, artillery barracks and artillery stable, cavalry barracks and cavalry stable, eight sets of officers' quarters, two apartment buildings each containing eight sets of officers' quarters, and a cadet laundry. By Act of May 4 1916, the number of cadetships authorized at the academy was increased to 1,332. By authority of the War Department, April 1915, candidates were permitted, in lieu of passing the regular entrance examination, to qualify for admission upon the presentation of satisfactory certificate of previous academic work in accredited institutions. By Acts of 1919 and 1920, the pay of cadets was fixed at $780 per annum and one ration per day or commutation thereof at the rate of $1.08 per day. The World War and the demand for trained officers led the War Department to direct the graduation of the First or Upper Class April 20 1917, and of the Second Class Aug. 30 1917. The next year the need for officers resulted in the graduation of three classes, the first, June 12 1918, and the second and third together, Nov. 1 1918. A class of new cadets was admitted at an irregular time, Nov. 2 1918, and provision was made for a temporary one-year course. After the Armistice the War Department directed, May 12 1919, that the course of instruction be fixed for three years, but the following year Congress specified that the course should be four years. The academic authorities thereupon reorganized the curriculum in the light of the most recent military and educational experience.

(L. H. H.*)