Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1910 — No Corsets are Worn at West Point [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

No Corsets are Worn at West Point

WASHINGTON— “I have often heard a question as to whether West Pointers wore corsets. It'is absurd in a way, because Bhould any effeminate youngster resort to such a thing it would be impossible to keep the affair a secret, and once known hia school life would become a burden to him on account of the endless amount of criticism he would receive from his fellows. He would be made the laugh-ing-stock of the school and would soon find himself the possessor (Si any number of effeminate nicknames that would grate upon his ears in any but a pleasant manner, •It' la true," continued the old' boldier, who was no other than CoL K. B. Colllnß, a retired army officer, in a

discussion of West Pointers, “that many Weßt Pointers acquire a figure of perfection of symmetry and a car riage the acme of manly grace, but these are due not to any appliances, but to tne systematic drills and exercises that make the cadet, to a certain extent, an athlete. At the outset these young fellows are pul through what are called the ‘setting up’ exercises, their object being to straighten the body and develop the chest. One might suppose that it would require a great-amount of such exercise to make any marked showing, but three long hours of such exercise daily will soon produce beneficial results in the most stooped forms. "“The cadet uniform is also a great help in this direction. The dress coat is tight, very tight. The shoulders are heavily padded ip order to give them a square effect. Thß-ekfest is made thick, so that there Will be no danger of wrinkling. AH this for the sake of looks; comfort has no place in the make-up of a Wfest Pointer; it is discipline and looks."