5 feet 6 inches, and in 1835 a minimum of 5 feet 8 inches for infantry 

 was required. In 1838 it was reduced to 5 feet, but this was increased 

 by 5 inches three years later. Before the end of the Civil War it was 

 again reduced to 5 feet. At present (1916-17) it is placed at 5 feet 

 4 inches for all branches of the service, although recruiting officers are 

 allowed to exercise their discretion as to the enlistment of desirable 

 recruits (such as band musicians, school-teachers, tailors, etc.) who 

 may fall not more than a fraction of an inch below the minimum 

 standard of height. The above requirement for height is, however, 

 subject to change, instructions to that effect being issued from the 

 Adjutant General's office from time to time as the requirements of the 

 service may dictate." According to the same authority, in foreign 

 armies about 1900 the minimum height of soldiers was as follows : 



MINIMUM HEIGHT OF RECRUITS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES 



(Munson) 



Inches Inches 



English 63.8 Swiss 61.0 



Swedish 63.0 French 60.6 



German 61.8 Russian 60.2 



Belgian 61.8 Spanish 59.1 



Italian 61.4 Portuguese 59.1 



Austrian 61.4 



These variations in prevailing minimum standards of stature have a 

 direct bearing upon the more or less important differences in the rejec- 

 tion .rate of the recruiting service of the different countries. 



CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE 



ON ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL 



RESEARCH COUNCIL 



In full appreciation of the practical as well as general scientific 

 importance of precise anthropometric and other measurements of the 

 men of the new National Army, the Committee on Anthropology of 

 the National Research Council presented a number of suggestions to 

 the National Academy of Science and through the National Research 

 Council to the Council of National Defense. The suggestions con- 

 sidered (1) the examination of recruits, (2) modification of stature 

 requirements, (3) further anthropometric work for statistical and 

 scientific purposes at the concentration camps, and (4) material for 

 future scientific research. The communication was signed by Prof. 

 W. H. Holmes, Chairman, and the members of the Committee, 

 Prof. C. B. Davenport, Dr. Frederick L. Hoffman, Dr. G. M. Kober, 

 Dr. Ales Hrdlicka, Mr. Madison Grant, Mr. E. A. Hooton, and Dr. 

 Tom A. Williams. With special reference to modification of stature 

 requirements, it is first pointed out that the minimum requirements of 

 stature in any branch of the Army and Navy (at the time the sugges- 



28 



