Evening journal., 1898-07-07
Cooks IN THE ARNrY.

Now that the soldiers in the big
camps are getting their supplies, it be-
comes a matter Of necessity that the
rations should be cooked in a man
ner that, II not appetizing, shall make
them at least digestible. In respect OF
this matter Of cooking there is a wide
difference in the companies and much
cause for complaint Men who a few
weeks ago were brlcklayers or carpen,
ters or vendors OF flrewood have sud
denly found themselves installed as
chefs, and are confronted with prob
lens that never entered their lives be-
fore. To some this new situation has
proved a cause for wide rejoicing, for
they have developed ingenuity and
skill, while others cannot even fry a
pan OF bacon without melting. and
burning it into dry and unrecognizable
fragments. II is an Old and true
saying that an army travels on its
stomach. There are possibilities Of
courage among men who are half cloth
ed, half armed and an officered but
there is little chance for concerted or
effective action among men who are
weak with III feeding, or who have a
mistrust that some unpatriotlc person
Is prohting by their hunger. The con-
fusion and delay that led to complaint
in the camps have nearly passed The
storehouses are full and there is aboun-
dance of food on hand for a month.
Before It is eaten 1t has to pass through
the hands OF company cooks, and on
what they make It depends in large
measure the health and satisfaction Of
the troops. Among tho many indus
tries OF the United States government
is that Of publisher, but while the Pat
ent Office reports and the Congres-
sional Record find new readers. there Is
one book That Is just now studied with
diligence. IL Is a cook book, and is is
sued to the army. In it are described
the various ways In which cheap and
wholesome dishes may be compounded
Of such material as the army ration,
and there Is no reason why any number
OF men should be forced to subsist on
hardtaclS and bacon for week after
week. Many things can be done with
hardtack, and a potato can be offered
in hundred different gulses.
1t is proposed to enlist cooks as such,
rather than to have them detailed from
the ranks. and to give them the grade
and pay OF corporals. This would be
an advantage, since It would induce the
enlistment of men who have served as
cooks in small restaurants and hotels,
and, by giving TO them the authority
OF non-commissioned officers, some OF
the work OF the kitchens would be IA
cilitated. At present. II a pail Of water
Is required in the kitchen-supposing
the springs Of wells to be at a distance,
as they commonly are-the cook must
ask a commissioned officer to order a
corporal to pass a man through the
lines with orders to get the water II
a regiment is on drill the cook may
have 10 wait for three hours before
he can get the authority to do this,
though dozen men may be lying
about their tents or doing police work
about the streets. Had he the cor
porars chevrons he could give this or
der himself, and the water would be
forthcoming in a few minutes. He
would also be saved from the annoy
ance OF the men crowding about him
when he was at work, and pilfering
raw material from his boxes. Chiefly
he would devote himself to the cook
ing, and would, II he were a man OF
ordinary intelligence and aptness, be
able in a little time to serve palatable
dishes to his company. AT present a
cook may be taken from his fire and
put on guard, or sent away on police
duty, or made to serve as orderly, OF
kept in the field at drill or rife prac-
. tice until he is too tired to do his
kitchen work properly, or his place Is
taken by some raw hand who never
so much es boiled an egg in his life
The specializing tendency in the army
and navy is a good one. Men are not
detailed from the ranks to serve as
physicians aids, hospital stewards
quartermasters, paymasters, ordnance
officers, teamsters, postmasters, engi-
neers, transportation agents, musicians
and so on, without reference to fitness
nor should they be assigned to duty at
t the kitchens unless they show an equal
fitness. On its feeding depends the
strength Of an army.-Eagle.
A hack will leave the corner ol