Evening star., 1901-07-19


than a mile of wire from the camp site t.
the town. This and all the other construc
tion in and about the camp has been com
pleted, and everything is running along ii
an even and systematic fashion. .
Lieut.. William Niemeyer. commandins
the corps, has made the following assign
ments of his men in connection with the
telephone and telegraph operation: Corpo.
raj James w. Palmer, electrician; Corpora
Otto Niemeyer in charge of construction
department; Lance Corporal Edward II
Murphy, in charge Of telephone exchange
Private George H. Manning, in charge OF
telegraph operators; Privates Robert E
Crump, Harry E. Turner and Benjamin F
Clancy, telephone operators at the ex-
change; Privates Robert Fletcher, w. B
Harvey and c. ]. King linemen; Private
Paul R. Ricketts,, courier.
Everything about the signal corps head
quarters is business up to the handle"
The office is already conducted under prac-
tfcally the same rules that maintain in the
city offices of telegraph and telephone COM
panies. No one is allowed behind the coun-
ter except men employed in the operation
of the business. and even members of the
organization, when not required there for
work. refused admttance. This ar
SGngement does much credit to the young
officer in charge, and it's good results are
apparent to any one having business with
the office
The signal corps as already stated, ar
rived in camp two days ahead of the bal
ance Of the brigade. The command was
greeted by a rain and wind storm and
barely succeeded in erecting the exchange
tent and two others before the downpour
However. the men were out at work bright
and early Wednesday morning. They have
grown to expect rain the first night in
camp and rather seem to enjoy it.
The camp is connected at all important
points by the signal corps telephones, and
the local switchboard has wire to the
long-distance service, thus making it possi-
Bile to telephone to any place in the United
States having a long-distance phone.
An Able officer.
The work of the signal corps is attract
ing much attention and favorable COM
ment. The command. although small in
numbers, has accomplished wonders and
1t is doubtful If any better service could
have been rendered by regulars. The con-
dition of things is largely attributable to
the ability and efforts of Lieutenant Me
meyer. the new commanding officer of the
corps.
Lieutenant Niemeyer's commission reach
ed Washington after he had gone with his
command to Leesburg. This is his first ex-
perience with shoulder straps but to watch
him at his work one would without hesita-
tior declare him veteran. He has the
style and get-up of the old soldier, and is
despite his youthful years real cam
paigner. He first entered the local militia
1898, and remained in that capacity until
the opening Of hostiities between this
country and Spain. when he was mustered
into the volunteer service of the United
States as private of Company D, 1st Dis
trict of Columbia Volunteers. At Tampa
Fla, he was transferred to the balloon de-
tachment of the signal corps Of the army,
where he was in a short while promoted to
the grade of sergeant.
Lieut.. Niemeyer was on duty with the
Signal Corps in Cuba from November, 1S9S
to May, 1899, and during that time he trav-
eled all over the central and eastern por-
items of the island, constructing and oper-
ating the military telegraph and telephone
lines. On his return to Washington he re-
entered the signal corps Of the District
Guard. He was in turn soon promoted to
the grades of lance corporal. corporal and
sergeant, in which latter capacity he had
charge of the telegraph system at the en-
campment of the National Guard at Gath
ersburg, Md, last year. At Gaithersburg
cheney, and no small part Of the credit for
Its work there belongs to the present COM
officer
Staff Sergt. Corvalzier IS sadly missed at
Camp Ordway. For years past he has su-
perVfsed the conduct of the headquarters
mess His enlistment expired day before
1t was hoped that the title Of
champion snorer Of the District National
Guard. which was in controversy between
Sergt. Corvaizier and Maj. George Hender-
son, the brigade's indefatfgable surgeon
general, would be finally setted during the
present outing Capt. Andrew Parker. how
ever, has volunteered to take Corvaizier's
place, and the expectation is that the snore
or the snorer who snores will reverberate
through the city Of canvas this evening
The outcome of the contest is awaited with
no little interest. CFC