The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-20
MANY MEN ENLIST
IN REGULAR ARMY
The Birmingham Recruiting
Station Has Good Results
EXAMINATIONS ARE RIGID
Of 17s Men Accepted BY Captain Car
ter Only One Was Rejected BY
Medical Board-The Captain
Talks Interestingly.

Out of the 17S recruits accepted by Capt.
R. G. Carter, United States army. at the
recruiting station in this city, during the
past quarter. but one has been rejected
by the medical board of examiners. I'm
less man is in good condition physically
it is almost impossible to enter the ranks
of the regular army. So strict is the
examination that about go out of every 100
applicants are rejected.
Birmingham is the main recruiting sta
ton for the Alabama district, and is in
charge of Captain Carter, retired.
Captain Carter is veteran of the
civil and later of the Indian wars. and
was captain in the Fourth cavalry. ow-
ing to disabilities received in active SER
vice he was retired and appointed to the
recruiting service.
This recruiting district comprises Bir-
mingham, Montgomery, Gadsden and An
niston. Under the new orders issued re-
Gently, the district board of examining
physicians has been abolished and all
medical examinations are now made by
the officer in charge After a recruit has
sent to either Jefferson Barracks, Mo-,
or Columbus Barracks. O.. where he is
again examined for any diseases, chronic
or otherwise. before he is assigned to a
regiment The work of the four exam
iners assigned to this district now de-
wolves on Captain Carter and his assist
ants.
All stations in Alabama have been sue
cessful except Admission. That station has
repeatedly fallen below its quota and
today the Admission station will be abol-
shed and a new one instituted in De-
catur.
Results Gratifying.
In an interview yesterday Captain Car
ter said: IT have just completed nay re-
port and feel gratified at the results.
The class of men that I have passed as
eligibles are what might come under
the head of perfect men. So strict has
the examination grown that It Is next to
impossible for any one to slip In If he
be troubled with any chronic disease or
suffering from anything that might tend
examine thoroughly the applicant for any
thing that might show on the outside
and then he is sent to the board whose
members individually examine him as
thoroughly as it is possible.
Birmingham is a good station and is
satisfactory in every way. Like in all
towns situated near iron or steel plants,
we always get a full quota. This may
seem strange, but 1t is a recognized fact
that the government always, If possible.
establishes stations in such towns for
the following reasons: There are more
men in manufacturing cities who, through
strikes and other reasons, are out of
employment. In very short time they
are penniless. Then the only thing open
to them is the army. And the class of
men enlisting from such towns are better
able to stand hardships and are as a
whole better specimens of manhood
During my forty-three years of service
in the army 1 have arrived at the con-
clusion from close personal observation
that the American does not as rule,
make good soldier. The reason for that,
l believe is lack of moral restraint in the
home. AS a boy he is permitted to grow
up having, more or less his own way,
ana when he enters Tile army ana Is kept
down to discipline, that feeling of per-
sonal freedom or desire to do as he likes
which he had cultivated. rebels, and he
either deserts or remains until he be-
comes a good soldier. l saw recently that
5000 men deserted during the last year in
the United States. Were you to ASK them
why they did it, they would say lack of
comforts.
Not for Pleasure.
when man enters the service we ex-
plain to him that he is not in the army
for pleasure. Many of the young fellows
think that all there is connected with
a soldiers life is to wear a uniform, drill,
parade, and, If need be. fight. When they
enter the service they find 1t very differ
ent. They must do all sorts of chores even
to the splitting of wood. They are not
asked to 'please do this or please do
that" but are commended, and oftentimes
they rebel When they do refuse, they are
punished and frequently from this cause
alone, desert.
ITO my mind the country boy makes