New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-04
SIGNAL CORPS SCHOOL,
at Fort WOOd, ON Bedlo5g'S Island,
1cith the Statue of Liberty.

| Many New-YCrkerS who for one reason on
another have gone down the bay recently havs
noticed that gigantic Miss Liberty. out Bed
| lows Island is acquiring brick red founce 70
her train. instead of the dingy yellow one which
she has worn for years. Her new fOunce VII Dc
entirely of brick when the construction work I,
| finished. for the yellow represented wooden
structures. and wood is to be eliminated fror,
| the island
Not one in a hundred Of those who have noted
this building activity. however knows that II has
to do with the rebuilding of Fort Wood Prob
ably not one in fifty even knew that there was q
| fort on the island which holds BartholdTs Statue
| of Liberty. yet it was established early in the
last century. long before the statue was even
thought of.
Within a year. however Fort Wood has
undergone a development which makes it one Of
the most interesting army posts about New
York. The government has given it to the signal
corps Of the army and it has been turned into
training school for soldiers who are recruited
for or elect to serve in that interesting branch
of the service. That IS the reason passengers on
passing boats have recently seen such a wig
wagging of signal flags. and that explains the
queer flares of light which have been noticed a:
night at the base Of the statue
The signal corps school should prove a boon
young
anxious to learn skilled trade and who have
not the time or money to follow the necessary
courses of study. BY enlistins for three years In
the regular army and getting assigned to ths
signal corps they will enjoy from twelve to
eighteen months of schooling, which should
make them fairly expert telegraphers. wireless
or cable operators. general electricians or what
ever other similar speciality they may wish to
take up Then in the same term of enlistment
they will enjoy eighteen months of practical
work in their particular branch at some one q
the army posts where signal corps men ars
needed If particularly bright or especially
adapted to electrical pursuits they will prooa~
bly, have passed examinations and received pro
motions which will make them content with
the army life and salary. and they may re-en-
list, with the assurance that as long as they be-
have themselves they will have good position,
and that when Old age comes a government pen
sion awaits them
The signal corps of the army took possession
OF Fort Wood in March. 1901 for the purpose Of
establishing a school and supply depot for the
DIVISION or the Atlantic Instruction began n
May and since that time there have been from
Oo 10 IoV student soldiers enrolled the strength
varying according to the number OF men the
school is called upon 70 furnish for detail work
at other posts
- A4i0une reporter who voyaged the other day
10 bedioWs Island in the little craft that. winter
ana summer carries constant stream OF visit
OTIS from Snohomish and Battle Creek and Ken
heounkport and like places to gaze at short
range on the Statue of Liberty found Captain
" C. Burnell in command of Fort Wood He 5
'he ohlcer who built sixteen hundred miles Of
telegraph lines through the heart OF unknown
Alaska using enlisted men of the signal corUs
Tor everything but the work OF TRANSPORTATION
:. "o neutenants. master signal electrician and
I,e non-eoihiilssioned instructors form the Tao
VI 'AlS peculiar educational institution
INC S'uueii's at Fort Wood are. for the most
.sI@ young men. and there are no smarter sob
&c III the service Their work Is clean and
lnN'r uniforms are most striking. owing 70 tia
Aanse stripe on trousers and collar
ASK an infantryman to what arm a uaSstp.