The San Francisco call., 1908-10-03
SIGNAL MEN MAKE
WIRELESS RECORD
Corps Under Lieut.. Breck Es-
tabIishes Communication Be.
tween Camp and PasO Robes
By Harry Davids


SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL
CAMP ATASCADERO, oct 2.-The
signal corps made a distinct record
for itself today when it succeeded in
getting wireless connections between
Paso' Robles and the camp. a distance
OF l3 miles, with field apparatus.
Before the camp had tumbled out of
its blankets this morning a detachment
Of keen, alert young fellows in khaki
were gulping down their coffee and
snurmuring in a jargon inexplicable and
profound. The breakfast was hastily
finished and a coil of rope. few poles
AND an iron bound box were thrown
into a wagon, the young fellows
climbed in and then slipped down the
dusty trail. Two hours later Lieuten-
ant Megill seated in the dust before
a telegraph instrument in camp. was
sending wireless messages TO Lieuten-
ant Paul W Breck at Paso Robles.
The wonder had been brought about
by those who had risen early and had
dropped down the trail with the mys-
terious box and the coil of rope. To
them il was no wonder for they be-
longed TO the signal corps OF the United
States army. where life is a fairy tale
told iu a language which none but
themselves may understand. How
they did il they alone know They
had taken the poles fixed them. played
with them and hoisted them. They had
run wires. according TO the dictates of
tire technical minds. connected with
the mysterious box and then sat down
tn: grin and smoke cigarettes as Me-
gill's call came floating across the dis
tance. All morning the whisper ran.
It's buzz spelt achievement for the ex-
pertinent was new one. TO accom-
plish the feat required trihe more
than brain replete with the knowl
edge of electricity. It meant the pos
session Of that inaehnable ingenuity
peculiar TO the American soldier alone.
The success was more than the efforts
Of one man; il was the result of many
minds. The officer working in his tent
until the late hours Of the night had
brought about some Of j., the gentle
flau in khaki at SIS per month had
given OF his practical knowledge.
In past experiences. when things did
not work according % regulations it
was the private soldier in many in
stances VINO messed" around until he
conceived a better plan. The officer,
with his advanced education, developed
it, and Washington added to it. In
this. as in all other experiments. all
worked together They did not study
and plot and plan in Ire hope of glory.
fame or money; because none knew so
we'll as themselves that these things
seldom fall to the army in piping times
of peace why them" ask them and
they viii quietly reply: For the good
of the sc rvice" This tone is not pecu-
liar 10 the signal corps. 1t is just as
much evident in other branches. Here
IN camp I nightly see officers study
Ing, studying. studying till late.
This studying and figuring. it must be
remembered. is done during spare
hours tbe little time which is allotted
10 the officers for rest and recreation
They do not receive any additional
rnope erary compensation for the work
They 90 not expect any. They work
ice. One has n vision of
gun. carriage; another the elimina-
fjon of few pounds off the
soldiers back. IN the quartermaster's
department there viii be talk of an
ideal field stove. All up and down the
camp there are scores Of men working
themselves bald and blind for-wefI-
the good OF the service.
The :maneUvers today were on a sim
ffar basis to those of yesterday, with
the exception that the forces were op-
Grated as bsttalions instead OF COM
Lanies as before. imaginary enemies
0eset the camp on every side, but by
aoGn they had vanished.
Great preparations IN a social way
are being made for the militia regi-
ments. Band concerts viii be held at
the Paso Robles hotel, and Dr.. Sawyer,
the new manager of the institution.
has. offered two prize cups for the two
best bands
Colonel Marion 2. Maus is very anx-
ious TO have the militiamen with him.
With little encOura cement said he.
@the national guard could De converted
into = most effective force" With the
guard viii be number OF the COVER
nor's staff, who intend staying a week
in camp.