Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-08

and being fed and clothed seems a very
fine thing. but when they read in those
haunting orders how Jack or "Wilf'
or '6em.'' all Of the rank and file. is to be
taken away or to the ends Of nowhere,
at once a reaction sets in. Congressman
frequently are worried to death for sig
natures on applications for release Of
the enlisted man; hale and hearty adults
In the home circle become confirmed in
valids with such speed as to amaze the
most cynical physicians and by the
dozens and hundreds piteous, misSpelled.
exaggerated ssa H., letters begin to pour into
to be In turn read, considered and an
sweped. This Is fact stated as such
after investigation. For long the cry
has gone out that somebody's boy or
trace could be had Of him because 1.-The
army and navy officials reply only to
such requests from the families Of men
with the shoulder straps"
~ IT, IT,.
From each division of the service it IS
estimated that at least 800 letters a day
are answered direct or forwarded to the
various men to whom they refer. If they
have to do with getting man dis
charged. the one applying is informed OF
the conditions attached to any such pro-
ceeding. Should it be proven that his
nOCiler is destitute, MS release can at
once be purchased-Uncle Sam having no
desire to encourage lack Of maternal
feeling In his boys. Should this occur
during the first year Of enlistment a per-
centage Of that and each succeeding
years wages must be paid.
If boy enlists under age, and that fact
IS established beyond doubt. he is usually
released, although he can he punished for
having sworn falsely to his years. This
latter has caused many a bit of disgrace
nd of IF
the worse situation to follow. try to get
their hayward son back home by telling
how he pretended to be of age but was
not
Most OF the letters mention how the
absent ones have failed to write home
and almost Invariably include the in
formation that they see by the army
and navy orders that certain one is
stationed at some remote or distant
point because his regiment or ship is
there.
With men in the navy the system is
very simple. Each individual is cata-
logued with his birth, name and va
rious details tending to distinguish
him readily from any other Of the same
name. Thus. while a hundred John
Smiths are listed. each is known to be
himself and none other. Such letters
of complaint are sent direct to them.
That it sometimes takes six months
for its delivery and reply is neveEreal-
lied by the protesting. waiting ones,
and usually several more letters. rang
ing from the piteous to the openly in
sulting. are received in the interim by
the men whose whole training has
taught them to "sit tight
X
Some of these missives are merely
amusing. others combine the elements
of good life-play and. again, there
roS npo from, rnnno ho no NJ,
offered for inspection-after the names
a great argument for the little red
schoolhouse on the hill.
It was sent to a young officer at the
War Department who was then stationed
at a post in the south and reads:
st see by the paper that my son Char
lie is still in your Charge he is very
Young Will not be of age until next aug
hope you Will Watch over him with
Fatherly Care"-this last being most
amusing to those who know the ON
GERS age-"he Was our pet. We raised
him a pet on account Of being nearly
killed When he Was eight years old by
being throwed from a hack he was with
his Brother horses very wild threw them
out Charles fell on a rock and very Near
killed SO we Raised him A Pet. Charles
is homesick SO please Send him homo
husband and five girls is by ourselves and
Lonely for Charles
The officer was touched by this naive
appeal. He wrote to the boys father and
received a reply couched In the most
scholarly style, expressing almost disgust
at his sons desire to DE released from
the noble service of his country telling
how the father was a school teacher.
how the son was of age and their fina1-
ciai condition con- Portable. ard wishing to
fhs.a n