The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-07-07
BADGER BRIGADE Ranks HIGH.


gade of war strength quota is one OF
the most completely equipped organ
izations turned over to the war de-
partment by any state in the Union.
1t probably presents not only as many
but more men per regiment than most
other states. One of the branches OF
the service in which it ranks among
the best is the signal corps.
Every company in the brigade is
instructing from two to six OF its men
in signaling. A radio and heliograph
apparatus is the contribution OF Lieut..
Robert Wheaton, Company E, First in
fantry, Milwaukee, and Private Corne-
Illus Quinn, Company L. First infantry,
Neenah, both of whom have expert
mented with these outfits for cOnsld-
cradle time. Both are amateur opera
tors.
By use of these instruments the
Wisconsin brigade will be able to re-
ceive messages from distance of up to
nearly 5000 miles. On account of the
weak sending devices owned by these
men, they will be able to transmit
messages only twenty miles. 4
The radio outfit includes practically
the same materials and equipment. as
wireless apparatus. 1t operates on
the system of detecting electrical
surges or waves transmitted through
ether which is present in all matter
The operators attach receivers to both
ears and read letters by the frequency
of buzzes. Lieutenant Wheaton car
ried about 800 feet of aluminium wire
for the antennae or aerial when
catches the signals from distant sta
tons. Lieutenant Wheaton has re.
ceived messages sent out from Airing
ton, Va, the powerful plant of the
government.
In addition to these systems the
brigade has a corps of expert soma
phore and wig-wag signal men. Every
company is training from one to sly
men in these systems which are easy
to learn.
Great Change in Guard.
A tremendous change has come ovel
the Wisconsin National Guard. 1t il
so different in character from what il
was a week ago that the recruits
stand with open mouths. Instead o.
| being the customary social Organiza
ton that it has always been, it is {
fully disciplined, serious-minded, bust
nesslike military organization, secon(
only in attitude to the army.
In day a state almost of caste ha:
grown up. Officers no longer hobnoE
with men in the company streets
| They report or are seen there only OF
business, and when the company il
formed for drills. Noncommissionet
officers no longer are mere private
with chevrOnS On their sleeves; the.
are men with authority to command
and their commands are obeyed in
stantly. 1t no longer is the Nationa
Guard of Wisconsin but the "NatiOna
Guard of the United States and of tn
state of Wisconsin,"
Stricter discipline, greater attention
to military courtesi,,,s greater prompt
| tude at forming for drills, far NOR
precision in the manner Of executing
drill movements and more thOrOug]
instruction are already apparent. Il
short, the Guard is a second regula
army. LaXity in observance of salutes
ETC., no longer is tolerated. Liberal
ity with privileges has been cut to tn
minimum. The first sergeant is tn
foreman of the company. Back Q
him are 20 noncommissioned assist
ants.
The National Guard has not coz
Quoted itself, so far as officers ar
concerned, with the same attitude a
the army, in which there is PRACTICAL
a caste line between officers and mel
Realizing that the greatest disciplin
is obtainable only where there is nc
too much familiarity, National Guar
officers have begun tightening til
reins. They have been criticized fC
too great familiarity in reports {
army officers and inspectors. TIL
condition today is wholly different.