Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-06
One Thousand of Them
at Chevy Chase Camp
Near Washington
DISTINGUISHED
OFFICIAL PATRONS
Training Largely for Hospital
Seryice-S0cial Functions Ia
boo-Learning to Live Out of
Doors-Uncle Sans Develop.
ment Enterprises

nlenC enterprises
washington, D. c. May" 5.-(SpeciaL)
-conpresses and Presidents may not
roonopolize all the country's interest at
Washington. A new idea has been
launched here the past week and, with
o,, the concern over terms Of the Kais-
er's reply from Berlin and the outcome
NJ the Scott Obregon conference on
the Mexican border. attention in
Washington has been fixed much on
little tented city just over the line
into Maryland. There approximately
1noO Young women in khaki are inaug-
urating the first national service
echoo, in the United States. 1t is one
Of the auxiliaries to national prepared
ness destined undoubtedly to be an
important one.
Last autumn the first mems camp
for military training was inaugurated
al Plattsburg. The thought Of train
ing civilians for so days in military
tactics out in the open, under the d.
rection of army officers, proved most
nopular and divers other camps on a
similar plan were held at different
noints throughout the country. Many
more will be held the coming summer.
The young women are now springing
to their share Of tasks in preparedness
and the Chevy Chase camp is its ex-
nression. No mater that a local wit
has paraphrased the enterprise into the
"Catsburg" Camp. That is a persi-
fage and does not detract from the
worthy work the women are under
taking.
There has been an abundance Of dis
tinguished official patrons. President
and Mrs Wilson were present on the
opening day at the raising Of the flag,
as was extensively advertised through
out the land Wives of high ranking
officers Of the army, navy and marine
corps have mad conspicuous part in
the ceremonies of getting the Chevy
Chase camp into operation. 1t all
helps to start the machinery, command
popular attention and enlist interest.
That having been accomplished the
rockies" are now hard at their two
weeks of training, at the end of which
term they vacate the camp, return to
their homes and give way to other
companies that will be ready to move
in.
The camp is under strict military
discipline. It's officers, save for a ma
rine corps buglar, are all women.
There is no purpose to train and edu-
cate them as AmaZons. The work of
fighting will be left to the sterner
sex But the European war has dem
onstrated fully what a large field OF
opportunity there remains for women.
Those at the Chevy Chase camp are
trying to educate themselves for ma
donal service in that direction.
The training. in large part, is for
hospital service. This is under the
guidance Of the Red Cross, which Or
ganzation for some years. has con-
Quoted in a few cities classes in three
subjects; first aid, elementary hygiene
and care Of the sick, and dietetics.
These classes have been. taught by
lectures from medical officers Of the
army and from trained Red Cross
nurses, as well as by demonstration
work. and the students have been
given certificates upon passing salts
factory examinations. A very great
zeal OF worth while information is
given in this Red Cross instruction.
IL Is valuable alike for the home in
ume of peace and would help make
women useful if the country came to
war footing.
most of the Red Cross personnel at
washington is now on active duty at
.ne'y Chase camp in charge Of these
classes OF instruction. The Red Cross
mas large assembly tent. which serves
dS headquarters for these activities.
nut the women are attending other
Fc'ures, Which are in progress every
week day OF course the military as
p,e' OF the camp and the preparedness
'uea which it is chiefly aimed to en-
'Aasize' create decidedly military at
'nosphere. Afternoon bridge, with
"n.ch Washington abounds in normal
..'"es' wanes in popularity for the
e'a'e being and the khaki-c,ad regi-
Aen's' whose enlisted strength arises
a.. o'clock every morning, dispenses
VIVA irivolity the livelong day, and
.e"res to the tents in early evening,
IS all the rage.
mere Is military drilling but this is
sAis LOT the essential training in for
a'iohs. so that considerable detach-
.A's OF women can be moved from
PUNT to point readily for the perform
ee Oh DUTY. Instruction in signalling
,s. one Oh the features. Military calls
,. nel''es are also being taught. Night
80 IS taboo. which precludes at
o.a upon receptions, dances and
m ., social functions. One very note
"o''hy thing is that the women will
a.. a,n now to live out of doors and
."oae the conveniences and Access
~ 'es OF the modern luxurious home.
w.. STUDENTS or rockies are from
"s states but the roster includes
q, ",se portion Of the younger women
=. VIC social register Of WASHINGTON.
vho are about 400 "day students. -
p, 10 not stay in the camp at night
camp is being held early in the
,s asoh' The intention is that It shan
vss as model and particular pains
we're had in &c ,r.,,.A. ~,