Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-26
FULL COMPANY
j. OF N. CADETS
FOR PLATTSbURC

Orono, Me-, May 25.-Lieut. F. S.
Clark. U. S. A, professor of military
science and tactics may be able to
take full war strength company Of
University Of Maine cadets to Platts-
burg II things work out as they have
started the last two days. The army
bill which has just passed Congress
and will probably be signed this week
by Pres. Wilson, was explained to the
men in the battalion Tuesday morn
ing, and particularly the part of il
which had reference to the summer
camp at Plattsburg.
This latest army bill contained three
things which would interest the college
student at Maine. First, this bill Of
fers inducements to college graduates
IN the army that have never been open
before and there are some very good
commissions for the man who may
wish to take UP the army as a life
work.
Secondly, the new law provides that
IN colleges with military department
such as at Maine, from the Junior and
Senior class. and with the approval of
the president of the college and the
professor Of military, students can tal~
courses in military and receive COM
pensation from the government. The
pay for this work is rated on a basis
OF subsistence and will mean about
500 for the years work. Students
taking advantage OF this plan must
agree to become reserve officer in the
|army after graduating, but they can
not be called upon except in case of
war, without their consent. In times
Of peace such a man could be called
Upon, if he consents. for not more than
Is days at which time he will serve as
an officer and with the pay of such an
officer in the regular army. 1t is also
possible to become temporary second
lieutenant with the Fay of that officer
This accomplishes two things: The
government makes it possible and
practicable for students to take advan-
tage Of the military work done in
such institutions, and secondly, the
government makes it possible and
practicable for men who have a desire
to serve their country to do so. These
will be strong inducements in the COM
ing year for men to elect military their
junior and senior years.
The third provision of the bill which
is of interest to the Maine men is that
which pertains to Plattsburg. Last
year If student went to Plattsburg
he was obliged to pay his own railroad
fare, but this bill provides that the
government shall furnish the trans
portation fees of the students to New
York. Also that the government
shall supply the uniforms, the sub
sistence, and the equipment Of all the
men who go to Plattsburg. It comes
down to just a question Of the stu
dents time against the governments
money.
Lieut.. Clark feels that under such
especially good conditions 1t is not I'M
reasonable to think that the Univer-
sity Of Maine should have war
strength company $50 men, at this
years summer camp. Francis Head
Of Bangor, who is first sergeant in
the cadet battalion, was the only Maine
man at Plattsburg last year. He has
already placed in his application to at
tend this years camp. Harvard will
have a war strength regiment at the
| coming camp. which will take place
from July to August s.
| Lieut. Clark explained the benefits
OF the camp and what it meant to
those students who had a desire for
military or wished to serve their coun-
try. He has already received num-
Der Of applications from men who are
going this year, and will be in his Of
flee some time during every afternoon
the rest Of the semester to explain the
way the camp is run. Tuesday after
noon q number Of men were getting
posted on the routine Of Plattsburg
and signified their intentions of going.
| Lieut.. Clark was enc Of the regular
army men stationed at the camp as an
Instructor last year end will be there
again this year. The men from Maine
who are going to attend the camp are
placing notations on their applications
asking to be assigned to Lieut.. Clark
company with whom they have already
worked one or more years,