The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-24
SOLDIERS CAN
Be OBTAINED
As a Test by a New York SoCi-
ETY. Recently Made Very
Plainly Shows.

NEW York, March 24-The most
serious obstacle to an increase in the
army has been the difficulty OF obtain
Ing recruits. This difficulty is adj
mttted by the adjutant general, and
allzother authorities on this question.
A recent experience has shown
way TO get the men and the results
have just been published by the So
ctety of Constructive Defense of 90
Church street. This society is work
ing for constructive army plan which
combines intensive military training
during part of the time with construc-
tive work on roads, rivers and other
public works under the supervision OF
army engineers.
To prove to officers OF the general
stan that the men could be had on
this plan. an advertisement was In
serted In New York newspaper ask
ing for men who would like to sign
for several years doing hard outdoor
work and taking three months pre-
llmtnary training with five hours
weekly thereafter as suggested by
army officers.
From this one advertisement in one
newspaper there were received the
astonishing number of $50 written APP
plications. The handwriting was on
the average splendid; the neatness
and general character OF the letters
were exceptionally good. Employers
OF wide experience said they had never
seen a better class OF letters of this
character in all their experience Over
one-fourth as many applications were
received for the existing army system
from newspaper advertising during an
entire year, t4.159 in 1850
The average of weight and height Is
good. Two-thirds are under 26 years
of age. The education is higher than
the average. i've per cent had been In
college. Twenty per cent had been in
the high school. OF the remainder
eighty per cent had reached the sew
enth or eighth grade, twenty-five per
cent had had military experience, but
many OF these were anxious to get ex-
perlence in trades useful in civil life. |
Many letters said. mot afraid OF
hard work" believe the hard work
in the open air will do ME good.
think the military training will be
beneficial" intensely interested in
your plan" "the training will be good
for me and for the country" your
project appeals to me-" glad of a |
chance to learn a trade or to be out
in the open air" why did not some-
one start such thing before"
Many OF the applications came from
young men who had studied surveying.
civil engineering or some other tech
ntcal line. The standard OF education,
ability. physical condition and other
qualifications OF the applicants Is ex-
ceptionally high: higher in fact than
usual among applicants for army serv-
fee.
This test answers those who think
that men will not enlist in construc-
tive army: that those who do enlist
will be men OF low and ignorant
class; that army men will not do hard
work; and that enough men cannot BIO
obtained at the wages offered (s25 TO
$50 per monthly
The test has proved by iucontrover-
tible evidence over SAG signatures that
sufficient men can be had under the
constructive army plan; more men
than under the existing army system:
that the men will be of a very respect
able and intelligent class. as good as
at present, that the men will be willing
to do hard work and take military
training as approved by officers OF the
army; and that the spirit OF patriotism
Is not yet dead In young Americans
who are al willing as ever to serve
their country if given fair oppor-
tunlty.
The Society OF Constructive Defense
has received endorsements OF It's plan
from thousands OF prominent men and
has interesting literature 10 distribute
on request.
TIT TurATrnn