Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-11
CAMP DODGE HAS
TACTICS LESSON
ROCKIES ARE BEING TAUGHT
MILITARY FORMS AND ss.s ,
- 4ETiQUETTE.&' " sggs


Des Moines, July s.-School has be-
gun at Camp Dodge, All the rockies
are getting lectures on military tactics
and military etiquette. Heretofore
many rookie has passed by even the
commanding general without a salute.
With his characteristic bigness, Gen
eral Allen has said tolerantly, "They're
just rockies, and it's just hard for
them to tell an officer from a private,
as it is for the civilian, With these
uniforms there's nothing to tell by ex-
cept boots or hat cord maybe star
on the collar" :. RE tfF'1
Then the general and several regu-
lar army officers volunteered a lit
tie impromptu school for one civilian
in the hope that the education would
be passed on. All dwelt upon the
lack of education among the people
concerning the salute to the flag or
regimental colors
Nary Hat OF. -.<..'
1t was during review that Lieuten-
ant R. T. Phinney of the Twentieth in
fantry, U. S. A., called attention to the
spectators. Regular men and old men
in the guard saluated stiffly as the flag
and colors-went by, but the civilians
were apathetic. They hardly clapped
and no one uncovered or saluted.
Il never see cilivians in America
take off their hats or salute" was
Lieutenant Phinney's comment. l be-
lieve it's that they don't know they
should. Everywhere in foreign coun-
tries it is done. "@f ~
when the flag or regimental color
is carried by troop 1T requires the
salute or uncovered heads. ' r
There ought to be something for
women to do" said woman nearby.
We'll my little four-year old daugh-
ter always takes her hat of and last
week we heard rumpus in the back
yard and she was cleaning up small
boy for letting the colors drag in the
dust" said the lieutenant. THE aver
age woman ought at least to stand
and stop talking to her neighbor."
women can salute the flag" vol
unteered General Allen. 81 don't see
any reason why they don't do it,
Origin Of Salute.
by the way, do you know where
the salute originated?' the general
asked.
1T was back in feudal days. The
feudal lords all demanded that when
their men came into their presence
they put both hands up to show they
were unarmed. Out of that custom
grew the modern salute"
About the Hat Cords.
If you have been to Camp Dodge
you undoubtedly have noticed the diff
ferent colored hat cords and tassels
worn by the soldiers. General Allen
explained their significance. Yellow
means cavalry; blue, infantry; scarlet,
crushed strawberry, medi-
cal department; red, piped with white,
engineers. Officers wear black or
greyish cord in addition, and the gen.
eral himself wears gold cord and
tassel.
Regulars See Joke.
The regular soldiers, six in number
have been enjoying little joke at the
camp that many others could not ap-
preciate.
Pointing to the engineering camp,
Lieutenant Phinney said laughingly,
to another officer: II. G. That's ap-
isn't it?' They both laugh
ed as they looked at the Iowa City"
mark on the tents.
The civilian wanted to get in on the
joke so the officers explained that l. G.
is the way all equipment and horses
are marked when they are inspected"
and condemned"
The National Air. 0
Many things were done at Camp
Dodge on the Fourth during the play
ing of the Star Spangled Banner"
Everyone stood up, thanks to a day
when patriotism had been literally
stirred, but some soldiers removed
saluting as the last note was played.
THE old custom is to remove the
hat and | like it better than the new
way of leaving the hat on standing at
attention. and saluting on the last
note. It is correct to do either way"
General Allen explained.
sIackers Can't Go Home.
Slackers will not be sent home
They will be held to their national
guard oath which requires them to go
anywhere in the United States. They
will be taken to the Mexican border,
# the troops are sent there, and re-
luired to do camp duty.
This was the declaration of Colonel
Morgan, u. S. A., who is mastering
troops into federal service when an
officer of the artillery batteries asked
for transportation home for several
slackers.