The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-12-17

District militia who answered the call
to the coiors on June 10 and marched
10 Fort Myer on June 81. spent their
1s0th day under canvas here today.
This period 10 the equivalent OF ff-
teen years field training ordinarily
given Washington citizen-soidiers as
their annual encampments were OF
only ten days duration until recent
years, when they were extended to
two weeks.
Have Learned Mach.
Older members Of the militia, offi-
GERS and enlisted men alike. say they
have learned more about soldering
since they were called out than they
believe they could have learned at
fifteen encampmnts Of short periods.
The assimilation of military knowl-
edge has been continual. and not bro
ken into by eleven and a BALI months
Of civilian life. The District militia
men have learned n great many things
CURED most OF their knowledge In
versity OF Hard knocks" What they
know about tho lighting mans game
ha. been dinned Into them day IN
OF. learned by bitter experiences which
left ineradicable impressions.
Disesrded Old Theories.
For many years the citixon-soi-
dlery of the National Capital en-
joyed. In Washington Mt least. the
reputation OF being tho crack militia
organisation In the United States. A
few weeks in the field, however, con-
WINGED officers and men that dress
parades and participation In street
~ "A N
soldierly efficiency. Practically all the
f-satlsfied impressions which offi-
GERS and men had acquired by reason
Of being members OF a crack orRanl-
the Third Regiment left Fort Myer.
Since that time the efficiency OF
the National Capital citiIen-soldier
has been steadily Increased. Those
who referred to the District militia
were never wont TO quote compari-
sons or point out the departments OF
soldering in which tho home boys
were superior to militiamen from the
various States. There were few op-
Chance fer Real Comparisons
Here. however. with eight other militia
regiments ON tho field with the WASH
ingtonians. there IL ample opportunity
Tor comparisons. and regular umy Of
fcers representing various branches OF
the service have made them. Judging
from the reports mado 10 General
Greene. commanding the Twelfth Pro-
visionai Division. the District militia
excela the citizen soidiery from several
States In many rcspscu.
opinions declare the washingtonians are
far more proficient In close and extended
order drilling and dress parades, while
the sixty-four-mile hike TO and from
doubt that tho National Capital soldiers
are capable OF standing hard endurance
tests much better than other mlljtiamen
here. Tho percentage OF District soldiers
SEEK medical treatment was negligible
In comparison with the number from
the two other regiments which particle
pated IN the hike.
Sanitation Excellent.
The sapitation OF tho washsugto nians'
camp has been pronounced excellent.
while unsual orderlinsss cfihracterixes
the company streets and interior OF the
tents. The health OF the District boys
lis remarkable" according TO Major
Luce. chief medical officer OF the regi-
ment. The sick Hat II inconsiderabie.
and no serious diseases have been dis
covered since the regiment was called
out Major Luce II also Eratined over
the fact that there are practically
no malingerers-soldiers who feiEn i'll
ners---in the regiment, A few duty
shirtsrs'' pretended illness at Fort
Myer. but their ruse failed 10 work
and they, seem to have passed the
word down the line.
Obedience and discipline In the regi.
ment have improved until practically
no order, irrespective Of how dis.
agreeable or difficult a task IL may
carry with it,. has 10 be repeated by
the Officers or non.commissioned OF.
ncers. The supply Company mas con.
tinued To provide ample food, sub.
stantial food for the entire regiment
aud all the companies now have cS.
perienced cooks who know how 20
prepare army rations In the most
palatable and attractive fashion.
Administrator Work.
But even all these things do not con.
stitute the complete test Of an OF.
gsnization OF soldiers. There Is stilI
left the big item OF administrative or
"papef work" which entails many