The Washington herald., 1916-06-17
The Herald's Army and Navy Department
Latest Most New, Personnel Published Washington

The New York National Guard is
taking a hand in the nationwide pre-
paredness movement by inaugurating
a boys camp. which will be opened at
Peekskill, n. Y, on August g. The
camp, 1t is planned, will give a
months course, closing on September 9.
According to the rules of the pros
pective camp. all physically nt school
boys will be eligible. 1t is further
planned to give instruction to a
school mems battalion" consisting OF
about 900 teachers and instructors in
the New York public schools The ex-
penses for the boys. during the
months course. will average about sls
each, exclusive of uniforms. The
course will include physical training,
athletics, hygiene. campcraft, walking
trips and the like.
great deal of favorable comment
is heard in army circles concerning
of the .Quartermaster Corps, in fur
nishing the American punitive expedi-
tion in Mexico with motor transporta-
ton facilities. Col Smiths purchase
and delivery of trucks is said to have
been the largest and most rapid ever
made by any single department Of the
army
Inc long communication line be-
tween Pershings forces in Mexico, and
the border-a line OF approximately
400 miles-made rapid transportation
of supplies an absolutely vital need or
the campaign. Col. Smith, who is
stationed at the army building in New
York. is given most of the credit for
supplying the trucks which made this
communication possible.
A day or two after the Columbus raid,
he was instructed to purchase. for i'm
mediate delivery. no less than liz trucks
the requirements Of four field motor
truck companies. On one DAYS notice
from Washington. he received bids from
nearly all the large truck companies OF
the United States. within forty-eight
hours of the awarding OF the contract,
the shipment OF trucks was loaded on
cars and in ninety-siX hours more, they
were delivered at the border
Since the Columbus raid. Col Smith has
purchased a total OF 324 trucks, ranging
in size from three-fourths OF a ton to
three and one-hsIf tons
There is a strong sentiment among
army officers for the esta blshment Of a
regular enlisted corps Of cooks in the
National Guard. now that the guard 8
camp and field service Is rapidly sp.
preaching that of the regular army.
The chief argument for the estab blish-
ment Of a National Guard corps OF cooks
is the fact that troops subsisting on i'm
properly-cooked or poorly regulated
rations are not fully capable OF perform
Ing their duties, they are subject to ILL
ness and loss Of stamina. and with such
poor cooking. their complete breakdown
and uselessness as military units be-
comes only matter OF time offcers say.
Company commanders. II is said, are in
need OF instruction in foods and their
preparation. They should know. the army
believes. how to compose a bill OF fare
which will give a proper variety OF food
without waste, as well as knowing the
problems of mess administration without
leaving such matters wholly to mess ser
geants
In the selection OF officers. 1t is said. the
National Guard should pick men who are
qualified to prepare the National Guard
ration properly. In order TO bring this