The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-22
District Militianlen
Wof Dengue Feverin
Camp on the Border
Maady From Philippines Carried Among the Men
by Mosquitoes-Lasts About Week and Makes
Boys Delirious-Ca nteen Store Doing
Good Business.
From = staff Correspondent.

-
CAMP WILSON. SAN ANTONIO. Oct.
2.-Many OF the District militismen have
suffered from dengue. known here as
'dangue" fever, since they arrived at
Camp Wilson. ....' ...t
This II q malday carried by mosqui-
toes. and originated In the Philippines.
It In supposed to have been brought
here by mosquitoes from Mexico. The
disease fnanifests itseuf by causing
every muscle. bone and sinew to ache
like the toothache. and producing high
fever. Practically all of It's victims
reel and stagser around like they were
sunstruck and become deiarious. Its
duration 10 but q week. but the soldiers
say they never knew 20 much misery
could be crowded into seven days.
The Wsshingtonians' canteen, or gem
srai merchandise store, promises to de-
clare q big dividend at the end Of the
month. The patronage has been phe-
nomenally large, according to Lieut.. Col.
Anton Stephan and Color Sergt. c. w.
Moore. The business has grown with
such leaps and bounds that Lieut.. Will
liam 0aIliett has been assigned to as
sist Lieutenant Colonel Stephan In the
administrative and Bookkeeping work.
Except for the hours the soldiers are
drilling. there n q constant parade OF
purchasers 70 the canteen, and they
spend their money. or It's equivalent,
like sailors ashore for the first time In
years.
Stocked With Good Eats"
The. cantesn IN, stocked with ice cream,
soft drinks. crackers, cakes. potted
meats and fish. canned soups. beans and
fruits. razor blades. towels, handker-
chiefs. cigars. cigarettes, chewing ana
smoking tobacco. neckues. stationery,
syrups, honey. molasses. and almost
everything the soldiera can think Of.
While the principal trade In In soft
drinks. cigarettes and ice cream, hun
partaking Of a midnight lunch In their
tent and purchase quantities OF food
from the canteen for this purpose.
The militlamen. who were paid off just
before they left Washington, spent
about $500 In cash during the first few
days after their arrival here. Now they
have practically no money. but are
spending close to $3.50 a day.
The reason for this Is the issuance
OF books Of canteen checks to the men
deduct the value Of the books from the
soldiers pay at the end OF the month.
Each book contains twenty coupons good
for scent purchase. Scores OF the sol.
hooks and probably will draw slim
pay. The canteen coupons are accepted
as legal tender In crap and poker
games. while many soldiers who are
broke but want to take an automobile
ride to San Antonio draw several books
from their company commanders and
sell them for cash at half price.
Al the end OF each month the profits
of the canteen will be divided among
the companies on the basis of the num-
81 oh N n ~
has issued to his men. II Company A
has purchased the largest number OF
books. II will receive the biggest divi-
dend.
and Troop A report that they are saw
ing considerable money for their or
Eanisattons by purchasing supplies supplies
OF the commissary at Fort Sam Hous-
be cheaper in San Antonio than at the
army post. For instance. the mess
sergeants have learned that potatoes
can be bought for 8 cents less per
bushel from the, merchants. The pur-
fore, saves 10 cents for the company,
as the organization Is credited with
the cash value OF all supplies not
drawn.
Studying Spanish.
A large number OF militiamen at
| tended the first session OF the Spanish
class at the Y. M. c. A. and more have
| siEnified their intention OF attending.
| This class, as we'll as those In English,
!! arithmetic. spelling. writing, ETC.. are
| conducted by Chaplain Arthur Lewis
smith. Private Mark Finley instructor
| In chemistry at Central High School. is
| teaehing the Spanish class. He says
his pupils have manifested great in.
| terest In Spanish and believes many OF
them will be able to speak the Ian
suage out loud sooner or later"
Chaplain Smith. who served several
years at Fort Myer as secretary of the
| Y. NJ. c. A. there. has found two OF his
| old friends at Fort Sam Houston, and
spends much time with them. The
| circles In Washington because Of the
| long time they served at Fort Myer.
| tain Burleson. Major Bailey. formerly
| post surgeon at Fort Myer, now has
charge of the army medical train which
runs from Fort Sam Houston to all the
army camps along the border gathering
UP the sick and injured. Major Bailey
has Just left with ten hospital Pullmans
| for MoAllen and Llano TO bring several