The Washington times., 1916-09-24

Plattsburg 10 called a factory for
the physical Improvement OF the stu
dents who attend II. by the majority
Of the 100 who went there for the
August camp from Washington.
"It is hardly a paradise OF pleasure
and laughter" they say. FOR the
work Is 80 hard that there Is but
little time for such things. but II
is a place which does the man In
a fair condition an incalcuiapie
amount of good"
The returned Plattsburgers, how
ever; are careful ,r to state ter That mani !,
in a run down condition to stand
the gan"
who have come back that the Platts-
burg idea is a wonderful addition 10
the educational system of the coun-
try. The reason II does good. they
say. Is that II obliges men to spend
time In the open. which
they would not do otherwise. This
epen:air work , comes in in ,r VARIOUS oS
hikss, and in many other ways. And
then the sleep. after hard days
work." Is. they say. most wonderful.
No Guardhouse There
For Recalcitrant Men.
The lack OF the usual forms of
army punishment is another point OF
the camp which appealed to the ma
jority of the returned men. There
10 no guard house where recalcitrant
men are put, they say. but when a
man continues not to show proper
interest I'm the work of the camp he
is politely but firmly asked to return
The democracy Of the organization of
the camp seems also to have mnde a
deep impression on the men who at
tended this summer. One OF them told
how odd II struck him on the train
getting ready TO come home. to walk
down the aisle OF the car and look at
the garb of the men he had known In
the car.
thought the finest dressed proved TO
be shabby ofttimes, and :he reverse
was equally true. IL was nothing
strange for man prominent in ma
tional affairs to be hobnoobing with
is there--they all look alikc--and count
aiike-in those uniforms. never
struck a more congenial bunch OF men
in my life. Sometimes going over a
rough place on a hike. and bcsining
to feel sore: / would look around and
would make me forget all about my
Crouch.
1.-The Officers gave us the most cor
dial invitation to come around and
meet them as gentlemen outside the
ranks at any time. tried II one day
and II worked. ! sat back with the
officer and smoked and talked and
found them a most human lot. vi
course. they had 20 be strict with us
and were, hut It was nothing but what
is done In every military organization
Other Rockies Hold
Similar Views.
others OF the, men expressed theil
ideas OF the democracy Of the camI
In the same fashion.
1T reminded me Of what l imagine
the French army Is, in Its 'csmeraderie
between officers and men. and among
the mem themselves" stated Rodne,
l. Lynn. For instance. We hec, OF,
ramrod for each eight men, and. o.
guns. we all wanted to do II at once
But there was no scrambling or trou
ble-everybody would wait his turn
And the atmosphere OF the camp grew
not reverse. as IL usually the case
This was true, even though the ma
jority had a bank roll In their hi
pocket that would have swabbcd I
gun"
Another aspect OF the value of tn
conversation with Walter Howe. a well
known lawyer Of this city. who at
tended this summers camp.
80 far its main accomplishment d
an educational demonstration that com
pulsory military service would be de
sirable and most valuable thing 70
all individuals concerned under IT," h
stated. TT simply knocks out the drea,
OF the hardships OF army life whicl
most men have. It is q Wonderful thinG
II am even more In Havor OF tn
PlattsburG idea now than ! was at tn
time l decided to go to the camp.
think II Is absolutely democratic.
shows all hands that go there tina
real democracy is a pleasant experience
as we'll as being an indispensable thin
in an army.
1.-THE Plattsburg camp is a first les
son In reaching tho kind OF democrac
France has gotten by her long years O
| experience with a citizen soldiery. Their
was the most uniform liking, respect an
confidence between the men and tn
officers at the camp: this was truer 1
| the strict commands than In the Ia
ones and the strictness OF the individua
commander was apt to increase thes
feelings"
Reserve Corps Idea r,
Meets Approval.
Mr.. Howe was greatly pleased with III
prospect of a reserve corps OF officer
for a volunteer army arising from tn
Plattsburg movement, and commente
with enthusiasm on the tactical instruC
ton that the rockies" received n tn
camp.
"There were too many there this sun
mer for a very extensive training
military strategy to be given, but W
were taught extended order work ever
day, and shown many things which tn
national guardsman seldom learns
his armory, such as firing. attacking
defending positions, analysing tn
movements made by the commando
during the day. and having them Q,
planned to US. Even the thickest head
absorbed a large share OF informatio
about tactics duripg. their stay I
P1attsburg. This, believe, will
most valuable In differing a volunte'
army II need for one should ev'
arise"
burg camp In the preparedness ar
universal service propaganda was a
serted by ii, c, Bates, a lawyer, ha'
ing offices In the wilkins Building.
ut is not Of particular value TO n
Individual in making soldier out
him. he stated. at Is chiefly wort
while as publicity feature for pr
| hardness and universal service.
"What II does do Is to show to Il
, man who attends the long time requir,
10 make a trained soldier II a ms
, | should attend, q camp two or thr,
, years he would be q good man for {
ofncerS' reserve CORDS, but the trai