The Washington herald., 1916-12-08
Army and Navy News
Re.t Service Column On City.

Col. William ]. Nicholson, camp COM
mander at the field headquarters of the
punitive expedition lin Mexico, Is a scar
gazer. Not star. mind you, but scar
In addition, he is something of a Sher-
lock Holmes.
Several little stores in camp have been
robbed recently. Most of the robberies
took place when the owner and employees
were absent. But the other night a dar-
ing hold-up man walked into a store
where young Mormon was counting
the days cash. The robber wore hand
kerchief which covered his face to the
eyes. and revealed only an inch of fore
head. At the point OF gun he relieved
the youthful storekeeper of the valuables
he wanted
The man was in soldiers uniform.
while the looting was in progress the
frightened youth noticed that he was a
negro. He also noticed a small triangular
scar on the robbers forehead.
The hold-up was reported to Col. Mich
olson the next day. That afternoon
there was a great gathering of negro
troopers in front OF the camp headquar-
ters tent. There were at least 200 of
them. The Mormon boy also was pres
ent.
At an order from the camp commander.
the 200 men. who had lined up before
headquarters marched in single file pass
the Mormon, who stared closely at each
mans forehead. There was a scar on
every forehead. 1t was probably the
greatest collection of head scars ever
assembled at one place in history. They
had been caused by a score of things
bullets, razors. knives, falls, kicks, and
fists.
When the line had passed the youth
he went inside the tent and talked with
Col. Nicholson. The robber was arrested
few minutes later.
Speculation is rife as to Just what the
War Department will do to educate the
public to the failure OF the National Guard
The problem confronts Secretary of War
Baker. The report on the border mobili-
zauon Is being prepared for his informa-
ton, and II 1t is to be made public. he
Will have to order its release. Several
army officers. however. have asserted
that they believe Mr.. Baker will share
their views regarding the demonstrated
value of the National Guard system and
that he will be found an advocate OF some
form Of compulsory service in a Federal
force.
Army officers declare they have enlisted
In the movement for compulsory or uni
versal service those members of the Ma
tional Guard who have protested against
the long months of border service. Those
men. army officers say, now realize the
unfairness of placing the burden of mill
tary service upon the shoulders of a few
volunteers. and they therefore now advo-
cate the substitution of universal service
for the present volunteer system.
The issue will be fought out at this
session Of Congress, bat just what re-
duction in strength the Guard will suffer
is not known.
The War Department has announced
the itinerary of the army board appoint
ed to investigate the feasibility, desira-
bility and practicability of the govern
ment manufacturing arms. munitions and
equipment
The board will visit Rock Island, Ill; ;
Rochester. n. Y; Utica, N. Y; Ilion,
N. Y: Troy, N. Y: Hartford, Conn. |;
Picatinny Arsenal, N. J., and South
Bethlehem, Pa. No time for the begin
ming or completion of the tour is set. but
the board Is ordered to return to Wash
ington following the trip.
The board is composed of Col Francis
J. Herman, Twenty-eighth Infantry;
Lieut.. Col. Charles P Summerall. Field
Artillery; Maj. Lawson NJ. Fuller, U. s.
A. retired: Benedict Crowell, of Cleve-
: land, Ohio, and r. Goodwin Rhett, Of
Charleston, s. c.