The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-18
TWISTED SOLDIER
 NOT A DESERTER,
 WAR DEPT. HOLDS
Arthur B. Surdam Cleared of Suspicion and Ordered
 to Fort Wright.

| F1artIOrQ, AuS. lo--A teleSIdiil from the war department at Washing ton ordering Arthur B. Surdam of Salisbury, private in Company M. of Winsted, First Connecticut infantry, to report to the commanding officer at Fort H. G. Wright, near New London, l and absolving him from suspicion as | a deserter was received this yester- day morning by Capt. David Conner, in charge of the National Guard re- cruiting office at the armory. Sur dam left his company the same day he enlisted, June 26, and returned to his home, where his mother needed his support. He enlisted when, as he says, he was too drunk to know what he was doing, and, when informed at his home recently that he must re- port at the armory in Hartford to answer to a. possible charge of de- sertion, received his first intimation that he was subject to Federal service and on the verge of trouble for hav- ing absented himself. He reported to Captain Conner Monday, and the captain, when he heard the story, wired to the war department, stated | the facts, and asked for instructions as to what to do with the man. AL though Surdam has peen kept at the armory sinee Monday, he has receiv- ed nothing but consideration, as the entire recruiting detail felt sympathy for him.
 No charges of desertion are pre- ferred against Surdam by the war department because of his being in toxicated when enlisted. and because of his extreme ignorance, which is as great concerning commonplace mat ters as it is concerning army regula- tions. Captain Conner said that to enlist drunken man was contrary to the regulations, and that Surdams case was probably the result of the hurry of mobilization. He was enlist ed by recruiting officer. and not by Capt. Amos Beecher of Company M. Surdam was sent to Fort Wright at noon yesterday. He will undergo a physical examination there, and if I he passes he will be sent to join his company on the border, unless he is discharged on account of having de- pendents. He claims to have three, his mother. and two brothers, and at the advice of Captain Conner, he wrote to his mother yesterday morn ing and asked her to write state- ment of the family circumstances to the commanding officer at Fort Wright and to apply for his discharge. If Surdam does not pass his physical ex- animation he will be discharged inn mediately. Indications are that his will be the case. as he has deformity in his skull.
 I Conversation with Surdam shows at once that he. is too ignorant to be l responsible for. such serious step as enlistment in the army, but the wide extent of this ignorance. as it j gradually became apparent, was a source of amazement to the recruiting party For instance, Sundam had never CT seen a typewriter in his life, and he watched Captain Conner manipu- late one with an intense interest that approached awe. Finally he picked ! up newspaper and remarked with an air of satisfaction that "at last J know how these are printed. Neither had Surdam ever seen movie show, and was held spellbound when the re- cruiting prty took him to one. The flatter men decided that a vaudeville show would be even more of revela- tion of metropolitan high life to Sur dam, and Tuesday night they took him to such performance at local theater. They reported this morning that the effect on Surdam was all that was anticipated, and that when a young woman attractive as to both face and costume appeared, Surdam's enthusiasm was suppressed only with the greatest difficulty. He has spent all his life on lonely farm near Sal isbury.
 In accordance with the provisions I-u amended, Adjutant-Genera George ] M. Cole has directed the commanding officer of the Connecticut Coast Ar Itillery corps to resume weekly drills mot later than September in order to comply with the requirements of section no Of the national defense act of June 3, 1916
 Colonel Henry s. Dorsey of the Coast Artillery corps, who on July 31 was appointed as United States property and disbursing officer, and whose appointment has just been ap- proved by the secretary of war, has been ordered by General Cole to re- port. to him in person for instruction. l For Promotion
 General Cole has also ordered the commanding officers of the First and OcCOuQ SOnHCCliSut 10 ap- point and convene examining boards from time to time. as may be, neces- sary for the examination of officers for promotion, and for appointments to fill vacancies as second lieutenants Il Daniel c. Russell of West Hart ford enlisted in the Coast Artillery corps at the recruiting station for the regular army at No. 450 Asylum street this morning, and Sergeant M. M. Shores sent him to Fort Slocum at once. Major w. A. Mercer, U. s. A.. recruiting officer for the Connecticut district, left number of new army posters with Sergeant Shores this morning with directions from the war department that they be distributed at once through the city and surround. ing country.
 FRANCIS JOSEPH s6 TO-DAY.