The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-02
ALABAMA MILITIA IS.
 IN EXCELLENT SHAPE
Higher State of Efficiency
 Is Attained Each Day
ARE SOLVED
Captain Screws Has Accomplished Difficult Tasks With Wonderful Dispatch-Soldiers Under Con-
 mand of Capable Officers
By l., s. BETTY

By IL. S.
 Montgomery, July 1.-(Specia1 )-After six days in camp, the soldiers of the Ala | bama National Guard, now a unit of the United States army, have settled down | to the regular routine of military life and have attained with each passing day a higher state of efficiency for field serv- ice. The work of mobilization, of mus tering the various organizations of the guard, and of performing the many other details looking to the well being of the | troops was no easy task, but it was ac- complished with unusual celerity and orderlness. But it meant arduous labor for both enlisted men and officers.
 Preparedness has been the watchword in the weeks routine at camp. Each day showed improvement; cash day found the troops better equipped, and each day found them in better condition for serv- ice al the front. And now at the end or the first week of encampment the soldiers, while not in condition for actual field service are perhaps more efficient as a whole than they have been in many years By the end of another week. should they be here the improvement will be more marked and they will have taken on many of the aspects which characterize regular army soldiers
 HERCULEAN METHOD
 Perhaps the busiest man in the camp during the past week was Capt William P. Screws, United States army officer, who has been in Alabama for the past two years as instructor to the National Guard Captain Screws early in the week was elected lieutenant colonel of the Fourth regiment, to succeed Col Leon McCord, who resigned.
 Upon the shoulders of Captain Screws has devolved the technical work of the camp. AS senior mastering officer he mas been busy night and day enrolling the various units as members of the United States army, administering the oath of enlistment to officers and men and performing thousand other tasks or greater or lesser importance He has had assisting him in his work of mus terlng the various organizations of the Alabama Guard Lieut.. Walter Crueger, U. $. A, who was detailed here as the Junior mastering officer.
 captain Screws has performed his va rNous labors with wonderful dispatch and with degree of efficiency and cheerful ness which has made him one of the most popular men in camp. The humblest private in the ranks has received courte- ous treatment at his hands and the high est officers have been shown the respect and consideration due their rank
 When it was learned that he had been elected lieutenant colonel of the Fourth regiment general satisfaction was ex- pressed throughout the entire brigade. The Fourth regiment was complimented on having secured an officer so capable and efficient, and the hope was expressed on al, sides that his election would meet with the approval of the President Of the United States
 CAPABLE OFFICERS
 The soldiers in mobilization at Vandiver park are under the command of capable and efficient officers Col E. H. Graves of Eufaula, commander of the Fourth regiment, is a veteran of the Spanish American war, and has been actively identified with the military of the state for many years. He has been in com mand of the camp during the past week. having been designated to that position by Adjutant General Hubbard, due to the fact that in point of service he is the senior colonel at the camp. He is one of the most popular officers at the camp
 The Second regiment is commanded by Col. w. F. Weiss of Montgomery, who
 
 for nearly two years, succeeding Col. c. R. Bricken of Luverne, who was ap- pointed by the governor brigadier general of the state guard Colonel Weiss, like Colonel Graves, is a born soldier, and is the most popular man in his regiment. Before his election as commander of the regiment he was lieutenant colonel
 The lieutenant colonel of the Second regiment is Allan Crenshaw of Andalu- sia, one of the most prominent lawyers in southeast Alabama. Colonel Cren- shaw's promotion was by gradual process, having risen to his present position from the ranks. He is young officer and much liked by officers and men. Col F. M. Maddox of Mobile is the commander of the First regiment and H. N. Coleman of Fort Deposit is his lieu tenant colonel. Both officers are men of experience and well qualified for the high positions they have been called upon to fill. Colonel Maddox succeeded Col. G. J. Hubbard upon the latter's appointment to the position of adjutant general.
 HUBBARD IS BUSY With the exception of Capt. William P. Screws, the senior mastering officer General Hubbard has been the busiest | man at the camp. In fact there Is no way by which a comparison may be | made, and none will be attempted. Suf- | flee it to say that both have performed