The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-07-23
HELP u. S. PREPARE
BY FILLING RANKS
IS APPEAL TO MEN


able features offered. more Of them
would become attached to Col. Nor
risons regiment, and begin now rather
than wait until later The program
OF preparedness is a big one, not fully
understood anywhere outside Of the
war department-and probably not
thoroughly there. West Virginia is eX-
pected to do its part in furnishing
men for the various arms OF military
service. These arms are the infantry,
cavalry, artillery, signal corps and
hospital and ambulance and engineers
corps.
Bpnedicts TabOOed.
No married men are wanted. and
good care is taken of the single men
who enlist. They get good food, have
the best Of medical attention and are
assured sustenance in after years If
they become disabled in service. That
is the reason the physical cxamna-
ton is so rigid.
The fact is pointed out by those
either connected with the service or
acquainted with it otherwise. that the
life Of a soldier is pleasing at nearly
all times. Becoming a soldier in real
ty entails a lot OF work, but 1t is
interesting and offers many OppOrtu-
mites for advancement. The Second
Infantry OF this state is not hall as
strong as il must need be to com
mare fayorably with regiments turned
ovcr IN the government by several
other states. and it Is not often that
West Virginia takes back seat when
it comes to comparing favorably in
any connection with any other state.
One thing about it is that the real
situation has never been fully under
stood by the public. and least OF all
by the troops themselves, for all the
latter do is to accept what comes as
it comes, without being Informed be-
forehand what is on the schedule
A few weeks has made good regi-
ment out Of the Second, although there
is room for improvement The several
companies Of the regiment are work
ing out their own military salvation
BY the respective aptitude they show
in becoming seasoned, drilled and
made ready generally for any severe
test that may he made.
II was expected until few days ago
that movement Of this regiment to-
ward the border would have been
made before now, but the war depart
mcnt decided it is better for the SER
vice generally and for the states
showing in particular to bring the
regiment up to nearer the required
war strength before moving it away
from such ideal drilling grounds as
II occupies on the banks OF the Great
Kanawha where the climate is suited
for the purpose, and where there is
plenty Of wholesale water, sufficient
fuel and railroad facilities that could
be utilized at any moment in event OF
a hurried call to the front.
The officers and men OF the regi-
ment are developing rapidly into good
soldiers and the hard work which
they have all done has not been to
their physical detriment by any means
They are looking and acting more like
soldiers than ever before. On parade
they show up so splendidly that even
old military men remark about 1t and
EXPRESS pride in the fact that the out
At is that Of West Virginia.
Chance for Musicians.
There is chance for some patri-
otto musician to organize a band for
service with this regiment Just now
the regiment is without musical or
ganization. and things do not seem
inst right in military camp without
good band. Any one interested in
this situation may communicate to
his advantage with General John c.
Bond Charleston, or Col. c. Z. Nor
rison. Mobilization Camp, near Char
7 lesion.
/ No one under the sun is in posi-
ton 10 say where the West Virginia
soldiers will be sent or when they will
he ordered 10 vacate camp here. II
Is known that West Virginia must
eventually have one war strength in
fantry regiment and il is known
further that that regiment will
he the Second The sooner
prospective members of the regiment
get into the service and work them
/ selves past the rookie stage, the bet
ter off they will be and the greater
opportunity they will have to be an
important part OF the organization
when ARRANGEMENTS in rank are made.
Before the preparedness program Is
+ cor,,DInte West Virginia will have fur
nished three times as many soldiers
as are in the service now. 1t may he
that compulsory service will be in or
der. although TO say anything OF that
kind now sounds foolish 10 many who
are not acquainted with the elaborate
ness OF the great military scheme that
/ is now in its infancy Those who get
in the service now and serve their
time with the colors. will be telling
those who hesitate how it was a few
wears from now.