Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-28

IHOSS VINO are IdD0llldE Win Inc
Arabian Nights and the story of
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp"
recall how the hero had but to rub his
lamp and the genii APPEARED instantly.
granting Aladdin's every desire, even
to the erection of cities and palaces.
Camp Hancock has witnessed a
greater marvel than Aladdin's won
-derful exploits, although there is a
similarity to some extent. The Camp
Hancock Aladdin is none other than
Major G. b. Stricken and the genii who
has made possible the creation of Camp
Hancock in a few weeks time is the
United States government
With the exception of a few minor
details, requiring the services of a few
hundred men, the work at the camp
is completed and Major Stricken and
staff will leave in a short time.
Major StrickIer Banquetted.
AS token, of appreciation, the en-
4 campment committee of the Chamber
of Commerce and the Board of Com
missioners arranged a banquet at the
Genesta Hotel last Friday afternoon in
honor Of Major Stricken. At the
close of the dinner season of speech
making followed, during which Major
Stricken was presented with beau
t1ful silver pitcher, the presentation
being made by Thomas w. Loyless, of
the Augusta Chronicle, who was chair
man of the encampment committee.
Major Stricken expressed his APP
probation Of the remembrance and paid
a high tribute to the officers and men
who assisted him in his herculean task.
especially the officers of the quarter
masters department at Washington.
Major Stephen o. Fuqua, chief of staff
at Camp Hancock, expressed his add
miration for the great work done al
the camp, and q number of prominent
Augustans made felicitous remarks.
Description of Task.
When Major Stricken took charge of
construction work at Camp Hancock.
the entire land was covered with pine
trees, scrub oak and some cotton
fields. Roads had to be constructed,
and buildings erected for the super
vision Of the army of laborers who soon
came flocking to the camp by the hun
dreds and thousands.
The constructing quartermaster's
building is at the entrance to canp
1t is long low affair, 260x20, and here
the plans we're made and the work su-
pervised. From August list until the
present time, the building has been a
hive of activity, but in a few days, it
will remain as a souvenir to the skill
and interchangeable efforts Of Major
The roads leading to the camp were
crowded morning and night with the
thousands of men from all parts Of
Georgia and some from as far south
as Savannah, where the government
employment bureau secured a number
of men. The maximum number of men
employed at one time was 3,821-2,2O1
skilled and 1920 laborers.
Bit by bit, the army of whites and
blacks brought order out of chaos;
erected 1900 buildings in the camp;
constructed eight miles of fine roads;
provided necessary sanitary convent
ences and established an adequate wa
ter and electrical supply. From Au-
gust list to October 31st, the average
number of employees was 1876
Some idea of the immensely of the
task m&y be gained by the statement
that 1850 cars of solid freight have
been brought to Wheless Station, I'M
loaded, and taken to all parts of the
camp OF this huge mass of material,
there We're about 20 100000 feet Of lum-
Der, while 30,642 squares of roofing
paper were necessary to make the
buildings water proof. About 333 miles
of electric wire have been strung and
1t night, the camp seems like a met
ropolitan city, with the arc lights along
the way and the red glow from the
electrically lighted tents giving the
camp the appearance of one of Alad-
din's enchanted cities.
Some additional facts. showing the
size of the undertaking are given:
There We're 1850 doors installed 49,
65S window sashes placed; 1910 kegs
of nails used; $4,000 feet of cast iron
pipe; 10000 feet of wrought iron pipe;
5000 feet of fire hose; 1888 shower
heads and 100000 brick
In the Field Auditors department
are some placards, which reflect the
attitude of the men in charge:
THIS Is WAR
NOT PLAY
KEEP BUSY