The Washington herald., 1917-11-09
PHYSICAL
TESTS FOR men
At CAMP MEADE
Mental Examinations Also
Arranged Officers to En-
force Military Rules.
By ANDREW r.. PELLY.

| Camp Meade, Admiral, Nd, NOV. o.
Examinations began this afternoon
with government tuberculosis experts
in charge to determine how many Of
the sO.oO0-odd soldiers quartered here
are suffering from the dread white
plague in either incipient or ad-
vanced stages and what conscripts
are susceptible to the disease through
the rigors OF army life.
Every man in the cantonment will
have to undergo these tests. Those
found suffering with the disease in
advanced stages will be sent home,
but those afflicted only slightly will
\ be treated at government hospitals
! in an effort to eradicate the germs.
Mental Tests TO Come.
The government experts said they
were instructed to examine the men
carefully since reports from Europe
show that the principal trouble ex-
perienced by men in the allied armies
came from tuberculosis. The exami-
nations will consume several weeks.
Psycopathic experts also arrived at
the camp today to put the men
through mentality tests and definitely
determine what nervous systems and
intellects are liable to break down
through shell shock and the noise and
excitement of battle. When these
tests are completed final heart tests
will be given and those who pass all
of these examinations will be deemed
physically fit to go ''over there"
/ officers read the riot act' to some
of the Pennsylvania and Maryland
troops when they gave the customary
afternoon lecture in the barracks to-
day. The District troops escaped such
disciplinary lecture but they, like
the others, will be impressed with the
fact that Camp Meade is not mill
tary Kindergarten.
The new disciplinary methods will
extend to every phase Of mans duty
as a soldier. If his leave OF absence
at week-ends says he shall be back
at taps" it will mean just that. He
can't show up at reveille with the ex-
cuse that he missed his train and get
away with il.
Delinquents Warned.
Neatness Of attire will be rigidly
dress to the regulations. This and
much more OF the same the Penn
sylvania and Maryland officers
pounded into a large group of delin-
quents who remained home over cleo
ton day. and the new disciplinary
regime will apply to the entire camp.
When all of the civilian employees
have left the camp the guard will be
ID
with passes will be permitted to enter
except on visiting days. The army of
civilian employees engaged in con-
struction work has caused a laxity in
Inspecting those who enter the can
tonment. and there has been much
talk of German spies watching the
military tactics and reporting the
work here to sources where it even
tually finds its way to the Kaiser's
agents.
John H. Lawrence, one of the
civilian cooks, was arrested today,
and the Federal authorities are un-
decided whether they have a German
spy or a man who secured pleasure
out of impersonating a United States
deputy marshal. He had the official
government badge and the authorities
are trying to find out where he Sc
cured it,
The soldier boys are inclined to
class the patriotism OF the Musicians
Union' of Baltimore, as not far re-
moved from that of DIR. Karl Muck.
Comstock &; Gest. the New York
theatrical firm, has volunteered to
bring the entire-"Oh Boy" theatrical
company here for a performance on
ThnrCday- NnNrar,hat.
camp officers asked the union to con-
tribute an orchestra. The answer
was a fiat refusal, but the perfor-
nance will be given, even though it
is necessary to recruit an orchestra
from among the men in the camp.
Soldiers Get Sweaters.
The officials of the Red Cross sent
1000 sweaters to the men at the
camp this morning and all of them
were turned over to the colored SOL
diers. They need them most. None
of the colored conscripts has been
given an overcoat. Before the end
of the week 10000 more sweaters
will be received from Red Cross Of
ficials and 1000 additional will be
furnished by the Soldiers and Sailors
Service Society. The men are anxious
to receive the sweaters because it
is very chilly at the camp after sun
set and early in the morning.
Actual practice in constructive
work has been arranged for the
selected soldiers, beginning Novem-
Der Is. They will assume the task
Of completing the vast cantonment.
The erection of buildings, the
making of roads and many other
duties will come within the scope
Of their training in order to famil-
iarize the men with many of the
construction problems they will face
when they cross the Atlantic.