New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-12
$4,000 Bid Rockies Fare
well with No Touch
of Sadness
Khaki Brings Many
Friends Together
Glad to Go, New York's
Thousand Agrees, Cheer
ed On by Boy Scouts

New York City last night bade fare
we'll 70 the first men she IS contrlou'-
inr IN the nations great new army
More than $4,000 persons gathered IN
tho Grand Central Terminal to speed
the thousand-odd men who left al gao
for Plattsburg. where they viii receive
three months intensive training. to
prepare them for officers commissions.
The departure was without the sad
ness customary when great numbers
Of uniformed men depart. to JOIN the
colors. The crowd which filled the sta
ton and overlooked TO the balconies
was happy. 1t realized that every man
who entered the gate marked "Platts-
burg Special" had given his oath to
accent an officers commission if one
were offered him. and il knew that in
all probability the receipt of such a
commission would mean active service
on the battle fronts OF France. Yet
its predominatng spirit was one Of
joyous pride-rride that men Of the
finest American type had volunteered
in the cause of justice.
Mothers there were whose eyes grew
moist as they were told by conductors
that no visitors would be allowed
on train platforms Sweethearts and
wives pushed through 10 the very gates
and hung on their men for one last
Kiss, but their parting greeting was
always a smile.
Crowd Gathers Early
Before. S o'clock the crowd began 10
gather in the main waiting room.
Standing under the stars and Stripes,
which swung in the centre Of the great
room, little knots Of men who were
TO be brothers in arms after tins morn
ING went through the preliminary pro
cess of getting acquainted. Many OF
them had gone TO college together;
some Of them had not seen each other
since they had left their Alma Mater.
Strangers greeted each other; the
KHAKI uniform whimch most of them
wore serving as an Introduction. with
no references required. Many men had
not vet acquired a complete outfit and
wore only an olive drab shirt. or
pair of Munson last army shoes, or
campaign hat with its red, white and
blue cord, as a distinguishing mark.
But all were going TO Plattsburg, ana
they knew they would become fast
friends in the busy days ahead. when
they were working together for the
same goal.
nm awfully glad I'm going they
told each other. Were going to have
a great time I've been up there be
fore. but this is going TO be the real
thing" And they shook hands with
friendly "See you in the morning.
Catching the spirits Of the recruits,
the crowd was likewise friendly. Every
body knew some one 10 whom he must
saw "Goodby," and such acquaintance
was a common bond. Only the railroad
station i'm a college town or the day
the undergraduate body gathers 10 bid
farewell 10 its team the team which
II is absolutely confident will WIN
has seen d lcavetaking. such as New
York gave her first contribution 70
Americas new army last night.
More Uniforms Appear
As the hour for the departure Of the
train drew near the KHAKI uniforms be
gan 10 appear in growing numbers. in
limousineS taXis. open carriages. fol-
lowed by Wallets. hotel porters or proud
friends. they hurried through the roped
aisles leading TO the gate. Each man
carried an identification card, proof
that he had passed the rigid physical
examination required for entrance TO
the camp. and had otherwise shown
that he was qualified TO become can
didate for an officers commission. sta
ton employees demanded these cards
with greater exactitude than they scru-
tinted railroad tickets
Shortly before the train pulled out
company Of Boy Scouts, accompanied
10y their field music and carrying the
national colors, marched into the sta
ton and up to the gates. After cheer
ing the departing men they stood in
awed silence while their leader told
them Of the patriotism OF the men who
were sacrificing everything that they
might be trained to lead the armies of
the nation.
81 hope that when you grow up you
will be as brave. as loyal, as these men
he told them. and the look of grim de-
termination which came into each boy
ish face was proof that his hopes were
not IN vain.
Most OF the recruits were men Of
from twenty-five 10 thirty years. BY
Tar the smallest portion were youths
who appeared TO be still in college, and
II was said that they were among those
who had first applied for admission 20
the camp before the decision to obtain
men Of some maturity had been made.
Special in -Four Sections
The special train which carried the
men 10 Plattsburg was made up in four
sections and consisted of forty-fve
cars Every available berth was filled.
and three additional coaches were added
~ the last minute to take care Of extra
men.
Another large contingent ordered 10
report az the camp Monday, will depart
on Sunday night.
The happiest man in all the $4,000
who were crowded into the station last
night was Sergeant doc" Boyce. who
for more than year has been conduct
ing drills az Governors Island. In the
readiness of the l 900 splendid young
Americans 20 serve their country he
saw something of his own handiwork.
The inspiration which has been given
them will still 80 on. however
"You can say for me. Sergeant Boyce
said as he rushed OFF 20 pat one Of his
boys" on the back, that the daily
drills az Governors Island will still
continue. These are not all the fellows
that New York is going 30 send 20
Plattsburg"
Palestine Outrages to End