The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-30


 ready sent in many of them. In short while every man will be equipped. and soon an Alabama regiment will go into the trenches wearing sweaters made by New York women
 Several ladies of Long Island have adopted the regiment as their own, and have announced that the boys shall have everything they need, if such can be obtained. They have planned picnics and clam ba1es to be given the enlisted men, now that the quarantine has been raised, and have arranged so many feasts that we doubt if there will be a chicken or fatted calf left on Long Island
 Last week on account of the measles extra tentage was issued in order that the congestion of F men to each tent, the number called for by general orders, be reduced to six. This was a great i'm provement and meant much for the com fort of the men. In order to destroy whatever germs might be lurking about every tent is furled every morning, and each mans cot and bedding receives a thorough summing The army pyramidal tent is especially valuable in this respect, for it can be wrapped about the center pole in few seconds, very much like ciosing an umbrella.
 MEN ENFORCE CLEANLINESS
 The order as to cleanliness is being rig- idly enforced, as much by the men them selves as by the officers. The regulations requiring that each man bathe not less than twice a week are being carried out, largely through the vigilance of the men. The bathing facilities in camp, while ann pie, were not planned for winter use, and many men shun them as they would a pestilence.
 The regiment has been taught that clanliness means health, and so a great many of the men act as self-apponted sanitary inspectors. A standing order requires each corporal to enforce the bathing regulation in his own squad, and there are always plenty of private sol diers ready and eager to help him.
 Not only that, but they take great pleasure in turning up any man who Is too sorry to avail himself of the fa- cilities provided. The corporal has bur to deslgnate the man to be washed, and
  carry out the order. Under such sys- tenn of surveillance, it is lucky man who can get by.
 As an aid to proper sanitation there is no one agency more valuable than the kangaroo court. This institution is 4 court of law that exists without the law. It is contrary to regulaions, and rlghtly so for such affairs naturally lead to eX- cesses, but when rightly conducted, 1t can do more to discipline company than all the officers combined. The officers know nothing of the existence of such a court except by hearsay. There are some things that it is best for the offi- cers not to know.
 The kangaroo court is made up entirely of private soldiers and is usually pre- sided over by the oldest and most eX- perienced of them all. Its sessions arc held with all due formalities, for noth- ing is omitted that might add to its dlg- nity and prestige. All testing, skylarklng and horse play on the part or the spec tators is sternly rebuked by the court. All officials and attorneys are required to conduct themselves soberly and seri- ousiy, as befits men engaged in weighty enterprise.
 GREAT AID TO DISCIPLINE As a rule, the workings of the court are great aid to discipline, for 1t deals only with those cases that concern lhc honor and dignity of the company, ana which are not covered by the proper mil itary authorities. Men who commit acts reflecting on the good name of the com mand, men who impose upon their com rades, the usual deadbeats and mailinger- CTS are fit subjects for the kangaroo court And the bathless ones are the spe- cial prey of the presiding judge. | have been told of one grim old judge who always opens his court when a bathless one is to be tried with the omnibus warning that this here court Is surely hard on dirty men,"
 The sentence delivered with great sol- emnity is about as follows: Prisoner you are hereby tried and found guilty or keeping away from the bath, house too much which is aginst the peace and dig nity of this here regiment, and the court does hereby sentence you to be washed every day this week. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul
 It is seldom that a guilty one escapes. As one enterprising prosecuting attor- ney pointed out, the prisoner at the bar carries the proof of his guilt on his per- son. It Is understood that it behooves all men who come before the judge to do SO, as he states it, with a pure heart and clean hide"