Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-11

If anyone has entertained the idea
that the boys of the Second Maine at
Camp keyes are wn-hearted and re-
morsefui, a visit to the camp will soon
dispel any such notion which is abso-
lutely foreign. Not a happier set of
hard workerFcan be found in any mo-
bilzation camp in the country and
contentment prevails through the en-
tire camp. They have every reason
TO be SO, being well fed, clothed, off,
cered, their spiritual and physical
welfare safely guarded and every at
tention given them to make them con-
tented. At most every relaxation of
drill periods examples of effervescing
youth comes to the surface and bursts
forth in song or caprice.
Some of the favorite topical songs in
dulged in by the "Carusos' and
"Metropole Quartet include, The,
Second Maine is Coming" Don't Bite
the Hand That's Feeding YOU Join
the Army, Join the Army" and a COM
plete repertoire of choice ballads, most
of which are worth while listening to.
-Wagsing
To watch the wig wagging and SEM
aphore signalling is not only interest
ing but amusing. Some clever repartee
is gone into between the different flag
men. Many of the soldiers have be-
come quite proficient in the art of
signaling and it would not surprise us
some day to see man up in the dome
Of the Capitol sending messages to an
other signalman stationed on some re-
ciprocal elevation, miles away, discern
able only with binoculars. Perhaps
YOU may witness the weird sight Of
torch on top of Betsy Howard hill
sending out messages, in a manner
similar to the Abnakis, in the earlier
days, when they used the smoke sig
rel to their tribe up and down the
river In the employment Of the sig
raj method of communication the AM
erican Morse code is used and If you
know the code you can follow the mes
sage. In order to understand how the
method is employed, note the follow
ing:
The Method
There is one position and there are
three motions. The position is with
flag or other appliance held vertically
the signalman facing directly toward
the station with which it is desired to
communicate. The first motion Uhe
doO is to the right of the sender, and
will embrace an arc Of 80 degrees,
starting with the vertical and return
ing to It, and will be made in a plane
at right angles to the line connecting
the two stations. The second motion
the dash) is q similar motion to the
left of the sender. The third motion
front is downward directly in front
of the sender and instantly returned
upward to the first position. This is
used to indicate a pause or conclu-
sion.
Chaplain Cochrans
Chaplain James F. Cochrane with his
various duties, outside of looking after
the spiritual welfare of the soldier
is very busy individual and lis some
popular and many heart is made
glad as he passes out some missed at
the regimental postoffice, whether it
be a letter from the best girl. box
Of dainties. new wrist watch, a
check from dad and best Of all, from
mother. 1t would be surprising to
know how much mail arrives and
leaves this camp in day and with
out the slightest hitch or ANNOYANCE
Then there is another important func-
ton which he must perform, that of
supervising the running Of the Post
Exchange which is some lob in a camp
Of 1000 liberal spending American SOL
diers.
The Machine Gun
There Is one unit in the organiza-
ton of the infantry Of which little is
fnown as far as the real tactical en-
ployment is concerned. 1t was for a
long time generally supposed II was a
fourth arm in the service. but such is
not the case. The proper status of this
almost indispensable adjunct in mod
ern warfare and on the field of battle
Is supplementary and auxiliary to ri
fle fl cr.The machine gun is a delicate
piece of machinery. In a sense it is
| a gas engine, the moving parts which
vibrate at the rate Of about 500 times
per minute under a pressure Of some
10000, pounds to the square inch. 1t is
light in weight. easily handled and
can be carried into action by hand. IT
represents a concentrated mass of ri
f1e fire that can be used for a con-
| trs cted front in short time and does
| not require a large target than the
rifleman. but annihilating effects are
produced better and more quickly up
on dense and compact targets.
The machine gun use is generally
governed by the object Of the expedi-
ton and the character and weapons
of the enemy. When in position their
| fire is we'll adapted to stop fanatical
rushes and is terrifying and paralyz-
ing in effect against sem-civilized
people and was obviously detested by
the Germans when they ran up
against the Lewis type in Belgium,
which was termed the Belgian rattle
| snake"
| The members Of the Machine Gun
| CO. are usually chosen for their intel
! lieence and adaptability to the work
required by such an organization. A
man entering this branch Of the. army
| must possess certain qualities il he
would be successful and efficient as
much depends upon his efficiency and
alertness. He must be physically At to
withstand the test of endurance re-