Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-24
COLD BREEZES SET
CAMP DIX A-SHIVER
Overcoatless Rockies Set
Chattering Teeth as
Reveille Sounds
GETTING INTO KHAKI
Bv a stag Correspondent


CAMP DIX, wRIGHTsTowN,N n. j., Sept.
"a.
Gray skies and marrow-chillng winds
greeted the 10000 "rookies" this morning
and vanished the pleasant memories of a
Sunday which brought thousands of visitors
to see the new nationals. The bugler who
bugled "reveille" omitted the scarcasm of
adding the "overcoat" CALL which would
have ordered the men TO fall out clad in
overcoats. But no overcoats have been is
sued yet. So It was a shiverng outfit that
lined up for. rolcall.
The Quartermasters Department, as a
result of burning the wires in the last few
weeks, has received large supply of over
coats, which will be issued with the rest
of the clothing issue this week. The rockies
who arrived last week have been measured
and properly sized for their clothing, and
the gradual transit from "clts" to khaki
is taking place all the time.
The S11th Infantry composed Of men
from Southern New Jersey, and the 312th
Infantry, made up of men from Northern
Jersey counties, are fully enrolled to war
strength and have the distinction of being
the first full regiments of the new National
Army
There will be a number OF changes made
however, in the personnel of these regiments
by the personnel board. Regular army
officers are so enthusiastic about the special
ICED talent and ability that they are find
ing among their own or other outfits that
they have besieged the personnel office with
requests for these speciaties.
The requests have DEVELOPED TO such an
extent that the personnel board has had to
create new procedure. Nj such requests
now must go first through the adjutant's
office.
The staff is cooperating with the general
staff in Washington Officers who have
been abroad and who have made specialized
studies of various training of modern war
fare are expected to arrive in the near
future. These men will confer with Gen
eral Kennedys stan and will have charge
of the training of the men in their special
ties. Among these officers will be a number
Of Allied officers. IT was announced tod ly
that the first rifles that the men will drill
with will be old Krag, of Spanish war
fame. These guns will be used until the En-
helds-the British riflc--arrives The En-
helds are being made in huge quantities in
American factories and will be, rebored, SO
as to use the American service cartridge
The first case of desertiou arose yester-
day. one of the new nationals who arrived
last week, but whose name is withheld,
escaped from the hospital, where he was
in confinement Several hours later he
was traced to Mount Holly, where he was
caught and brought back to camp. lie is
being held. for summary court-gnartfal. In
view of his ignorance of military dlscipiinc.
he will probably receive a Light penalty
and will have to do some Of the .'dirty
work about barracks. Descrtion i'm time
Of war is death, and technically this man
is liable-to the penalty. 80. ...
Discipline i'm this matter will he very,
rigid, and once the men really get into
the game, the man who deserts will find
himself in the worst mess he has ever bar
gained. If necessary TO enforce discipline
a court-martial would not hesitate TO i'm
pose its maximum penalty on a deserter.