The Republican journal., 1917-11-15
Conditions at Aver.

IonoitlonS at aver.
Statements have been made that our
boys at Aver were not properly cared for;
md Adjutant General George Mel. Pres
an of this State has paid visit of in
section to this camp and filed a report
aith the Governor which reads in part as
allows:
i visited Batteries A and B at mess.
At Battery A the men were at mess and
found about ITS men eating. The din
,sr menu included pea soup, roast beef,
Vt getable hash, bread, butter, coffee and
nun duff with syrup. There was a large
for butter, eggs. milk and
neat. The men are drawing the garri-
an ration, are making a saving and are
1.t to purchase luxuries not furnished
j, the government. At Battery B they
,aJ a New England boiled dinner with
aoCoIate pie for dessert. | sampled the
ald at both places and found it excellent.
private conversation was had with
be- men when the officers were not pres
ID. and they were encouraged to tell of
n, matters which they thought should
e directed or any faults they had to
ms with their food or treatment. A
cant from Machias said they were re-
eNng plenty of food of good quality,
ai plenty to wear and were satisfied.
thers made substantially the same state
aeut | found three cooks, all from
dame, and seven mess sergeants also
-om Maine. | messed with the officers
aj found them eating the same food as
liz enlisted men, in fact, they were draw
d. he same rations.
IN inspection of the barracks showed.
.tm in good shape, large and comfort
be- They were clean and orderly. Each
l3H has hospital bed with straw tick,
1ree blankets, overcoat, slicker, bar
axis bag and comforters. A steam heat
ny plant was being installed, all the
uildings to be heated by steam. 1t was
and the heating plant would be installed
nd ready for use by November 10TH
5 mess of Battery C found to be a
iodel. The officers accompanying me
autd my attention to the condition of
b. mess and stated it was the banner one
.he' cantonment. 1t was a model of
eatness and cleanliness, being spotless
every detail The cupboards were
ealLy arranged with the supplies Instant
ailable and with all taken care of so
hat there would no waste from neglect.
We mess sergeant in charge was Lorenzo
Nyman of kingtield, who was super
ltendent of schools in his town before
ang selected for the National Army.
- lad seen service in the Second Infan-
j. of the Maine National Guard, his ex-
7.,ence there being of much benefit to ,
The camp water supply is from arte-
80 wells and is good, The latrines .
ave the best of plumbing, such as one
eud find in the most modern of dwell
FL Is There is a place to wash clothes
ll every man must take a bath every
At the Quartermaster' storehouse
ere is great supply of wooden cloth .
breeches, blouSes, socks, underwear, /
adershirts, olive drab shirts and hats. I.
Dere was shortage of shoes, leggingS, |
ercoats and gloves, but an invoice re-
we'd the day the inspection was made |
iIcated the arrival the next day of |
ousandS of pairs of gloves | found .
men we'll supplied with undercloth-
g Each man had two undershirts, /
rec pairs of drawers, and three pairs |
socks.
Everywhere | went in camp | heard |
9rdS of praise for the men from Maine. !
battery at drill and was as
nlshed at the excellence of their work |
0sidering the short time they had been
drill They marched with the pre-
son and snap of more experienced SOL
erS.
The Y. NJ C. A. has fine place and /
doing splendid work for the men,
are furnished, volunteers
ON professional. theatrical companies
ying the men the best to be seen in the
lies. The Y. M. c. A looks after each
dividual, The lonesome man is cheer
up and all are requested to write
me twice week.
The Red alsolCross is doing remark
,le work. 1t would be wise if all the
pplies for the soldiers were sent to Aver |
rough the Red Cross. The duplication
Itch sometimes now occurs would be |
olded and then, too, only appropriate |
!> would be sent. If societies and
WINS desire to do something really .
orth while they could show their appre- /
atIon of the soldiers and their work by !
to the regimental fund.
be- State, also, in view of the fact it .
IS given sums to organizations called .
% Federal service, it seems would be
stified in giving a sum for regimental |
nds. New Hampshire cities have been
ing this and Maine could we'll do like
Sc"