The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-15
Capacity Finding Will Be Great
Help to Military.
USE CIVIL TRADES IN ARMY
Already Assigning Officers for
New COnscript Army.
Train All in Infantry First as
Hardening Process.

Washington. Aug. 15.-Army Off
GERS who will organize the national
army divisions face the task of max
ing the best possible use of the men
selected for military duty by the local
boards. They will come from all walks
and conditions of life. Among them
will be highly trained individuals,
specialists in particular lines and
efficient mechanics. 1t is the inten-
ton of the war department to get the
maximum advantage for the nation
out of each mans special qualifica-
lions, and his previous occupation will
be carefully considered in assigning
him to duty.
To accomplish this it was pointed
out today. descriptive lists of all draft
ed men will be made as soon as they
reach the training environments They
will contain an abstract of the Ire
history of the soldier showing what
occupations he has been engaged IN.
A preliminary classification then can
be made. subject always to the prl-
mary necessity of organizing a great
body of infantry for duty in the
trenches.
To Be Especially Assigned.
During the months of training at
the cantonments, it will be possible
for company commanders to form es-
qualifications of their men, A process
of shifting and transfer undoubtedly
Will ensue as individuals are sorted
out. One man will be assigned to
transport trains because of his SPECIAL
knowledge of horses or motor trucks,
another to hospital work because OF
previous training in that line of work;
another to aviation because he has
worked with gas engines; still anotheF
to the artillery because ne SHOWS
i'll Ill hot rln n
occupation has trained his sight and
hands. There is hardly a civil trade
or occupation that has not its counter
part in the army, from clerk to clergy
man, and no effort will be spared to
get the right man in the right place
Already officials are being be-
sieged with requests from drafted
men for assignment to particular
arms OF the service. Little can be
done in that regard in advance OF
actual mobilization. but it is hoped
the wishes Of many of the men RAY
be met at the camps.
Organize Infantry First.
Presumably the first increments
will be organized as infantry COM
panies. That was the practice fol-
lowed in the officers training camps
which have just completed one course.
The basis of all military evolutions is
the school of the soldier and that
must be taught first. In addition it
makes possible a hardening process
which VIII render the men physically
able to meet the strain of strenuous
days to come. After some weeks of
elementary drill the organization of
signal engineer, artillery and other
special units will commence. The
process of selection by special quail
fication will be applied to the great
est possible extent At the same time
the officers will begin to get line on
men who are likely candidates for
future commissions and they will b.
observed carefully. Around the war
department evidences of the great
army that is in the making are begin
ming to show. Numerous officers
of the regular army already have
been given war time commissions in
the national army. Some have gone
up one grade in the process, some
two. They are to be the staff Offieers
of the new divisions. the inner circle
of the training machinery. At the
same time, officers Just gradual ted
from the training camps are being as
signed to regiments of the new army.
The whole process of building UP the
commissioned personnel will be we'll
under way by the time the first thirty
per cent of the drafted forces starts
for camp.