Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-10
APPLICATIONS FOR
|. ENLISTMENT BREAK
PREVIOUS RECORDS
All Branches of War Service
Are Crowded With Would
Be Recruits From All Over
the State

Bright and early Monday morning
many applicants 10 join Uncle Sans
colors crowded into the office of local
recruiting stations, and by noon, the
army, navy and marine corps were
taxed to capacity with men waiting to
be examined. 1t was estimated that
more men would be accepted Monday
than ever before in one Gay in the his
tory of the three offices.
Men came from every part of the
state, crowds of enthusiastic country
boys sturdy and willing. boys from
cities over the state. In fact they came
from almost every county in Georgia.
The army had over fifty men by
noon, filling the examining rooms and
overlooking into the corridors of the
federal building The navy presented
a like scene, while at the marine corps,
the scene resembled a poll on election
day.
Captain G. V. Heidi was up to his
neck in work, but stopped long enough
to comment enthusiastically on the
way recruits were coming in. He said
that the 500 that he had estimated
would be secured from Georgia in April
would not begin to touch the number
that this Office would get, and that If
this was not doubled he would be sad
ly disappointed
Commenting upon the work being
done, Captain Heidi said:
"All day long Sunday my men were
forced to work in examining applicants.
Not a moment of rest was allowed, and
when the day ended we had accepted
over thirty men. They were all eager
to get under way, every one of them
being enthusiastic to the nth degree.
81 had one case Sunday of genuine
patriotism, and 1 think something
should be said about it.
"a young man came in from Griffin
with his sister. He said he was eighteen
years old, but his sister said he was
but seventeen. However, she said his
family was willing for him to go, but
if he did he would leave family which
was greatly dependent upon his earn
ing capacity for support.
THE boy said he believed it was his
duty to go and fight for Uncle Sam, and
he said he was going, even though he
had to give up everything.
81 looked into his case and found that
he had a mother and father and twelve
brothers and sisters, who would suffer
if he left He was all right physically
and would make an excellent nan, but
l turned him down, and told him 10
wait a while until his family was better
provided for and could afford to let him
go.
THAT bow left here with tears streams
ing down his cheeks, and said, as he
was leaving: L won't spend a nickel
for six months until I have them pro-
vided for, and then I'm coming back
and enlist
eff we could get more genuine mon
like that, men who want to go because
they feel duty calling, our army would
not long be wanting for men,
Captain Heidi also said he was IN
need Of books, papers and magazines and
other things which would amuse men.
Sometimes it is necessary to keep men
here for a good while before they are
examined and sent away, and there is
an urgent need of something to amuse
them. Any old magazines, papers, books,
playing cards or anything else calculated
to amuse will be acceptable to the re-
cruiting offices.
The captain said he would be obliged
to have an assistant, and that he ex-
pected that the army department would
send him one right away.
Many men are applying for the avia-
ton section of the signal corps. In
order to join this corps, it is neces-
sary that the applicant have good
knowledge of gas engines and motors,
or be an expert mechanic Men are be-
ing accepted for the aviation and signal
corps, but il is necessary for them to
have some knowledge of the subject be-
fore they can enlist.
Lieutenant H. R. Keller in charge of
the naval recruiting station was sup
piled with an extra commissioned Of
ficer Monday morning to help conduct
his work The new officer is Lieuten-
ant j. F. Atkinson, who is a native Geor-
gian. He has been on the retired list
for the past several years, having been
called back when the army was mobi-
LIKED Surgeon ]. r. Dykes has also
been assigned to this district, presum-
ably to help DR.. Murphy examine re-
cruits.
Many men were being examined by
DR.. Murphy for service in various de-
partments of the navy. and from the
number of men waiting, it was estimated
that the office would have to remain
open Monday night.
1--WE have the biggest number of APP
plicants this morning." said Lieutenant
Keller. that we have ever had. and L
am extremely well pleased with the way
in which the week has commenced.
MY substations over the state have
also shown up better during the past
several days. and indications this morn
ing are that the week will also be the
best they have ever had.
When asked whether or not ne would
be transferred to active duty very soon |
and leave Lieutenant Atkinson in !
charge. Lieutenant Keller said:
81 don't know, but I hope I will. I
am deeply interested in the work which |
is being done in Georgia. but | want to
get back to sea and see some active |
service. The navy department may |
transfer me, but so far I have not been |
instructed to do anything at the present
but continue to stir up Georgia and So
licit recruits"
At the marine corps. 1t was announc- /
ed that a subrecruiting station would |
be opened in the lobby of the Kimball !
house. This hostelry, where all of the
marine corps recruits are lodged while |
in Atlanta. has offered the use of a sec
ton of the lobby, and the local office |
will erect a marine tent there and put |
a man in charge.