The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-16
Lieut.. Col. Holsteen Is Meeting keo-
kuk Men This Afternoon to Talk
Ammunition Division
With Them.
AUTO DRIVERS NEEDED
Men Who Have Had Experience in
Handling Cars Will Be Given
Good. Chance In New
Organization.
A meeting OF Keokuk men

| o. interested in the organiza-
| NS@A ton of the Iowa ammunition
- train has been called for five
O'clock this afternoon with Lieut. Col
Fred S. Holsteen of Burlington, who
| Will command the company, here, to
| talk to the men. All men who are in
| terested in joining an ammunition
train, and especially men who are IA
miliar with the operation of automo-
biles are invited to attend the session.
1t will be held in the superior court
rooms at the city hall
The equipment of the ammunition
train will consist of 424 motor trucks,
eleven repair parts trucks, forty-five
motorcycles and twenty-five automo-
blles. The train is to be organized as
a battalion itself and will consist of
6S4 enlisted men, eighteen commits
stoned officers and 1875 non-commis-
stoned officers. Men between the
ages Of 10 and 40 who are at least
5 feet / inch tall and who weigh ITO
pounds or more and Who are exper-
fenced in automobile operation are
qualified to enlist. Automobile driv-
ers and mechanics will be given pref
ference it is understood.
Several local men were COM
NAAiSe1SSp "AIll ySotSio ny W.
onel Holsteen and asked to get
crowd out for the meeting this after
noon. Colonel Holsteen said that he
would arrive in Keoluk on the after
noon train and would like to meet as
many possible applicants for me
train. Arrangements were immediate
ly made for the meeting this after
noon 1t is hoped that number of
local business men will take interest
enough to come out to the meeting.
Colonel HoIsteen Here.
Col. Fred S. Holsteen of Burlington
and Maj. T. P. Hollowell of Fort Mad
ison were in Keokuk this afternoon,
arriving at 1:15 o'clock. They will
remain here the entire afternoon and
early evening and Colonel Holsteen
will meet Keokul1 men who want to
join the ammunition train, any time
from 5 to o'clock. If 1t is not con-
venient to come at 5 the officers will
be here until at the superior court
rooms.
1--WE want to get a full company out
of Keokuk if possible" Colonel Hol-
steen said. "This means 55 men and
one officer When l left Burlington
this noon the list there showed 65 ap-
plicants, and the ammunition train is
practically assured. We have wired
the war department that we are ready,
and anxious for inspection There will
be two majors in the train, Major
Hollowe1 Of Fort Madison and man
from the northern part of the state"
Colonel Holsteen will be in com
mand of the train.
Salaries Paid.
The salaries paid in the ammunition
train will be from $50 to $S1 per
month for all enlisted men, according
to Colonel FIolsteen. All men includ-
ing the officers are considered enlist
ed men at first. There will be twelve
companies in the train, and it is hoped
by the officers that one will come from
Keokuk. From the interest shown
here, 1t is probable that an entire
company can be recruited.
The men who make application now
are not Of necessity enlisted. There
are no enlistment blanks here as yet.
and no officers have been sent out to
recruit the train, but 1t is presumed
these will come on Immediately. Any
national guard commander however.
has the authority to make the enlist
ments, and can pass the men who ap-
ply for places in the train.
Supply Trains.
The ammunition train is practically
a train from the supply base to the
trenches. Motorcycles are used for
work, and the rank OF SER
geants is given to all chauffeurs.
There are over hundred first class
in the train. The officers are
all allowed the use of automobiles and
a chauffeur There are no horses or
mules in the train, all Of the hauling |
being done with auto trucks or auto |
mobiles.
The organization of this train af-
fords an opportunity for Keokuk men.
especially those familiar with the op- |
Grafton of automobiles, to get into