The Washington times., 1917-04-19
THIRD TAKES FIRST
HIKEAT FORT MYER
6uardsmen viii Cover Only
Sixteen Miles on To-
days Jaunt.

Members Of the Third Infantry, Of
the District National Guard, stationed
at Fort Myer, took their hrst hike
since being called beek into the Fed
eral service today. Starting at Z
o'clock, the officers and men of the
two battalions struck off in the d.
rection OF Great Falls; for a theoret-
ical engagement
The men travelled Eight" carrying
only their combat packs, weighing
about eight pounds each. The full
pack which the men have to carry on
hikes keeping them out overnight
weighs from forty. to nifty pounds.
1t was the intention of theNofficers
to march the men about sixteen miles
today. The length OF the "hikes,"
which will be held frequently from
now on, will be increased as the men
grow more hardened. During, their
stay at San Antonio the men made
one hike to Leon Springs and return,
covering nearly fifty miles.
Recruiting OF guardsmen, IL was
learned today. is Proceeding slowly.
Brigadier General Harvey issued q
strong plea for enlistment, that the
guard may reach the requisite war
strength without. the necessity of
conscription.
Guard Hard Hit.
The examination and appointment
Of reserve officers has hit the guard
hard In spots. especially in the cavalry
arm Trop A, organized last year,
and composed of college men, has
been cut more than half Immediately
following their return from the border |
Capt. James Washburn and First |
Lieut. Benjamin Reese resigned. and |
a number OF troopers applied for dis
charges. Since then forty of the |
troopers have taken examinations for |
commissions in the Reserve Corps |
and every one OF them passed.
The troop has been almost wiped /
out" said Captain Moore. We've got
to do a lot OF strong recruiting. |
Members hope. however, to persuade
enough OF their friends to join to
bring the body up to its former
strength"
Troop B. organized only a fe.
months ago, also expects to lose .
number OF its members who are slated
for reserve commissions.
Plans for looking after the troops
spiritual welfare have been inaugu-
rated by the Bible Glass Alliance Tes-
lament and Tract Society, with head
quarters at 925 New York avenue
northwest. The society has already
placed gospel tracts in more than /
2 800 homes in the District. and now
plans to extend its work to the army
camps near Washington. 1t Is plan
ned to put through the work through
the medium Of popular subscriptions.
Contributions have already been made
hA nrnrfr
Mrs. James w. wadsworth, jr.;
William T. Galliher. Judge Stanton ].
Peelle, E. B. Grandin, the Rev. G. G.
the Rev. Earl L. Douglas.
F. Colladay, DR.. W. K. But
Ter, William H. Baldwin, George F.
Stone, Mrs. James Mcmillan, Mrs. S.
c. Mason, and Miss Georgia Robert
son.
Law Gusts Effectives.
Because the Government depend
ency clause" is a mandatory measure
admitting of no exceptions, numerous
of the Third Regiment are
being discharged in spite of protests.
A typical case Is that of Edward
Green, ole Eleventh street southwest,
who yesterday received his discharge.
Green has q record of fifteen years
service in the District soldiery. He
served with the Third Regiment on
the Mexican border, and had been
promoted to'a sergeancy.
Green had no complaint filed
against him, but 1t was found that
two young children were dependent
on him. There are'no other relatives.
No provision is made in the new dis
charge order whereby the Govern.
ment may take care of dependent
relatives.
RegimentaI AdJutant Monogan yes
terday cited instances OF the de
tendency clause" having miscarried.
zone of the best examples" he
said, sis In the cases of a number of
married men separated from their
wives. These men would doubtless
do little to help their wives IL they
were home. On the other hand, they
are good soldiers, and we have no
complaint against them. Yet 1t is OBJ
ligatory that they be dismissed. There
Is nothing else to do"