The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-09-21

Washington, Sept. 19.-Three hun
dred thousand men of the national
army are today on their way to six
teen environments to undergo an inten-
sive training period preparatory for
service overseas.
Today's increment represents ap-
proximately 45 per cent of the total
quota under the first call from nearly
5000 exemption boards.
The transition from civilian to mil
itary life was effected with a minimum
of delay. In every section of the coun-
try the men called by the individual
boards were assembled, placed under
military discipline welded by one of
their number selected as leader and
assigned to special troop trains now
en- route to the mobilization camps.
The new increment will join the first
quota of $4,000 men called to the col
ors September 5,
Because of the obstacles encountered
by the war department in procuring
supplies it is probable that some of the
men will be only partially equipped on
arrival. No attempt to outfit complete
ly the units for war service will be
made until just prior to the departure
for France.
The biggest recreational program
ever staged in America, a continuous
performance to last for the duration
of war, with an annual supporting
fund of at least S14,000,000 started to-
day at the sixteen national army can
tonments. The country's best theat-
rical talent has been modified under
the direction of Mark Klaw, to give
free entertainments for the soldiers.
The government activities were or
ganized by the commission on training
activities appointed by Secretary Ba-
ker, with Raymond B. Fosdick as chair
man.
Cooperation Of the largest recrea-
tional, educational and social service
'ofaatf fisaticIis IN Che roantry has beer
obtained. They include the Y. M. G.
A., which has appropriated S4,000,0O0;
the Knights of Columbus, who have
raised s3,5OO,OOO; the Playground and
Recraational Association of America,
which has appropriated S3,500, 900, and
the Library Associations of America
which is to provide libraries in all the
cantonmerts from a fund of a million
dollars. For a canteen service in the
camps fund of $1,50O,000 has been
set aside.
Sixteen big theatres are nearing
completion and thirty-two large cir
Gus tents are already up at the nation
al guard cantonments.
NTH the mobilization of one-half of
the 6S7,000 men of the first call under
the selective service law in progress
the question arises as to whether that
number of men will be sufficient to fill
units of the national guard and ma
tional army. There are indications that
deficiency in men will be disclosed
when official reports from all the
thirty-two training camps are avail
able.
Since the president called the first
687000 men of the national army the
signal corps, including the aviation
section, has been greatly extended.
Nearly 100000 additional men must be
transferred to this service alone. Nu-
merous necessary auxiliary units of
the medical corps for immediate dutv
abroad, not thought of when the call
was made, have been organized. Where
enlisted men of the guard of the reg
ular army tave been taken, their plac-
es will have to be filled with national
army men.
So far as known no definite figures
as to the probable total deficiency in
men has been compiled nor any esti-
mate prepared in the absence of COM
plete reports from all guard divisions
and auxiliary corps. 1t is not unlike
Iy, however, that when the national
army divisions are organized many
will be found at the canton
nents, and it will be necessary either
10 make a second call on the drafted
forces or to train incomplete divisions.
Divisions will go to France only atd
maximum strength.