Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-23
SPRINGFIELD SLIPS
FROM POSITION AS
STATE ARMY Center
PLACING OF cANToNMENT
CAMP IN SOME OTHER CITY AND
HOME MOBILIZATION KNOCKS
TRADITION INTO COOKED HAT.

Springfield, H., May % Unless this
city is selected as the site for con
centration camp of the conscripted
Illinois army, the capitol city probab-
lv will lose her historic place as the
center of the states war time activi-
ties. Orders received by Adjutant
General Dickson from Washington
practically fills the prospect that the
national guard will come mere to en-
ter the mobilization camp and await
orders to a concentration camp at
some other point.
The orders say that the troops will
be gathered at their home rendezvous
and recruited to wars strength. They
are then to wait there for orders to
entrain for a camp in the south or
southwest, presumably to take the
place OF troops taken from among
the regulars being sent abroad.
The first order, received by Adult
ant General Dickson from Secretory
of War Baker several days ago said
that the troops would be modified
here July rs.
The new order says that supplies
for new men taken into the guard in
recruiting to war strength will be OBJ
tainable August 10. The war strength
of the Illinois guard will be 1882
Every command in the state is bust
ly engaged in securing recruits to lift
the personnel from peace to war foot
ing.
Doubt as to whether the First ILL
nois Cavalry will be moblized with
the remainder OF the guard is being
expressed The difficulty of securing
equipment Tor another regiment Of
artillery, it is said, may interfere with
the Transformation OF the regiment
from cavalry to artillery.
May Use New Hospitals.
Springfield, ILL.,, May % The state
Of Illinois has 2200 acres of land
which the government may have for
the quartering of the drafted troops,
II 1t wants them. Col. Root has been
informed that the sites for hospitals
at nd tx,f1 he
over free Of charge for this purpose
If they are suitable and this may be
the solution OF the cantoment prob
lens. Almost anywhere else In the
state camp site would cost from
100000 to $4,000 1t is estimated.
The sites We're offered thru the
state board OF administration and the
understanding il that the Legislature
will pass the proper resolutions max
ing the use Of the land by soldiers
possible II the sites are selected by
Col Root and the commission Col
Root will inspect both sites within
the next few days,
AT Dixon number Of buildings
which would be suitable for barracks
have been practically completed and
could be used with very little addi- |
tional work Steam heat could be I
installed during the winter. There I
are also number Of buildings at the I
new state hospital at Alton which I
would be suitable for officers quarters,
etc. AT each site there are hoo +
acres Of land and additional land that /
might be needed could be secured I
frop surrounding farmers at small
expense
AT both sites there il an excellent
water supply ana sewage can be in.
stalled without much trouble The
Dixon site Is located on the Rock
River and the Alton site is located
on the Wood river. AT both places
the land is level and especially adap-
table Tor military purposes.
The two hospitals have been in
course Of construction for two years
ana 1t was the intention to occupy
them this tall The Alton hospital
y for insane and the Dixon colony is
FOR epeleptics. The state institutions
arc badly crowded and the new insti-
tutions are greatly needed, but the
state could get along as best they
could until after the war In case the
sites We're found to be the most suit.
able for army purposes.