The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-02-15


lars on the border recently sit up and
eat humble pie.
There are more civilian avlators TIM
there are regular army avlators, aA
from present indications the former on
more experienced.
The European war has shown tha
1t does not take long to instruct mill
tary aerial observers and these cOuH
be trained in a short time.
Transport Difficulties Small.
AS for transport and quartermaste
corps there would be little or no diff
Guilty in finding plenty Of business me-
who would be capable of handing
these branches Of service in fittlR
manner. The system Of supply 90!
transportation might be slow at first
but when one is acquainted with Ii.
fact that In New York state alone then
are 310,457 automobiles, fully half d
which could be utilized as light q
heavy transport trucks, and the re
mainder converted into cars for Of.
GERS and for courier service, 1t will b
understood that there are no very great
obstacles in the way of supply trains.
Railroad transportation on account
Of the length Of our coast line woul
present some difficulties at first, but
without doubt could be remedied witt
great speed.
The mobilization Of the manufactur
ing industries of the nation has alreadJ
been worked out by the authorities q,
Washington.
OF men we have plenty. Materials
In the crude state we have sufficient
but rifles, heavy artillery and ammE
milton enough, let alone uniforms
blankets, equipment, medical supplies
ETC., r q different story.
The Red Cross has plenty of nurses
to put on the field for the first line
hospitals. Ambulance corps such Is
were formed in France could be quick
ly put into commission and would ur
doubtedly do good service.
The militia Of the country Is prob
ably In better shape from a military
standpoint than it eve was in the his
tory Of Its organization. If enough
regular army officers were available to
distribute among the various con-
mands, 1t would be a fairly efficient
fighting force. Unfortunately Their
are many officers in the militia of thi
country who have no right from mill
tary or mental qualifications to wea
shoulder straps.
American Legion Intact.
The American Legion, while Official
ly dlsbanded, Is still intact. On thu
books Of the organization, which havi
been preserved, are the names Of sOms
$4,000 men who have seen active serr
ice in various parts of the world, G
Their as officers or enlisted men. Cats
logued under proper headings are about
$4,000 men or boys who r experts Of
some trade necessary to the army
There r telegraph operators, miners
high explosive men, railroad engineers
civil engineers, ammunition makers
draughtsmen, wagon makers, autOm0
bile mechanics and drivers, cowboys
hotel stewards, men In all branches Of
life suitable for the commissarX de
partments, electricians, etc. This list
should be Of decided value to the wa
department.
These are but few Of the ways, man
ners, men and materials which can b
called into play If the country finds
necessary.
In conclusion, I would call attention
to the Boy Scouts of America, who
could help In the event Of war in am
number Of ways, and who, I am sure
would rise to the emergency In tha
same plucky manner as their little
brother scouts have done in every cOuH'
try In Europe.
That the women of America would
shoulder their share Of the burden, no
true American for a minute doubts
they have done 1t In the past and can
do 1t In the future.
To mobilize all the industries, men
organizations, etc., would of course re
Quire more time than 1t has In the
countries Of Europe, but 1t would Do
done. The American people have
habit Of taking a lot for granted, b'
when an emergency arises they gen
are able to meet it..