Rock Island Argus., 1917-11-22
Eliminating Favoritism,


II Is refreshing to know through .
recent information coming out Of the
war department at Washington, that
in the process Of elimination before
the new American armies are ofiicered, /
all instances where rank has been be-
slowed through the influences Of
wealth or social consideration viii be
thoroughly investigated and commits
sons will be based strictly and impair
TALLY upon men worthy Of them
There wila be no discrimination.
This is as it should be, and as the
American people who are familiar
with the administration methods in
the care of the soldiers knew it would
be. It Is conceded that the achieve
ments of the war department under
Secretary Baker since war was de-
clared are unparalleled in history
Naturally. with such a gigantic en-
terprise, there may have been some
remote incidents Of fayoritism, some
few occasions where, through drag or
pull. honors undeseryed have heen
awarded. 1t would be surprising If
y throughout the length and breadth Of
the country this did not happen. But
4 If such circumstances there are they
\ are exceedingly rare. and even these
II found to exist. will be weeded ont
in the final shakeup Rich young men,
Ii such there be, who may have landed
captains commission with the
thought of getting into a soft place
behind the lines in France and re-
turning after the war 10 pose as social
lions, on the theory that "once a cap
tain, always a captain" are doomed to
disappointment. There viii be none
such
What is more TO the point Rock Is
land will in no event present any such
cases. Rock Island young men have
received commissions in the national
guard, the regular army and in the
national army, but they have been won
on their merits Rock Islanders who
won their spurs are at Camp Grant,
Camp Dodge, Camp Logan. at Rock
Island arsenal and at other camps,
and are at the front IN France They
are also in the navy and in various
branches Of the military service OF
their country-and the city will al
ways be proud of them SO that there
will be no Rock Island soldier
regardless OF his rank. reduced
because he got there through a
social pull. And il Is believed that
few, very few, cases OF fayoritism will
be found anywhere. They will be Sc
few that they will not be difficult tc
find.
Along with this same line Of class
distinction comes a report from CamI
Grant showing the earnestness Will
which the war department is going
about in its determination to level thJ
social rank. The military police there
have been directed to put the lid dowr
on men Of military rank and file whC
like to dress better than the severel!
simple regulation outfit issued ~
Uncle Sam. In the ranks of the dem
ocratlc national army are many pri
Yates who at home have plenty o
money and IN a financial way Of speak
ing could buy and sell their officer
and not feel the expense
A good many of these men and
good many in the rank and file trea
themselves 10 tailor made uniforms 0
costly material, SILK hat cords, eX
pensive marching shoes, $50 oyercoats
and especially to English wrappe
puttees or polished leather ones, IN
stead OF the plain, old, regular arm
canvas leg covering.
But the rule has gone forth tha
only commissioned officers may ar
pear in wrapped or leather puttees
First to feel the grip OF the regulatio
was member of Company u OF Oh
Twenty-flrst engineers. Returnin
from visit to his home in MinneapC
lis, this young man rode into camp i
an automobile and alighted. displayin
new pair of leather puttees. Th
military policeman on guard at th
gate halted the soldier and made hiI
take off the puttees and carry theI
under his arm, with the slternatiy
Of going to the guardhouse for bein
dressed otherwise than in regulatio
uniform.
This is the right system This is
democratic war, to he won by den
ocratic people--not by aristocrats.