The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1917-05-19
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n Wlll be surprising 10 most 81 my
friends to learn that aa not to aiteha
the first training camp for the officers
reserve corps Il was more Than sur
arising 20 ne il .Raa shock; Tor
after having undergone examination |
by a reserve officer In the medical
corps and receiving favorable Ger
tiaeate from him, hayins been duly
certified to the school by an Army
officer. having actually entered the
camp and worn the prescribed uniform
WAS beginning to think that ! vas In
a pasitton te make good, especially
since number OF men had been hott
fed Of their rejection tRo days before
hand and had Hot been furnished uni
forms The reader may imagine my
feelings then. when, OH Sunday morn
ing / With twelve other members OF
my company, received notice that We
did not conform to physical require
meat and that we we're To be DIS
missed immediately.
Upon entering the camp at Fort
Logan Il Roots the wouldbe officers
we're taken to the hospital and given
thorough examination by Army oilicefs.
assisted hv medical officers from The
Arkansas Guard. While this examina
ton had some of the elements Of n side
degree Of a fraternal order, It Was
thorough and every man received a
square deal as did the government
After being told that didh't con
form. vent over 80 the hospital to
learn ahy Colonel Lewis, ranking
surgeon In charge. received me cour.
teausly aud showed my examination
card was rejected on account OF
being three and oHc half pounds toe
light far my height Ny card also
showed that vas almost totally blind
fn oue eye. knew this VAS a mistake
so | applied for another test on eyes
| vas referred 10 the Arkansas Gnarc
officer who FIRST tested my eyes He KEEP
Ime waiting while he smoked tnHumeF
Liable cigarettes aud talked vaguely o
, something that he had to do after
while He struck mr as being more O
, an accident thar 49, officer and gen
,lemau Pretty soon as Army doeto
, came aud entered into conversation
with me. when ! stated my position
Inc volunteered to give me the eys.tes
and did so he found that the Afkan
, sawyer had made mistake aud TIA
, my eyes had not lost strength since tn
. Examination at Baton Rouge TIL
Army doctor was a gentleman and h
: gave mo information and advice Nhte
4 I think viii assist me 10 make III
. proper showing for the next camp &
+, instruction
i have no complaint 90 make OF ~
J. treatment Of the government or
n any one al Fort Roots, other than iha
g llHtie runt Of an Arkansas doctor, bt
G do complain Of u system which vi
y permit man to take one physical q
. animation and pass and then take 81
+, other examination and fail ! Shout
n have been rejected on the hrsi exam
nation Had / been told then that IA
j. weight did not conform To Royernmoi
a standards could have made II u
il before going TO emp, or the COVER
@ meut would have been saved son
~ money and trouble. and would ha'
been spared the trip 60 camp, loss OF
weeks time. q few dollars and Il
bitter disappointment occasioned
my notice OF rejection.
About twenty per cent Of the NE
n aho entered camp we're finally rejects
- from some cause or other Light welg
Of and tiat feet probably caused most
~ the reflections # was astonishing
r. learn Of the large number Of collie
. athletes who were turned down, matn
~ on account Of hat feet, although athlei
~ heart got some of Fhem. II would see
* that an army IL only rs good as
AZ feet aud one Who has any trout
u whatsoever sith his feet has smi
~ chance Of getting into the army,
10 The students at Fort Roots are tfe'
W cd With every consideration They a
we'll fed clothed aud sheltered a
VI are Ia be- treated as geutlemen 4 ha
es course has been prescribed far the
~ aud Il all take real man Ia y
- through
~ While am. Of course. sorry TO ha
w. been rejected NJ this camp, am 81
- volunteered To- go there before
y question OF remuneration came
n Another Of these classes will likely
y" opened In August and expect to do
= best 10 conform TO the reqairemei
=" for entrance,