The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-08-06
by NOlcOtt LeClear Beard
OF the Vigilantes.

Cdr. Beard is a writer by profession
but he has been a soldier as well. Dur.
Ing the Spanish war he served as an
officer in the Porto Rican campaign
and he has knocked about the world
as soldier and explorer ever sincel
There recently arrived IN New York
a husky, outstanding colege.bred young
Nentuckian wearing the uniform Of he
3ttn Canadian Infantry. He came be.
cause he wished to offer his services As
an officer under his own flag Nobody.
apparently. would listen to him.
Therefore he enlisted in his interests
Senator's James and Beckham of his
native state and Senator Smith Of
Arizona, with three members Of the
house OF representatives thrown in
for good measure. These gentlemen
investigated, in order TO ascertain ahy
such services were not at once aeceDg.
ed
They found out. It was because cor
gress had not acted
IL was shown that Mr.. McClmtock
was a qualified instructor in 5,r,b
throwing. That he was a graducte Of
two schools carried on for education
along these lines that Of Aldershot in
England and the Second Army school
in France. No such schools exist in
the United States
Il was explained that the graduates
Of this school had to become acquainted
with the miuutest details Of construc.
tion not only Of twenty-seven varieties
OF grenades used By the British forces
but of the nearly innumerable French.
German and Austrian varieties as well.
Moreover, that the graduate was oblig.
ed not only to know how to handle and
throw these grenades. but also to screw
them fast 60 rods and so, by firing them
from the service rifle at high angles.
TO lob" them into the enemy's trench.
es That such a graduate had to learn.
and to teach others, how TO handle the
gtenades so as 10 get them into the
German trenches before they could
damage the throWer. but so that they
would explode before the enemy could
pick them up and toss them back.
Also 1t was explained that the in.
snuctors were Obliged TO understand
the use of the Stokes bomb. which
weighs nine pounds and which causes
a local but extremely efficient combi. I
nation Of earthquake and landslide.
That he has 10 understand the use and 1
Of wet gun cotton. in slabs /.
measuring eight by ten by three inches. I
and detonated by dry waters OF the
same material That he had to preach .
and practice the manner of using these .
larger affairs in blowing up the EN-.
placements after a charge, and in roll
ing the smaller ones into the mouths .
Of dugouts in which Fritz had taken .
refuge, thus sending dugout and Fritz
10 glory-or elswhere-at the same |
time and By a single operation.
II was also pointed out that in these.
as IN other branches of knowledge. that
nothing can qualify a man to teach like
exhaustive experience in that which he
wishes to impart to others.
Nothing could be done. however.
toward enabling the army to avail il.
self Of this store Of knowledge Con.
sress had not acted.
To the facts previously brought forth.
other facts then were added That. for
Example. Mr.. McClintock was a thor
'uhgly trained-all-around soldier That
ne was a good rifle shot. that he knew
'nd could use-that. moreover. he did
MaSim. Colt and Lewis ma.
'hine guns with neatness and despatch
especially despatch. That he could
cad maps, which not everyone can do.
Also that he could read photographs
aken from aeroplanes so as TO pick
'ut the emplacements Of machine guns
md other points that would need par.