The Washington times., 1917-03-01

Right up to the very mouths OF the
shooting batteries marches Company
A of the Bellhops regiment. Not
man faltered-not a foot or a heart
skipped a beat. The elevator boy in
the first set of tours chanted the old
army classic about Left! Left Left
my wife and fifteen children"
Drillmaster McKeown, formerly of
Troop c, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, and but
ten minutes before Of the carriage
service of the Hotel Biltmore, strobe
at the head all dressed up like q COM
bination of a polo pony and his Eng
fish groom. His very best Biltmore
riding pants and tan topped boots
Elittered in the bright morning SUM-
light.
"Do it again" came a command
from behind the batteries.
Squads left, Turn" shouted Nc
Keown.
'Now give us one when they're at
attention." came the voice from the
batteries.
"Company-haItw rang clear the
order from Captain McKeown.
Shooting Begins Again.
Company A of the Biltmore halted
with some difficulty Down came the
mination. 1t sounded a bit like the
dumping of a load OF bricks.
Say, be careful of them guns"
cautioned the resplendent drill mas
ter. Don't you know them guns is
borrowed? Now, everybody stand at
attention. Heads upi"
Captain McKeown did a military
about face, caught his balance again
and stuck out his chest and stood
ready to be shot After little
wrangling among the different opera
tors of the battery the shooting be-
gan. Forty feet of film was taken
and then it was suggested that the
Biltmore's military exhibit give a
little more action. Captain McKeown
spat out his chew and so ordered.
All of which was nothing more
than a new proof of the spirit OF pre-
paredness that is in the air-one or
the best proofs, il might be added,
for all this was twenty-four stories
in the air. There is no doubt that
the roof OF the Biltmore has seen
many strange sights and heard
strange words, but even to a blase
metropolitan hotel this was a new
and unique experience.
VIII Recruit a Regiment.
Some idea, isn't ft?" suggested
Personal Publicity Manager Kennedy
with pride in his voice. You see, this
is just the start-only the germ of the
great idea. We propose to form a
fun war strength regiment of 800
men made up exclusively OF the uni
formed service of the different city
hotels. We're going to ask army Of
ficer to. drill us and everything like
that. It's John Nee. Bowman's own
conception. Don't forget to put that
in-you see, John Nee. Bowman is /
president OF the Biltmore Hotel, and |
he thought this thing all out him |
self. Fine idea isn't it?"
rs Mr.. Bowman, president of the |
Biltmore, up here in the cold?'
My, no! You see, he thought all |
this out. And two members of our |
executive staff are going to begin |
recruiting at once. Let's step over
here so we won't get in the way of
the camera men,"
Two Cameras Unnamed.
1t seems that there were two cam
era men in the city who were not /
there-one was i'll and the second /
had oversight. But all the others
were on hand, and between their or
ders the fifty soldier bellboys were |
kept hopping right lively.
The company wasn't much for guns,
but what was lacking in that respect
was made up in hotel uniforms. The
ensemble resembled a cross between a
governors staff at inaugural time and
the last act of South American comic
opera when all the native generals
and the young naval officers are close
up stage. The guns looked much like
those dropped at the battle OF Bull |
Run, and after Captain McKeown's
words of caution they were handled,
with care il not with extreme dex-
terity.
But they did pretty well at that. In
two days of drill one shouldn't expect
to see duplicates OF West Point cadets
during commencement week. And
Jnen besides it had been some years
since Captain McKeown exchanged
the army khaki for the gorgeous pur-
pie raiment of a hotel footman. And
styles in tactics do change-even If a
soldiers heart doesn't.
Praise From the Inspector.
Even Major Stratford Corbett. who
inspected the work of the volunteers
didn't seem To mind the rather strange
drills. The idea OF men springing from
every branch of work and phase of
life and in separate and distinct or
: ohiHatiohS ltnulHB themselves TO the !
preparedness movement was the thing
that impressed the officer.
Let me say that am very greatly +
delighted with what have seen
here" he said in a short talk to the
II was toward the close
or the drill and the motion picture
men had folded up their machines and
departed. The stiff breeze was max
ing Old Glory on a nearby nagpoIe
crack and sparkle. On all sides
stretched the city of Too Many CsIiphs
and too few army Officers match i
less city, to loot
The spirit you men are showing q s
he spirit that will sweep Though
Amertca when the time comes" nc !
vent on. only. you men are in the
Observation-Disclosures in a practical pre- !
'aredness. congratulate you"
Some Inside Information.
Captain McKeown saIuted. The !
personally invited guest Of Personal
Manager Kennedy turned !
lp his coat collar and headed for the
leVator. The car was empty save
or the boy wearing one Of tine briga- !
Her general uniforms of the hotel.
Whats all this drill business?" the 4
personally invited guest asked.
Avoid stuff answered the eIe- =
ator boy. ''See all them movie men