The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-09-28
CAMP CONDITIONS
Florida Boys Have Overcome Diff
culties that Confronted
Them at First
(Tampa Times)

Camp Wheeler-If there ever was
place surrounded by a blue atmos-
phere it was the 124th infantry camp
site Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
The first week of camp life after leav-
ing home is always more or less dis
agreeable, but, added to the natural
conditions was an incubation and
vaccination which made at least two
thirds of the 1,5OO men seek shelter
in their tents. However, the greater
part of the men were in better condi-
ton Sunday morning though their
right arms, the inoculated members,
were, for the most part indisposed,
some of the men using their shirts as
sling for their arm.
Moving into a camp never before
occupied by troops makes necessary
much extra work such as grading
company and regimental streets,
clearing the parade ground, remov-
ing debris left by the carpenters after
finishing the construction of new
buildings, etc. But by the end of the
week practically everything was in
order and ready for routine work.
When the troops left Florida it
was thought the extra 100 men would
be added to the companies within a
few days after arrival in camp, but
| for unknown reasons the selects have
not yet joined the company. 1t is
understood the troops to be assigned
to duty with the 124th infantry will
come from Tennessee and that they
are due sometime between Sept. 25
and 20.
With clearing the camp site fin
| ished and prospects bright for drill
| Monday morning, the prevailing
query Sunday was, "Can l swing the
old rifle with the crippled member of
, the body called the right arm ?"
Many men could barely raise the
inoculated arm on a level with the
shoulder and some could not use it
at all. However, it is safe to say any
soldier can use his arm in any man
ner after he "falls in" and faces the
company commander.
Neatness of dress and general ap-
pearance of enlisted men is a hobby
| with officers of this camp and a man
who is not properly dressed or has
not properly made his toilet will not
be allowed to pass beyond the regi-
mental street. When a man has been
| issued a pass to go to town or else
where, he must complete his toilet
and dress, then appear before the po-
| lice lieutenant for inspection. If his
appearance meets the approval of the
officer, he goes, if not, he stays in
camp or makes necessary improve
ment.
Of the days regular events prob
ably the one most looked forward to
is mail distribution Mail is delivered
to each company twice daily, 11:15 a.
m. and 6:15 p. m.
An order was issued Saturday ev-
ening prohibiting cameras and kodaks
being taken into camp and specifying
all in the possession of officers and
enlisted men in camp be given over to
the designated officer. It was also
ordered that all photographs made
previous to the date of the order be
destroyed Louis Shapiro, Tampa
photographer, has a government per-
init to make pictures officially at this
camp and it is for his protection that
other cameras and kodaks have been
abolished. Shapiro is busy daily max
ing "movie" films and slides which he
contemplates showing in Tampa the
aters in the near future so that the
home folks may see their representa-
tives in the war at work training for
service.