Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-16


diagnosis apply the remedy. And re-
member that you apply the remedy to
effect cure, not merely to see the VIC
tim squir1n. 1t may be necessary to cut
deep, but when you are satisfied as to
your diagnosis don't be diverted from
your purpose by any false sympathy
for the patient.
Hand in hand with fairness In
awarding punishment walks fairness in
giving credit.
For an officer to be overbearing and
insulting IN the treatment of enlisted
men Is the act Of a coward. He ties
the man to tree with the ropes OF
discipline and then strikes him in the
face, knowing full well that the man
cannot strike back. &
Consideration, courtesy and re-
spect from officers toward enlisted
men are not incompatible with dis
sipline. They are parts of our disci-
pline. Without initiative and de-
cision no man can expect to lead.
The element of PERSONAL DIG
NIFTY Is important in military leader
ship. Be the friend of your men, but
do not become their intimate. Your
men should stand in awe of you--not
fear. If your men presume to become
familiar it is your fault. not theirs
Your actions have encouraged them to
do so.
And, above all things. don't cheaper
yourself by counting their friendship or
currying their favor. They will de-
spise you for 1t. If you are worthy of
their loyalty and respect and devotion
they will surely give all these without
asking. II you are not, nothing that
you can do will win them.
1t Is exceedingly difficult for an Of
ficer to be dignified while wearing
dirty, spotted uniform and a three
days stubble of whiskers on his face
Such man lacks self-respect and
self respect is an essential of dignity
There may be occasions when your
work entails dirty clothes and an I'M
shaver face. Your men all look that
way. At such times there is ample
reason for your appearance. In fact,
1t would be a mistake to look too. clean
they would think you were not doing
your share. But as soon as this I'M
usual occasion has passed set an ex-
ample of personal neatness.
And then I would mention courage
Moral courage you need as well as
physical courage-that kind of moral
courage which enables you to adhere
without faltering to determined
course of action, which your judgment
has indicated as the one best suited to
secure the desired results.
You will find many times, especially
in action, that, after having issued
your orders to do certain thing, you
will be beset by misgivings and
doubts; you will see or think you see
other and better means for accom-
plishing the object sought. You will
be strongly tempted to change your
orders. Don't do it until 1t Is clearly
manifested that your first orders were
radically wrong. For, If you do, you
will be again worried by doubts as to
the efficacy of your second orders.
Every time you change your orders
without obvious reasons you weaken
your authority and impair the conf
dence Of your men. Have the moral
courage to stand by your order and
1t through.
Moral courage further demands that
you assume the responsibility for your
own acts. If your subordinates have
loyalty carried out your orders and the
movement you directed is q failure, the
failure is yours, not theirs. Yours
would have been the honor had 1t been
successful. Take the blame If it re-
suits in disaster. Don't try to shift it
to subordinate and make him the
goat. That is cowardly act.
Furthermore, you will need moral
courage to determine the fate of those
under you. You will frequently be
called upon for recommendations for
the promotion or demotion Of officers
and non commissioned officers in
your immediate command.
I am taking it for grented that
you have physical courage. need
not tell you how necessary that is.
Courage Is more than bravery.
Bravery Is fearlessness--the alb
sence of fear. The merest dolt
may be brave. because he lacks the
mentality to appreciate his danger;
he doesn't know enough to be
afraid.
Courage. however is that firmness of
spirit, that moral backbone which.
while fully approaching the danger in
wolved. nevertheless goes on with tho
undertaking. Bravery is physical:
courage is mental and moral. You may
be cold all over; your hands may
tremble; your legs may quake; your
knees be ready to give. way-that is
fear. II. nevertheless. you go forward;
II, in spite of this physical detection
you continue to lead your men against
the enemy. you have courage. The
physical manifestations of fear will
pass away. You may never experience
them but once. They are the buck
fever" OF the hunter who tries to shoot
his first deer. You must not give way
to them.
Use judgment In calling on your men
for displays of physical courage or