Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-08-29
MAY ESTABLISH
TRAINING CAMP
NEAR AMER|CUS

That the establishment of a military
training camp for the accommodation
of between 10000 and 10000 troops in
this immediate section, is contemplated
by the United States government, pro-
viding satisfactory conditions can be
secured, is indicated by the PROPOSE
ton placed in the hands of the Amer
icus and Sumter County Chamber OF
Commerce late yesterday afternoon by
a representative of the Central OF
Georgia railway, who made personal
visit to Americus on orders from Fred
J. Robinson, general passenger agent
OF the road
The government is desirous of es-
series of great field train
irg schools for the instruction Of
troops in infantry arms of all kinds,
and also in the use of machine guns
II is desired to secure large tracts of
land in sections of the country where
conditions are suitable for
year-'round training, where the ter
rain is such as to make open field OPP
erations on large scale possible, ana
where the use of infantry arms and
machine guns will not prove danger
Gus to the life of residents.
The local trade body has been ask
ed to forward to the War Department
data on an available tract of land from
Is to 20 miles square, which could
be utilized for the purpose outlined
above. 1t is not desired to take val
liable agricultural land, although cer>
tain physical and geographical condi-
tons must be present. The ideal To-
cation, says the War Department,
should be in district where the land
is gently rolling, with good drainage
a certain amount of timber, traversed
by streams and possessed of a good
water supply, accessible to railroad
facilities, and above all, located in q
healthy section.
On receipt of the request yesterday
afternoon from the War Department, q
meeting of the commissioners of the
chamber was called by Secretary Feni-
more and the proposition given thor
oUgh consideration. 1t was finally de-
cided to have Secretary Fenimore pre-
pare the necessary maps and other
data relative to the project and to
suggest to the War Department Off
cials the availability of utilizing a
tract Of land within a few miles of this
city.
1t is expected that the tract to be
to the government viii in
clude portions Of Sumter, Schley, Ma
rion and Webster counties, taking in
a part of the Friendship district OF
this county, and also sections of the
other counties adjoining the western
and northwestern boundaries of Sum
ter
This territory is considered by the
local trade body to be naturally adapt
ed for the purposes desired by the
War Department, conforming in prac-
tically every detail to the specifica-
tions. although, of course, no abso-
lutely ideal location is expected to be
furnished
In case the War Department ac
cepts the designated location in this
section, the land would be acquired by
purchase from the present owners
through the usual channels.
1t is also indicated by the govern
ment officials that the establishment
is not merely tempo
rary affair, but is to be maintained as
4 permanent training camp, where
troops may be given actual field in
struction with the arms employed by
against an enemy. Trench
and open field systems of warfare are
to be included in the curriculum OF
the proposed school and war problems
are to be worked out by troop units
under actual war conditions
The desired data, maps and all nee
essary information is to be prepared
by Secretary Fenimore without delay
and forwarded to the War Department,
after which the local body can but
wait developments.
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