The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-25

about the army and other things would be glad to inform you of, it seems that the opportunity will not come; therefore, I have decided to do it like the allies are fighting the Ger mans-by piecemeaL It, therefore, af- fords me pleasure to inform you that your letter of January 19 is now before me and heartily appreciate your writ ing me the letter and cards, all of which were received with much delight.
 nave noted with pleasure that ths good clerks under your office always have your best wishes as well as the interest YOU have in the Postal alliance and my race in general, and to trim the matter down to a minimum, I have the honor to say that your interest in me and the race in many ways has been so much better shown than will ever be told. Clark and I had much consolation in reading and commenting on the way you helped a colored boy at your old home in Cuba, the interest manifested in corn clubs in your county among col ored boys, which helped financially and intellectually, as we'll as the price Bel gium has paid for the wreat wrongs King Leopold inflicted in the Congo.
 TAKE TT GOOD NATUREDLY
 For the first time since I entered the military service Clark and I are sep arated We have been separated about a month and it Is hard to estimate with any degree of accuracy as to when we will meet again, for we are likely ;e strike the enemy at any time. Our training is very strenuous and yet the men take it good naturedly. In fact, I myself and many others enjoy tne work over here so much better than when in the United States.
 Clark was manager of school in his company for the training of the Hitter ates. I was on special duty most of the time and did not get to do anything un til night, when I would often assist the instructors attached to my company. In spite of the fact that l am from Ala bama I was very greatly surprised to find so many men in the prime of life who could not read or write. It is also surprising to note how readily many of them g-asped the situation and pro- gressed. I speak of Alabama because men of my regiment are from Alabama However, I am safe to say that the peo pie of Alabama will never realize the good the army has done to elevate thou sands of men of the state who had no object in view or inspiration to climb. While many of these very men who have been elevated to a marked degree will be lost in battle I feel that the good done to those remaining will far more than compensate for the lost on the other side of the point of view
 NEED FOR EDUCATION
 'eThe chances are that many people think all man has to do is to be able to shoot gun, but the man who can not read signals, orders and jot down data is helpless creature in this war. for the report of the big guns make it impossible for the officers to be heard when near them. Besides the gases force everyone to wear mask and the officer cannot be heard any distance away when his mask is worn. So you may see that a mans instructions are often placed be fore him ard if he cannot read he is in a hard hole and his comrades are endangered on account of his ignorance. In. spite of this fact some of our best soldiers are men who can only write their names.
 Health conditions at Camp Dodge proved to be very good and I only re. gret that every man we have over here did not get to spend winter there un- der the conditions, for I feel sure that he would be better prepared to take care of himself here on the field. The. man who cannot accustom himself to sleep out in the open air and at times on the ground is worthless as a soldier at this period l put on my shoes on the 27tll of June and pulled them off to sleep on J 3 for the first time and felt ex- cellent under the conditions.
 WEATHER IN FRANCE
 At Camp Dodge it was a common oc-