Evening star., 1918-02-24
CAPTAINS WHOKNOW
MEN IN THE RANKS
Rookie Selected for Good Job
Because He Understood :.
Cost of Things.
MAMv EFT Tn NnMaaAMn
MANY FIT TO COMMAND
BY HERBERT COREY.

By HERBERT COREY.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY, JAM
1ary 2o-Last time I heard of Mike
tours right, and that sort Of thing. Now
he is in Paris holding down q Job where
his trained ability counts for something.
He used to run a cigar factory back
home and knows about costs and wage
days and percentages.
How did Mike Ibold's son get that
job?" I asked.
Some one-his captain. likely-fornd
put what he could do" I was told. Lots
Of captains are that way. One hears .
good deal of the other sort Of captain,
but the captain who really counts is the
man who knows his men,"
The other day a captain wanted q set
Of plans drafted. So he went into his
squad and called for the third as
sistant helper to the cook and set him
to blue printing the plans The helper
was just an ordinary hand at potato
peeling. His work was good. but unfn-
spired. No coloratura stun about It. one
might say. But at blue printing plans
he was a bear.
Knew His Business.
That captain knew his business and
his men as well. He said one day that
were fit for commissions and ten OF
them looked like the raw material Tor
brass hats. He is doing all he can to
push them along. ! heard OF major VINO
stopped a buck private-this was IN an
artillery regiment-and said to him:
"Whaf do you think of that system
Of camouflage?"
The private whipped OF . regular
army salute and then allowed that the
in question must have oeen
wouldn't fool him, he said. He knew
what was wrong with 1t, too. or what
he thought was wrong with II no
said he used to live in town where
night of his life, and he had greater
respect for their intelligence than had
the man who invented that camounage.
Put that mans name down." said
had moved on, "rM recommend him for
a commission"
Case Of Capt. Gee.
He did not have any particular edu.
cation. That was evident from his talk.
But he was able to think closely and
He is the sort OF man to
that Capt. Gee of the British army who
was given the V. C. the ether day. Gee
began life as pit boy. He never had
any great amount of schooling until
he entered the army-not any great
amount. In the army he taught him
self two or three languages between
times. One day he was captured
He crushed the skull Of one German
his case states, "and then organized 4
party of prisoners, took the position
and held 1t until help arrived"
One can dimly imagine what that job
have h. followed HIN like a terrier. To
take a position from armed men by
unarmed prisoners means that the
leader was man OF fearsome natural
force. Great Britain is looking for
men Of that sort to make offe ers nova
days. l know another. New Zealand
dairyman. who bombed a pill box" all
alone. No one got to his help. But he
cleaned up the pill box.
Now they've given me commits
sion," he said, "and I'm on my way to
England to be taught department. par
lor conversation and grammar"
That was not complaint. He knew
his needs.
Il can lead my men through hades
and high water" he said, but I'm a
little short on drawing room tricks. II
will do me good I can be an officer.
all right. but want to talk like an Of
u.
No doubt the American Army will
promote the men from the ranks rap
idly, as soon as the organization gets
really at work. Just the bed plates are
being laid now, of course. 1t is pleas
ant to tell ourselves that we have the
best army III the world, but 1t doesn't
fool the Germans. We are merely on
the way to become the best army in the
world: While We are on that way we
should not neglect any promising ma
terial.
An Americans Mistake.
Now and then mistakes are made. for
officers are hard worked and very hu-
man. NOT long ago a little Brooklyn
boy. who for year or SO has been fly.
ing in the Lafayette Escadrille. asked
for the thirty days permission to which
he is entitled. He had grown stale, as
fiers do. and he wanted to go home and
relax. The French Flying Corps officers
understand these things and granted
him the permission at once.
But before he got away for home
lie received word that he had been
granted commission in the American
Army's Flying Corps. He was delighted.
He planned to go home, in his French
inform. with the military cross bearing
wo palms, which he had been granted
or bringing down boches. After a vaca-
ion he would take up his work for the
American Army.
You can't go home, said a major of
he American Flying Corps. who until a
title while ago was a surgeon in Paris.
You must join the American Army at
NICE"
The little f1ier explained the situation.
He was stale and tired. He needed the
est.
mot word" said the major. crispy.
Join at once"
Did Not Join, as Ordered.
He did not join at once. The major
ad no authority over him, for he is still
AXE his permission at home, and then
DIN. 1t was his right.
"Obey my orders or I will have your
commission rescinded," said the major.
The little Brooklyn boy sailed for
lome. When his thirty days at homo
ave expired he will rejoin the French
rmy, if the major has succeeded in
aving his United States commission
escinded. The French will be glad to
ave him back. They courteously per-
nit all Americans to join their own
orees il they wish to do SO. but they
re not keen on losing their top-notch
lying men.
That sort OF thing, fortunately, does
ot happen often. Most officers put
he needs of the army first and do not
ermit themselves to be Influenced by
ersonal piQue. I heard Of one officer
he other day who warmly recommend.
d a subordinate for promotion. The
wo men have been personal enemies
or years and never speak except on
usiness. The promotion would not re.
eriors official establishment either.
he recom n, enda tion Was an pn< ~