Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-19
Especial to The Argus.)

Camp Dodge, Iowa, Jan. 19.-Can
you juggle hammer and pound a
wicked nail?
If you are a member of the Three
Hundred and Thirteenth engineers,
Camp Dodge, and can't do that, you
will have to learn. For that is part Of
the instruction of men in that part of
the service. Lieutenant Colonel r. p.
Howell, regimental commander, says
SO, and he knows, for he is giving just
that schooling to men of his outfit.
The engineers will be the bridge
builders among other things, when
they get into the fight. They can't
build big bridges and pontoons at
Camp Dodge but they are getting prac-
teal instruction, regarding construc-
ton work. They do something be-
sides build toy bridges and make mod
els of the engineering work they will
do when they are in active service.
Have you ever nosed around in their
part of the camp? Go up and take a
look at their coal bins, cloths poles,
and. other features usually SO unro-
mantle. The coal boxes areemade of
rough logs, fitted neatly together to
form an enclosure for the coal. The
clothes poles, too, are artistic even
when the lines stretched between
them are laden with blankets and 9TH
er bedding.
Then there is that little rustic sta
ton, near regimental headquarters,
where the mail sacks are unloaded
daily. The same construction work
was employed on this as the soldiers
will use when they make bridges.
Over the bitches and culverts in the
engineers heighborhood are little foot
bridges, too, such as the Camp Dodge
men will be called upon to build
lover there"
They've all had their turn. No man
has got by" without showing what he
can do with hammer and nails. That
nice. new garage out there, which
holds the trucks and cars of the regi-
ment was made by the men also. The
government has made no provision for
garage for this outfit, so the fell
lows took matters into their own
hands and made one for themselves
They built the corrals for their horses
and mules, and when they want i'm
provement in their quarters, they take
a little lumber and few tools, and
make them, without saying a word tc
anyone.
There is great racket when these
carpenters get started.
1t is just like an anvil chorus, ISM
lit?
There is no chance for the soldiers
at Camp Dodge to suffer from tooth
ache now. Not if they make theil
suffering known anyway.
Thirty-five dental surgeons are OF
the job under Lieutenant Colonel F. P
Stone. division dental surgeon.
Seven of these surgeons are on dut,
at the base hospital. In each OF thu
infantry inf1rmaries there are three O.
| these officers ready to look after thu
| needs Of the soldiers and two denta
surgeons are on duty in each Of thu
| infrmaries Of the artillery regiments
the engineer regiment and infirmarie.
of separate organization.
Equipment for this department ha!
been completed and il soldier ha!
an unruly tooth be may have it treated
free OF charge.
Will people never realize Just how
vast Camp Dodge is?
There are so many men there tina
some OF them have lived in adjoinin,
barracks for months without ever
learning each others names.
And yet quite frequently there ar,
visitors like the interested old lad,
who came Thursday and inquired O
one officer, "Con you tell me where Il
| find the young man who enlisted las
Thursday"
| Is It any wonder that many of tn,
soldiers are absolutely frightened a
the thought Of attending receptions
and similar social affairs?
The older and more experienced OF
ficers mask their feelings behind win
ming smiles and gallant compliments
but the younger men are not so sue
cessful In concealing their fear. Jus
] what are they afraid Of no one knows