The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-23
MILITARY POLICE HAVE HARD TIME
 MAKING FRIENDS
First Who Went Over Too Fresh and Did Too
 Much Strutting

With the American Army in France, May .-(Correspondence of the As- sociated Press.)-Pity the poor mili- tary police! They have fewer friends than any other American outfit in France. Partly, this is due to the av- craze soldiers dislike for anything re- sembling policeman, on general prin- ciples; partly it is due to our military police themselves. Tor in days not long past. each military policeman seemed possessed with the idea that upon his shoulders alone fell the great task of ordering around ordinary doughboys and even officers.
 There were some whose first re- sponse to nearly every question asked was 'Il1 run in if you get fresh" Many of that class have been relieved now, but some still remain, and the army as body is hoping that addi- tional relief will come quickly.
 The average American overseas be- hayes himself and knows it. He is in- clined to resent it every time he sees d couple of the husky "M. P.s" swing ing billies. and looking him over sort of squint-like" as one young artil- leryman explained it. No soldier ever passes up chance to shoot a barb in the direction of an "M P.''
 The other night column after column of Americans were walking toward the trenches throwgh town about two miles back of the first lines At crossroad stood military policeman watching the columns pass in silence The members were not feeling espe- cially cheerful that night because it was raining. But suddenly from the middle of a passing company husky voice was heard to shout:
 Hey there, military police, Why don't you join the army and fight for your county"
 That military policeman was mad all over.
 Next morning about an hour before daylight, shells started to arrive in town. The Germans were smelling the same crossroads. Finally, after com ing in with an especially loud scream sixinch shrapnel burst directly over the road junction and the M. P. stand ing in it. A piece of steel about the size of an egg sailed right down in front of the nose of the M. F., while other pieces hit the roof of a building on the. corner. in which the Associated Press correspondent happened to be- breaking off the tiles and spattering them in every direction. The corres- pendent heard the M. P mutter:
 Join the army and fight for your country-huh. The poor boob is now out there in the first line and as safe as If he was babe in his mothers arms, while I, doggone it, have to stand up here like pin in a bowling alley and let Fritz see whether he can knock me down."
 Correspondents have their troubles with the M. F.. too. One of them was entering the gate to a certain generals s house and the M. P. there saluted him. When the correspondent engaged the M. F. happened to notice the green arm band and the red c on his arm.
 Say" said the M. P. Are you an officer?''
 No" replied the correspondent.
 Then why did you return my sa- lute?"
 Why did you salute mel" asked the correspondent, in turn.
 Because I thought you were an off cer," said the M. F.
 T returned it because I thought you were soldier, remarked the corres- pendent.
 The military police organizations that have arrived recently appear to he made up of an entirey different cass or men. They are courteous. carry out their orders to the letter, do not rneddle in things that do not concern them, and for the most part, display excellent qualities. It is said, and undoubtedly with considerably truth, that the dis cipline and morale of a military organi- zation can be determined by the way it's men salute. Some of these new mji tary police of ours are among the snap- piest salutes in France; and that is say- ing great deal.