The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-09-27
QUESTION FOR SOLDIERS
Is Marching Easier at Head of Col
 urnn Than at Tail?

Here is a statement made on seem ingly competent authority, that our boys in camp should report on. Major Wardent Denniss says: For some reason which I have never been able to fathom it is much more of a strain to march at the tail of column than at the head"
 The only suggestion the officer can make Is that perhaps 1t is because the rear of the column marches through the exhalations of those in front.
 This theory is quite obviously inoor- rect, for while it might be true in marching through 8 deep trench, sunken road, or even in an unventl- lated armory building, in the open the least side breeze would upset the assumption. First of all, is it true? I'oes the soldier in the rear ranks grow fatigued more quicgly? In the experience of the race course, in foot races, bicycle races, and even on the equine turf the very opposite is noted We all can recall the astonishing shatter of records there was in the cy- cle world when pacemakers were in troduced. The men who went out in front and set the pace rode a short distance only and then 'fblew up" giving place to others ready to take over the task Meanwhile the rider 1 ing up all the time the fearful pace without severe strain.
 Of course, the fact was that the rt- der behind was passing through a rarefied atmosphere split, as it were, by the pace-maldng machines, but that did not account for the entire phenomenon. The man in front had to do his best all the time without knowing exactly what that best should be. What fatigued him was not merely the muscular action, but even more the mental strain, the anx- Iiety and the doubt in what proportion at each moment he should expend his strength. The other man merely had a routine task to perform, namely that of keeping in touch with the first fellow.
 We know, too, that 1t is only the greatly superior runner in any foot race who can "get out in front and
 show the way from bell to tape" o1
 as sporting parlance has 1t, to make a
 runaway race. If the men are at al
 evenly matched, it Is a 'long-odds' bet that the man who dashes to the
 front at the beginning of the contest
 will exhaust his nerve power before
 the home stretch is reached, and vii
 see his rivals pass him with ease, ant
 finish well ahead. | ba TI7 again is a mental one, due to thu mans inability to gauge his speed ant his anxiety lest he make miscalcu lation.
 With these well established facts il mind 1t would seem that the iron
 lAnk men should be quickest fatigued and that those further back, with on ly the tread of the soldier ahead t duplicate, should be able to hang ol with far less effort
 In any case, this is a most interest ing problem, and as an experience l marcher and commander of men, Ma l jor Denniss' belief must be give weight. Perhaps there is some quit . different scientific or psychological s reason that some of our boys will b
 able to work out.
 ,, It has long been known that to in e tensify the rhythm of the march b . singing, band music, or by merely re a beating the old injunction, "hay-foo r straw-foot," will help on the line, an = it is just possible that the improve : ment is due not so much to rhythr
 itself as to the distraction of the al
 tention from the anxiety of effor
 What do our soldiers think of thI
 matter7 - New Orleans Ttmes-Picay
 ma