Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-14
SELECTIVE SOLDIERS WEARING LEATHER
PUTTEES MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN HAND
OF COURT MARTIAL, ARMY OFFICER SAYS
Especial to The Argus.)

Especial to The Argus.)
Camp Dodge, Iowa, Jan. 14.-Enlist-
ed men wearing leather puttees and
other articles of apparel not prescrib-
ed as a part of the regulation uni
form may find themselves in the hands
of a court martial according to Lieu
tenant Colonel Cooper, chief Of staff.
This applies both to soldiers in the
cantonment and on pass. Soldiers on
pass frequently appear at their homes
decked out in practically the garb of
officers. Orders are very strict in this
regard and expressly prohibit the
wearing of leather leggings by enlisted
men.
Infractions were especially noted
during the Christmas holidays. A
great many Of the men have puttees
and saw no harm in wearing them
outside the cantonment. In their de-
sire to appear more natty they simply
overstepped the order. But all in
fractions of the rule will be prose-
cuted. if discovered, according to
Lieutenant Colonel Cooper, acting
chief of staff.
One case of an officer appearing in
non-regulation clothing was reported.
! This officer wearing an English model
overcoat with Sam Brown belt was
noted at one of the Y. NJ. C. A. Christ
mas Eve festivities. An explanation
brought out the fact that he was at
/ tached at Fort Riley and was a can
| Torment visitor.
All non-regulation clothing in the
cases of both officers and men is un-
der the ban Of the war department. but
several of the camps permit slight
variations from the regulation uni
form to pass unnoticed, it is said.
Camp Dodge is said to be one OF the
| best regulated camps in the country
i insofar as uniforms are concerned.
Ground glass has been found in
oatmeal used in the messes, according
/ to division headquarters. Cooks are
urged to use the precautions outlined
in reports of glass found in other
foods.
This is the fourth report claiming
ground glass is being discovered in
| food destined for soldiers. Already at
Camp Dodge particles Of ground glass
have been found in Airline brand to-
matoes and in rice. The division was
notified from Chicago few weeks ago
that glass has been found in Quaker
hominy.
An investigation by board headed
by Lieutenant Colonel J. r. Shook de-
veloped that only very slight amount
of glass was found in four cans of to-
matoes. The particles in the rice were
found in rice pudding, presumably due
to careles handling by cooks.
Ground glass is not the deadly pol
son that popular fancy would have IL,
declared a medical officer. In large
quantities, however, it would cause
death
German may be a dead language
after the war but right now the officer
who can speak it may find himself in
demand within few months. Glasses
in it are being contemplated by the
Young Mems Christian association.
Owing to requests for classes in
conversational German, F. w. Krach-
er, educational secretary Of "Y'' build
ing No. SO, is endeavoring to find out
the number that desire instruction. If
enough applicants are enrolled two
classes will be started at once, for be-
ginners and advanced.
| Two new French classes have been
started under the direction of Build
ing No. SO. Professor Paul Constant,
professor of French at Highland Park
college, has been secured as additional
instructor.
The new French classes which are
free to all officers are held Wednes-
day and Saturday from to 2 p. m. in
the library of Building No. SO under
Professor Constant, and on Monday
and Thursday from 7:15 to s p. m. in
division headquarters. This is under
Lieutenant Melville Miller.
4 Professor Constant also has a be-
ginner's class on Wednesday and Sat
urday from 5 to p. m. in Building
No. 1903. All the original French
classes continue.
Fort Dodge soldiers are being
warned that loan sharks are Operat-
ing in the cantonments using Liberty
bonds as a medium.
Hard-up soldiers are being ap-
preached, it has been reported, with
proposals to lend from $50 to SIS on
each Liberty bond. The sharks are
taking no chances and are placing in
terest as high as 10 per cent.
Liberty bonds are as good as gold
and any reputable bank will give the
market price for the bonds. should
soldiers find need to dispose Of them
Practically every bank will lend
money on them at reasonable rates
on the open market quotations for
the bonds carry only a slight discount
The attention of the treasury de-
partment was called to the operations
Of the loan sharks and resulted in q
mo rninu 70 all training camns from