The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-04-09
From Elliott ConroY.

St Paul Nfiun.. April 8. 191S.
Edltog TINES:
The Aviation Mechanics Training
school for the regular army IS not Of
course strictly military post How
ever. they eudeavor 10 make IT as near
like one as possible. We are at the
newly constructed Overland automobile
rtsut. midway between Minneapolis and
ST Paul. and not Very far from the Uni
vsrsity Of Minnesota.
II YOU can imagine "a large Y. NJ G. A
housing TWO thousand men you will have
good idea or what This place is like
There is a large mess hall in the base
usnt Coming here 1T was certainly q
novelty TO eat from china ware and with
civilian knives. forks and spoons after
eating with mess kits and i'm the open
air Of San Antonio. Texas. tYou are no
doubt already advised that was sent
to Kelly Field. San Antonio, Texas from
camp TAYLOR. Louisville. KY The sec
oud and third floors of the building are
used for steering quarters and the
fourth floor for instructive purposes.
Regarding the school. the government
has decided that too many accidents
have resulted on the flying field through
4 lack Of knowledge Of the aeroplane, its
construction and manipulation The
study Is much more interesting than
had imagined il would he. a knowledge
Of physics and mathematics are required
10 obtain a thorough understanding Of
The aeroplane is very simple in CON
strucUon. Strength and efficiency are
combined with Nghtness and simplicity
planes here ana they are used for prac-
veal instruction: also courses in wood
work sail making and metalalurgy are
given. 7 am able now to set somewhat
of an idea OF the stupendous programme
N the air which Uncle Sam is about TO
launch At Kelly Field [ marvelled al
the number and wouderfulness Of planes
and air craft. At dusk. when the air
was stu as many as seventy ships
we're IN the air at one time The sunset
Of Texas is beautiful and with aero
planes dotting the horizon they looked
like so many huzzards; I would catch
myself and others standing gazing at
the sight ewes bulgrne and mouths
cape; 7 was like the rustic gawking at
the skyscraper for the first time
might give you = synopsis Of cur
daily programme. Tt is very much
similar 10 the daily routine in any army
camp. First call is at nve-thirtv q M.
and reveille at fve-forty. Mess call
sounds 81 six and sick call at six-thirty.
A. ten minutes or eight the men line
up for school. Recess at nine-thirty and
recall from school at eleven. We driU
from eIeven-ten to eleven forty-fve a M.
and fall IN line for mess e. twelve.
school again a one p. m. recess at
three and recall from school at four
6fty The men are then At leisure untilI
ave-forty-hve, when they stand retreat
This Is one CT the most impressive
formations or phases Of army life The
men stand az attention while the coIors
are being lowered and retreat call souud-l
ID With Two thousand men standing
on the field in perfect alignment. onel
cannot help but thrill with patriotism
and fervor at the grandeur OF the regu-
lernv army or the United States oil
America
Lights are out at nine 7. m. as usual |
sud TAPS sounds at ten. except on sat
urdsy night when It is blown az eleven. |
T. IS absolutely necessary that the boys
ne in before these times or measures oil
punishment such as fatigue Cwork). X. |