The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1918-07-25
ORAF TEES WILL Be
GIVEN INSTRUCTION
Plans Outlined For Making Draft
Men More Fit When They
Reach Training Camps.

Portland, Ore, July 22.-Uncle
Sam wants his selective service men
who are called to the colors hereafter
to reach the training camps mentally
and morally fit in every way, and
with at least an elementary know
ledge of military drill.
The condition in which a man
reaches camp makes surprising diff
ference in his usefulness as a soldier.
Actual experience has demonstrated
that men who came to camp clean,
sober, willing and determined to do
their part, will be ready to leave for
the battle field at least a whole
month, and often more, earlier than
others not so fit.
This having been demonstrated,
Uncle Sam has undertaken a plan to
educate all selective service men so
they will be better soldiers and bet
ter men when it comes their time to
De Cdlleu W the COlOTS.
With this in view, the various To-
cal draft boards throughout the coun-
try have just been notified, through
leaflet from the Provost Marshal
General at Washington, of a method
for bringing personal instruction to
each man by means of local boards of
in ha annninfnI hry
draft boards.
These boards of instruction are to
be composed of thoroughly patriotic
and capable citizens of each commun-
| ity. 1t is intended that they shall do
more than instruct. For instance,
the members of the instruction
boards will endeavor to ascertain and
clear up all the perplexities that may
beset the registrant, and to be of
practical assistance to him in every
way.
The first meeting of registrants
for instruction, the leaflet suggests,
might we'll be at the time of the med
ical examination. The registrants
may be assembled in small groups for
personal interviews, it is suggested.
and encouraging suggestions made to
them as to personal value of military
training and of outdoor life, the
chances for promotion, the aid and
friendly support of the Red Cross,
the Army knights of Columbus, the
Y. M. c. A., the Hebrew Welfare
Board, and the Commission on Train
ing Camp Activities.
Prior to their induction, it is plan
ned that the men shall be called to-
gether once or twice by order of the
local draft board, to meet in groups
for instruction in the following sub
jects:
(a) The provision which the Gov
ernment has made for the protection
and welfare OF disabled soldiers and,
in the event of death, of their famil-
les and dependents, through its War
Risk Insurance Bureau.
tb) The Government provision for
allowances and allotments to soldiers
; dependents, these provisions being so
liberal that the soldier can rest assur-
ed his dependents will be amply car
ed for.
(c) Discussion of such topics as
why America Entered the War;"
why America Must Win the War"
THE Necessary Character of the Am
erican Soldier" Sexual Restraint
and the Avoidance of Liquor as Pa
triotic Obligation" Camp Life" etc.
; 1t is also planned to conduct pre-
liminary military drill to familiarize
: the men with its first principles. 1t
has been found that this work actual
; ly places the men month or so
7 ahead in capacity to become efficient
) soldiers, and of course the we'll drill
, eo man has much better opportun-
, ity of obtaining quick promotion than
> the man who has to begin at the be-
: ginning and learn everything after
; he enters the service,
' The Government is encouraging
$ draft registrants wherever possible to
~ enter local militia reserve organiza-
s. tions in their communities for drill.