El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-24

ion. a Young second lieutenant but
recently graduated from West Point,
was overheard reprimanding an old
time sergeant Nothing was said at
the time. but have IL on the authority
Of the aforesaid second lieutenant him
self that he was called 10 account
BIZ the commanding general for hav-
ing presumed upon his rank TO use
language in addressing a subordinate
which was not only uubecoming and
unwarranted. but which impaired the
efficiency Of a really competent non
commissioned officer by creating in
his mind an impression that rank
rather than efficiency counted in
army service
A civilian. a former newspaper man,
whom I had known in New York, be-
came attached TO the quartefmaste
department, and when we finally es-
ta5ushed headquarters at Colonia
Dublan. was IN charge Of the loading
and unloading Of truck and railway
trains at the great supply depot which
had been established at that point
His was not particularly a bed Of
roses.
While in the main he got along"
with truck captains and other off
GERS in the Quartermaster's corps, he
would have occasional disputes II
occurred to me one day 10 ask him
how he maintained his general good
temper
Because when they get raw know
I can always go to Cen Pershing and
get a square deal" was his reply.
Secret Of His Hold on Men
In the reply Of the civilian, quoted
above. is the secret Of Gen Pershing's
hold upon officers and men who serve
under him They know they can get
a square deal"
Since coming from Mexico I have
heard an occasional officer criticise
Gen. Pershing for his conduct Of the
Mexican campaign. but Invariably the
criticism has come from an officer
who did not relish the hard work
which the conditions Of that partic-
ularly trying campaign imposed
The expedition was sent into Mex
leo for the accomplishment OF GER
tain purpose To accomplish that pur-
pose every nerve was strained and
every resource resorted 20.
Source Of Violent Criticism
While pushing south after villa,
neither men nor horses were coddled-
This was particularly true Of the men.
That horses were spared. in the way
of having them led rather than ridden
over steep trails, was due to the fact
that the spared horse might make the
man more effective later. and officers
who had 10 walk became disgruntled-
Could we have had dependence upon
motor trucks rather than mules and
horses in the matter Of bringing I'D
supplies, we might not have had to go
so long without bread, bacon and
coffee at times, but in deprirations,
due TO lack OF transportation facilities.
Gen Pershing shared equally and
much more cheerfully with those un-
der him
No Patience With Cattle Rustiers.
The punitive expedition was not
long in Mexico before It became ap-
parent to even the most casual o.
server that some Of the men. enlisted
in the American scout service because
they, as cowboys. haG knowledge OF
the country which might make them
serviceable as guides. were really
there for the purpose Of getting a line
on punches Of cattle which they hoped
later they might be able 10 drive into
the United States through the Ameri- [
can lines
This. OF course. does not apply to l
all cowboys acting as scouts or guides. /
Many OF them rendered efficient ser I
vice II, however, those who had /
plans OF their own thought 20 catch Z
Gen. PershiuE mapping they were /
mistaken, as many a one Of them I
learned TO his cost as soon as he be- ]
gan TO put his real object with the /
expedition 10 the test
Many Of these men were diplomats. ]
and managed 10 cover their operations, /
but for the most part their work was
rather raw and their attempts TO 7
vouch for the character Of men who
came in later and attempted 70 round /
up punches OF cattle for which they
had alleged bills OF sale. brought down /
upon their heads the wrath Of the I
man who was in supreme command ]
OF the American forces
Can Use Language II Necessary.
I took occasion 20 say above that
Gen. Pershing rarely permitted him
self to show anger OF resentment T
did not mean then that he always I
the parlor method I'm his in Z
tercourse with evildoers. While he
never became frenzied when he be-