The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-05-07
SERC'T. CARTER WRITES
INTERESTING LETTER
From CHARLOTTE, \. c.
Co. 10, 4th Reg. M. M.

lamp Ireen, ~. ", April ~, 1910.
The Lakeland Evening Telegram,
Lakeland, Fla:
Dear Sir:-It has been my desire
since leaving D Company to write all
Of my friends in Lakeland. have de-
c.ded that the best way to reach them
all is through the columns OF our To-
cal paper. I am at last assigned to a
permanent organization.
AS you might be interested in the
role that the motor-mechanics are to
play In this war, I shall attempt to
describe them insofar as I am able at
the present time.
To us will be assigned the task,
when we get across, Of reconstructing
and assembling thousands OF training
and fighting airplanes.
The carefully Grated parts are to
be shipped to American aviation
shops, there to be assembled under
modern production systems on large
scale. These machines will be tested
and delivered to the front by pilots
who will also bring back on the re-
turn trips machines which have been
damaged IN service or are in need OF
overhauling and repairs.
Being in company composed Of
men classified as "Atters." my work
will be restricted to the field Of mo-
tors and their accessories. not only on
lairplanes but perhaps also on trucks.
cars and motorcycles of their organi-
zation. 49,
Beside the filters" there VIII be
Triggers" who will work at the fab
ric, wood and wire parts of tho air.
planes; tinsmiths, coppersmiths and
radiator repairmen will do the sheet
metal work. Machinists, blacksmiths,
toolmakers, patternmakers, wood
workers and many other artisans will
be required to complete the organiza-
ton. This will be an industry in it.
self filled from the ranks of civilian
industry with men highly skilled in
their respective trades. Men wishing
to enter this branch of the service
are required to undergo rigid examin-
atoms. They hold rank accord
ing to qualification. In my company
are men from every State In the
Union and in my squad there are no
two from the same State.
After the war these men will all be
In q better position to compete with
others in their work on account of
the experience gained in the army.
There are four regiments of twenty
companies each with 1853 men per
company in this branch and I con.
slider myself fortunate to have been
selected to go with them. cannot
give you any information as to when
we will 90 across for even II I knew,
1t is against regulations to tell.
There is q system In this camp
whereby a man is classified according
to his conduct OF the past two months
and Is given a card to that effect
signed by the company commander. A
man whose record Ia clear of any in
fractions Of rules Ia entitled to an
"A" pass which allows him to be gone
from Wednesday noon until taps" at
II p, m. from Saturday noon until
trill call at 8 o'clock Monday morn
ling, and At any other time when not
ION duty. A "B" card entities one to
the same privileges with the excep-
ton that he must spend nights In
camp.
The main event IN the daily routine
CT soldiers life is the arrival Of mail
80 l hope that my friends will take
the hint. As a suggestion will say
that old magazines are greatly appre-
ciated.
Assuring you that my thoughts are
ever with my old friends and my
fome town, I, remain,
Sincerely yours,
SERGEANT GIBSON CARTER.