Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-31

july 1918 .1O2bS bI2
August, 1918 ........1l244 T22
September. 1918 ...1lS99 go2
October, 1918 1882 1927
+ November. 1918 1851 14I7
Civilian and Military Guard.
One Of the most striking changes
10 those who have been accustomed
To conditions at Rock Island ARISEN
al, during the period of the war,
was the careful and efficient man
ner Of guarding the government
property by means OF both civil and
military guards, on and about the
island.
Prior to the declaration OF wal
the shop guard consisted of four
civilian guards and four soldiers,
the latter members of the perman-
ent ordnance detachment of the
regular army stationed here. These
men were known as key" men and
reported by means of clocks al
various points in the shops
Immediately after war was de-
c.ared, however, means were taken
to protect the property and equip
ment and a high wire enclosure
had been built around the shops,
the main stoTehOuse and the oil
houses. Upon its completion nine
more civilian guards were employed
to patrol the main gates and the
west railroad gate. Admission to
the wire enclosure could then only
be secured by the presentation Of
the proper pass. At the same time
The gate guards were employed, Is
more civilian guards were placed as
shop guards and given posts
around the shops to patrol. A ser
geant of the ordnance detachment
was placed in charge Of these
guards
In February. 1917, the first bat
talon Of the Tenth United States
infantry was brought to the ARISEN
al for outside guard duty The
battalion numbered approximately
1000 men and patrOIled all the is
land outside the enclosure, estab-
fishing 81 posts where a sentry was
on duty all the time These posts
J included the pump house, railroad
bridges, magazines, power dam and
other places of Importance. In the
meantime many other civilian
guards and members of the ord
nance detachment were added to
the guards inside the enclosure.
Z Members of the ordnance detach-
ment were assigned to escort all
civilians whose business required
their presence inside the enslosure
and Q traffic squad was also or
ganized from the detachment which
handled the enormous flow of pc
destrians and vehicles to and from
-.. --H- = in %
cnings.
During the first week in August.
the first battalion United States
guards relieved the Tenth infantry
from this duty The guards com
prise % officers and about 450
men. This organization was in
creased last week by a company OF
the Twentieth United States infan-
try and both organizations are now
on duty here
Fire Protection.
Prior to January l, 1918, the fire
department was entirely inadequate
for the protection of the huge
amount Of property and many
buildings, and all members of the
department were civilian employees
Of one Of the shops under the di-
rection Of Chief Engineer George I
Paterson. the entire personnel
comprising 30 men.
January /. 1915, two men were
employed as drivers Of the pumping
engine.
About April /, 1918, authorization !
was given for the reconstruction |
Of the department and Dan H /
shire a veteran fireman Of Den |
yer and Davenport, was assigned /
as chief Since that time 90 men
have been employed The double /
platoon system has been placed in /
effect and q full equipment Of the /
most modern motorized equipment !
has replaced the obsolete types for /
merry in use. 4 high pressure wa
ter system has been built and an
electric alarm system installed. .
Fortunately no serious fires have
occurred. due principally 10 the .
propaganda of the safety depart /
uent and constant efforts and in
spcctiOus by the fire marshal ana
chief.
Military Personnel.
From small and comparatively /
unknown military post few
years ago, Rock Island arsenal is .
how recognized all over the cOun-
try as one Of the most noted gov
eminent posts. A large military f.
personnel is unnecessary here be +
cause Of the isolated position and
natural Typographical advantages.
Al the beginning Of hostilities the
post had 10 officers and an ord
nance detachment Of 50 enlisted
men. 6 enlisted men Of the medical /.
and three enlisted men
Of the quartermas corps. This
has been gradually increased bv
authorization Of the chief Of ord
nance until at the conclusion Of the
fighting in Europe there were IS
officers and 169 enlisted
mon In addition there were six
medical officers with detachment
Of A. enlisted men. and three off
GERS Of the Guartermazter's corps
with As enlisted men.
Organization.
Col George ". Burr was relieved
from duty as commanding officer
at Rock Island arsenal February
l5. 1918, and was succeeded by
Lieutenant Colonel Norman +.
Ramsey as acting commandant I'M
hi March :, when Colonel Leroy r
now deceased. assumed
charge. The commanding officer
Of this arsenal is also designated
by the war department as ordnance