Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-26

Located somewhat TO the northwest OF the
town, the site is rich in Revolutionary tradi-
ton and the contrast between the primitive
earthworks Of those days and the elaborate
trench systems Of the war Is striking.
The old stone house occupied by Major
James J. Meade and his staf was built more
Of Mad Anthony Wayne during the entire
Valley Forge campaign. General Washing
ton spent some. time there during one OF the
really determined raids made by General
Howe's forces and personally directed the
defense.
Now this ancient house has been fitted up
with shower baths. telephones and electric
lights. On the sloping hillside where the
"tattered heroes crouched behind their post
and rail redoubts stretch rows OF brown
tents.
In the hollow where General Wayne
parked his mus1le.ioaders are lines Of held
telegraph and telephone wires lines Of mar
row trenches for carrying those wires when
close to the front and a sector Of front-line
trenches, built just like those along the
Marne
Those who have visited the big training
camps-Camp Dix. at Wrightstown. N. j.,
and Camp Meade, not far from Baltimore
are familiar with the modern trench as used
by the men. But these little slts In the
ground that carry the wires, the vital factor
In the warfare of today, will be a novel and
interesting sight to most people
This marine camp has been named Camp
rIu"dTo u FuIleI, aIteT captain Oh
the marine corps. who was killed while lead
ing his men In action June IL last near
Chateau-Thierry. Five weeks ago the site
was a barren waste, with grass and weeds
from one to three feet high. Now 1t is
hummng hive Of industry. with streets. a
parade ground, mess halls, a canteen, a hos
pital and Y. NJ. c. A. shack.
street Drainage Good
The streets have stone-lined cutters, are
crowned n the n give nerfecf dra in
age and every detail has been worked out to
perfection. There Is a constant and unre-
lenting warfare going on against flies Lime
Is used freely with creosote as an effective
aid. and In consequence the whole camp is
singularly free from the pests. Measures
taken the day the advanced guard arrived
have eliminated mosquitoes and none Of these
buzzing bearers of disease germs has been
seen since
There have been some minor accidents,
cuts. bruises. falls, sprained ankles and so
on, but not one case of real sickness since
the camp opened Yet there have always been
between 500 and 500 men there and often
as many as 500.
lgence. initiative and mechanical ability.
They are being taught radio and telegraph
operating. field telephoning, signaling in all
IT'S branches, wis-wag. heliograph. by using
electric lights at night.
They are being taught how to set up and
take down a held radio apparatus In four
minutes. They are being taught how to set
up heavy lines Of wire. the kind that stretch
along the principal roads between big cities
This Is rudimentary stuff and easy for any
one with brains to pick up. But it's when
the wires that connect regimental headquar.
ters with the most advanced listening post
draw near the front-line trenches and within
range OF the enemy artillery that the work
becomes more complicated.
II there is time the narrow but deep
trenches already referred to are dug. If
there IL not time either shallow trenches,
about Is inches wide are scooped out or a
temporary line OF wires Is hastily strung on
long poles known as "lances" and carried
for the purpose.
Taught Wire RunninE
The men are shown how to tap these main
cables for lines to run off to the various
posts in the sector, how to get their wires
over or under any other cables belonging to
adjoining sectors that they may come across.
a They learn how to put up makeshift
switchboards and how to make them perma-
nent. For an hour or two each morning and
afternoon they go to school and learn all the
wrinkles of the sending game.
The latest tips on how the work is done in
France with shells pouring down on the men
as they labor are impaired to the men by
Lieutenant Charles William Smith. French
man. who is a member of one Of the few
Smith families In France. His remote ances-
tors left England because of a disagreement
with the powers tnat ne ana never ChangeQ
the spelling of their name.
Lieutenant Smith was educated In England
and speaks the language 1uently. He is
popular with the marines and was declared
by Major Meade to be a remarkably fine In
structor. He served for three years with the
Eighth French Engineers and knows every
trick Of the signaling trade.
There are now In process Of construction
at the camp three schoolhouses. 70 that the
teaching can 60 on, rain or shine. At present
the classes meet under the shelter of big
apple tree. A machine shop Is also being
built. Big arc lights are being strung. the
camp II being fenced with barb wire and 1t
is expected that all the preliminary work will
be completed within week or ten days.
Then the men can settle down wholeheartedly
to the task of learning their trade.
An interesting feature of this camp is that
the men have done all the work themselves
They have cut the lumber. erected the build
inss. put up the wires for the internal tele-
phone system that connects headquarters
with various parts OF the cantonment, in
stalled q most ingenious set of refrgerators
one for each company, cut down trees, moved
tho grass. built roads, dug cutters; in fact
proved that not only are they Jacks of all
trades but master of them to boot
These refrigerators or ice boxes as the
men call them, are all set In high bank
The earth has been dug out, the interior
lined with boards and two compartments
made, one for meat, the other for vegetables
camounaged with limbs Of trees bearing their
leaves and with vines
Carrier Pigeon Service
The carrier pigeon. which has proved so
useful In trench signaling. Is also a feature
Of this camp. A regular pigeon service is
maintained between the camp and the ma
rine barracks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
the birds taking about twenty minutes to
make the trip from yard to camp or return
The distance by air line 10 estimated at about
seventeen miles. Captain Merrill, of the
il7th Company, is the ''pigeoneer." to quote
Major Meade, and he knows every one by
name.
The social side Of camp life has not been
neglected by Major Meade and his staff
despite their desire to train their men
promptly and thoroughly The people of that
section have been lavish In their hospitality |;
they have arranged all sorts of entertain
ments for the marnes-dances. motor rides.
informal affairs of many and varied kinds
There Is a fine swimming hole not far from
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