The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-10-25


problems. Moreover by the same spirit
Americans here at hame have attack
ed and solved certain problems affect
ing the soldiers which hitherto had
been deemed impossible Of solution.
Once the spirit became manifest in
the determination of the war depart
ment commission on training camp
activities to safeguard men in camps,
both physically and morally, ways
were found to enforce laws considered
unenfcrceable and to abate conai-
tons before accepted as permanent
The case of Corpus Christi. Texas,
as narrated by Mayor Roy Fl. Miller,
is typical Of what has been accom-
plished in that direction TWO years
ago that community a city Of 1900,
neither better nor worse than others
in the land, became the base Of the
Texas brigade of the national guard
5000 strong, just returned from a so
journ in the mesquit along the Mexi-
can border Though the city was
Dry" booleggers Piled their trade
gamblers found victims, and the city
fathers under charter provisions main
tanned a segregated district 1t be-
came apparent at once to the officials
that something must be done for the
men in uniform So an attempt to
clean up" was made merchants
were pledged to charge no more to
soldiers than to regular civilian Gus
toners, the police were instructed
to drive cut gamblers and the illicit
liquor dealers, the regulations affect
ing prostitutes were frightened.
Moreover, the citizens undertook to
provide in their home and churches a
certain amount Of social life for the
men CHARTERED in Corpus Christi. But
there was nothing resembling an or
gained program directed by experts.
The results satisfied the local Off
Gals and the army authorities in the
district.
"But looking back now" reclares
Mayor Miller, 4 can readily see that
the whole arrangement was merely
an invitation to the men to visit IN
desirable places"
Then in May, 1917, the secretaries
Of war and the navy were ordered to
do everything by them deemed ne
cessary" to protect men in service
from prostitutes and liquor-sellers.
Barred zones were created and the
work Of enforcing tn. new regula-
tions was turned over to the commits
sions on training camp activities,
The result was the accomplishment
of the impossible.
"A certain regiment left for some
where in France a short time ago.
after being stationed here for nearly
a year" said Mayor Miller Its per
sonnet, both officers and enlisted men,
had become a part of the city's life
Indeed the attachment had grown 50
strong that when they took their de
parture it was like the separation of
members of a family | doubt very
much if among the hundreds OF thOus-
ands of American boys who have gone
over there. there is an organization
composed CT men better fit physical
ly metally. and morally, or in any
particular which goes to make up u
good fighting man. That we atmos-
phere in which they we're trained
had much to do with this fact, I have
no doubt. During the time the regi-
ment was stationed here there was
not a single death nor serious case
OF illness among the men OF TIE com
mand The record of the regiment
in respect TO intozication and social
disease vas remarkable This is the
record Il achievement Of the law en-
torcement division CT the commission
On training camp activities hose
plans when FIRST ANNOUNCED #eia con
s.derai Tie Ideals 81 t44 df-amar..
bat which haFe proven VIE wat taetc1
la rttn4 the en no~r es~,a
e.al ea winning r
Corpus "t e'r trans
Jean a9 la4e,s.