The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-04
Ille BARRACKS
Mi TER OF SPORT.
Process Only Question Of
Broonls, Soap and Water
1t Camp Lewis.
SCENES DESCRIBED
National Army Men Gain
Proficiency in Domestic
Science Work.

Camp Lewis, Dec. 26.--Special Cor
respondence.-When it comes to NOV
ing house the 40th company is in
class by itself. This morning an or
der came that the 4Oth company would
occupy barracks No. "a in the future
The commander spoke to the first SER
geant, the sergeant issued us brooms
and in five minutes from the time the
order arrived our advance guard was
on Its way.
The new building first was thor
Oughly cleaned. This done, the mop
ping, scrubbing and busting followed
Everything from the shelves to the
floor was covered with soapy water
a detail OF men carried firewood from
the forest and roaring fires were. soon
busy drying the floors.
BY 3 o'clock the barracks were ready
for the men and their belongings.
Gain Domestic knowledge.
Preparation for war is the great aim
OF the men at Camp Lewis but while
this aim is always uppermost in the
minds Of the men, the doctrine of do
nestle science is slowly. but surely
Il the men have been quick to learn
the manual Of arms, they have been
equally as quick to learn the manual
Of the needle, and the proper use and
care Of q broom. The versatility of the
men Of the National Army renders
bed-making as easy as "quads right"
and mending as easy as fright OBJ
lique." In fact, the soldiers of Camp
Lewis would be a credit to any do
nestle science organization, and their
proficiency with the needle should add
init them tproviding they could gossip
to the Ladies' Aid Sewing circle It
wouldn't be at all surprising IL, after
the war, the slogan should be: MANS
place Is in the home"
Drill Goes on Apace.
The house moving of the 40th COM
pany was only an incident in a busy
DAY. The work goes on just the same.
At o'clock the parade ground, now
covered with a DOGGY inire, is dotted
thick with poncho-clad soldiers. who
drill regardless of rain and mud. "Dou-
BILE time" Is given more frequently now
by the drill MASTER as the men must be
kept warm.
I AZ they swing into line man win
slip and sprawl In the mud, but he is
on his feet again in second and back
into his place. When rest" is given,
his comrades chide him for his awil-
wardness, but he takes it good ma
turedly, knowing full well that those
who chide him may be the next to
take the tumble.
Mule SINNERS Martyrs.
The mule slxinners are the real
martyrs these days. All day long they
sit and drive in the rain. Mules are
obstinate beasts, but on rainy days they
try to outdC themselves. They seem
to take delight in moving as slowly as
possible. mule driver remarked here
this afternoon: 81 don't mind the rain,
but when q man has to sit on the wag-
on and coax a pair of ornery mules
along (whips are forbidden) it is well
nigh UNDESIRABLE.
Made Christmas Merry.
This Christmas was a merry one for
most of the men at Camp Lewis, but
there Is class that firmly believes that
the fates were against them on that
day. refer to the kitchen police and
the guards. During the long CHEEKY
day the X. P.'s toiled away in the litch-
en- preparing the turkey dinner and
making the mess hall shipshape after
the meal. Because of the extraordi-
nary spread, it was an extraordinarily
hard day for them. Our company tried
to make life as bright for them as pos
sible. While they We're busy washing
dishes and hopping floors, delegation
burst into the room and shouted Merry
Christmas" We Were met with Il flu
sillade of pans and cooking utensils. A
wet dishrag struck our leader square,
~ between the eyes and he shouted a
haSty ITO the rear, march,"
The guards walked their posts in the
pouring rain. In the evening they
looked through the windows at the
stylishly decorated rooms and saw
couples Of dancers dancing to the
strains of a military band.
The lights have gone out so neces-
sarily l must stop. I'm not writing
this in the dark, but in the captains
office, and must not stay long.
FRANK PHILLIPS.