Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-18
America Commander. in
"Tir .sHat and With Gas
.sask, Visits Front.
CONCERNED WITH
COMFORT OF MEN
Finds Cook Who Declares Menu Lacks
Variety, Because of Absence Of
"Grcen StuHs"-lnspection 10 Thor
oush and Men Are Closely Questioned
as to Food, General Health and Con-.
ditions in Ouoouts.
rBy tho Associated Press.l

lBy the Associated Press.
With the American Army in France.
Feb. 17.-General Pershing has COM
pleted a two days inspection Of the
American front northwest of Toul.
In a tin" hat and with gas mask
over his chest. the American COM
mander in chief walked thru all the
first line trenches. splashing thru the
mud and slipping on the ice. He drop
ped down in the dugouts and visited
batteries.
In all places the general asked In
Vulnerable questions. especially Of the
men with regard to food. how they
were and how they liked conditions.
All but one cook was satisfied. To the
cook General Pershing said:
You are getting enough to eat!.
mo sir" the cook lied.
What" said the general, you the
cook and do not get sufficient food I
never heard of cook In that position
before"
Cook Wanted Greater Variety.
We'll. sir. 1 did not mean that. do
not have enough variety"
J he general asked what the cook
had for dinner.
He replied that he had roast beeE.
potatoes, onions, white bread, coffec
and rice pudding.
That seems like considerable VAR
iety.'' said the general. What else do
you want?'
We'll. I would like to have some
green STUFF. SIR
General Pershing then turned to =
long line Of soldiers with mess kits in
their hands and asked
DO you men get enough to eat out
hore."
The line saluted and almost in
chorus came the reply:
Yes sir"
Inspection 10 Thorough.
The general next appeared in regi-
mental headquarters in a town rid
died by shells. The colonel was not
there at the time and the commander
In chief called for all orders and
papers. he sat down and read thru
every one of them
In the dugouts the general suggest
ed some few changes hero and there
some small changes be made.
From a we'll situated point, thru
glass. the general inspected Monte
Spec. and the German observation
posts. from which the enemy has the
American lines under observation for
twenty miles VIXEN the visibility IL
good. Because OF the haze the gem
eral was unable to see the spires Of
fot. s,.,I ala In,
from n certain place.
Couldn't Fool This Sammy.
Many soldiers in line recognized the
commander In chief as he passed but
others did not. One young infantry-
man. after General Pershing and the
general in command OF the brigade
passed. asked:
who is that with the four stars on
his coat"
A comrade informed him. whereupon
the inqulsitive one replied:
rs that So Who ever saw COM
mander In chief Of an army walking
around in the trenches asking some
private what he has to eat and
whether he keeps his feet dry. It's not
being DONE"
Tnruout the inspection tour General
Pershing limped a little, his ankle hay
ing been injured slightly a few days
ago. At the batteries the general
asked the artillerymen the same ques-
tions he put to the infantrymen. max i
ing sure they had no cause for CONF
plant.
Similar inspections trips will be
made from time to time by General
Pershing.