Evening journal., 1918-08-30
THRILL DAYS FOR
PATRIOTIC KIDDO
Wanted to Get Into Army
Without Four Years
Wait for Draft
CARED FOR BY MEN
DOWN AT CAMP MEADE
sssIP MEADE, ADMIRAL. Md. Aug.

aSa,iP MEADE, ADMIRAL, Md, Aug
~ i3-year-old boy. who did mol
want to walt to be drafted" left TO-
day after Ave glorious days In camp
that he will never forget II he has
many years Of army experiences later
on. The lad was Joe Hanson, Of Darby
Pa, who heard such wonderful reports
IN letters from France and from the sol
diers from Meade, back home on fur
Tough, that he decided 10 pay his own
way and come here He took pains
not 10 let his plan leak out FOR fear
his parents might intern him for the
period OF the war. Not even TO his
chums, equally eager for a taste Of
army life, did he hint OF his plans.
When he did arrive he was at first very
unwilling TO have word sent home. He
begged TO stay and he did stay five
DAYS until his father arrived. The
father, when he saw how the boy was
enjoying the life. said he was sorry
10 drag him away.
The lad was In the hands Of the mill
tary police, who provided him with a
bunk. regular mess and all the com
forts Of life In barracks. They became
much attached 20 him and were sorry,
indeed, 10 see him 20. Little Joe said
that he came because he did not want
10 wait 10 be drafted. He seems to
BE- much grieved by the fact that he
Is so young. His dread Is that the war
won't last long enough for him and
"the fellows" TO have a chance. Peace
will be a shock TO him.
Speed ON Signal Camp.
Almost Ike the work Of magic the
new signal Corps camp Is going up at
Kelly's Crossing. Miles OF railroad
tracks already connect up all parts Of
this newly built area with the olde,
camp. Major r. A. Dennell, construc-
tlon quartermaster, was a builder OF
biz things before the war, and since
hen he has handled some Of the most
5iflcult jobs IN France, as we'll as In
The United States. lie has force OF
hustlers. who are making speed to get
the new camp ready before cold wealth
or. The War Department Commission
on Training Camp Activities viii build
theatre IN the new camp. The \. VI.
r. A. will put up four huts, and the
knights Of Columbus and Young Wom-
ems Christian Association will have
buildings. Miles Of concrete roads are
completed and the problem OF handling
material has been solved In such way
that most Of Il is used almost as soon
as Il arrives.
The army is in need OF competent
sigma. officers, and candidates for COM
missions Will be sent here from all
parts OF the country. The course in
cludes much classroom work, and spe-
clal buildings will provide for this.
Here, as In the old camp, the welfare
buildings win be used for many things
,-5esftieS- amusement
Gwilym Miles, camp song leader, has
new plan for work among the sol
diers. He gets out early In the morn
ing. when everybody Is fresh. over
10 the list Infantry, Just back Of the
pOstoflce, last week, he had the men
gather beneath the trees In the pine
grove. and between infantry drills he
gave them a nice bit Of recreation and
training In singing Mounting box
in the center and. with megaphone In
hand. he led those boys through the
songs in flne style, meanwhile keeping
time with his feet, and without once
losing balauce. There was no musical
accompaniment, but this did not inter-
fere with the enthusiasm Of the men.
Pleased landlords and satisfied ten
HHrH A -