Evening journal., 1918-06-17
RECLA|MINC TROOPS
PHYSICALLY UNFIT
Development Ba ttalions S
Formed at Camp Dix are
Doing Good Work
ROUNDING UP ALL
MILITARY SLACKERS

CAMP DIX, N. j., June i7.-organiza-
tlon of a development battalion in the
i53d depot brigade has been completed
as a factor in the system developed at
Camp Dix for the reclamation Of every
possible man available for actual mill
tary service. Hundreds Of men in every
draft are found unfit physically for inn
mediate training work, but a large per-
centage by proper treatment at the
base hospital and through special
courses Of training thereafter can be
saved for effective service.
Soldiers in this class heretofore have
remained on the rolls of their line regl-
ments or depot battalions while under
going treatment but In the future they
will be transferred to the Eleventh or
development battalion In order that all
such work may be centralized and the
men under treatment be given the
best of care and assistance.
So effective has become the co-opera-
tive work Of military and civil authori-
ties in apprehending those who have
evaded the draft that the percentage Of
slackers who have so far escaped Is
rapidly dwindling TO the vanishing
point. In every State that has sent
men to Camp Dix, the roundup Of
clackers is now in full swing and local
boards are striving for 400 per cent
efficiency" in recording for service
every man within the call and many
already have clean states. Records
show that a considerable percentage
have evaded service through ignorance.
but whether ignorance or intention has
been responsible for their non-fulfl-
ment Of the draft law demands, the
universal rule that they shall be in
Quoted Immediately into service when
apprehended Is resulting in their trick
ling in at the average Of fifteen a
day.
Many OF the slackers appear sincerely
repetant upon reaching camp and the
great majority Of the remainder. once
they catch the spirit Of the camp,
demonstrate their willingness TO serve
While they are assigned to a special
company upon reaching camp, the
manner Of their induction into the SER
vice is not permitted to interfere with
their making good in regular organi-
cations 70 which they may be later
transferred. the personal conduct Of
the individual alone deciding the part
he viii play.
Soldiers fined by cOurts-martial here
after will have a long, long trail to
travel in paying Off their penalties as
result OF the order Of Major General
Scott on a War Department ruling that
fines are not 10 be allowed to interfere
with The regular deductions from
soldiers salary for allotmenis 10 de-
pcndents. for Liberty Loan or for war
risk insurance. These deductions are 10
be made as under normal conditions
and the total amount Of the fine will be
assessed over period Of months. with
the assessment for no months In excess
Of the remainder OF pay after the above
are made.
Lieutenant John r. Stack, OF Della
ware. who has been serving I'm the
medical corps OF the Fifty-nintI IDfan-
try, has been transferred 10 the i53d
Depot Brigade. Lieutenant Thomas NJ.
Gregory. Of the 3i9th Field Artillery,
has been relieved and sent TO the office
Of the chief Of STAFF at Washington for
duty.
Instead of retaining their positions
in line organizations while taking a
course in an officers training school,
candidates for commissions who have
been or may be selected will be trans
ferred to a depot brigade or a unit Of
replacement This rule. announced to-
day, will prevent much confusion in
regard to vacancies left when candi-
dates are selected.