Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-01
MAJORITY OF SOLDIERS
APPROVE ARMY SYSTEM
Commander of Camp Dcvcns Reports
ON QUESTIONABLE Answered
by Men.
MANY POINT OUT BENEFITS
KNOCKERS" Are Gwen Opportunity
to Tell Woes, But Number to Re-
spOnd ns Dissatisfied Proves Small.
One Loses His Girl.

SpOnd nS Dissatisfied Proves Small.
One Loses His Girl.
NEW YORK, May 3i-Major- Gen
cral Henry y. Mccain. United states
Army. in command at Camp Devens.
MATS. submitted QUESTIONABLE TO
lao enlisted men OF the Twelfth hi
vision, regular army. before It's recent
dcmpbi liZation.
His purpose was 10 get tho views Of
the men themselves on conditions in
the army. and their suggestions as to
the best means of improving those con-
ditions The soldiers who answered
tn" questions represented all the diff
ferent elements in the enlisted life of
the army--thc good. the bad and the
Indifferent
been made public. but an official di-
Iest has come into the possession of
the United states Infantry Association
and forms the principal article in the
Aprii issue Of the Infantry Journal.
II is set forth that the question
naire was 50 conducted as to get un-
reserved opinions from all types Of
men under conditions that gave them
content without fear Of repr.maud
Chance for Knockers.
The distribution Of questions was
made so as TO give men known TO be
discounted larger share in the an
swers than their relative numbe RS
would cntitle them to have. In fact
one Of the purposes Of the inycytiga-
iion was 10 get the Viewpoint OF men
who seemed dissatisfied with the SER
vice.
The answers We're interesting and
though 80 per cent Of the question
naircs went TO men supposed TO be
dissatisfied with the service, sos per
cent stated that their army life had
more ways, and only los per cent be-
lieved they had not heen benefited 20
per cent are glad they received their
military training for its own sake and
apart from their patriotic pride in
having served when their country
called; IS per cent favored system Of
universal training, per cent oppos ed
IT. and per cent did not express an
opinion.
Favor Army Training.
Many Of those who offered criticism
and number who were dissatisfied
with their own experience favor uni
versa military training for the youth
OF the country.
They took full advantage Of the on
nortun!ty TO offer suggestions for the
Improvement and the comfort and hap
pincss OF the soldiers. Most of the men
mad something TO say under one of
these headings.
Bet,erhtting and bet,er-lookins
uniforms and improvements in the
mess were the most usual suggestions:
IL per cent Of the men asked for more
careful preparation OF the food, usually
complaining that the Kitchen person
mel was not sufficiently trained. Ia per
cent wanted better-oualttv OF food ny
a different diet
Some Ask Drinks.
"A number asked for the same privi
!eSe civilians have with regard 10
drink but most Of the men seemed
"a SIZED with the entertainments and
socia! HE offered the soldier during the
war Some few complained that too
much care vas taken Of the soldier in
this way. demanding that he he all
lowed TO invent or find his own amuse-
OF the 1881 men answering the
questions. thirty stated tina; their re-
!ision had been harmed while in the
service. but i27 believed their religion
was benefited: iiftv ella lined harm done
TO their morals, AID 227 though, they
We're benefited In this way: 30S men
Toned mat they were benefited in their
haolts and .7+ III their health or
physical strength.
The answers TO the questions as TO
me necessity for. the disciplinary re-
men believed IL is necessary that GOOD
oiscipline and familiarity cannot CO.
eMist' ana mat the, treatment OF the
not mix socially with their own men.
Trained for Overseas.
The men questioned arc represan
,atiHes or 2o.ooo of a divi on that was
ssuS Tor overseas service when the
n
and half months in improving their
training and anXiously awaiting dis
nnarge since they did not get into
na. ne ana We're subject during the last
PHt' OF their training to the same
psychological drawbacks that viii AZ
!eSt me Soidler IN our peacctime train
ing. tnese Twelfth Division men who
came from forty-seven different States
nave about the same state Of mind
NAT our future youths will have when
iney are completing their military
An ANALYSIS OF the answers OF the
men opposed to military training in
dicaiss that they are generally OF the
small majority that is consti,ution.
ally opposed 10 any kind OF sunervi-
SION or control one representative Of
this type expressed himself thus:
Typical Dissenter.
do not think have received anv
penehts. ! need no guidance and ac-
cept none depend upon my own en-
per!enct and not what am told
nriNe all the refoTmers and uplifters
Snc o, eamp; Men able TO be
very lew people capable OF handling
anything or anybody. The
arg ument in favor Of universal mill
tary training is that IL creates n re-
spect of authority ana Improves tha
MIND and body. | don't consider So
ca led Iied respect , for authority good ("
comments of the men:
The army has given me n bro,dar
outlook. One learns 20 consider the
cther man as well as himself. I have
never felt beittv' physically in mt
IKE. nave Strengthened IN my
shoulders. which were bent over. and
nave gotten over the habit Of look
ing at the ground The army has
taught me when given a job 10 get il
done as quickly as possible and TO do
1t correctly. !, mas shown me the
value OF working during working time
ana using resting time 10 rest. | have
also learned 10 keep better hours and
to appreciate being on; in the open
ar and not stay in all the time"
Teaches Appreciation.
1T has taught me TO appreciate
civilian life"
BETTER health. gained twenty6ve
pounds, while | was having infantry
drill. Felt better than ever before.
Have learned to pass the buck and
never expect to carry the blame for
anything as long as any one else is
In the same country. Learned re-
straint before disaGrceable superiors
but perhaps the benefit is neutra liZed