The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-07-01
Scribes INSPECT Camp Dix.


That Camp Dix is the most efficient
emobilization centre in the country
having a record for discharging more
men per week and a larger total to
date than any other camp, was readily
believed and understood after tour OF
inspection had been made, last We'd
nesday, by number of newspapers
. writers from South Jersey and Phila-
delphia. Every detail of the discharg-
ing process has been so thoroughly
systematized that there is minimum
amount of delay in getting the men
through after they have arrived from
overseas.
The scribes reached the camp before
noon, and were met at the railroad
station by General Hale, the COM
mandant, who, after a few words of
greeting, placed the party in charge of
his chief of staff, Colonel White, and
the tour of inspection was begun at
once.
The entire method of mastering out
was shown to the visitors and explain
ed in detail from the time the soldier
arrives until he steps on the train en-
route for home.
The first step after the detachments
reach the camp is to assign them to
barracks and to furnish a good hot
meal. Then, as soon as possible, they
are taken to the delousing station,
! where an antiseptic fluid is applied to
the entire body, followed by a shower
bath, which removes all doubt about
vermin of any kind, of which it was
stated very little is found. During
this process the mems clothing is treat
ed to bath of steam, in huge cyIin-
ders, afterwards pressed by machinery,
and is ready when the soldier has
finished his bath. II any piece of his
clothing is torn or too much worn,
new garment is supplied.
The other processes of discharge in
clude physical examination by the
army surgeons, each a specialist for
some part of the anatomy; the COM
pletion- of the soldiers record, which is
very carefully and thoroughly done in
an expeditions manner in one of the
large buildings filled with many clerks,
and so complete and we'll organized
that %, 900 men have gone through in
a week; the figuring of the mans paw
and transportation home, and the sup
plying of his discharge papers.
After the man has received his
money at the paymaster's office he !
can deposit it or any part thereof in a |
branch national bank near by, and re-
ceive draft payable on sight at a |
bank In his home town. This is pre- |
caution against his being relieved of !
any of his money before reaching
home.
Not only was the mustering-out pro- |
cess inspected, but also other features |
of the camp, which has the reputation
OF being one of the best in the country. |
That the men, including the regular
army garrison, receive good eats was
demonstrated by taking the party 10
dinner in one of the barracks buildings, |
where the visitors ate the same meal i
that had been provided for the dough-
boys, large detachment of soldiers i
partaking of the meal at the same
time. The menu consisted of stewed
chicken, peas, potatoes, celery, pickles,
cucumbers, bread and butter, cherry
pie and ice cream.
General Hale and several other off
GERS took dinner with the party. The
General made short address to those
welcoming them to the camp,
and requested that thorough inspec-
ton be made of the entire cantonment.
He said there is no disposition to keep
anything secret in connection with the
camp. Everything is wide open to
and suggestions or criticisms
are welcomed" i
One OF the many interesting places
visited and inspected was the large,
modern, sanitary bakery, where the
bread for the entire camp is made. 1t
is of sufficient capacity to supply S.,
900 men. The quality of the bread is
unexcelled. It's as good as the kind
mother used to make.
The large base hospital, which since
its establishment has been under COM
mand of Colonel w. Cole Davis, re-
ceived visit and all details of the
work done there was explained and in
spected. 1t is a complete hospital in
every respect, including all the mod
ern appliances known to such institu-
lions, and has fine laboratories for all
kinds of research work. Comparative
ly few patients are now in the hospital.
The convalescents are engaged in vo-
work-basketry wood cary
ing, bead work, knitting, tin toys, etc.
The sanitary arrangements of the
camp are excellent, the sewage system
IS efficient, and the water supply is
first class. Like all military posts.
about the camp is kept
clean.
The method of repairing, cleaning {
and packing rifles of returned soldiers ]
is one of the interesting features of the
camp. Each rifle is put in first-class ,
working order, thoroughly cleaned, /
dipped in oil, and then placed in wood
en- cases containing ten rifles each,
which are shipped to arsenals in New
York or Philadelphia, ready for future !
The capacity of this
department. of the camp is 800 rifles
per day.
Late in the afternoon there was an Il
of airplane stunts by Lieu. 1
tenant John S. Donaldson, IN one of d
the small type planes. 1t was a thrill
ing spectacle of all the fancy and dar-
ing work known in the art of fiying. l
The airman's skill was demonstrated 1
thoroughly just as he was concluding :
MS exhibition. About 500 feet from
Ihe ground the motor failed as he was
ioing nose dive. He managed to '
get the plane in normal position, but {
struck the earth with considerable
The machine was quite bad ,
" damaged, but the aviator fortunate
" escaped serious injury.
During the tour the guests received j
many courtesies from Colonel White.
Major Barron, Major Blanton, Y. M.
c. A. General Secretary Olaf Gates,
and the K. of c. Secretary, in addition ,
TO the officers in charge OF the various ,
departments visited.