Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-24

!
4 eminent archives at Washing
ton. Now and then the officials
in charge of the millions of letters and
documents run across a communication
so delightfully."- human and amusing as
to arouse smiling comment and Curl
osity.
These two letters were written while
the war was in progress:
Post Hospital, Fort Logan. Col,
August s, 1918.
THE company hogpens located on the
easterly sloping bend of the creek run
ming west and south of this depot are
of three groups, viz. south, middle and
| north group.
THE south group of seven pens and
middle group of eight pens are unutter-
ably filthy and in a most grossly un-
sanitary condition, both as regards the
life of the hogs and as a menace to the
welfare of the inhabitants of this depot
! and it's immediate environment. The
interior of these pens is covered with
old bones and litter, and inside and
Immediately in front of each pighouse
proper are holes filled with filth in
which the hogs wallow. The hogs pre-
sent most unhappy appearance and, by
their surlness of temper and fatigue,
demonstrate that they are troubled and
harried not only by their environments,
which are unnatural to porcine taste,
but also by the swarm of flies which
are originating at this station.
The north group of six pens is quite
clean and dry throughout. and the
pigs demonstrate their contentment and
satisfaction by activity, pleasant por-
cine demeanor and general cleanliness
of body. There are no flies present in
this north group of pens
1T is recommended that these pens
be raked clean of bones and litter. the
same to be burned and not merely piled
in heaps, and the interior of pens be
properly graded and drained by bitches
This will guarantee full financial re-
turn and benefit to this depot from the
hogs themselves.
SANITARY INSPECTOR"
After an investigation came this
report:
Fort Logan. Col.
August %, 1918.
ITO the Commanding Officer, Depot.
Returned:
This office learns with deep regret
that decent hogs must pine and fret
and lose their chaste and classic
beauty. because some man neglects
his duty A sense of confidence mis-
placed offends a hogs esthetic taste
and every effort should be bent to
keep him happy and content.
The undersigned is pleased to
learn that this inspector did discern
the difference in looks and style be-
tween the hogs so coarse and vile.
with manners surly and uncouth. in
all the pens extending south. who
not the least resemblance bore to
porkers of the @. NJ. Corps (whose
mems are further to the north as in
above report set forth). These ami
mails so sleek and fine, the pink of
excellence in swine, display upon
look of grateful creatures. The
ouartermasters pigs alone maintain this
high and lofty tone, and their appear
ance, fresh and fair, betokens kind and
loving care.
though in this letter clearly shown.
that making the surroundings cleaner
will greatly change a hogs demeanor
although the fact is likewise true
that in the Army there are few expert
enough in their profession to rightly
read a hogs expression. To tell just
where the trouble lies, by contempla-
ton of the eyes, or by the wrinkles
of his snoot. might stump the average
recruit 1t has been claimed that hogs
will thrive amid surroundings that
would drive an animal of lofty pride
to early death and suicide; that while
his belly is kept full he thinks this
cleanly stuff is "bulI': that plenty in
the way OF eats ms cup OF happiness
completes.
LAS these opinions seem to vary
concerning what is necessary to ele-
vate the moral tone within the hogs
peculiar zone, it is most strongly
recommended that hogs in future be
attended by men expert in reading
faces. who can at once detect the
traces, upon the mournful physiog of
any poor disgruntled hog. that point
to mental irritation or porcine trouble
or veXation.
Psychology is thus combined with
physiognomy refined, and just dash
of the occult might help the ultimate
result. 'Tis thought the man in charge
should be keen and competent NJ d.
Who but the medical department could
have of wisdom such assortment? Who
but a graduate of college could have
so vast a store of knowledge? The
truth is we have no such store of
learning in the Q. NJ. Corps.
1.-The main consensus of opinion. per-