Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-08
CHAPTER VIII.
Columbia Forever!

on his work of administration and
craftsmanship in Cuba and the
Philippines as follows; . . the
most successful career, whether as
soldier or public man of any sort,
the the Spanish war and its con
sequences brought to the front"
That was the universal opinion
Of governmental leaders who were
| in most intimate touch with men
and affairs during the period of
ltEe Spanish-AmeriCan war and the
years following il. And the lead
ers who grew out of that period
! and had most to do with the ma
tons affairs during the last five
years got that same impression Of
| Wood, even more intensified
But to return to the story of
Wood, the builder and administra-
| tor.
After the Moros had been put on
a basis of civilization. Wood re-
turned to the United States for a
short time, and then he was In
trusted with the task of com
rander in chief of the American
forces in the Philippines.
That was in 1905. BY 1908 the
country was in splendid shape,
| Law and order was established
firmly and the natives were in bet
| ter condition than in all their his
tory to take a big part in their own
/ government. And even now, the
work of educating these little peo-
PIE in government and self
sustenance, is being carried out
along the lines originally laid down
i by Wood. ....
Wood was transferred in 1908 to
the United States to take charge
OF the department of the east, the
first military command he had
held in this country since his cap
| taincy in the line during the days
of Indian fighting, years before.
l. Before carrying the thread of his
story away from the Philippines. 1t
is well to consider one of the big
factors of his success in his work
lin the islands and in Cuba, Next
to education he devoted most of
his efforts toward getting the peo-
pie onto the farms, to produce food
land thereby make their respective
lands as Independent as possible.
! "Agriculture Is the backbone of
any nation" was Woods view then
land he hasn't changed it since. In
face he believes one of the big So
buttons OF Americas present day
problems lies with the farmer.
"The farmers of America make
up a full third of our population
and the welfare of the nation Is
! ractically bound with theirs" he
said in a recent letter to Clifford
Pinchot. yet the benefits of
| modern civilization have not been
extended to our rural communities
in any such measure rs they have
a right to demand. ...
Education for farm children
should be universally accessible
and special efforts should be made
toward training for life on the
4 farm. We must see that the schools
are up to the standard of the city
schools and that there are suitable
and abundant roads and other llnet
of transportation.
Farmers have a right to expect
from every national adminlstra-
ton department of agriculture In
, full and intelligent operation
!! with the farmers and the great
farm organizations of America
) Relieve, too, in a far larger meas
ire of direct dealing between pro-
\ ducers aad consumers of food. Toe
small a portion of the consumers
cost gets back to the producer, the
farmer
Secure provision should be
!. made to enable farmers to obtain
4 adequate credit SO as to extend the
farming interests of our country.
: Leonard Wood always has had
on abiding belief in the boy and
leirl on the farm and always in his
. administrative capacities, has giver
Them every chance to live a decent
life. ...
When Wood finished his work Ii
lfhe department of the east he was
'lsent, to the Argentine Republic az
Especial ambassador during its cen
ltenary celebration. Then he be
came chief of staff, head of thu
military forces of this country
which tremendous responsibility h'
shouldered for four years.
In 1914 he found himself com
lmander of the east again.
For a year Wood had been hear
ling by the grapevine routes tina
1.-The leaders of the nation have o
Iobtaining foreign news Of import Il
this country, little whisper
lof trouble impending. Their
was nothing definite. it was NOR
vague and far away than a summe
cloud in an otherwise clear sky
But it was enough 70 warn Wood
so attunded is his heart and sou
Ito malice toward his country or t
circumstances which might affec
lit, directly or indirectly.
III may have been these vagu
lrumors that prompted him or !
may not but at any rate, in 1918
Wood Joined in the movement t
establish summer camps to trali
Young men to become officers a
short notice. 1t was the nucleus o
a work which saved the uhlte'
Estates thousands OF her best Souni
III men later on. ~.
There were two camps IN 1915
lsrowing to four in 1871 4. as the wa
i clouds hogan to grow biaeker' II
I1gl3 there were 222 graduates an
lin 1914 there were 667, .,,
Then a craZed lunatic in llttl
country fired the shot which, TX
4 1.-The famous bullet of our revolu
ton, was heard around the worlo
Gray-clad hordes Of Prussian,
their dull eyes lighted at last W.T.
! the knowledge that Der rag ma
IN arrived, pushed ahead and sWep
ahead and rushed ahead. on TN
choked road to Paris. They cheef
ed and sang as they came IN thei
blood-lust and under the outlet o
their pent-up hate.
Wood and a few high -hearte
patriots of the nation realized a
once the vest significance OF IN
i European war" as we OF IN
newspaper copy desks were wont !
4lLeadline it--then. They could 100
into the future and. see the, sir
iyoung strip1ings who were hoN
/ buying the evening extras for IN
war news creeping through IN
POPPY fields in northern France
Llssa- -thara.-chaEging headlong--lnt
the even, soaring line of fire frer
1 n .~.t. 80