The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-31
WHY SOLDIERS OF THE GREAT WAR ARE NOT
KEEN TO JOIN THE ARMY.
BY j. F. FARRELL.

The government, it seems. is having
trouble getting men for the army. and
the recruiting officers wonder why.
It's a secret. known only to soldiers
Of the great war and friends in whom
they have confided. but I am going to
violate a confidence and give the re-
cruiting officers a tip: it is because
the social status of the enlisted man
~ about on par with that of the hired
girl.
This has been called business age.
but mai.sly II is social age. Every
body aims to wind up his day with a
sociability run. Our social structure
is so built that only two classes of
folks are denied the privilege of as
pirfng to a position in society-hired
girls and enlisted soldiers. The former
are changing to other kinds of work
to overcome the handicap, and the lat
tera now that peace is supposed to
have come announce in no uncertain
terms that they banker not for the
war game.
Officers perhaps won't admit it for
publication. but they know that the
buck private gets nowhere socially.
He simply doesn't belong: isn't there.
Everything is done for the officers
and their social advantages leave moth
ing to be desired. True. lengthy SER
mons are preached for the delegation
of the bucks. prayers are Offered for
their sous ana RESOLUTIONS are dQOpteO
about their glorious deeds but the re-
ception line. the victory ball and the
brick-ic -cream-and- cake stuff are not
for them. and won't be until the >eX-
listing military system is changed. Of
ficers say it cah't be changed. Posi-
bly, so; but If that is the case. the gov
eminent woll continue to appeal to a
considerable extent in vain for enlist
ments by the boys who fought at
Chateau Thierry, in Belleau Woods, at
Verdun and in the Argonne.
Officers, Got Good Women.
I Why, in the Debarkation hospital
at Newport News, where I served as a
Red Cross worker. nurses were pro-
| hibited from associating with enlisted
men, but were expected to entertain
officers and go out with them to par
ties and to the theater. 1 know this
| to be a fact. In France the same rule
was even more strictly applied, and
in all towns where troops were quar-
tered the officers wero given oppor-
tunity to meet respectable women. but
the enlisted men were hindered in ev-
cry possible way from SO doing. There
| is no secret about this, and, it is not
surprising, for the army regulations
makes an officer gentleman" but
it exercises Eno such creative power
with respect to enlisted men. No~ne'
| American man will stand for~enat sort
of thing longer than he has to.
now, InlS Is not a QlatTlDS ABdinc'
| officers-they are entitled to all tht
consideration they receive; but what
I am trying to show is that the army
regulations call for a vicious, Prus-
| sianesque discrimination against those
whose efforts to make the world saft
for democracy are conducted In tne
ranks. I know national guard ane
other officers who tried TO overcome
some of the evils complained of. bu'
! the system" promptly brought then
to time. One officer 70 far forgot hii
military dignity as to dance on tins
same floor with buck. and ne az
but lost his bars. In private life tht
! officer was a shoe clerk and the BUCK
a bank cashier, with social status
about equal.
AmerIcanize the Army.
Personally, I believe it is possible
| to run an army on an American plan
To Americanize tn institution, OF
| course, would mean that the military
! machine now operating would have
Ito be smashed and rebuilt, and TO help
smash it and bring about its recon
| struction would be my most enjoyable
| outdoor sport. l am going-to run 1ol
/ congress some time for that purpose
Meanwhile, I am for General Wood fol
secretary of war. 1 wasn't for WOOD
for president, but the general and
agree pretty well with reference to the
/ military machine, and 1 think that ne
as secretary of war, would trim the
outfit about to my notion.
Let's back Secretary of War Wood
by starting a movement to American
ize the army. The way to do it is &c
write to senator and representatives
They appreciate letters from home
I don't mean form letters which are
all alike. Statesmen pay more at
tention to individual letters. Get per
and ink, stick your tongue out and tel
Arthur Capper or Charley Curtis, OF
Dan Anthony. or Homer Hoch, OF