The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-08-29
UNCLE TED'S
BEDTIME STORIES.
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Uncle Ted had just returned from
one of his frequent trips to Washing
ton. and had gathered the children
about him for the story that they al
ways expected after his visits to the
National Capital.
did you see anything new this
time?" asked Jack. 81 suppose you lis
tened to some of the date in Congress,
and called at the Departments, but
can't you tell us about something else
that we haven't heard of before?"
Yes" chimed in Ruth, how about
soldier story? We haven't heard
much about soldiers since the war
ended Have they all taken off their
uniforms and gone homer"
NO" said Uncle Ted, I'VE have
more than a hundred thousand men
still in the Regular Army, but what Is
sveu more important as q national de-
tense is the training that the govern
ment is giving every year to our citi-
zens 1t was Gen. Leonard Wood who
conceived and organized the first cit
liens training camp at Plattsburg,
New York. You remember that the
late President Roosevelt thought very
highly fthe project, and paid visit
to the men at Plattsburg and compl-
mented them on the work they we're
doing. That was before the United
States entered the Great War, and the
men trained there were of tremendous
aid in getting our draft army into
shape.
"The men at the Plattsburg camp
had to pay their own expenses, but
since then the Government has recog-
nized the benefit of citizens military
training. and each year Congress APP
propriates money TO rthe purpose. In
all parts of the country camps are
established every summer, some Of the
big cantonments built during the war
being used 70 rthc purpose. Regular
Army officers and reserve officers are
detailed to the camps as instructors,
and the students receive an intensive
course in drill and the science of war
This year the camps opened on July
9th and closed on August 26th. About
$4,000 men we're enrolled. many of
them high school boys. They all VOL
UNFAIRLY gave up months time and
effort, without pay, in order that they
might do their part toward more eff
cient national defense. Their expenses
| were paid by the Government. Hard
work and long hours were their daily
| program, but a canvass of the men
show that practically every one of
them is willing and anxious to attend
the camps again next year.
"One of those big citizens training
camps is near Washington, at Camp
Meade, Maryland. where many thou
sands OF men were tarined for over
seas fighting. There were 1858 stu
! dents at that camp, and while l was in
Washington they all marched into the
city and were reviewed by President
Harding on the big Ellipse south of
the White House. There was a batal-
lion of infantryq, 12-gun battalion
| Of artillery, and battalion Of cavalry,
with three fine bands, one of them
mounted. President Harding, Secre-
tary of War Weeks, Gen. Pershing,
and many officers from the War De-
partment reviewed the boys as they
| marched past. Their appearance
| would have done credit to any Reg
ular Army organization, the infantry
maintaining their lines with precision,
and the artillery and cavalry execut-
ng difficult maneuvers as though they
| had been accustomed to arm life for
years. The sight made the blood tingle
and / could easily understand no wit
is that the applications for the camps
each year are far in excess OF the num-
Der that can be accepted.
After the review the artillerymen
an dthe cayalrymen dismounted and
gathered wit hthe other soldiers In a
group near INC fTeblutHI W TeCelNe uib
congratulations on their splendid
showing. Mr.. Harding declared that
the review had furnished a most i'm
pressiye and reassuring spectacle. In
the midst OF peace, and with the Reg
ular army reduced in accordance with
our ideals, he said he liked the assur-
ance OF safety that came with the evil
denoe of military efficiency he had just
witnessed.
at Is fine thing for the young
manhood Of America declared the
President, to turn from the ordinary
engagements fthe vacation season
to a study Of military service and
training for service. ! am not sure
however, but you have profited quite
as well AZ your country-if my eye
testifIes correctly You have benefited
from the physical training which nj
ways means n higher state OF Amer
lean manhood. You have benefited
by learning discipline. You have bene
nted M all America might we'll benefit