Evening star., 1922-07-28
CAMP GREETS new
/ BATCH OF CITIZENS
Tread of Military Feet and
Martial Music Again En-
Iiven Meade.
ID. c. CANDIDATES There
Rigid Discipline to Harden Youths
in Preparedness for U. s.
Defense.
D. c. CANDIDATES THERE

Camp Meade. with its well known
sand roasting beneath a tropical sun,
opened its arms and gave a warm and
hearty welcome yesterday to the citi-
zen soldiers who will make it their
homo for a month.
Weather-be beaten buildings, where
abide the memories Of soldiers train
ing for the great war. echoed to the
military tread. and mess halls which
had fed boys now sleeping in Flan-
ders clattered with tin and aluminium
kit. A band played.
For the new American defense was
being builded. from the volunteer
youth of the land. giving thirty days
Of their lives, perhaps vacation days,
at that, to the preparation of a great
potential citizens army, to stano
watchful and knowing. behind the
grim regulars. for any emergency.
1t was the citizens military training
camp. fed from the Sd Corps Area OF
the United States. From all corners
of the District of Columbia, Pennsyl.
vania, Maryland and Virginia had
come these boys. long and short, faI
and skinny. muscled and snort oi
muscle, but all clear-eyed and eager
for the business ahead that was to De
much perspiration.
Come to Be Hardened.
Youths from country and city Of
fered themselves to the care Of the
hard but kind hearted regular Army
officers. They came from lives OF
leniency, no doubt. to those OF mil
itary snap. to brace up. to muscle up
to train for commissions in the "
fcers' Reserve Corps.
They came not in q group. DuC In
the most diverse manner. They
trickled in all day long from stations
hard by the camp. They were dumped
into huge Army trucks and jolted
To be sure the Army funds paid their
travel expenses.
But to the everlasting credit. no
toriety. too. came several not by
train. not by traction car. not even
by automobile: one rode bicycle
on horseback from Hagerstown and
four lusty lads footed it all the way
from Pittsburgh.
In a class by himself was Clarence
Wheeler of Philadelphia, the cycltst.
He rode his bike from 18th and Burk
streets. Philadelphia, and within a
day and half rolled up to the ofticer
in charge. dismounted and offered
himself. They put him in the infan-
try, as was his choice. in Company c.
All day long from the first train to
the last. on yesterday. the opening
day. throughout today and tomorrow
up until the last car or train pulls
into Camp Meade station, the hot
sands will still be welcoming new
candidates. No. they are not recruits
Don't make that mistake. They are
citizen candidates for officers COM
struck. some time in the wee small
hours of Sunday morning. Col. II. n
Cootes. commanding the c. NJ. T. C..
expects to have somewhere between
! 400 and 1,500 men.
Plenty Of Omcers.
In command will be eighty -fiye ON
GERS and about fifty-fve nom com.
missioned officers of the Regulal
Army. but the budding soldier andi-
OF oficers and non-coms from theil
own ranks to act" !
Green candidates in the red course
comprise the privates. the second
year men, wearing little white circles
around their collar ornaments. per.
experience. while the envied blue.
are commissioned officers.
The citizen soldier Is well equipped
and primises to be we'll rationed and
housed during his stay. From his
reception at camp the candidate
TeaiiHes that ne ls gettlng petteI
clothes and food than the best old
grizzled regular in the Regular Army
For the candidate receives from tor
to bottom a brand-new outfit, includ-
ing all the regulation clothing and q
pair Of fancy gymnasium shoes for
recreation.
For Col. cootes proclaims that he
is going to give the boys plenty OF
time on the side for play and healthy
fun. to keep up their good spirits
There are athletic grounds and a new
swimming pool. four chaplains and q
recreation officer.
The candidates will be fed on "a
cents . day. allowed to a regular
To Witness Maneuvers.
Not only will the new soldiers be
put through the training OF theil
particular branch of service. but they
| will be permitted to witness the exc
| cution of maneuvers BY seasoned
troops, who will be able through long
experience to show the newcomers
just how 1t ought to be done.
! At the training center yesterday
were arriving the regulars who will
serve as examples during the thirty
| days. The 18th Infantry, Sd Cavalry
and Sd Field Artillery will present
these demonstrations. sprinkled
through tho schedule Of tho month
And this brings around tho soldier.
daily schedule. For some Of the youne
blades from the late hours with sweet.
hearts, and moonlight drives, the dis.
cipline Of camp life will prove a diver.
| sion.
The candidate rises at $50 am. (day.
| light saving tfme) and he turns into his
bunk in time for taps at 10 o'clock
Tattoo. that most beautiful Of Arm,
busle calls. will entice the tired ones te
| their hunks as early as $3.50.
Discipline. there will be plenty Of 1t.
II solemnly swear" says each candi.
date, taking his oath, cor affirm, tha-
while 1 am an attendant Of this camI
| ! will support the Constitution Of thu
United States, obey those in authority
of the camp to the best of my ability
And further promise to use my bes
| influence to maintain q high morale
conduct myself at all times in soldierl,
| fashion, and promote q sense of patri.
otic American citizenship. So help mt
| God"
| Discipline to he Rigid.
| Precise discipline will be enforced
say the regulations. 'The meaning o,
discipline will be an important part o,
the instruction. 1t is especially i'm.
portant that candidates learn tho i'm.
portance Of, and the methods Of, de.
| veloping discipline in the training ant
control Of soldiers Of whatever branch
+! The salute. bearing, demeanor and ad.
! dress Of candidates will be required t.
| meet the highest standard Of correct.
ness at all times.
To bolster up that indefinite and yet
| practical thing called a high morale. ).
Col. Cootes has called upon the pros
pective officers to respond, in the ex.
ecution of their duties. with Loyalty
. patriotism and the spirit of nations
| service. discipline. self-respect and
pride, esprit. cheerfulness, enthusiasm
| initiative, resouroefulness. aR9res.
siveness, determination and tenacity.