Evening star., 1925-08-16
CRASHES GREET
D. c. GUARD |NCAMP
Motorists on Wild Machines
Create Terror as Local
Engineers Arrive.
BY WILLIAM j. WHEATLEY,
STAFF Correspondent.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va, August Is.
- With a series Of motor cycle
crashes, in which one of the machines
went through a building; collision
between the troop train and an auto
mobile shortage OF food. which left
some of the troops without lunch, the
12lst Regiment of Engineers and the
29th Military Police Company. Ma
tional Guard of the District of Colum-
bia, arrived in camp here late this aft
ernoon for a two-week period of nj
tensive training in the field.
After making a precise getaway In
true military style and arriving in
Norfolk on schedule. the entire regi-
ment stored its packs on the waiting
special train and assisted in unload
ing the transport.
Men Dive for Safety.
Two motor cycles Of the Headquar-
ters and Service Company and one of
the Military Police Company were
manned and ordered to proceed to
Virginia Beach over the road. Off
with a flying start, the first went
crashing down the dock, soaring all
of the military dignity out of a COM
pany of engineers, as the men dived
for safety and the officers uncere-
moniously sought the protecting cover
of d steel storehouse wall on the
theory that safe getaway was more
valorous than a determined stand
against metal steed.
A steel tool trailer of the Engineers
Regiment ended the rambunctious but
none the less exciting movement.
simultaneously with the resounding
crash came a hoarse-voiced order from
a safe point behind the steel building,
forthwith relieving the driver.
Another Cycle Starts.
AS the troops cautiously resoughr
their places, another motor cycle lit
orally jumped down the dock and into
the railroad yard, where 1t plowed
through the wall OF q frame office
building, stopping with its front wheel
at the desk of a clerk, as the Others
in the building sought the safety OF
the outside clearing, where they re
manned until the motor equipment was
we'll clear of the railroad property.
Hungry soldiers must be fed, and as
there was no provision for midnight
rations on board the transport last
night. a foraging expedition. secretly
organized, netted It 100 box luncheons
and they went to bed happy, as did
the drowsy guard put over 1t.
The responsible guard company. ths
military police, were put at the en-
Of the line, when the luncheors Were
distributed today, and the supply gave
out just as the head of that COMPANY
reached the distributing point. 1t left
them hungry on their train ride, with
appetites whetted by the ride on salt
water, and wondering if it paid to
sleep on the job.
Two Hours on Way.
After maneuvering all over Rerkley
and touching on every siding. the spe
cial travelled In regular troop-rrain
routine. making a journey of nearly
2 hours out OF an ordinary 40-min-
ute ride.
AS If the usual delays were not
enough, while the train was back
ing on the spur leading from the main
line at Virginia Beach to the rife
range the troops were Jared out OF
their seats by a thud and sudden
halt, and all clamored quickly off the
train.
An automobile left parked too close
to the railroad tracks was struck b.
the train. fortunately with the only
damage that OF tearing the rear steps
from the parlor car which was az
tached to the special.
This was enough excitement to Al
the needs of any troops short Of a
real conflict. and they piled off their
train in camp, led by Col. John ".
Oehmann and the l21st Engineers
Band, marching to their campsite
within 100 yards of the railroad
track and a quarter of mile from the
Atlantic Ocean.
Quick work was made in unloading
the camp equipment from the cars
and within a remarkably short time
there came into being the tented city
y, iol, IT, fo 49,
and which will be their home for the
next two weeks, while they are going
through the training schedule, to fit