The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-11-21
TOUGHEST OLD MARINE FINDS
THAT POLlTENESS IS PAYING

York, he has been selling this know
ledge to those who want snap, polite
ness, courteous demcanor and rigid
discipline among their employees.
His big parade goes on constantly
at five of New York's largest movie
houses and in a chain of theatres
from coast to coast. Other theatres
have emulated his training methods
and now he has expanded his opera
tions to department stores. Hcreaft-
err, nice old ladies looking for Isle
hose or lavender sachets will be d.
rected with strictly military cour-
tesy.
Straight and fit, with square, trim
shoulders and cold blue eyes that
command attention, the sergeant be-
lies his IS years and is q tribute to
the stern Marine training.
Bred and Born Soldier
He was "born in a knapsack," as
they say in the army, the son of an
ordnance officer at Fort Lawton,
Seattle. Wash. At the age Of 20,
he enlisted in the 1st Cavalry at
Fort Clark, Texas, and in 1893
fought in an Indian campaign. He
was "paid off" in 1898 and rc-en-
listed in the Marines at the out
break Of the Spanish-American war.
Aboard the battleship Baltimore, he
watched Admiral Dewey defeat the
Spanish navy at Manila, and later
marched into the city when it was
bombarded and captured.
The Boxer rebellion in 1900 found
him in China, after 4 transfer from
duty from the Philippines, and in
1910, after duty in Cuba, he went
TO Nicaragua.
When the battleship North Dakota
blew up at Cape Henry during q test
run in 1910, lie Gendre was the only
man to be saved out Of 80 in his
detachment. Finally, to send a son
through college, he became a "stunt
man" in the movies. In 1921 he
spent six weeks in a hospital after
completing an 83-foot jump on
horseback, doubling for the then
famous Thcda Bara in the picture
Carmen"
Bugler on M~ayflower
For q time he was bugler aboard
the presidential yacht Mayflower,
While at Oyster Bay, he taught
Quentin Roosevelt rough riding
tricks.
Today lie Gendrc is as strict q
disciplinarian as he ever was in the
Marine Corps.
Promptly at 8 o'clock every morn.
ing a bugler sounds drill call" atop
the roof Of the department store
building where he now is installing
his system. The boys fall in with.
out their regulation uniforms AND
are given Is minutes Of setting-ur
exercises. He then lectures them il
posture, courtesy and general con
duct. They are dismissed and re.
port again at 8:45 for q rigid full
Uniform inspection. Shoes must b
shined, clothes pressed and buttons
polished. At $3.50 he forms the com
pany and marches them to their vari
Gus posts for the opening Of thu
store at 8 o'clock.
The boys are given Is minutes res
periods in the morning. Sergeant
lie Gendre or one Of his two aidel
makes q constant round Of the store
relieving boys who may become
fatigued.
Keeping Up Morale
At two o'clock in the Afternoon
the boys arc relieved in groups Q,
five and 60 back to the roof fol
another short physical exercise AMI
examination on the lessons Of til,
morning. This is done to keep "
their morale throughout the day.
ut is the work / love-" said TIL
old sergeant. "When ! get through
with my ushers you can bet the,
know military discipline and are bet
ter off for It. In addition to that
they are well trained in politenesi
and IRE in good physical shape. They
are taught that the patron Is ~
ways right and to respect the wishel
Of every customer. They are TIL
contact men Of their organization
and they add greatly to the success
81 4 theatre ar a gtOre.W