Evening star., 1935-08-22
GUARDSMEN TURN
ITO ROAD BUILDING.
Rains Cause Suspension of
. Training Schedule at
Camp SimmS.

The regular training schedule for
the Di.trict National Guard at Camp
Simms was suspended this morning,
and the troops turned out for emer-
eency road building operations made
necessary by the protracted rains
which softened the clinging soil to
point where the heavy trucks were
begged.
Under the direction of Lieut.. Col.
Julian S. Oliff, executive officer of the
i2lst Engineers. the part-time soldiers
began construction of loop at the
end OF the present roadway to permit
vehicles to turn without running onto
soft ground.
It is planned throughout the two
weeks training period. which began
last Saturday, gradually to extend the
main road toward the site about
quarter of mile distant which Col.
John w. Oehmann, camp commander,
wants prepared as future camping
ground. 1t lies across the creek from
the present encampment.
Despite the handicapS the Guards
men have faced at Camp Simms,
which was not in shape for the en-
campment and present all the diff
culties of operation in the field. the
health of the men has been better
than under the country club" condi-
tions they encountered in previous
years at Cascade, Md, permanent
camp of the Maryland Guard.
Ailments Of Minor Nature.
Only about half the number of last
year have been responding to the
daily sick call and ailments have been
Of minor nature, such as bee-stings,
blisters and colds, Mai. Joseph J.
Greenlaw, camp medical officer said
today. The medical detachment has
been especially careful to take all pos
sible precautions to safeguard the
health of the troops under the rough
conditions.
Regimental day yesterday was a
muddy affair, but the Guardsmen
paraded across the sticky field without
grumbling. One hundred and fifteen
recruits and five new officers were
anducted into the regiment. The Off
GERS we're First Lieut.. E. J. c. Hilden-
brand, Medical Corps, and Second
Lieuts. James D. Tanner, Reynald C.
Feldt, John E. Coughlin and Lewis A.
jackson.
Members of the 29th Military Po-
lice Company and the headquarters
detachment. Goth Division Special
Troops, looked on, as the Engineers
stood in front of the unfinished box
ing stand and listened to addresses
by Gen. Fries, Col. Oehmann, Maj.
D. Lee Hooper, Regular Army instruc-
tor, and Chaplain Arthur L. Smith.
Great Lies' Branded.
Gen. Fries branded as great lies"
statements that war is inhuman and
never settles anything.
He said invention of weapons and
military organization was the great
est invention of the human race" and
called the profession of arms the
noblest and most honorable in the
world"
If I had my way, every youth in
this country would be compelled to
take two or three months military
training annually" he declared.
Z Col. Oehmann, who has been in
command of the regiment for IL years,
told the men they were fortunate to be
at Camp Sinlms. because 1t is close to
Washington and affords them greater
opportunities for training than would
o more finished camp.
His remarks about the object of
their training differed somewhat from
Gen. Fries. He said it was a sort
of game We're not learning to
be bloodthirsty," he continued" we're
only preparing ourselves for danger"
Maj. Hooper commended the men
for the cooperative spirit they have
shown.
Individual Mention.
In the reading of concentrations
by Regimental Adjt. Earl Smithson.
Capte Samuel r. Turner, George w.
Johns and Hugh Everett, and First
Lieut.. John T. O'Neill received indi-
vidual mention for excellence of ap-
pearance and equipment.
Maj. George j. Allen. 29th Division
staff medical officer, was taken to Wal
ter Reed Hospital yesterday suffering
from a gastro-intestinal disturbance.
His condition is not considered serious.
Daily inspection yesterday resulted
In the kitchen flag being awarded to
Company E and the flag for the best
policed area to Company B.
A battalion parade for formal
.~I III L.. l>TI La
noon II the weather and condition of
the parade ground permit