Evening star., 1938-08-02
M0B|L|z|NG TEST
RECORD IS SET
121st Engineers Visited by
Gen. Cox in His First
Camp inspection.
By ROBERT A. ERWIN.

Based on unofficial reports thus far
received by the War Department, the
12lst Engineers of the District Ma
tional Guard today were setting a new
record for test mobilization in their
four-day stay at Camp Simms
The engineers, with physical exami-
nations for two companies under way,
are winding up in three days a mobi-
lization assignment that required seven
or eight days for regiments in other
corps areas last year, Col. John Hes
ter, chief of Mobilization Branch No.
3. War Department, said when he
made an informal visit to Camp
SimmS.
Col Hester was accompanied by Col
w. H. Morris. Maj. John Dahlquist and
Maj. E. S. Johnston of the planning
branch. They visited the medical
detachment headquarters where the
enlisted men of Companies E and F.
were being examined this morning.
Cox Visits Regiment.
At the same time Brig. Gen. Alfred
L. Cox. recently appointed commander
of the District Guard, visited the engi-
neer regiment for his first informal
camp inspection. He was conducted
through the barracks by Col John W.
Oehmann, commander of the engi-
neers. and later had lunch at the
officers mess.
Preparations went forward for the
regiments departure at am tomor-
row by train for Camp Albert C..
Ritchie at Cascade. Md, for 10 days
Of training and maneuvers. The regi-
ment will march from Camp Simms
by way of Alabama avenue Sc. STAN
ton road and Sheridan road. Nichols
avenue, Chicago street and Shannon
street to the Uniontown Station in
Anacostia, miles from camp, to board
the train which will carry them to
Camp Ritchie by noon.
Equipment Goes Ahead.
Engineering equipment and bag
gage were dispatched to Ritchie today
in advance of the regiment
The 372d Infantry, colored troops
from the District, already is in camp
at Ritchie. The 104th Medical Regi-
ment from Baltimore and the Marine
Corps Reserve Officers from the Dis
trict will open their two-week en-
campment there Sunday.
Col. L. r. Cole of the Regular Army
today added his commentator to that
of other officers for the efficiency and
promptness with which the test mobi-
lization Of the engineers has been
conducted. I'VE are now doing in
time Of peace what we once did in
time of war" Col. Cole said.
Rifle Practice Under Way.
Engineer companies that have un-
dergone the rigid physical and prop
erty examinations that are part of
the mobilization today were busy in
rifle practice on the Camp Simms
range. This practice will end the en-
tire summer shooting schedule of the
regiment. leaving the Today period at
Ritchie beginning tomorrow for gen.
eral military training and field man
euvers. ~
With three days in camp behind
them, the enlisted men are hardened
up and ready for. the second part of
their summer camp period. Cool
breezes have relieved effects of the
heat to some extent.
The hair-cutting problem confront
ing some of the troopers was solved
by camp cook, Donald E. Mack of
1904 G street NV, who is a cosmo
tologist in private life. Clad in shorts
and armed with scissors and a comb,
Mr.. Mack conducted an open-air bar
Der shop on the lawn opposite regi-
mental headquarters.
At Camp Richie the engineers will
enjoy the facilities of regular mess
halls. Meals at Camp Sirnms are
served from mess tents lining the main
highway through the camp area.