The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-12-19
Men In Army
Camps Are In
Good Health
Montana Boys in Fine
Condition According to
Officers Report.
ALL ARE MAKING
EXCELLENT RECORDS

Montana's National Guard, enlist
ed and conscripted troops at Camp
Murray, Washington, are receiving
the best of food, good medical at
tention, ample clothing, adequate
shelter and considerable in the way
of recreational facilities. This is
the advice received by Montanans,
Incorporated, following a request
by the organization to Major Fred
erick A. LANCE, Adjutant General
of Montana, asking him to obtain
first hand information concerning
the living conditions and camp life
of the Montana men now in train
ing. Rumors that the Montana SOL
diers were not being properly cared
for prompted the State Chamber of
Commerce to seek authentic in
formation from official sources.
1t. Col. Poore of Livingston, ex-
ecutive officer of the l63rd Infan-
try. has written the following to
Major LANCE: THE Montana Regi-
ment is considered one of the best
in the camp. To date there has
been not one Single toIit1 martial.
no serious accident, and no actual
case of discomfort The conduct of
the men has been outstanding.
whether in town on pass, or in
camp. The boys are in fine condi
ton and spirits and it is believed
that their friends and relatives will
be proud of them when they return
home for the Christmas vacation. 7
The area of the 163rd Infantry is
considered one Of the best of the
entire division. Streets and walks
in front of the tents have been
graveled. The area has been
ditched and sumps built to carry off
excess water. The tents have floors
and are walled with the exception
of a few on which work is pro-
crossing. Each tent has electric
lights and stove.
The mess halls have been en-
larged, heated and lighted and each
hall has a recreation wing where
men can gather for letter writing or
any other type of recreation. A
large Circus type ten has been
provided for regimental church
services, and recreational activities.
It houses piano, tables and bench
es, has stoves, lights and practical
ly all essentials for the use of the
soldier.
Every man in the regiment has
been issued more than enough cloth
ing so that he will be amply pro-
tected no matter what the weather.
Included in the list of sixty-two
items are an overcoat, raincoat two
pairs of shoes, four pair trousers,
seven suits Of underwear and four
wool blankets.
Since the men have entered camp
the food has been consistently good.
Each man has shown an average
gain in weight of ten pounds. A
Thanksgiving Day menu sent to
Montanans, Incorporated, shows
that a dinner which would do JUS
tice to any home was served.
The mild flu epidemic has found
the Montana troops with one of the
lowest sick ratios in the division.
The epidemic is on the down grade
and the number answering sick call
is nearly normal.
By reason of their excellent show
ing most of the Montana men will
be allowed the maximum Christmas
furlough. Leave will extend from
December 81 to January 2, and
means that approximately 100 men
will return to Montana. Most of
them will take advantage of the spe-
cial rates of one cent per mile made
available to soldiers by the rail-
roads.
Prior to the investigation by Ma
jor Lange, Montanans, Incorporat-
ed, had been asked by several in
dividuals, clubs, and organizations
to create a fund to increase COM
forts and improve camp life for
Montana men at Camp MURRAY.