The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-27

On the Home Front!
Our war department and army camp commanders have
given much consideration environment of our
soldiers and the US0 has been spending and will continue
to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars provide whole
some recreation and entertainment for them.
However. when passes the moderation point in any
program it is likely to bring about the defeat of the
purpose for which it is intended to result in false
mental sidetrackng of the responsibilities which must al
ways 60 with the wearing of the uniform of the United
States Of America soldier. sailor marine.
touch" of this condition may be the answer the
abnormal number Of automobile accidents in which soldiers
are involved almost out of every three occurring
within the Tacoma city limits during the month of Novem-
Of those involved injured and does not take
into consideration the soldier arrests for traffic violations
1t ID certainty that this percentage would not be materially
reduced If the figures to include the county accidents
many of which have occurred the Pacific highway be-
tween Tacoma and Fort Lewis.
The records show that liquor jaopies and the
special privilege" complex all play their part in
condition which even now is worthy Of serious con,
police chm do than they now doing and
even their cooperation with the military police seems
TO fan short Of lasting correction Of the condition.
It's army problem and which calls for immedi-
ate action.
Be it recorded here and now that the habtua offenders
of the old regular army but in
Sam.
Army morale s q mental condition rejecting itself
In the actions Of the troops and resulting from
number Of situations real or imaginary, in which
those troops find Themselves Whether the morale ne
high low depends entirely upon the Interpretation
the individual soldier places upon his Job"
II he believes he is being the hero" and is making
contribution to the of who too old to fight
that life has played him dirty trick to interfere with
his normal of fe his morale is likely to be low and his
attitude to everything in general bit distorted
However, il he looks upon his service TO his coun-
try his share in the preservation Of free land in
which he and his children may live in peace and Sc
eurity II he realizes that hope 10 inherit
"mOrtgage-free" America and that long rs II
shall exist there viii be obligations 10 be met by all
who live under its flag that il Is mans divine
right be called American who Is reluctant TO do
his part keep il good better than handed
down to him by his father and his fathers father
=. that his job a soldier IL old as America itself
and that countless thousands have worn the uniform
under far conditions than those under which he
Il now living; that there might be an America Tor
him 70 love and 10 serve today and. finally that
his b not q duty but = privilege that he should be
happy not war; but for the opportunity II affords
hin to stand shoulder 10 shoulder with his fellow
free in the defense Of everything that Is worth
living for.
If this be his outlook his morale will be high as the
clouds that sails our blue skies and ne VIII DE
the kind Of soldier dictator combination of dctaors
hope to defeat soldier OF whom Uncle Sam may
well be proud and in whom America may put It's trust
Can it be that 'babying our draft army too
much that who know the way have failed to give
the right directions and that the martyr complex which
general among the troops the direct result
Of too generous mixing of civilian and military activities?
After ALL soldering is business which functions most sue
eessuly when those engaged 1t work at their business
In any case soldiers in Americas draft aren't do
ing anybody but themselves favor and the sooner they
snap out Of it and cheerfuy about the task at hand
the sooner they'll be hump and back to their homes
their families and their friends.
RIP. Rrrk,