The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1941-09-04
THROUGH
n A z E L
z Y E S
o.
BY
Hazel Brannon

The ink had hardly dried on Pre-
sident tRoosevelt's signature on the
bill extending the service of selec-
tees, regulars, reserves and National
Guardsmen an additional 18 months
when the War Department announc-
ed it would release 100000 men be-
ginning in September and continu-
ing as their IL months service end
ed.
This could easily be understood By
The public if the War Department had
said it was Diminishing only those
whom the army deemed untitled for
further service. But the War Depart
ment said it was releasing those on
whom service would worl, undue
hardship, and all those over 20 who
desired release. Thus it would seem
some of the best men in the army
will be released as their term OF
service ends.
While the country and Congress
debated the advisability of retaining
the men in service and decided that
General Marshalrs request for con-
tinued service shOald be granted the
War Department all the time was
making plans to release a large por-
ton of the men in service. Announce
ment was made that it was planned TO
than IL months and certainly not
over Is or 10 months, unless condi-
lions change.
1t is rather confusing, to say the
least. to have General Marshall say
one day that retention Of all men in
service is vitality necessary for our
own security and then three days
later say the men are going to be
released.
But while these announcements
may be confusing to the public we
understand the one regarding letting
troops GO home at the end of IL
months has had very decided up
lifting effect on the morale Of men in
service at time when morale is ad-
mittedly low.
--OOO---
On the question of morale, and
we understand that is about all some
of the troops are hearing about these
days the men and officers have been
subjected to severe criticism by the
general public. It has been claimed
that the men in arms are being PAM
pered too much and too much thought
being given to their comfort and state
Of mind, not enough to hard work and
training.
There is limit on the amount Of
work men can do and the new army
has worked hard those who know will
agree. There is a definite limit on
the amount of training they can be
given without any equipment. Troops
in service nine months have absorbed
just about as much training as it is
possible to absorb without adequate
equipment. There's limit on simulat-
ed guns and make-believe firing.
U. S. army troops are now on
summer maneuvers in Louisiana US
ing sticks with beer cans nailed on
the end for anti-tank guns. As the
gun is fired some soldier beats on
another can to maxi noise simulat-
ing gun.
To think these men could sta in
service an additional 10 months play
ing with sticks with beer cans tied on
the end is simply fantastic. Worse
still, equipment is not even in sight
for them what with the continued
pampering of organized labor by a
politically-minded administration.
1t is evident the War Department
is at last taking a realistic view of
our new army and is penning to do
the best it can with what it has and
hope for equipment in the future.
-oOo-
The death of L. H. Alexander, at
his home in Franklin, Tennessee,
near Memphis, this week will be
mourned by thor nds of friends
throughout the southland he loved
so well.
His column in the Sunday Com
mercial-Appeal was read and loved
by countless readers who appreciated
his writing and his views and know
ledge of the south and its people.
He would have been so in October
1t seems tragic that he should have
passed so young. Many of our best
leaders, writers and thinkers are
taken while they are yet in their
prime.
The reading public today needs
more columnists of T. II. Alexander's
calibre. He will be sorely missed.
-oOo-
Part of Jackson is continuing ia
use daylight saving time. The city
administration has gone back to
standard time. All of which is very
confusing.
The same condition exists through
nrr& H. 49, =