The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-10-05

AOA q
"You better write to the Secretary
Of War about it, advised one of his
squad who was remaining an infan-
tryman. "You just write to him
and he'll fix it up for YOU"
The Messrs. Wrinkle and Tinker
moved in new circles.
They changed to barracks at one
of the far ends of Camp Squibb, 50
many miles away that it might have
been a different world. Their asso-
ciates were all mechanically inclined
individuals. These spoke their lam
guage better than had their previous
companions, and over them all was
a slightly technical aura. Many OF
them were more nearly their own
ages, which made social gatherings
enjoyable.
Their Office during business hours
was large, hangar-like building.
Two lines of engines, mounted on
high wooden frames, were placed
down its length. On these they
worked, in select groups of four,
with Technical Corporal over each
quartet, and supervising Captain
miraculously clad in coveralls like
their own.
Mr.. Winkle, who could repair any,
thing, here really learned about
Army regulations, which presumed
that he knew nothing about a COM
bustion engine. They also held that
there was only one way to do a
specified job, the Army way, and
that anything else might as well
not exist.
1--WE will now," lectured his Cor
poral instructor, ''locate the trouble
in this engine, which won't rum" To
illustrate, he turned on the ignition
and pressed the starter with his
hand. The motor turned over, but
refused to start. The Corporal looked
about at his four men, peering al
their nameplates. Wrinkle, you
take it."
Mr.. Winkle, who had been regard
ing the engine idly, had already no
ticed the trouble. why" he said,
"the carburetor's out Of adjust
ment."
He swiped briefly but expertly at
the carburetor with his screw driv-
er, snapped on the ignition, pressed
the starter, and the motor roared.
The Corporal, looking apoplectic,
gestured wildly for him to shut it
off.
Mr.. Wrinkle obeyed.
Indignantly, the Corporal put the
carburetor out of adjustment again
and then addressed Mr.. Winkle Sc
verely, good deal put out that this
little ruse had been discovered so
easily.
Look" he said, "here we work
up to be Thomas A. Edison slow
like. Starting from the ground. /
think you heard the Captain men,
ton something about procedure
sheets. You got yours?"
Mr.. Wrinkle held it up.
whats it say you do?"
First" Mr.. Winkle read,
crank engine by starter; if en-
CINE fires but motor won't run, pour
gas in the carburetor.'
Now you got the idea," the Cor
poral ordered.
Mr.. Winkle cranked the engine,
which fred but didn't run. He took
up can and poured gasoline in the
carburetor and tried again. The en-
CINE ran for a moment and then
spluttered to stop.
Mr.. Wrinkle glanced longingly at
the carburetor adjustment and then
consulted his procedure sheet once
more.
He learned he now knew that the
seat of the trouble was the fuel
system. He checked the gas sup
ply, the lines and the connections.
Finally he came, according to pro-
cedure, to the carburetor. He swiped
with his screw driver again, and
this time, when he pushed the start
er, Army procedure was triumphant.
When he shut off the engine, he
stood back with a puzzled expression
on his face. "Can ask a question,
Corporal?"
Something you don't under
stand?"
WELL" proposed Mr.. Wrinkle,
"supposing I'm out in a stalled truck
with the enemy after me. Do / go
through the procedure and get cap
tured, or do I adjust the carburetor
and escape?"
He knew by now it was heresy to
make such inquiries, but the answer
to this one worried him genuinely.
The Corporal regarded him with
eringly. Maybe your skin will tell
you that if you think it's worth saw
ing"
Mr.. Winkle and his friend, Mr..
Tinker, were in town to celebrate
their completing the Motor Mechan-
les course and having received their
certificates of graduation.
They stood outside the bar Mr..
Tinker patronized. Mr.. Wrinkle was
about TO be on his way down the
street alone, as usual, leaving Mr..
Tinker to the attractions within. Mr.
Tinker had been wishing that he
lI''4 W