Rookies Size-Up of Camp as "Some Joint" More Astute Than He Realizes, Although Every Detail of Construction Might Disorder His Mind
Perhaps the conjectures are variously phrased in the classic languages and dialects (including the Scandinavian) of Greater New York, in accents racy and reeking with inbred association, which know land beyond the East or North Rivers. Perhaps the exclamations are unprintable. Perhaps they bear just a trace of homesickness urged by that last tearful farewell at Pennsylvania Station.
Whatever their tone or tenor, the burthen is the same: "What manner of place is it?" There may be an ache in the innards and perhaps even a vague resentfulness. But every rookie temporarily abandons all feelings when the white capped conductor lustily announces "Camp Upton!" except an overwhelming curiosity to know something of this vast establishment which has grown like a forest mushroom in the heart of Long Island at the waving of your Uncle Sam's wand, and is to be his new home. He forgets that he has left something and remembers only that a new experience beckons, with novelty and adventure in plenty to furnish material for letters home.
Rookie Proclaims "Some Joint"
There is certainly a whirl of dustladen impressions as he steps from the car with his new comrades, already become "buddies" through that quick camaraderie which is American in essence, democracy safe and unquestioning. He is greeted by the clatter of busy hammers fashioning the buildings which, it has been estimated by a facile statistician, would still have a single workman humping busily had he begun his task 800 years B.C.
He sees a businesslike train of heavy motor trucks swing by marked " Q.M., U.S.A.," and perhaps bearing along the uniform he is to exhibit proudly to moter, sweetheart, aunts and cousins. A dusty guard, over coated and patrolling in leisurely fashion with a real rifle, looks him over condescendingly, and he blushes. If the rookie has imagination and the necessary mental background he finds rich food for rumination and philosophizing on the march to a barracks for the preliminaries. He may plumb the depths of erudition and emit his conclusions in terms with which Locke and Bergson might sympathize" "Some Joint!"
Uncle Sam and His Magic Wand.
And therein is much matter. It is "some joint" likewise some institution, that has been spread in a few weeks of time over thousands of acres. Whether Yaphank was a condition of mind resulting from severe shell shock or an improved tooth-paste had long worried those few seekers after the ultimate in information, until official Washington decided to make it a city.
The task of converting the wilderness of scrub oak and pine into a bustling city was one upon which the engineering skill and brains of the country became focused. So dense was the undergrowth when Yaphank was raw that even the roughest survey was impossible, until sighting lanes were chopped. Now, where was uncut foliage splendid roads stretch out and a community of many thousand population is beginning to find its life in a wilderness where hitherto not even a forlorn poet had sighed for a lodge.
The twofold task of preparing to build and building confronted the master planners, whose blueprints defiled Nature and all her works when planning was begun in the early summer.
In supreme charge of the engineering staff's organization was, and is, Major O'K. Myers, selected from civil life as constructing quartermaster. Before his entry into Government service Major Myers had seen extensive service on the Catskill Aqueduct, and the completion of the first unit of that system, fortunately for the history of Camp Upton, released the services of experienced engineers from an organization which had won a national reputation for the excellency of its engineering personnel. Camp Upton was the name only when Major Myers made his first trip of inspection, June 21, returning that night to the city to recruit all engineering staff capable of laying out and supervising construction of operations involving the expenditure of millions of dollars.
Smooth Engineering Machine Did it
A basic reason why the increments a future national soldiers have been taken care of without crowding or other inconvenience can surely be as the smooth-running character this engineering organization, which is remarkable in a brand new machine. The problems too that confronted a knotty and almost innumerable. For instance, a topographical survey in extremely tedious task, because mainly map of the territory available of the standard sheets of the United States Geological Survey.
Transportation problem was also a big one, the Long Island Railroad having but single-track facilities, and the country roads proving extremely unkind toward heavy motor trucking.
Not to mention the Long Island mosquito, the attacks of which made the reputed terrors of poison gas pale and wane into insignificance.
During the height of the "season" it was necessary for workman to wear protection against the ruthless proboscis.
Despite all these difficulties and obstacles, however, the vast accumulation of worries issuing from a task as colossal as this one which produced a great barrack city, he we are sitting down to our roast beef and gravy in airy mess halls, hopping about under our cold showers which furnish water from a fully equipped water system, and wondering what new marvels will spring up during our deep and dreamless sleep in this new metropolis.
Crammed with strange military terms which crackle in the mind like a new dollar bill, the rookie head might refuse to admit a full catalogue of astounding statistics bearing upon Camp Upton. He might momentarily gasp at the information that if all the boards, averaging their size at 1 by 3 inches, were placed end to end they would reach around the world, but the next "eyes right" would call him back to matters with fewer imaginative possibilities. And speaking of lumbar, there will be 39,000,000 feet of it in Camp Upton when the cantonment is complete. The way it takes the form of barracks makes Henry Ford's flivyer-printing system semm boyish. In constructing these roomy soldiers' homes, the contractor adopted a scheme which eliminated the use of scaffolding. Wooden poles were sunk in holes several feet deep for the sills and floor joists, with the next operation the laying of the rough flooring. Upon this the two sides of the structure were framed, and upon the studding, lying flat on the floor of the building, tar paper and the wooden sheathing for the sides were nailed.
The sides of the building are thus put together complete in a horizontal rather than a vertical position which they occupy in the finished structure, being later raised to the upright position and the side and end walls secured. To this scheme of construction, which is a great time-saver, is due in a measure the existence in a finished state of the major portion of the barracks.
Besides these quarters there are scores of buildings, including officers' quarters, stables, wagon sheds, offices, and many structures not erected by the Government, including twelve fully equipped "huts" built by the Y.M.C.A. Work is being advanced rapidly on the base hospital, which is south of the west end of the camp and will embrace over a dozen buildings with a thousand beds.
Water Flows in Abundance.
After being subjected to a going over to ascertain whether liquid refreshment was bottled on his person, the rookie wonders what provision is made for the necessary fluid with which to bathe and shave. He may not be told so, but he'll find out by an experimental test that water is provided against any evil day. The supply is obtained from fifteen 8 inch driven wells located about three miles from the nearest camp building, with a minimum output of 150 gallons per minute.
A pumping plant delivers the water into a 14 inch wood-stave pipeline 13,200 feet long, extending uphill to four elevated redwood tanks, each with a capacity of 200,000 gallons. Not only a complete water supply system has been conjured into operation, but a sewage system with disposal beds is on the job, designed to handle a maximum flow of ten cubic feet per second.
So it dawns upon the newly enlisted man that he has not been exiled to a Siberian desolation, but has taken his place with thousands of others in a city wondrously wafted overnight from nothingness, a community where every provision is made for his comfort and convenience. And after a week of the Camp Upton life, wholesome, healthful, invigorating and democratic, he drifts around to the Y.M.C.A. outfit in the evening and when the Secretary smilingly inquires how he's getting to like it, he reiterates with an answering smile of full approval- "Some Joint!"
We Have Here at Yaphank
or will have soon a city of 40,000 men, including one tactical division, extra regiment of infantry, training battalion, camp quartermaster, bakery school, remount station handling 11,000 horses, base hospital with 1,000 beds, operating and maintenance departments, rifle range- ice cream, chocolate bars, fresh lemon drops, seegyars and cigarettes, magazines, all the N'Yawk papers-nothing sold after the train leaves.
Two main avenue swing around the camp, giving it a giant horseshoe shape, centered by headquarters hill, a beautiful bungalow site, with perfect drainage.
The officers' quarters are inside the avenue, barracks for the men outside, and on the ultimate fringe stables and wagon sheds. An area one mile deep will be cleared back of each fringe for drill grounds.
The camp includes 17,000-count 'em- 17,000 acres and extends tip to tip, almost from sound to ocean.
MELLIO THE SPIKE BITER WILL WORRY BILL THE KAISER
Does Bill the Kaiser know that: Joe Clemens, acrobat and contortionist:
Paddy Long, of Hammerstein's and Keiths and other circuits;
George Greenbaum, monologist;
And scores of other men of equal talents are enrolled in the National Army, INCLUDING
Sebastiano Mellilo, who breaks spikes with his teeth?
Every day at Camp Upton these men are learning to "Squads Left," "Squads Right About," &c., preparatory to marching on Berlin.
And of an evening they gather in the Y.M.C.A. huts and do stunts for each other's diversion. Here are just a few of the men in the Three Hundred and Seventh and Three Hundred and Eighth Infantry Regiments who are going to help "Kan the Kaiser!"
First there is Schultz-"the" Schultz-originator of the song, "What's the Matter With Schultz?"
Tom McCormick, Dawn and Wehrier are some dancers, with the accent on the some.
Charles Whiting as a recitationist is he plus ultra. Fred Roth is the composer of the popular war song (not yet released by publisher) "When the Moon is Shining Somewhere in France." (Not to dim the radiance of the sentiment, but if the moon chances to shine on Fred when he is within range of a German sharpshooter he may lose his enthusiasm for moonshine.)
And the Garden Fire House Singers, composed of former members of new York City Police and Fire Departments.
We might mention Charles Lehmann, bass soloist, and Emmanuel Freud, tenor, at greater length, and a long list of musicians, and, by all means, Burns the magician.
But the man who will make the Kaiser worry is Sebastiano Mellilo, who breaks spikes with his teeth.
What price spiked helmets now? When Sebastiano goes over the top and begins to bite off the spikes as they stick up from the Hun's first line trenches, Bill the Kaiser will see the glory of his army departing. Bo Peeps's sheep leaving their tails behind them won't be as crestfallen as Bad Bill's unspiked schrecklichkeiters.
Hooray for Mellilo and all the other vaudeville artists, and long may they wave!
New Items From R Unit.
Much of the finest talent in Camp Upton, fresh from Broadway and the big vaudeville circuits, is centered in this section, comprising the Three Hundred and Fifth, Three Hundred and seventh snd Three Hundred and Eighth Infantry.
The feature bill at the Y.M.C.A., building last week was put on entirely by Company I of the Three Hundred and Fifth, coached by Lieut. Schuyler.
Just across the street, in Capt. Eldrid's barrack, the men have put on several shows, using the mess hall as an auditorium. Three of the men-Privates Wagner, Pincus and Murell-have written several songs since their arrival in Camp. One by Al Wagner is the Camp Upton version of "Goodby Broadway, Hello France."
Many other entertainers of merit are in constant demand, and include songsters, magicians, and clever buck and wing dancers, not to speak of trios and quartets.
Classical pianists, mandolin players, cornetists, banjo and violin experts and drummers have signified their eagerness to get together and musical clubs and bands are now in process of formation.
Harry M. Grinton is the social secretary directing that phase of activity in the R Unit Y.M.C.A.
Religious. Fathers Burke and Bracken celebrate mass in Y.M.C.A., buildings every Sunday at 7 AM., and the available space is rarely sufficient to house the crowds who attend.
At 10:30 AM. a Protestant service is held, and is very well attended.
In the evening at 7:30 a song service is conducted and heartily participated in by the men.
During the week special Bible classes and prayer meetings and enjoyed by many.
Lindsey Kimball, the Religious Work Secretary in the Y.M.C.A. (R Unit) is prepared for a strenuous campaign in the winter months.
Educational. So great is the need for classes, in English to foreigners that in two barracks the officers and men have organized them.
One such class is conducted in the Y.M.C.A. Building by Private F. Stembler, and Private Weil is pushing the other one.
Lambert K. Peecook, the Educational Secretary in the R Building of the Y.M.C.A., has a faculty of about fifteen experienced instructors in French and English and an enrollment of well over one hundred students, awaiting the final word to begin work. Classes will undoubtedly start early this week.
All courses will be given with the aim to make the men better soldiers and also to help equip them for their return to civil life.
In our faculty are high school, college, evening and private school instructors. A profitable winter is assured the men who will avail themselves of the splendid opportunity to improve their time.
Oct. 4 was a rather general moving day in this unit-a constant parade of men (with all their belongings wrapped up in their blankets) passed the homelike green building which houses the Y.M.C.A., in charge of Arthur B. Hunt.
Physical. This department, in charge of James Gridley, has been supplying the many needs of the men for physical activity.
The demand for athletics greatly exceeds the supply of equipment on hand.
Several of the companies have erected basketball and volleyball courts, and are already conducting intercompany games. The company under Capt. Barret and Lieut. Butterfield is especially active, having an indoor baseball ground, a basketball court, and a platform for boxing. Games with the medicine ball have consumed a great deal of surplus energy, even among men who at first mistook a medicine ball for a soccer ball.
Boxing is especially popular, and bouts have been featured by such men as Guilvey and Young Dixon.
On the whole, men are interested in all branches of athletics and need only sufficient equipment to produce a camp of fine athletes.
A GREETING WORTH WHILE
By. Brig. Gen. Eli D. Hoyle, Commander Eastern Department.
It has been my privilege and pleasure to observe the wonderful work of the Y.M.C.A., in the Army, both in the United States and in the Philippine Islands, and to note the great good done to our soldiers.
I understand the Y.M.C.A. is now about to make a new venture-that with the approval of the Secretary of War, they will soon begin the publication, in each National Army Cantonment, of a real live Army paper-Soldier's paper- for free distribution among the soldiers. Such a work, if well conducted, will add to the soldiers' pleasure and contentment, increase his interest in his duties and in military life, and develop esprit de corps. I have confidence that the Y.M.C.A. will succeeded in this new field as they have succeeded in so many others. There is growing belief among our people that the National Army is going to be a most representative and valuable part of our war forces, and that the selective draft principle is just and right.
THE JOB
In the words of President Wilson, the task before the American fighting men is to bring about a "Peace based on Justice and Fairness and the Common Right of Mankind."
OLD GUARD WELCOMES NEW
By Maj. Gen. William P. Duvall, Commander Southeastern Dept.
The invitation of the Y.M.C.A. to address the men of the new army through the columns of its new Army Weekly is to old officer of the old Army a new proposition. To find that he welcomes such an opportunity to speak thus publicly through unofficially to soldiers is to him a new sensation. Everything is new. We live in a new world, and "I thank whatever gods there be" that at three-score-years-and-ten I am young enough to see it and to grasp the new while keeping firm hold of the old essentials of soldiering, which must always remain conservative.
So to the men of the new army I would speak of the new and of the old.
The new is only too visible to them in its material form; the rough and roadless hillsides of their camps, the crude harsh lines of the barracks, the raw lumbar yet to be constructed into housing or strewn about in the chaos of hasty creation. But in its spiritual aspect the new is present there in such volume and power that from these camps, soon to be moulded by its energy, will presently march forth the strength of the Nation- our manhood, trained and disciplined for war.
The new is theirs. They are of it. The invisible new world lives in their heart and brain, and they will know how to build the future of the Nation guided by the freshly illuminated vision of our old ideals. The future of our country is as dear to us whose work is nearing completion as its past is beloved and cherished with pride, and we would have the new Army know that our hearts are with them and that we confide the future to them with proud confidence.
Of the old in things military, I would say to them, respect it. Let democracy advance, let equality be made real, let social and political freedom break over every obsolete obstruction; but in military discipline, routine, customs, and properties let our sons who are new soldiering seek in each detail its fundamental use before anything is discarded or lightly disregarded. The true soldier, whether an officer of the highest grade or a man in the ranks, finds nothing trivial or unnecessary in the smallest military courtesy of duty. Earnest subjection of the will to discipline, faithfulness in little things, attention to details make the soldier, whether the detail be one affecting smartness of dress and appearance, or the nice care of the mechanism of a machine gun or heavy artillery.
I would say to every man of the new Army: With you rests the honor, success, and happiness of our country; it is to you we look to show the world what Americans can do when their country is in danger.
"Marching Into the Dawn."
A Century and a quarter ago there mustered and marched in France an army of citizen-soldiers- in all things brother-in-arms to the great army now gathering in America.
That army of France was called from the farm, the loom and the factory. it was untrained in military tactics. It was unlearned in the arts of war. The campfire was its cantonment. The wrathful guns were its drill sergeant. The hardened old grenadiers of Prussia, the Hessian hirelings and the Austrian hussars looked with pity and contempt on those raw recruits brought to the slaughter-pen of battle.
But the reverberations of the footsteps of those recruits were the rolling drums of liberty. Here was a new fact in history. Here was a force that kings had not reckoned with and could not control. And when the monarchs of Europe sought to crush that raw army of France, they found it illumined by a spirit that has always been invincible. It was the spirit of nationalism. It was an ideal above all material gains. It was the illimitable possibilities of the new birth of freedom. Thus inspired, that army freed France before Napoleon was known, overthrew Prussia's discipline, with the enthusiasm of youth, and humbled Austria's pride.
When France's citizen-soldiers caught the inextinguishable luminescence that lighted up the whole world, they knew they were the torch-bearers of that radiance. They felt they were warring for democracy, for freedom and for humanity. That was why cold could not chill their ardor nor defeat impair their morale. That was why they were able to bear the hardships, to suffer the privations and to gain the prize of lasting victory. In the light that never failed, through doubt and darkness, uncertainty and suffering, they felt as though they were "always marching into the dawn!"
Over the very ground, up the same heights and through the same forests that the army of Sambre et Meuse swept free of foreign invaders, the soldiers of the American army will bear a like standard of freedom in the spirit of revolutionary France. When our battalions camp on the field where the hosts of oppression were repulsed and defeated by the soldiers of 1793; when our flag leads where more than a century ago the tricolor swept away the eagles of selfish aristocracies; when out of the darkness of his nameless crimes against the bodies of the living and abodes of the dead, the enemy shall be driven by our troops-the faces and the banners of our men will be radiant with the growing light as they march into the dawn. Into the dawn of humanity, into the dawn of democracy, into the dawn of a day when there can come no more the terror of such a war as this; into a dawn the brightness of which will drive from German hearts the lust and brutality that made this war possible-into that dawn American soldiers will march. The world will envy and applaud those in whose hearts and about whose heads will linger forever the glory of that dawn.
Jenial Jottings.
From J2
By General Ord Uhrs
The Men continue to come and go in the "J" section. The casuals report to the depot unit at a barrack designated in each branch of the service, and here they stay until they are assigned to a permanent barrack.
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The Seventh Infantry, U/S/A/, is represented here by eight Sergeants, who will be assigned as "top cutters" with different bodies of men.
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We hear a lot of talk about tench mortar and machine gun companies, which may interest those fellows who are at present laboring under the delusion that the life and routine of the infantryman consists only of the monotorious "squads right," "squads left," "double time," "left front into line," etc. Many of the newly arrived soldiers are delighted at the opportunity of getting into the branches of the infantry service named.
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The Three Hundred and Fifth Ambulance Corps volunteer outfit from Lock Haven, Pa., has moved out to its permanent barracks, singing its war song, "It's a terrible death to die; It's a terrible death to die; It's a terrible death to starve to death; It's a terrible death to die."
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The cook ran short the other day and fed them on a light diet for a couple of meals, and they guyed the poor kitchen mechanics to death.
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The 305th Field Artillery also has left us, going from J 53 to uncompleted, but permanent, quarters in M21.
We were certainly sorry to see Captain Devereaux and his bunch of real live 'uns go from our midst. Lots of pep to that outfit. They got to work under the direction of their C.O. the first day in camp, and pulled out every root and stump in their company street, making a nice smooth service for formations and for playing indoor ball and soccer.
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Captain Devereaux tells a good one on one of his men. The man was from the east side, and over stayed his leave last week-end. Late that night Captain Devereaux received a telephone call from a solicitous parent, who stated that Mawrus was sick and would Mister Captain please send a doctor to see him at once. It isn't on record what the Captain said.
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We heard another good one on a man who was feeling the effects of the "shot in the arm," and complained of being sick. "Oy, oy, oy, you can't be seek till to-morrow morning', when seek call sounds, one of his comrades told him.
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One of the boys in the 304th F.A. moved a stump several inches when he kicked at a soccer ball in a practice game the other day, and his remarks were rather more forceful than polite.
Battery "B" of this unit is the proud owner of a $375, F.O.B. Detroit Packard, painted yellow like a marmon, with a buzz like a stutz on low.
This machine was purchased with funds raised by popular subscription by member of the battery and their friends.
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The boys of Captain Doyle's battery are a particularly keen bunch on basket ball and volley ball. They gave a bad beating to the 305th Ambulance boys, handing them the lacing on their own lot, the other day.
However, it must be said for the ambulance boys that they hardly had a chance to come back, as a Q.M. truck slightly strained the inside of the hall by running over it, and when a new ball was procured from the Y.M.C.A., retreat had sounded.
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Orders have come through Division Headquarters to get the ground cleared of stumos and roots, and the manual of arms has been subjected to a few changes at Yaphank for the time being. "Right shoulder,-picks, forward march" and "c-nee, halt, present shovels," being the latest method build them up.
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Many of the men who never handled anything heavier that a pen or a cigarette are complaining of blistered hands, but they smile about it, and appreciate the fact that this work will help build them up.
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Talking about digging holes, we heard one worthy from the Three Hundred and Fourth dispense a little philosophy yesterday. He was digging a hole for a basket ball standard, and sympathetic $7 a day laborer remarked:
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"Ain't it awful in the army, a man having to dig a ditch?"
"No, it ain't, you big hunk of chronic inertia," replied the soldier, who, by the way, had a volunteered for the job, "i'd a durn sight sooner dig a ditch for myself than have one dug for me."
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The men are making good use of quolis, medicine balls, boxing gloves and indoor baseball apparatus loaned to them by the Y.M.C.A. Several interesting bouts have taken place in the barracks and the Y.M.C.A. building, but McManus and his side kick, of "The bells are ringing for me and my gal" fame, beat anything we have ever seen in their funny prize fight, and as one of the patrons was heard to remark, "Mac is no slouch with the mitts at that."
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The Three Hundred and Sixth Field Artillery band is pr acting hard, and is coming alog in good shape. The band is only about half complete as yet, but the men are all working hard.
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Schrottenbach, a late band leader in the Austrian Navy, and of the Boston Symphony band, and Calvaressi, late of the Italian Army, are the two stars, and Lieut. G. Friedlander is optimistic about the future of his musicians. The band has only practiced twice, but can play technically classical selections, such as "Oh, Where; Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?" and "Oh, Johnny; Oh----"
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The post exchanges are now opening, and the boys are very wisely laying a little extra money by for their company mess funds, and the men in the commissary stores are suffering a little trade depression in consequence.
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Buy at your own post exchanges, boys, where you get value for your money and the benefit of the profit.
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Mr. J.C. Hyman of the Jewish Board of Welfare, Army Work, is a regular visitor at the Y.M.C.A. Building, where he meets the boys of his faith and does great work. He covers an enormous field for one man and it ably assisted by mr. Schwartz.
Plans for Camp Athletic Activity Assuming Proportions Which Promise Something for Everyone.
Intercamp Contests May be Inaugurated With Intersectional Sports for Uptonians-Directing Organization of Officers-Frank Glick, a Princeton Star, is Civilian Aide.
"The value of participation in athletic sports in the development of a sense of group loyalty and of an esprit de corps is generally recognized."
Thus Secretary of War Baker has written Gen. Bell, who is planning a large athletic programme for the men at Camp Upton in their hours off duty.
Gen. Read has been appointed Athletic Officer of the division, and Frank Glick Civilian Aide to Gen. Bell, and will assist in the organization and supervision of athletics.
The Divisional Athletic Council has been appointed as follows:
Chairman, Gen. George W. Read, Lieut. Col. J.J. Boniface, Lieut. Col. T.J. Powers, Lieut. Col. J.C. Rhes, Capt. Henry Kempner, Capt. Scully, Lieut. Marshal Prentiss, B.F. Bryant, Y.M.C.A. Athletic Director, Frank Glick.
Director for Each Company.
A plan of organization has been worked out whereby each regiment is to have an athletic officer, who will appoint the company athletic officers. The latter will be in direct charge of their respective units, supervising the athletic programme and the distribution of athletic material.
Each company later on will have its own athletic box, consisting of baseball, bats, gloves, rugby and association footballs, volleyballs, boxing gloves, quoits, etc.
It is planned to have contests between companies and regiments. The main object of the athletic programme is that the men take full advantage of the possibilities in recreative sports, but competition for divisional championship will be encouraged. As soon as grounds are cleared and playing fields secured games will be scheduled.
B.F. Bryant, the Young Men's Christian Association athletic director, has a corps of capable who are anxious to serve the officers and men in every way possible.
Mr. Bryant is located at the Young Men's Christian Association headquarters. Mr. Glick can be found at division headquarters and the Athletic Council desires that all of the officers and selected men interested in athletics get in touch with him.
Camp Dix has issued a general challenge against any teams organized at Camp Upton and if arrangements can possibly be made the athletic world may soon be enjoying large intercamp games in lace of the heretofore famous intercollegiate contests.
A Mess Call
(Written by a private, to be chaunted, sung or wailed, after the manner of "Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You.")
If you don't like your beans and hardtack.
If you don't like your slumgullion stew,
No matter what you eat,
The table's always neat.
There's no kick-a-comin' from you.
If you don't like your thirty monthly,
If you're sore at the Mess Sergeant too,
Don't holier at the chow that you're eating.
It's Uncle Sam that's feeding you.
HOTEL CHARGES SIGN AS HINT TO PATRONS.
(From the Minneapolis Journal.)
The management of a local hotel is considering the removal of the sign in each room which serves to remind the guests that they are to leave nothing in the room when they are leaving.
The sign contains only the one phrase:
"Stop! Have you left anything?"
It proved so forceful to a guest leaving the other night, however, that he left nothing in the room that he could carry away without the aid of a moving van. Linen towels, table covers and even the Gideon Bible were missing next morning, and Ray Boyd, clerk, says the new sign will read:
"Stop! Will you please leave something?"
Twisted A Trifle.
(From the Pittsburgh Chronicle/Telegraph.)
"Is this a genuine antique?" asked the customer suspiciously.
"certainly," replied the dealer, in an offended voice, "it is more that 600 years old."
"That's remarkable," commented the customer, drilly. "It is dated 1912."
But the antique dealer was not to see caught napping.
"Let me see," he said, "Why, so it is! That's the fault of my assistant. He's put the figures on wrongly. It ought to be 1219."
Upton Promises to Drive the Boche From his Lair with Ragtime Melodies
Has Already Earned the Title of "The Singing Camp"-Big League Entertainers From Bronx to Battery Find Yaphank a Musical name to Conjure with-Former Side-Kick of amato Among Enlisted Men-Paino Wizard and Piano Mover Fraternize
Somewhere in Yaphank
Major Gen. Bell's statement that he desired Camp Upton to be known as the "singing camp" bids fair to become a fitting description of the Yaphank Cantonment.
The visitor is impressed with this fact in the most umpromising places. Today, as we were standing near the stockade, or guardhouse, better known as the 'bull-pen," we were amazed at the volume of light-hearted song that rose from the throats of several soldiers, whose spirits refused to be quenched by the barbed wire that held them prisoners in the limited space of the "pen." In the Y.M.C.A. hut, directly opposite, a man at the piano was furnishing accompaniments to any song that the prisoners called for!
Pianists Numerous
One of the favorite diversions in the "Y" huts is chorus singing. Any song that has a popular swing, and if fairly well known will be eagerly taken up and sung "till the lights go out" by the throngs of men in the big buildings. Ragtime pianists stray be found in abundance, and any man with a good voice can win the good graces of the crowd with any type of song. Parodies of popular choruses are in great demand, and are sung with a vim that is surprising after the men have had a hard day's drilling, or a long hike over dust-clouded Upton roads. One of the choruses most often called for is "Goodby, Kaiser Bill," sung to the tune of "The Old Gray mare." it follows:
Uncle Sammy he needs the infantry,
He needs the cavalry, he needs artillery;
Then, by gosh, we'll all go to Germany-
Goodby, Kaiser Bill.
Uncle Sammy he needs the infantry,
He needs the cavalry, he needs artillery;
Then, by gosh, we'll all go to Germany-
Goodby, Kaiser Bill.
Parody on "Tipperary."
Another parody that has become popular is one written to the tune of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," by one of the associated secretaries.
It's a long way to get to Berlin,
It's a long way to go;
But we'll get there and can the Kaiser,
The surest thing you know,
And the brass bands will all be playing
A Yankee Doodle tune.
it's a long, long way to get to Berlin,
But we'll get there soon.
All Alike in Khaki.
One of the best examples of true democracy possible to find is the homogeneous National Army. An amusing incident but with its measure of pathos, took place when Herman Wasserman, the well known Polish pianist, landed at Camp Upton. He was detraining with his fellow rookies, and in mingling with the throng at the station platform was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by a big, burly Irishman, who, having landed several days before, was already clad in khaki. The Irishman in amazement said; "What. Mr. Wasserman, you here too? Remember? I'm the guy that used to pack and load your piano for you! Well, Well, come along; you're one of us now! Have a cigarette?"
Cheering Them Up.
The spirit of the recruit is well shown by the anxiety manifested by men of special accomplishment to help in making life more pleasant for the homesick rookie by giving special concerts and performances. One of the most striking instances is the offer of David Hichstein, the famous American violinist, of New York City, to give a series of recitals in the Y.M.C.A. huts for the men. Mr. Hochstein has been assigned to the infantry as a bandsman.
He has toured the country with such "big leaguers" as Mary Peterson, Alma Gluck, Pasquale Amato and many other famous artists. He is the owner of a famous Stradivarius, but ruefully stated that he dare risk burning it into camp!
Mr. Hochstein will be assisted in his concert work by Herman Wasserman, who has been assigned to the Mounted Police.
They will give programmes of the same sigh type given by these artists in the great auditoriums of any metropolitan city. There are some advantages in being a rookie at Upton!
Moon Is Shining.
Charles L. Moon of the Three Hundred and Seventh is a vaudeville and cabaret singer of considerable note in New York's leading hotels. He is making a great hit at Upton with his sonorous voice, singing old Irish songs, and the syncopations in vogue in cabaret, circles.
Bevy of Pugs
Followers of the pugilistic world will be interested to see this list of fighters who have joined the colors in Uncle Sam's new army. Frank Klaus, Paul Dixon, Chick McMullen and Theodore Rayne are doing their bit in entertaining the boys with exhibitions.
H. Pappas, a brother of the famous wrestler, George Pappas, in Camp Upton is arranging to give an exhibition match for the Red Cross benefit in the camp. He will give another like exhibition in New Rochelle this month.
Listen to the Oompah! Oompah! of the 306th Field Artillery Band
Not to Mention the 304th Field Artillery Band Which Has Been Meeting Rookies at the Station and Playing Them into Camp.
The Woods are full of them- budding bandsmen who are learning to play the piccolo, the bass horn, the bassoon and all the other instruments that belong in a band. For every regiment in the Seventy-seventh Division wants to have the best band in camp.
Already the Three Hundred and Fourth Field Artillery and the Three Hundred and Sixth Field Artillery Regiments have their windiammers at work. When the rookies stepped off the train at the station they were met by the Three Hundred and Fourth Field Artillery Band whooping it up with a lot of patriotic and rag time airs. it gave the new men the best sort of a welcome and sent them stepping off to their new home with snap and spirit.
Training for Medal.
Both Bands are training to win the Halloween medal which will be given to the once that can drown out the other on Oct. 30 at the High Jinks planned for that date. Noise won't be the deciding factor. Repertoire and rhythm will count first.
But it is thought that a heavy artillery band ought to be able to play with the loud pedal on, so the band that proves to be the "big noise" will have something in its favor.
The Three Hundred and Sixth Field Artillery Band did not get its instruments until Oct. 1, Lieut. Friedlander, in command of the band, passed out the horns, &c., to the men who professed that they could play a little. Then he told the men to beat it into the woods and not come back until they could make harmony. For two days the natives round about camp were startled when taking familiar shortcuts through the woods to hear wierd toots and squeaks from the underbrush.
"Home, Sweet Home."
But the "musickers" blew into camp Wednesday morning in time to move with the rest of the regiment to its permanent barracks in Section M. The band got on the ground first and when the other men marched into their new quarters they were greeted by the strains of "Home, Sweet Home."
This band is going to be one of the crack bands of the National Army without doubt. Its temporary leader is Private V. Schrottenbach, formerly a band leader in the Austrian Navy and recently a member of the Metropolitan Opera House orchestra. He also played with the Boston Symphony. Private Colobrese was one of the first string players in a top notch band of the Italian Army, and Private Wakshale, who was drafted out of a Broadway Cabaret, will put the real Broadway ragtime tempo into the Camp Upton Oompah! Oompahs!
MELODY MINGLES WITH UPTON DUST
Well Known Welkin Made to Ring When Harry Barnhart Trots Out Warblers to Sound Their Wares.
That Camp Upton may have a soldiers chorus capable of making the (relatively speaking) well-known chant of that Pilgrim group in Tannbaeuser sound like a whisper, seems indicated by what took place on our Village Green last Wednesday evening. At that time Harry Barnhart was here.
His success in creating a community chorus in New York has developed that form of vocal work into an institution, and the plan is to make Upton's informal khaki choruses rival the best of them.
Mr. Barnhart was surrounded by some of the most widely known cigarette, and otherwise, tenors and non-commissioned bassos in Suffolk County as at present constituted. There was something under 10,000 present, Trench and Camp's own crowd estimater being on kitchen police duty that evening.
Music was in the air, though not exclusively, as there was some Yaphank dust commingling with the harmonies. The evening was passed, following the pleasant allurements of Mr. Barnhart's hearty and jovial presence. His voice is not least among the charms which constitute it, and was able to siren music from his new chorus in quite surprising volume.
In fact, the welkin was in its old job of ringing, and Hill 77 resounded with a new form of military expression. The plans for further development embrace group singing in local Y.M.C.A. singing centres, barracks and other places. The talent thus trained will be welded into a big community chorus by Mr.Barnhart. He was assisted by Mr. Weinstein in his initial meeting here.
NO '"CLOSED" SEASON ON POETS AT UPTON
We have our poets up here. The woods are full of 'em.
A perfectly good sheet of writing paper was picked up from the floor of the J hut, with the following remarkable effusion on it:-
"I also would like to make stupid Bill Swollo one of his own home mad pill."
The author was probably just getting over the effects of the first shot. We hate to think of a poet of such ability hiding his light under a bushel.
We would much rather have him out in the open, where wee could kill him swiftly and painlessly.
Needles Replaces Hook.
Talking about the needle, the time honored "Give him the hook," known and dreaded by all amateurs in the entertaining line, has been superseded in the "amateur night" performances at the upper "J" hut by "Give him the needle."
Another Umpah Outfit.
The 307th Infantry Band is rapidly earning the enthusiastic support and admiration of the men of that regiment, who eagerly flock around the musicians when outdoor concerts are given under the direction of the leader, Olaf Nord.
Harry Lauder's Message Makes Deep Impression on Upton Men
Men may come to Camp Upton and men may go, but the memory of Harry Lauder will linger long with the 2,000 soldiers who were able to fight their way into the Y.M.C.A. tent to hear him sing his inimitable songs and tell his war stories.
Although the little Scotch comedian may never come back to Upton-but all the boys here hope he will-he has left a deep impression upon them. It was not that he merely entertained them, for he did far more than that. He inspired, thrilled and electrified them. He warmed their hearts with his words, he told them what the world expected of them and he stirred them with his prophesied of what they would do. There isn't the slightest doubt that Harry Lauder's visit has given the boys at Upton a bigger and better version of what their duty is, nor is there any doubt that his inspiring words will be remembered and beeter enable them to discharge those duties.
They're Singing His "Hymn."
All over Camp Upton the boys are singing the songs Harry Lauder sang, particularly "There's a Wee Hoose Amang the Heether," which they sang in chorus with the Scotch comedian at his request. Harry told them that the last time he sang it before he visited Camp Upton was on the Arras front where 15,000 Scotch soldiers were spread out in a great horseshoe before him and that since that time it had been a hymn instead of a song to him. He wants the boys at Upton to regard it as a hymn and they are complying with his request.
While singing and funmaking predominated while Lauder was on the stage, the little band of crepe on his left sleeve, worn for his son Jock, who made the supreme heroic sacrifice on the field of battle, was a constant reminder that the comedian was sad at heart but had put aside his personal grief to cheer up the American soldiers and to deliver a message of hope and inspiration.
"The brawny, tawny hand of Britain is ready to welcome ye, boys," he declared. "We're all in it-in this great melting pot-and when we emerge we will be a still greater and better civilization. The world is on fire and you boys are the firemen who must put it out. And you'll do it-by God you will. And when you get to France and put it out don't leave one wee bit of red smoldering, boys. "Put it out."
Lamp Lighters of the World.
"You boys are lamplighters of the world. You're going to light up civilization as never before. And it will be very beautiful that our children will be able to say, 'My dad lit that light.'"
After the cheering subsided there was a new war song-"The British Brigade"-a song that all Britain is singing. Tears forced to smiles flashed in Harry's eyes. The close of the chorus ran:
When we all gather round the old fireside
And the old mother kisses her son.
All the lassies will be loving all the laddies,
the laddies who fought and won.
The smile was gone from Harry's lips and eyes. His heels clicked and his hand snapped to his Scotch Tam o'Shanter in salute-not the salute that the men of Camp Upton are being taught, but one that 3,000,000 other brave soldiers are using on the battle front.
"Fought and Won," he repeated, "American soldiers, I salute you."
SUFFRAGISTS ASK AID OF SOLDIERS IN CAMPAIGN
Fair Speakers Marshal Poetry to Beauty's Side and Win Support of Uponites.
That the men of Upton are not of the opinion that woman's place is in the home was definitely proved when New York State Suffragists invaded the cantonment. "A general advance is reported on all fronts." Poetry helped it, and the rare ineffability of the feminine. Her is some of the poetry:
Goodbye, good luck, dear soldier boys!
We're with you in your griefs and joys;
We'll back you up in all you do;
And you, you know, can help us too.
Vote us the ballot next November;
We trust in you, so please remember.
Goodby, good luck!
Meeting were held under the charge of Mrs. Frederick Edey of Bellport, and among the speakers were Mrs. Raymond Robins, Chicago; Miss Kathleen Taylor, Mrs. Raymond Brown, Vice President of the New York State Woman Suffrage Party; Mrs. Jane Thimpson of New York, Thomas H. Brennan of Patchogue, Prof. Frederick Losey, Miss Granville Smith of Bellport and Miss Louise Connolly of Newark.
"Give it to 'em? Sure I'm willin'. Let's go to the post exchange and try to forget we're not gettin' home cookin'!" Such was the verdict of one private.
First French Officer Here.
Pierre Geismar, wearing the Croix de Guerre with four stars, showing that he has been cited four times in orders, is the first French army instructor at Camp Upton, arriving last Tuesday.
He was in the trenches three years and has been severly wounded, five gold strips on his right sleeve and a stripe of his left being the respective designation for these honors, for honors they are.
-From Lower J-
By Old Nan Penpoint, 11th Street and Second Avenue.
The musical side of things is going strong at this shack! Aside from the good old singsongs that get every one going and in a happy frame of mind, we have been especially lucky in our volunteer musical talent.
In the absence of moving pictures, which is the staple producer of camp amusement, the boys are coming to the aid of the situation in grand shape, and anyone with any entertaining ability is mobilized and put on the job by the friends of the Association who are interested in providing a good time for the boys.
Big Time Stuff.
Privates McManus and Gorman, of the 152d Depot Brigade, are great favorites in their popular song-duets and impersonations.
Then there is Blondie Bruce, who can do anything from banging the ivories to serving as foil and "baggage" for a strong arm stunt. He's some rag time singer to, and always gets many recalls. Young Ben Butler, in parallel bars tricks is all to the mustard, especially since he built his own bars out of plumbers' material to please the boys and the "Y" with his athletic work.
Jazz Band Delights.
You should have heard the Jazz band last week! With our senses of rhythm charmed with syncopated measures flowing out from a happy combination of piano, cornet, violin and drums, all Jazzing with an abandon that brought memories of famous metropolitan resemblance of certain popular ragtime tunes whose very disorder was an unmelodic delight.
When you look over this list of performers you will understand where the suggested memories came from: Otto F. Horpel, violin and cornet, formerly of churchill's, New York; Abe Wakschal, drummer, of the same grub-and-joy emporium; Angelo Russo, better known as Frank Ross, pianist, and John Varrassl, cornetist, both of Coney Island cabaret fame. Then there is Charles Smith, trombonist, who formerly graces Sousa's band.
These boys after a little more work together, will play another programme in J-10, and then will tour the Y.M.C.A. huts and thus reach an audience of about 5,000 soldiers.
Clever With Their Dukes.
And then the boxers! Believe us, if Uncle Sammy would only arm this bunch up with a set of regular boxing mitts and send them "over the top," the Germans would turn tail and beat it for the tall timber of Wurtembourg!
Bouts of all kinds, lightweights, middles and heavies, and bantams and papers, are glad to do their bit and take a few on the nose for the cause of keeping the big bunch in the hut happy.
Sergt. Smoln of the 13th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, is a famous rounder in the more exclusive boxing circles of New York. The sergeant ably assisted in the managing of a series of bouts last week, and has volunteered to provide a whole evening's entertainment of boxing from among his many Y.M.H.A. friends. This is the spirit!
Think of the Esquimaux.
There is a captain of an ambulance corps who has formed the habit of going to bed at 9 o'clock. When asked the why and the wherefore of his strange behavior, he explained that he simply did it in self-defense, there being no heat and no stoves in his quarters.
Vaudeville of Palace Quality Being Put Over in Section "P"
Under direction of Martin Beck, formerly of the "Love of Mike" company of New York, who is now in the 305th Machine Gun Battalion, a splendid series of vaudeville programmes is being put on in Section P. Beck is an accomplished actor and his monologues and songs have captured the house.
Among the exceptionally talented performers on these programmes should be mentioned Austin McClure, who "can tickle the ivories something scandalous," and whose officiating at the keyboard has enabled Section P to put on some excellent singers with proper accompaniment.
And as for tenors, why M. Rodolfe, the Italian warbler of dulcet tones, simply stops the show every time he Carusoes at the entertainments. The Boston Opera Company used to boast about having M. Rodolfe on its programmes, but now he is exclusively Camp Upton's for he is a member of the 306th Field Artillery headquarters Command. His singing is the talk of Camp Upton and each time he appears he has to sing as much in a night as he would have to in a week with the Boston Opera Company. Encore is his middle name.
And say, Sam Bernard's nephew Dave Jones, is here. He was called from the Majesty Theartre of Chicago to do his bit for Uncle Sam.
Another man is out to bite the spike off the Kaiser's helmet. He is Eugene O'Nesta, just in from the Bert Levey Circuit of California. He bites horseshoes into bits, just as if they were made of dough, and eats the pieces as an appetizer for breakfast. When Henry Lederman, who makes a steady diet of matches and burning paper, get together and "go over the top" it will be goodbye Kaiser Bill.
Mrs. Dwight Also Sings.
Mr. Dwight of the 307th Band has delighted the boys with his singing and when his wife came to visit the camp she also favored the soldiers with several soprano selections, much to the delight of the khaki-clad tribe.
The Hoosier Male Quartette gave a most enjoyable series of songs the other night and Mr. Goldberg sang and also accompanied Joe Martin and I. Levine when they vocalized in most pleasing and melodious fashion.
Herman Cohen, the yodeler; C. Patterson, "Buddy" Child and William Hecker, all singers par excellence; L.D. Reiley and Steve Ahern, buck and reel dancers, and Ira Grossman, plain and fancy whistler, are a few of the many stars who have shown on our platform during the past few nights.
"The Colonel" Will Drop In on Upton To Boost War Loan
After being thoroughly Uptonized and getting into the life and spirit of this camp, a part of a man's creed becomes: "I believe they all come here sooner or later."
A fellow becomes accustomed to thinking himself in the hub of the universe, after he's been here a few days, has been coated with boulevard dust from limousines seeking Division Headquarters, has seen a French officer, caught a glimpse of a general and passed colonels and majors daily.
Therefore, it doesn't cause quakes of excited surprise to learn "the Colonel" is to be an Upton visitor. The quakes will probably come when he arrives. He's to be here, so the information, slightly more credible than reports from Gen. Rumor's office, has it for a speech.
Wednesday, Oct. 24 is the date when T.R. comes into our busy midst. The address will be delivered in the vicinage of Hill 77, sometime headquarters knoll.
The occasion is Liberty Loan Day, which will be observed in camp with an auspicious gathering on the hill.
GEN. ORDERS HANDS SERVE BLOW TO CREPE HANGERS
Beginning on Wednesday of this week half-holiday will be the order for the local soldiery. This probably will come as sad news to the professional crepe -hangers and joy-killers who have tried to get the upper hand, but their efforts are gradually being abandoned as useless, especially in view of other leaves from Mr. Gen. orders' notebook one of which herewith reproduced:
"All unnecessary work will be suspended and with prescribed limitations, officers and enlisted men will be permitted to leave camp from noon on Saturday until reveille on the following Monday and on all regularly declared national holidays, i.e., New Year’s Day, Washington's Birthday (February 22), Decoration Day (May 30), July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day."
There are exceptions, of course, to the Wednesday half-holiday. They are: (1) Officers who are scheduled to attend a session of a prescribed school; (2) Officers and enlisted men on duty which requires their presence; (3) Officers and enlisted men required for the necessary guard, police and care of public animals; (4) Officers and enlisted men at the various headquarters, depots, hospitals, etc., whose presence is deemed necessary by the head of the department concerned.
WHAT'S WHAT IN THAT R UNIT.
True to the plan outlined in our last issues, this phase of camp activity has been pushed hard. Six classes have organized-five of them being in English for non-English speaking soldiers and one in elementary French.
Following are the instructors working with the Educational Director in the R building of the Y.M.C.A., at the corner of Fourth and Fifth Streets:
English-Edwin A. Whalen, Co. M. 306th Infantry; Mr. Rubarti, Co. K., 305th Infantry; F.A. Stembler, Co. I., 305th Infantry; Elias M. Boddy, Co. D., 307th Infantry, and Edward S. Greenbaum (of Co. H., 305th Infantry), at Machine Gun. Co., 306th Infantry.
French-Victor Chanken, Co. K., 305th Infantry.
The enrollment in these classes totals approximately 150 men.
Classes are forming in each barracks in the 306th Infantry.
CAPTAIN ELDRED HONORED.
On Friday, October 19, the men of Compnay H, 306th Infantry, Barracks R 21, gave an entertainment in honor of their commander, Captain Hurbert W. Eldred. Many surprises were offered. One of the feature numbers was the 306th Infantry Band. Among the others were Senor Ubaldini, formerly a tenor of the Metropolitan Opera company; Joe Termini, of the vaudeville team of D'Lier & Termini; Ben Baker, of Sherman, Baker & Branigan, and a contingent of vaudeville artists direct from Broadway, led by the author, playwright and actor, Thomas J. Gray.
The entertainment was arranged by Ben Piermont, formerly booking manager of the Sheedy Vaudeville Agency, New York, and booking the Gordon Olympia circuit through New England, and Eddie Cloth, who supplies entertainments for the B.P.O.E. through the Middle West.
NO CHANCE FOR THIS AD!
We know of a certain Lieutenant of a frivolous turn, of mind who swears he will never buy another uniform from any other house but Brooks Brothers, and the reason is not so much quality or cut of the clothes as the young member of the more deadly sex who pins on the caduces of the coat. Said officer is offering to take any of his friends who needs coats or uniforms down there, just on the off chance of getting better acquainted.
Jewish Welfare Board Institutes Programme of Help for Boys
Y.M.C.A. Co-operates with Agency for Service-Has the Upton Spirit of helping the Chap who Needs it.
By J.C. Hyman, Jewish Welfare Board.
The Jewish Board for welfare Work at Camp Upton has established its headquarters at the "P" Unit Building of the Y.M.C.A., Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street.
With the cordial co-operation of the Association the Jewish Welfare Board has begun to make its influence felt.
Hebrew religious services are held regularly on Friday evenings at the P Unit Building. Magazines and pamphlets of interest particular to the Jewish men are at hand for distribution. The army-Navy Hebrew Prayer Book is soon to be presented to each Jewish member of the camp. Speakers of prominence in Jewish religious and lay circles from time to time will speak at our service.
We are not going to duplicate the work of the Y.M.C.A., which has been doing splendid work for all; but will simply work along with it, meet those needs which the association cannot provide for in the case of many of the Jewish men here. We want all the boys to come here with their needs and troubles, and we'll try to be of service. All Jewish men are urged to meet the representative of the Welfare Board, Joseph C. Hyman, and to enroll in his camp directory. Relatives and friends may come here to find out the company and regimental assignments of any of the boys.
Arrangements have been made to entertain small groups of men at Patchogue each weekend. The board has been co-operating with the Y.M.C.A. to organize classes in English and French and to supply instructors. Letter writing squads have been formed, and personal help rendered in a number of cases.
All men who desire assistance, consistent with the regulations and spirit of Camp Upton, are assured of the cordial interest of the board. If you wish to form any group for entertainments-for social purposes, religious study, literary work, or for instruction- you are invited to visit this office. We will help you to get these groups formed. Our office is open practically all day and from 7 to 9:30 every evening.
Come in and get acquainted.
Yap and Yanks
It is understood that the brother of a friends of the bird who killed the Archduke is in Upton and that he admitted the relationship to the fellow who bunks next to him. Soon the cousin of the gent who waxes the Kaiser's whiskers will be discovered and the roster will be complete.
* * *
It certainly ought to Stump the German War Office if they could visit Upton and see the boys grubbing away with pick and axe.
* * *
The manual of arms, we understand, will be rewritten to accommodate the new style of breech-loading rakes and Mauser shovels with which the boys are equipped. Have you attended one of the "hoe-downs" yet?
* * *
"The warriors on the turrets high,
Moving athwart the evening sky.
Seemed forms of giant height."
Mr. Scott, who wrote the above, must have at one time seen an Upton outfit streaking along the Rue de Gasoline, with rakes towering aloft and shovels raised skyward.
* * *
It took half an hour to explain to a rookie that the Liberty Loan was not organized by the chap who took his razor and used it without permission.
HE THROWS 'EM AWAY.
Up at the base hospital, where the newly arrived men go for examination, is a private of the hospital corps who will either develop into a successful financier or become a skillful burglar.
As the raw ones file past the table where he sits he tells them to leave their cigarettes there. Informing them that they are not allowed to take any tobacco with them. Bring a conscientious you man, he throws the cigarettes away, of course.
GEN. BELL ISSUES ORDERS RELATING TO PASSES TO MEN.
Memorandum 92 Contains Complete Information Concerning Leave and Train To and From Camp.
The following-Memorandum No. 92- having to do with that vital matter of leaves is published in full "for the benefit of all concerned:"
Memorandum No. 92.
Headquarters 77th Division,
Camp Upton, N.Y.
1. In order to accommodate the number of men who desire to visit New York on Saturdays and Sundays it is necessary to regulate the distribution to trains leaving Camp Upton.
2. The following will be strictly adhered to. Brigade and Independent Unit Commanders will exercise such supervision as it necessary to accomplish the purpose.
(a) The number of passes granted in any regiment or independent unit from Saturday noon until Monday morning to travel on trains to new York will not exceed 25 per cent. of the strength of the command. This distribution of passes will be such that every man whose conduct warrants it will such that every man whose conduct warrants it will be given the refusal of a pass once each four weeks.
(b) Sixty per cent. of the 25 per cent. of each regiment and independent unit authorized to go to New York on trains will equally distributed among the nine trains leaving Camp Upton between 12 noon and 2:30 P.M. Saturdays and 20 per cent. on trains leaving Camp Upton between 5:30 P.M. and 8:50 P.M. Saturdays; the remainder on any train desired on Sundays.
(c) Passes will state specifically the train on which each man is to leave the camp. (Printed passes will be provided from these headquarters for all organizations.)
Must March in Body.
(d) Regimental and independent unit commanders will cause the men for each train to be formed on the Regimental Parade and carefully inspected to insure that each man is in proper uniform, cleanly shaven, shoes polished, and that he presents a neat appearance. After verification of passes and inspection of uniform and general detachment will be marched by an officer and such men as are necessary to the train and reported to the officer of the military police in charge at the depot platform. All the men for each train from each regiment and independent unit will be marched to the train in a body and not by smaller fractions.
(e) The officer in charge of the detachment for each train from each regiment will see that each man is provided with a proper ticket before reporting his detachment to the officer in charge at the depot platform. If all the men are to purchase tickets, the detachment must arrive at the station in sufficient time for that purpose before the departure of the train. Each detachment must go on the train designated.
(f) Men will not be given pass to leave camp until they are fully uniformed, unless pass is approved by brigade or independent unit commanders, who will only approve such passes under special circumstances’.
(g) Each detachment will be warned to return from New York and Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon and early evening trains, so as not to overload the late trains in the evening. This should apply especially to men who leave Camp Upton on the early trains.
3. The Provost Marshal will send a guard consisting of one officer and four men to each of the following stations, leaving here in time to arrive thereat not later than 12 o'clock noon on Sundays:
Pennsylvania Station, New York City.
Flatbush Avenue Station, Brooklyn, Long Island Railroad Station, Jamaica, L.I.
4. The guard at each station will maintain order and prevent any train being overloaded. Passes signed by the Provost Marshal for these guards will be accepted by train conductors. These guards will return to camp on the train leaving New York at 3 A.M. on Monday mornings.
5. The Provost Marshal will take charge of the maintenance of order and the loading of trains at Camp Upton Station.
Week End Schedules.
6. The following schedule of Saturday and Sunday trains is announced. This schedule will be in effect until announced otherwise. The schedule for the remaining days of the week will remain as published in Long Island Railroad time tables.
From Camp Upton to New York and Brooklyn:
Saturdays-Leave Camp Upton 10 A.M., 12:10 P.M., 12:30 P.M., 12:45 P.M., 1 P.M., 1:15 P.M., 1:30 P.M., 1:45 P.M., 2 P.M., 2:30 P.M., 5:30 P.M., 5:45 P.M., 6 P.M., 7:03 P.M., 8:30 P.M.
Sundays- Leave Camp Upton 7:30 A.M., 8 A.M., 9 A.M., 10 A.M., 4:30 P.M., 5 P.M., 5:30 P.M., 6:30 P.M., 8:30 P.M.
From New York (Pennsylvania Station) and Brooklyn (Flatbush Avenue):
Saturdays- 8 A.M., 10:25 A.M., 2:15 P.M., 9:30 P.M., 11:45 P.M.
Sundays- 4:40 A.M., 9:10 A.M., 10:35 A.M., 4:17 P.M., 8 P.M., 8:30 P.M., 9 P.M., 9:30 P.M., 9:45 P.M., 10 P.M., 10:30 P.M., 11 P.M., 11:15 P.M., 11:30 P.M., 11:45 P.M., 12 midnight, 3 A.M. (Monday mornings).
7. This memorandum will be read to all organizations at retreat on Thursday and Friday evenings, Oct. 18 and 19, and will be posted on the bulletin boards of all organizations.
By command of Major Gen. Bell,
E.E. BOOTH.
Lieut. Col., Gen. Staff, Chief of Staff.
Official:
WM. N. HASKELL.
Adjt. Gen., Adjutant.
Educational Work- Y.M.C.A.
(Contributed by Prof. MacLennan, Director of Y.M.C.A. Educational Activities Camp Upton.)
What does the Y.M.C.A. seek to do?
It seeks to do everything it can to give the soldier a hoe where he is always welcome; to provide him with recreation; to put him in touch with forces which make for moral and religious uplift; to give him opportunity to exercise his mind in leisure hours.
What phase of the Y.M.C.A. work serves specially the mental interested of the soldier?
The educational work.
What educational work is being offered?
Classes in English for non-English speaking soldiers.
Classes in French for those who go to France.
Classes in special branches as need may arise.
A library- not only books to be obtained at the desk, but a wide range of magazines for all who ask for them.
Where can information as to classes, book or magazines be obtained?
At the counter from the educational secretary of each building.
Note: Will former teachers of English for foreigners, and of French, who would aid in the above work, please give their names to the educational secretary at each Y.M.C.A. hut?
SOME STRATEGY.
Two-Weeks veteran- Did you know Gen. Bell had just ordered a million handkerchiefs for us in Camp Upton?
Rookie- No, what's the idea?
T-W-V- He figured it'd be a terrible blow to the Kaiser.
JUNIOR LEAGUE MAKES BIG HIT BY PASSING OUT EATS TO BOYS
The Junior League of New York has won for itself a big place in the hearts of the men of Camp Upton by means of that surest approach, the soldier’s appetite.
Recently in two of the Y.M.C.A buildings on opposite sides of the camp the young ladies have passed out to eager crowds of men hot coffee, chocolate, sandwiches and cake.
The men do not mind waiting in turn for an "issue" of this kind, but it is lucky that it is not an issue of ordnance or clothing for sandwiches and coffee do not list more than around the corner with a husky artilleryman or doughboy.
Benny Leonard Visits Yaphank and Tells the Boys of an A.O.H. Meeting over Which he Presided
Champion Lightweight Boxer Says All the Corrigans, Finnegans and O'Briens were Anxious to "Make an Impression" on Him.
(By Stumpy Steve of Upper J.)
Benny Leonard, lightweight champ, was in camp recently. His scheduled exhibition was declared off on account of a rain storm, but Benny stated his willingness to come down again. Indeed he predicted he would be assigned to Camp Upton as boxing instructor, when he may be attached as civilian aide to Gen. Bell.
Benny is a bright, alert, genial boy who makes friends easily, and is as modest as they make 'em.
He told the boys here of a little experience he had in the officers training camp at Fort Niagara, near Buffalo. Going over there from Toronto, where he had fought a real battle to aid the Candian Red Cross, he expressed his willingness to box two or three exhibition rounds, not feeling capable of any real work.
In response to his invitation, a gentleman by the name of Halligan stepped up and boxed four rounds. When this bout was over and Benny was ready to take his departure, another gentleman walked into the ring, named Finnegan. When Finnagan was through a gentleman named Corrigan made know his desire to try out the champ, then another names Murphy, and another named O'Brien, and a few others of Hibernian descent.
"In Fact," said Benny, with a laughing reference to his own Semitic ancestry, "I boxed six of 'em, and went about twenty rounds, and when I was through, there was a steen line about a mile long waiting to take a crack at me."
And if Benny had only had the time and the light had held, he would be there yet fighting Irishmen.
Big-Time Soccer Expected.
It is expected that one of the best soccer teams in New York will be down to play a picked team representing the Camp Upton Division, and all soccer players who wish to try out for the team their names in to their athletic officers, or to the Recreation Secretary at the Y.M.C.A. in their section of the camp.
Judging from the way the old sphere is being booted high into the air in almost every street in camp, there must be a number of star exponents of the association on game.
Interest in the indoor baseball game is reviving, and some of the games played recently in this section have the world's series stopped a mile for real excitement. One outfielder saved a barber bill by singeing his hair when he retrieved a ball from the company incinerator.
Wants to Develop Han-Chasers By Cross Country Running
By F.L. Stembler, Manager.
For the present we shall confine our activities to cross-country running. We want eight of the best distance runners of Company I to represent a cross-country team that will clean up every other one in sight.
This is a wide open affair-every man in the company has an equal opportunity of making the team. It matters not who your ancestors were, how much money you may have in the bank or how many cups and medals you have stored away in your trunk back home. The only thing that counts is your ability to deliver the goods, and here and now.
Your humble manager has cut out cigarettes, pie, cheap candy, bum soda water and other junk of similar nature. You won't be shot if you follow suit. In all our running and training we are going to imagine we are chasing and catching retreating Germans. And personally, after I've caught the poor fish, I want to have enough wind left to land an K.O. wallop for Uncle Sam and good old Company I. Are you with us?
I know darned well you are.
Sign up right away. This means all cripples, fat men, would-be Dorandos, regular runners and natural born hard luck guys. I'm your pal- you can count on me to go the full distance with you. So let's have your name.
" World Serious" Does Not Bother Upton Athletes.
While the boys at Camp Upton were interested in the 'World Serious," they were far more absorbed in the baseball games in which they participated at Yaphank. None of the White Sox or Giants battled with any more determination than is evinced in the camp games between different companies, battalions and regiments.
Needless to say the outcome of the "World Serious" was disappointing to the soldiers here, a majority of whom are New Yorkers. All of them were pulling for the Giants because they believe all the world's championships belong to the Big Town.
While the Uptoonites are not willing to concede that the best team won the championship, most of them agree with "Bugs Baer" that he worst team lost. If McGraw had had the benefit of the advice of the several thousand grand stand and bleacher managers here, he would have won the series in four straight.
SECTION "P" STAGES GOOD, FAST BOUTS.
Men in 307th Infantry Furnished Lively Entertainment, Benny Leonard Referee.
A number of fast exhibition boxing bouts were staged on Friday evening, in Section "P", Y.M.C.A. Building, by George Morley of New York, under the auspices of Company H, Three Hundred and Seventh Infantry.
Morley brought a clever lot of boxers and provided a first class ring which was set up in the centre of the building, affording the large crowd a lively evening. Benny Leonard, whose exhibition bout in an indoor ring before a throng of admirers at the camp had to be called off because of rain, appeated as referee for several of the bouts.
"VETERANS" KIDDING YAPHANK ROOKIES
Still they come.
Second Avenue is lined with them daily, and the fellows who have been in camp themselves for considerably less than a week, and have not even learned how to lace up their leggings, greet them with derisive cries.
"Wait till you get the shot," "bevo for yours," "Get in step there" and "Come and get your slum," are some of the most common remarks.
And the fellows who do the most "kidding" are the most awkward members of the awkward squads! But bless your life, they are soldiers now. They have their uniforms, or part of them, even if they do walk with a protuberance on their respective backs similar to that worn by the dromedary.
H PUTS BEE ON K OF 305TH.
Company K played an excellent game of basketball against Company H, both lost out in the last ten minutes, of the furious attack of the men of H.
The first half ended with the score 6 to 0, favoring Company K. At the final whistle Company H led, the count being 14 to 10. Lieut. Fields of the 305th Company K refereed.
It was the most spirited game me have seen at Camp Upton to date.
LIEUT. HAYES A LIVE WIRE.
Lieut. Hayes, the athletic director of the 306th Regiment, is a very enthusiastic worker and shows delightful co-operative spirit. He and Mr. Gridley have planned so that each company shall have a necessary supply of athletic equipment, inter-company basketball, baseball and volleyball, and the plans are also well under way for a strong regimental football team. With the help of Lieut. Blanchard a tackling dummy will be erected as soon as the equipment can be obtained.
SNAPPY BOUTS ARE WITNESSED BY MEN IN CO. C SIGNAL CORPS
Boxing Gloves Presented by Capt. H.H. Lawson Used Immediately by Scrappers.
Capt. H.H. Lawson of Company C, 302d Field Battalion. Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps at Camp Upton, has presented the men in his barracks with a set of boxing gloves.
Most of the men of Company C are expert telegraph, radio and telephone operators, and among them can be found students from the most prominent Eastern universities. When Capt. Lawson presented the gloves and announced that the men could use them at their will in their barracks he was heartily cheered and applauded.
Private J.R. Leahy, formerly a second to Willie Jackson, a member of some of New York's foremost athletic and sporting clubs and a popular referee with the younger generation officiated, and arranged the bouts among the boys. Capt. Lawson's presence contributed great impetus to the matches. To avoid any over exertion among the participants he was forced to place a limit of three rounds of two minutes each for every bout.
The star bout of the evening was between Private R. Kuehl and Private E.C. manion, both in the 150 pound class. This entertaining scrap was unfortunately terminated in the second round when one of the contestants sprained his wrist. Both men showed good form and gave evidence of previous training.
Another fast and interesting contest was that between first class Private M.J. Kelly and first class Private F.S. Pierson, 130 pound men. They showed familiarity with the gloves and fought squarely.
Assistant Cook H. Schoen, a 150 pounder, took part in two bouts, the first with first class Private J.G. McNaught and the other with Private H.S. Rull.
A very snappy bout between Privates M.H. (Battling Murphy) Steinhauer and A.J. Patafio, weighing 120 pounnds each, ended quite suddenly in the second round, when the former was obliged to withdraw on account of a bleeding nose. First class Private D.A. Miller, a six-footer in his stocking feet, and Private E.F. (Shorty) Smith amused greatly with a Mutt and Jeff burlesque bout.
Other matches were Private H. Pittinger vs. Corporal A. Greenburg, Private G.L. Vurtis Vs. first class Private E.C. Brennan, Private O.D. Plank vs. Private J.C. Gosner, Corporal G.A. McDowell vs. J.G. McNaught.
Seventy-seventh to Go Down in History as Division of Soldiers Athletes, if Present Dope is Trustworthy.
Grid Contest with Camp Devens Scheduled for Nov. 24 at Polo Grounds, and Game between Division Eleven and Big College is Planned- Jiu Jitsu expert Will Give Boys Some Samurai Tricks to Use in Trenches.
Frank Glick, Civilian Aide, promoting Upton's athletic activities, was interviewed by representative of Trench and Camp not many minutes before the matter for the publication was due in the printer's trembling digits. In spite of the lateness of the appeal, Mr. Glick responded, giving the following story under his own hand and seal:
In a few weeks the full quota if men for Camp Upton will be located in permanent barracks, and by that time it is expected that every company will have sufficient athletic material to play all the American games, the knowledge of which is proving so valuable to the men "over there."
We desire all company athletic officers who have not received athletic material of some kind to drop a card to that effect to Frank Glick, in care Divisional Headquarters.
With the clearing of grounds on all sides of camp and within the camp proper, playing fields for football, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc., have been laid out, and games are being played all over camp in the soldiers' off time.
The fall being "football time" regiments are organizing their football teams and a schedule is being arranged to decide the championship of the division.
The Divisional Athletic Council has accepted the challenge of the Athletic Officer of Camp Devens and a game has been arranged with that team, to be played November 24 at the Polo Grounds.
A game will probably be played with the Camp Dix team in the near future, and if the proper spirit and punch, is shown by the division the biggest game in the East will be played by the 77th Division team against the best college team in the country. This game is being arranged by the Mayor's Committee of National Defense.
Allen Smith, a Scotsman who has lived in Japan several years, and one of the foremost jiu-jitsu experts in the world, will be here shortly to instruct the officers in the essence of this famous Japanese "art."
All officers desiring instruction must notify Mr. Glick, who is arranging a class in jiu-jitsu. Later on there will be classes for the enlisted men. A knowledge of this science will be of much value to the men in the hand-to-hand trench warfare. There will also be instruction given in boxing, the instructor to be announced later. He will probably be a world champion fighter.
We think of athletics for peace alone, but in this greatest game of all the "soldier athlete" is proving of greatest value. The 77th Division will go down in history as the "division of soldier athletes"
Get in the game!
Pepper Talks
By George Matthew Adams
THE WAR
I am a believer in THE PLANNED running through all time. That things don't "just happen." That a life appears at its time for a reason- to fulfill ITS purpose. And that there are no accidents of destiny.
And that you were born at the particular minute of the world's evolving that you were because you were meant to best fit in at your particular time. History is but a proving of the fitness of happenings.
This war had to come. But it will end-because IT MUST. It is all in the plan of the world.
Victor Hugo in writing of the fall of Napoleon laid no fault at the feet of the great Corsican. He simply stated that the world had become unsteadily weighted by his power and that God had to step in. Well, God did.
So now our hearts must bitterly bleed with the heart of the whole world. But we must remember that out of it all is sure to come a "new birth of freedom" of such quality that the world has never known.
Events must face their time. Just at the hour when we thought that brotherhood had somehow come around, it drew its sword. And this same sword must be sheathed. But not until after the scathing plan of the Watcher of the world has been wrought.
So it is that in faith we fight on. And we are unafraid. The end is being justified right now. This war must go on until the great heart of the world has found its balance.
And then peace-the peace of Understanding among men.
A PASSING TRUTH
It's queer, but it's so,
Men are fashioned this way:
If you pay as you go
They will want you to stay.
Y.M.C.A. Doing Its Bit For Soldiers "Over There"
Many American Soldiers who say they could not imagine what field service would be without the Y.M.C.A. buildings and their comforts and conveniences are wondering whether they will have the same facilities "Over There" as in the cantonments.
The Y.M.C.A. is on the job "Over There" as well as over here, and this is what Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George thinks of it:
"Few organizations have done so much in caring for the comfort and well-being of our soldiers as your associations."
"They give invaluable help to the army, and have immeasurably lightened the hardships which have to be endured by our troops."
"In recognizing the excellent work that has already been done, I should like to wish you success in that which you still propose to undertake."
EAST SIDERS TAKE KAISER INTO CAMP
Many novelties were introduced into the parades of the selective service men throughout the country on their way to railroad stations to entrain for their camps, but the boys from one of the East Side districts in New York seemed to have capped the climax.
Well up toward the head of the East Sider's column was presented the spectacle of Uncle Sam taking the Kaiser, heavily shackled, into camp.
One of the selective service men was costumed as Uncle Sam and the other dressed as the Kaiser, spiked helmet, high boots and all. Uncle Sam walked slightly in advance of the Kaiser, so as to strain the heavy, glittering handcuffs and make them visible to the thousands of spectators who laughed and cheered.
NEW Y.M.C.A. OPENED WITH BIG TIME VAUDEVILLE.
The opening of the new Y.M.C.A. Building at Fifth Avenue and 14th Street was a most auspicious event, the special programme of vaudeville and boxing bouts being witnessed by hundreds of men from the 152d Artillery Brigade, made up of 304th, 305th and 306th Field Artillery and 302d Trench Mortar Battery. The Regimental Band of the 305th Field Artillery furnished the good music for the evening.
The Crowning event of the programme was the five-act vaudeville show put on by the professional performers from the B.F. Keith circuit now enlisted in the artillery. "Mr. Jazz, Himself." otherwise known as Termint, knocked them cold with his sensational performance on the violin. Walter Shirley of the team of Shirley and Shirley won instantaneous favor with his singing of popular ballads, while Willie Reynolds, assisted by "Dummy," produced a clever ventriloquist act which went big. Jack Waldron ripped off several rollicking rags and Davey Jones got a large hand for his monologue. Austin McClure known on Broadway as the "Pianola Kid," took the piano on a joy ride and several other ivory ticklers obliged. It was a large evening.
START LANGUAGE CLASSES.
The upper J Y.M.C.A. has started a very vital work of teaching English to men who need such knowledge. Private Mantinband, who has had six years’ experience in the well-known Roberts method, has conducted two demonstrations for the men who are going to teach, while Private S. Goldstein has twice taught a class of ten men. During the past ten days a French class with enrollment of twenty-two has been taught by Private Jobin, formerly interpreter for the export department of J.P. Morgan & Co. In its five meetings the class has made good progress in the pronunciation of French.
Upton's Political Pot Boiling These Last Campaign Days
Fusionists and Democrats Have Headquarters Here-Suffragists and Antis Active.
Camp Upton's pot is merrily boiling, with headquarters established by both the Fusion and the Democratic organizations and speakers carded in the interests of both parties, including Mayor Mitchel and Judge Hylan. Mayor Mitchel's strong-hold, a gaily striped tent sways in the breezes at Third Avenue and Tenth Street, while the Democratic chieftains have secured a location on Upton Boulevard just at the foot of Headquarters Hill.
Meetings have been held between 7 and 9 o'clock almost every evening, with speakers from the city, among those whom "we have had with us" being Marcus M. Marks, candidate for Borough President of Manhattan, and ex-Adjutant Gen. Louis W. Stotesbury, candidate for City Judge, both appearing in their own behalf. Both are running on the Fusion ticket.
Nor can the suffragists and antis be omitted from the list of those contributing to the camps political invigoration. Both have had a turn at the camp, with banners, speeches and all other essentials of a demonstration. Col. Roosevelt. it is understood, is engaged to speak Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 31, under the auspices of the Woman Suffrage Party. Personal visits by Mayor Mitchel and Judge Hylan divide the centre of interest with the Colonel.
Soldier-electors registered their names on Oct. 24 on blank forms provided the company organizations. All enlisted men entitled to a vote thus declared themselves as a part of the great metropolitan electorate which will make Nov. 6 a "day long to be remembered" as one might characterize cannily.
A Sensation was introduced at roll-call the other morning when Private Wilson's name was called. He had hurried up from the milk train to be counted, and when his name was called he drowsily answered, "Oh well, I guess you'll have to gimme another ginger ale."
Intensive Competition Was Minimized to Keep Men From Subscribing Beyond Their Means.
Throughout Camp Upton are recruits who wear proudly on their coats a small button which doubles the pride they feel in their uniform. They are doing double service, as subscribers to quarter spaces.
Upton's enlisted men responded nobly to the call for subscribers, and many in camp had to be held back from making a larger investment than his means could handle. It was the aim of those in charge of the campaign here to keep the men from buying more bonds then they could afford. This conservation and restraint of competitive methods, which might have resulted in many men obligating themselves out of proportion with their resources, has kept the total figure something below that of the other camps, but the response from the rank and file had been more gratifying.
The estimated total is $1,500,000. Friday was the last day for the subscriptions under the Government allotment plan, whereby payment of the bonds is to be made out of the monthly pay, and at that time the following figures were given out:
308th Infantry............................................................$208,800
306th Infantry..............................................................184,800
305th Infantry..............................................................135,850
307th Infantry..............................................................101,900
306th Field Artillery.....................................................102,700
304th Field Artillery.......................................................53,000
305th Field Artillery.......................................................69,800
304th Machine Gun Battery............................................16,950
305th Machine Gun Battery............................................21,900
306th Machine Gun Battery............................................12,850
302d Engineers..............................................................73,700
302d Supply Train............................................................8,850
302d Ammunition Train.................................................59,550
302d Trench Mortar Battery...........................................12,250
Headquarters Troop........................................................7,950
Miscellaneous Brigades Hdqs.......................................305,350 Total...............................................$1,367,200
"General Havoc" Rides into Camp Astride a Gale
Takes Command at Upton, and Turns Things Topsy Turvy, Doing Much Damage.
A saw-edged Long Island nor'easter, the kind that you read about in Fakem's Almanac for 1882, has had Upton gasping for breath.
There have been blows here since the breeze which wafted in the first contingent of recruits, but the one last week leads all subsequent ones by several laps. It took the blue ribbon, the chased sterling loving cup, likewise anything else portable that happened in its path. It was the kind of a gale that you can lean against, like a wall. It whipped across the local moors and fens like an avenging, destroying angel, upsetting plans for Liberty Loan Day, snatching mess-kits from rookie land, rocking barracks like cradles and wafting insecure campaign hats far aloft.
With the gale was mixed moisture. It might have been rain had it been given any sort of chance, but the wind grabbed it and twisted it into stingy little hard pellets, which attacked a fellow in the face and made him think he was in a hail of German shrapnel. The dust which had been lying around camp in heaps became sifty mud the inhaled shoes with the tenacity if that fabled Flanders variety.
There was very little human activity possible. The hurricane held the stage. In a few places an effort was made to stand out against it, one of the most notable being the watch tower on Tower Hill, where for two tortuous hours members of the military police force held stormy vigil. They like stormy petrels, standing out against the blow. The plan for athletic contests, it was thought might be modified to suit the weather, and there was some talk of an afternoon of aquatic sports, but this was thought disloyal to the naval branch of the service.
Real damage was wrecked in one quarter of the camp at least. The Y.M.C.A. Theatre tent figured in this, being completely wrecked by the storm. The canvas was torn to ribbons and the big canvas too completely dismantled. Costumers belonging to the War Time Players who were booked for several performances were damaged to the extent of several hundred dollars.
EACH BARRACK TO HAVE GRAPHOPHONE Men in Camp Will Have McCormack Lauder, Causo as Their Permanent Guests Every Night.
Jazz bands, Caruso, Harry Lauder, John McCormack and any number of other stars-a whole firmament of them-are coming to Yaphank, since it is rather hard for Yaphank to go to them.
Not in the flesh are they coming, but in a guise almost as satisfactory. They will be the guests of honor in every barracks of the camp, where they've been given an invitation. For every pine home in Upton that wants one is to have a graphophone with a set of records.
The Generosity of John H. Burton of New York makes this possible, and already the first shipment of fifty machines has been received. More will follow. A set of six records is given with each machine, and a phonograph record expert is picking the selections which are most acceptable.
A different variety is compassed in each set, the understanding being that the records can be exchanged, one company with another.
Mr. Burton has had the co-operation of the Y.M.C.A. of Upton in manipulating his benefaction, which will make thousands of local National Army men his friends. Assisting in the placement of machines and the details of the splendid bit of cheer bringing has been Capt. Charles L. Appleton of the 152d Deport Brigade.
Any one who has stood amazed at the solid comfort and entertainment which has been ground out by the Y.M.C.A. phonographs will stand aghast at the task of computing the enjoyment in store for barracks occupants through the real kindness of Mr. Burton.
JOHN DOE GETS MORE MAIL THAN ANY ONE ELSE IN CAMP Other Celebrities, Such as General Rumor, John W. Detail, &c., Not in it with Him When Letters Are Passed Out.
Camp Upton has probably more celebrities of fourteen-karat, first water variety than any other community of like size in this broad country of ours.
It is impossible to walk a dozen paces in any direction whatsoever without bumping into somebody or other very out of the ordinary.
Cabaret singers and dancers, opera stars, pugilists, burglars, bank cashiers, lawyers, newspapermen, prominent plumbers, well known policemen and firemen, celebrated chiropodists and baseball twirlers. Here they are, rubbing elbows with obscurities in a manner which classifies all of Upton's celebrities as salubrities also.
And not only are there many here which have been celebrated, but the camp has a big batch of local well knowns all its own. They are legion.
General Rumor is one of the most prominent with General Orders close on his heels.
John W. Detail is rapidly getting into the forefront also, with Mr. As you-were making him hustle for the honors.
Recently though, a local character has been discovered which shades all the aforementioned ones. He bids fair to crowd all competitors out of the running in this Camp Celebrity Competition.
He is John Doe-no middle initial. Notices posted in barracks have recognized Johns prominence and in-numerable privates have eagerly seconded their superior officer's declaration. A commendable desire on the part of rookies to carry out to the last letter all military orders has prompted them. On barracks bulletin boards has appeared John Doe's Magna Charta, somewhat after this form: "Have mail addressed to John Doe, Company C, 306th Infantry, Camp Upton, New York."
In consequence John's mail has been exceedingly heavy during the past few days.
MOUNTAINEERS AT HOME ON ISLAND
Capt. Green's company of the 305th deserves honorable mention for their industry in making the appearance of their barracks on of the be in camp. These boys from Lock Haven, Pa., are a long way from their beloved home in the mountains, but they are as happy as any New Yorkers in camp and their slogan is "Over There!"
YAPS AND YANKS "Stumping To-Night, Stumping To-Night, Stumping on the Old Camp Ground."
So doth the enlisted man at Upton vary the classic words of "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground," while he rubs tenderly his latest blister where the harsh pull of a pick axe had ruffled up a soft skin, unused for years to anything but the pressure of a pen or a typewriter. "Watch your stump" has become a variation for "Watch your step."
The Prize excuse for a leave of absence has been dug up. A member of the 306th wanted to be given a pass so he could go home and do his Christmas shopping early. Next will come the fellow who wished to run home so that he could turn out the gas in the kitchen stove.
Many a rookie is complaining bitterly because the Post Exchanges don't issue trading stamps. The idea is that a post has something to do with stamps, and isn't an exchange a trade?
MIDWEEK HOLIDAY TRAINS
To handle the city-bound crowd of Upton men off on leave for the Wednesday half-holiday a schedule of trains has been prepared, supplementing the one governing the weekend crowd which was published recently in Trench and Camp. Fifteen per cent of a command in any regiment or independent unit will be entitled to passes. Sixteen and one third per cent of the fifteen per cent will leave on each of the six trains. The regulations governing the handling of the boys on leave are practically the same as those appearing in the aforementioned edition of this jubilant journal. Here is the said schedule:
Wednesday Special Trains From Camp Upton to New York and Brooklyn. Leave camp Upton 12:10 P.M., 12:30, 12:45, 1, 1:15, 5:30 From New York(Pennsylvania Station) and Brooklyn(Flatbush Avenue) at 10 P.M, 10:30, 11, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45
PASS RESTRICTIONS ADD TO MORTALITY RECORDS
Since the new order limiting the number of passes granted in each company for the weekend went into effect the captains have had a hard time trying to sort out the really deserving sheep from the undeserving goats.
It is surprising to learn the number of heart-breaking reasons why passes should be granted to nearly every member of his company, a certain captain was approached by the recruit who said: "Sir I want to go home in the worst possible way." "Why do you want to go home?" inquired the Captain. "Well, I want to go, the worst way," repeated the recruit. "All right take the Long Island." Laughed the captain, as he agreed to grant the pass.
EX-PRESIDENT TAFT SAYS AMERICA MUST WIN THIS WAR TO INSURE PEACE HEREAFTER "Suppression of the Power of the Hohenzollern Dynasty That is Responsible for the Present Crime Against Civilization" Imperative, Former Executive Declares
No Statement of America's war purpose is complete without reference to the proposed international agreement by which President Wilson and the foremost statesmen of our European allies hope to keep the world safe, after our armies and navies have rescued it from the peril of German autocracy ad military greed. This, un essence, is the object of the League to Enforce Peace, an organization which is urging a vigorous prosecution of the war as the first and most necessary step toward the realization of its aims. The following explanation of the purposes of the League to Enforce Peace was written for "Trench and Camp" by its President William Howard Taft formerly President of the United States.
The League to Enforce Peace is a plan for making the peace which follows this are a permanent peace. The plan looks to an international agreement of all nations, by which they shall enforce peaceable procedure before a court, or commission of conciliation, of a hearing, the submission of evidence, argument and a decision, either in the form of a judgment or a recommendation of compromise. If any nation begins war before this procedure has been completed, all the other nations agree to resist the war thus prematurely begun, in violation of the plighted faith of a member of the League.
The League does not look to the enforcement of the judgment or of the recommendation of compromise, but it counts on the delay and deliberation in such a peaceable procedure, taking at least eighteen months, to bring the parties to the quarrel to their senses, to bring the issues fairly before the world, and to afford an opportunity for a settlement other than by arms. The projectors of the League believe that in most cases war can thus be avoided.
We are now in a League to Enforce Peace. We are using the united forces of the democracies of the world to strike down irresponsible military autocracy. If that is allowed, no peace made after this war will be permanent. It will last as long as it is to the interest of the military dynasties to have it last, and them to strike for further conquest, peace will cease and war will begin again.
An indispensable condition, therefore, of a successful and useful League to Enforce Peace, after this war is over, must be the winning of the present war and the suppression of th power of Hohenzollern dynasty that is responsible for the present crime against civilization.
The fist purpose of those who wish to promote the League to Enforce Peace must be to win the war. That the Allies, with the aid of America, are going to do, no matter what it costs.
UPTON HAS OLDEST INHABITANT-QUITE A NUMBER, IN FACT "Yeh, I Remember When There Was Nuthin' but Woods, Just Woods," Says One of Them.
The town that can't trot out at least one oldest inhabitant is a terribly jaded burg and is badly crippled. Its chances to succeed are slimmer than the Kaiser's against the National Army.
Camp Upton is no such place. it has none of the handicap which grows from a lack of oldest inhabs. There are several here. And they are some old! Six months makes an oldest inhabitant. Six days can qualify a National Army man for the dignity. He feels like one as soon as another batch of recruits breezes in.
But take this oldest inhabitant feller-the bona fide kind, wit his memory harking back to antedeluvian days, before Upton was. He lacks the beard length and the sitting capacity of the conventional garden variety breed that infests country stories, but in most points he qualifies easily. A further point of difference with the stereotyped brand is that Camp Upton’s oldest inhabitant works for a living. But he's a 32 caliber bore just the same. Here's his line:
"Yeh, I was one of the first, if not THE first, man here. Believe me, some difference from wat she is now. You oughta have seen 'er (quaint, poetic symbol for the camp) when I first did. No Broadway nor nuthin." "Yeh, I came out with the first gang of office men. Slept in tents in them days. None of your fancy barracks livin then. Them was the good old days! We started to live down by the railroad, yeh, in tents. Been here for nearly six months now, Nuthin' here when we first came, Nuthin' but woods, all woods. There was woods right here where we're standin'-right here on this macadamized road." "Some different then! Yeh, we lived in tents, no barracks up then. After a while we moved-up into E-first barracks in camp. Yeh, we went through the mosquito days. Had to sleep under netting. Some life in them days. None o' your easy livin' then. Wasn't nuthin' here-only woods-just woods. Some different!"
Solider Says National Army Has Done Wonders for Him, and He Can Lick Dozen Germans With One Hand
Much has been written on the miracles of land reclamation which have been accomplished in building this barrack city on what was for scores of years a Long Island wilderness, a feat which makes the desert bloom and blossom as the rose. It is indeed a marvelous achievement, raising up walls where there were none, any laying down smooth roads where the underbrush always grew so thickly that a rabbit had to be an expert contortionist to travel without detouring. it is not to be discounted.
But there are other works of reclamation going on in Camp Upton, miracles of human regeneration which shade even in the windrous accomplishments of engineering. One of these has come to the writer's notice, and has been thoroughly be paralleled by many others, and added unto in lesser degree by kindred instances.
When Uncle Sam's great universal enlistment net was spread over New York City, as it was everywhere in the country, it included a certain fellow, twenty-nine years of age, living in the Rivington Street neighborhood. For nine years he had been in exile from his own home because of dissolute habits, and during that period never saw his own mother, although living within a few blocks of her.
His naturally powerful physique had been undermined by heavy drinking, but he was able to pass the army medical examination and came here with the first increment. He is already a new man.
In a conversation with the writer he said: "Until I came here, for years I never knew what a breakfast tasted like. it was always "four fingers" the first thing in the morning, and the little food I ate was all pickled in booze. I've cut that stuff entirely. Sunday I was home and saw my mother for the first time in years. She was tickled to death. And I came back sober; and, believe me I'm going to stay sober. I never had any ambition before, but now I feel as if I could lick a dozen Germans with one hand."
"After a big breakfast of steak and potatoes and oatmeal and coffee, that drill in the open air fixes me right. I'm getting hard as nails, sleep like a baby, and, gee, it’s tough to get up, but I enjoy it once I'm awake."
"You can say for me, boy, that if it wasn't for the National Army New York would still have a useless bum lying around like rubbish. Yes, Sir, I'm a different man entirely."
Picking Eleven Warriors from 27,000 men for Upton Grid team Task on Shoulders of Ex Princeton Star
Bomeisler and Storer, Who Opposed Each Other in Blue and Crimson, May Be "Bunkies" Here at End and Tackle-Many Other Once-College Luminaries in Squad.
Selecting a football team from 27,000 men is a task that doesn't fall to the lot of a coach every day in the year. In fact, it is doubtful whether as large a number of whole males have ever composed a group from which eleven individuals were to be chosen as battlers.
The Greeks had some customs along this line which are somewhat hazy in the mind of the writer-picking out athletes from cities and all that sort of thing: Then; of course, there's the well known case of David being drawn as champion of his pals in the 77th Israelitish Fusiliers. But that happened before the pigskin was used for sport purposes and should be ruled out of the present comparison with the task of getting Camp Upton's star gridders sorted from their mates.
No college in the world has the enrollment that is the raw material from which Yaphank's aggregation is to be drawn. That statement is made confidently, although there are several precincts in Burma and German East Africa. "that was" yet to be heard from. And the job of picking the camp team is on the shoulders of one man. They are broad shoulders, it is true, and have proven more than worldly wise when football arguments have been in progress. Frank Glick, civilian aide to Gen. Bell, in charge of Upton's athletic activities for the Fosdick Commission, is their possessor.
Shone Brightly at Princeton
Already, during the short history of the cantonment's athletics, Glick has won a place of high regard among officers and men because of the qualifications which marks him pre-eminently for this position. His football wisdom, generalship and field abilities are a household word where football is known well enough to distinguish between goal posts and five yard line. in 1915 he captained the Princeton team and was a factor in bringing to pass a change in coaching there which introduced "Speedy" Rush to the Tiger institution as football instructor.
Glick's knowledge of coaching and instruction in the sciences of the game is broad and is backed by playing abilities of a rare order. Recall, if you wish, that statement substantiated, the Princeton-Yale game in 1914, when he was put in the quarter for the last seven minutes of the play. He was suffering from an injury and was kept on the bench during the first three-quarters of play. With the score standing 19 to 0 in favor of the New Haven outfit, Glick was rushed in, scored a touchdown and bore a share of responsibility for another one-two i the last seven minutes of play. His work in this game was sufficient data on which to base the shift made next year, taking him from half and placing him at the Princeton team's helm as quarterback.
All American Stars Here
Football devotees here are looking forward to an exhibition from his team which will demonstrate the method used in accomplishing the foregoing feat. Especially is the game Nov. 24 at the Polo Grounds with the Camp Devens eleven (Ayer, Mass.) anticipated.
In whipping a team into shape Glick is confronted by a number of handicaps. One of these is the limited time for practice. Most of the candidates have their time pretty well taken up with drill, which keeps them falling out and back in again until 5 o'clock. Football practice is at 4:30.
The first call for candidates brought out eighty-five, but this squad has been pared down by Coach Glick until there are now about two full teams at work. Some of the men bear names whose lustre has been bright, many college stars being on the list of promising eligibles. Bob Storer, former Harvard captain, will be available for tackle, while another All-American man who wore Yale Blue opposite Storer may be his "bunkie" at end. Doug Bomeisler is the man, Yale, '14.
Lieut. Hayes, Colgate, is another wing man who may develop into fitting running mate for Bomeisler. Lieut. Colbath, Bowdoin, looks powerful for a backfield place, while among those who will push him for his position are Private M.M. Hershman, Rutgers; Private MacDonald, a Brooklyn school star; Private Wilson, Washington State University, an accomplished punter; Private Myers, an adept in forward passing, and Private H.H. Harris, former New York schoolboy Luminary.
Lieuts. Stone and F.A. Slocum, Wesleyan, both look good for this quarter position, while Lieut. Woodring, Vanderbilt University is another likely end. An All-Southern guard Lieut. Ross, is expected to help solve the principal problem confronting Coach Glick- the matter of developing a strong line.
Plenty of available material, it is hoped, will be dug from the trenches here and inserted in moleskins before the contest which will prove the advantages of Long Island over Massachusetts as a training ground for real football soldiers.
DIVISIONAL "RETREAT" AN INSPIRING SIGHT
Single Ceremony for Entire 77th Impressive-Two Bands Play Down the Colors Each Evening.
Divisional "Retreat" is now a daily ceremony at Camp Upton, and the turning out of all the commands in the Seventy-Seventh, each man standing at attention. Is an inspiring and impressive sight.
Gen. Bell witnessed the first divisional "retreat" at the close of the day Thursday and was much gratified with it. He prefers a single "Retreat" ceremony to regimental or brigade "retreats" in various parts of the camp.
The numerous bands here will alternate in playing down the colors which fly high from a seventy-five foot staff on Headquarters Hill. The combined bands of the 307th and 308th Infantry regiments officiated at the initial ceremony. Friday evening the band of the 304th and 305th Field Artillery regiments played, while on Saturday the 306th Field Artillery and 203d Engineers' bands furnished the music. These six bands will rotate until other musical organizations are proficient enough to officiate.
The soldiers in the making were greatly impressed when the thousands of men composing the brigade, together with the 152d Depot Brigade stood silently in front of their barracks as the strains of "The Start Spangled Banner" were wafted over the entire camp. The elevation of Headquarters HIll is such as to cause the music the bandsmen to be heard in all quarters of Camp Upton. It was the first divisional "retreat" ever witnessed by any of the civilian soldiers and was also new to a great many of the experienced officers here.
GOOD BOXING MATCHES THRILL UPTON SOLDIERS.
Boxing continues to rule the favorite over all other branches of sport at Upton. All the soldiers are proud of their "knuckle dusting" abilities, and are being given ample opportunity to exchange wallops with opponents.
Several star bouts were staged at the opening of the new Y.M.C.A. building at Fifth Avenue and 14th Street. M.C. Griffith and J.F. Eschman participated in a scientific demonstration of the manly art, which was followed by several speedy rounds om which Lou Alpen and "Battling" Lahen faced each other. Bob Rush and Johnny Willis mixed it for an interesting spell, and then Joe Braff and George Lampe held the attention of the crowd.
The Boxing feature closed with a rattling good hammer-and-tongs affair between Johnson and May of Battery E, 305th Field Artillery.
Sergt. Crouch of Battery B, 306th Field Artillery, made an able referee.
The bouts were in charge of of Jimmy Clark, the veteran Xaviar athlete, a long distance runner from New York and holder of the twenty-mile record for outdoors and indoors. Clark has charge of the athletic work in the M. Building and is making mighty, mighty good on his job.
A number of good, fast bouts also have been pulled off in the R. Building. Friday night the pugilists included Young Fulton, "Battling" Lahen, Gene Guiloy, Takoma Kid, Red Ketchel and Young Getty. Earlier in the week Al Kaufman and Young Getty participated in a match which featured the evenings entertainment and had the soldiers wild with excitement.
COMPANY B DEFEATS COMPANY D OF 307TH
Company D of the 307th Infantry is looking for revenge, having been nosed out by Company B of the same regiment in a 14-to-13 baseball game. It was a hard battle from start to finish, and when "Laughing Larry" Lavitsky, moundman for Company B, weakened in the eighth and allowed the D boys to pull tallies over the dish, it looked like his cake was all dough. He came back strong in the ninth, however, and held the game safe. Keller twirled excellent ball for the losers, but his support was ragged, particularly in the early innings.
50 PER CENT. OF COMPANY IN MEET.
Boxing nights at the Y.M.C.A. hut have become so popular that certain commanding officers have instituted them into their own company programmes. John Gaddi was the star mitt manipulator at the 152d Depot Brigade Sixth Company's milt on Wednesday last, showing marked superiority over his much heavier opponent. The Sixth Company held a very successful track meet Saturday in which 50 per cent of the men participated.
TRENCH AND CAMP
Vol. 1 No. 5
November 5, 1917
“Has Anybody Here Seen Hindenburg?”
Drawing – Drawn Expressively for TRENCH AND CAMP BY CESARE
PG. 2
GEN. BELL EXTENDS WARM WELCOME TO TRENCH AND CAMP
HERO STUFF SHOWN BY UPTON MEN WHO LOSE LIVES IN RR. ACCIDENT
Private McFarland, Who died of Accident Injuries, Showed That Upton Men Know How to Die
Two Members of the 204th field artillery will never reach France. Their lives have gone out before opportunity was give them to wear in battle the uniform which they had worn only a few days ago.
Joe Messina of Battery F was killed instantly in the railroad accident at Upton Terminal. Frank McFarland succumbed several days later to injuries received in the smash-up.
He bore the suffering with a patience whose fineness is a wonderful commentary on the stuff composing this new and as yet untried army. It was given to him to play a hero’s part before he died, even though he could not display the temper of his manhood in battle. He was jammed under the wheels of one of the cars and when extricated told his rescuers not to mind him but to see whether his sweetheart was safe. She had come in on the excursion train to spend visitor’s day with him.
The men of the 204th will carry with them overseas the memory of their departed comrads for so short a while. He was an Amherst College man and had won an unusual number of friends during his brief period in camp, often entertaining at the piano in one of the Y.M.C.A. huts.
Messina’s death was especially sad, as his brother tony had come to spend the afternoon with him and identified his body.
Official Report Issued.
The following official report was issued by Capt. J.S.S. Richardson, O.R.C., Division Intelligence Officer, after the incident:
“By direction of Gen. Bell, an investigation is being made by the military authorities into the circumstances of the distressing accident at Camp Upton Terminal. Until that investigation is complete no statement can be made concerning the cause of the accident or the responsibility for it. Lieut. Henry S. Sterns, who was in command of the military police detail at the terminal when the accident occurred, reported that an empty passenger train backed into a chain of stalled freight cars which stood at the extremity of Track 4. The impact forced the freight cars into sudden motion, and at the end one smashed through a buffer block and clear across the passageway, which at the time was thronged with people, most of whom had just left a passenger train that arrived a few moments before on Track 2. One soldier was killed, three were seriously injured, and nine others were hurt badly enough to require attention at the base hospital. Another soldier was slightly hurt, but did not require attention at the hospital.
“Lieut. Sterns restored order among many of the women passengers, who became alarmed, and cleared the station promptly of all other passengers. Ambulances carried the injured to the hospital as rapidly as they could be extricated from beneath the trucks of the car, which had to be overturned in order to get one of the men out. As far as can be ascertained the work of transporting the wounded to the hospital was executed with promptness and dispatch.”
List of Injured Soldiers.
Below is a list of the injured soldiers:
William Barasch, private, C Company, 35th Machine Gun Battalion, 29 years old; lacerations
Abraham Bergman, private, 7th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, 24 years old; general contusions
Rudolph Freyer, private, G Company, 32nd Ammunition Train, 25 years old; lacerated left foot
Abraham Gaber, private, Battery C, 306th Field Artillery Train, 26 years old; shoulder dislocated
Joseph E. Kasner, private, Machine Gun Company, 308th Infantry, 25 years old; dislocated wrist
Vincent Lacava, private, C Company, 302nd Engineers, 28 years old; shock
Charles W. Miller, private, Battery A, 305th Field Artillery, 26 years old; dislocation of right collar bone; right ear lacerated
Max Rosenblat, private, 25th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, 25 years old; shock
Morris Sappier, private, Battery C, 304th Field Artillery, 29 years old; slight contusion of right leg.
Morris Schildhaus, private, C Company, 305th Machine Gun Battalion, 30 years old; contusion of ankle.
Y.W.C.A. HOSTESS HOUSES WILL OPEN
Woman Who Visit Enlisted Men at Upton to Have “All the Comforts of Home”
Yaphank will soon come under the motherly wing of the Young Women’s Christian Association, which plans to have in operation as soon as possible three hostess houses in camp for the feminine visitors of enlisted men.
Four million dollars is being raised as a war fund by the Y.W.C.A. to promote welfare work among the women and girls of the United States, and the allies, and $900,000 will used in building the hostess houses such as will be erected here. There will be three of them at Camp Upton, two for white women visiting the camp and one for colored. To these commodious houses a soldier may take his charming visitor and assure her of the cheerful atmosphere and homelike surroundings which the Y.W.C.A. always creates.
The first of these centres to open is open is the one at Third Avenue and Sixth Street, opposite the tent which for six weeks has been operated by the Y.W.C.A. as a gathering place for relatives and friends of enlisted men. In the near future the other two will begin activities, one at Fourth Avenue and 15th Street, and another at Second Avenue and 11th street colored.
Impressions
The Other Fellow
(By Eugene GreenHut, 23rd Company, 152nd Depot Bridgade
I am in impressionist. You are an impressionist. Mostly all of us are impressionist. That’s why
you and I and the crowd will get along well together.
To be impressionable one has only to be human. If you are not human, I pity you because you will
be misunderstood and therefore unhappy! You! No. Well, neither does the other fellow.
Few of us are willing to admit the equality of the other fellow. Oh yes, he’s alright but-
And therein lies the story.
When I first came to camps and was assigned to Casual Barracks I heard around me many
comments in criticism of “The Crowd”
“Some Bunch”
“Good night! What a mob!”
And so on.
Each man felt he had been thrown in with many who were ‘way beneath his level of intelligence,
education, and position, both social and financial. Few stopped to think that the other fellow was
thinking the same thoughts.
Purposely I mingled with all and-well. I’m glad to be here. They are “some bunch”. I’m proud to be one of them. It’s cured all the snobbishness in me.
All they need is a little warming up to. Just a cheery word here and there.
That other fellow across the aisle. What of him? You are lonesome. So is he. You are homesick. So is he. You gave good home, friends, a swell job, ambitions and a future. So did he.
Well, what’s the answer?
Be human. Look out a little for his welfare. Cheer him up a little when he needs it.
Help him as much as you can, when you can.
Why?
Because YOU’LL be happier!
You don’t think so?
Try it!
Gen. Bell Salutes Trench and Camp
I have examined with interest copies of Trench and Camp, the weekly paper which is being published by the National War Work Council, Young Men’s Christian Association, with the generous co-operations of various daily newspapers, and am glad to express appreciation of the patriotic service which it is endeavoring to render.
It is a source of gratification to think of the various organizations which are offering their help which is inspiriting the soldiers of our new army, and among them the Young Men’s Christian Association certainly deserves to take a high place.
The new venture of that organization—the issuing of a soldier’s newspaper in all the thirty-two cantonments, with half its pages devoted to the news of intimate and peculiar interest to each camp and half of a general character—has large potentialities of good. Trench and Camp is purely patriotic, I understand, and in no sense commercial, the contributions being offered gratis and the distribution among the men free. It deserves the co-operative interest of every man in Camp Upton, and I earnestly bespeak for it all the help and encouragement which can be found here.
J. F. BELL,
Major General, In Command Seventy-seventh Division, National Army, Camp Upton, New York
RECORD BAD WEATHER FAILS TO QUENCH SPIRITS OF FIRST COLORED INCREMENT
1,528 Brings That Many Empty Stomachs and Drenched Skins to Military Service
With spirits unquenched even by te ran and storm, which, on the day of their arrival, set a new record for dismal Upton weather, the first quota of colored troops have arrived in camp. They have begun to familiarize themselves with one—two—three—four and the regulation mess kit. This first quota was composed of 1,528 selected men. There was precisely exactly that number of empty stomachs and soaked skins when the march from the camp terminal to Section J, where the contingent will be quartered, was complete. Internal application of food and coffee in startling quantities drove away one of these physical discomforts, however, and the barrack stoves helped in the drying-out process.
Not once did the good nature of these rookies flag, however, all the varieties of expression were given to General Good Feeling, an officer in the colored outfit who bids fair to assume even greater prominence than he took on the first day. At the Y.M.C.A Second Avenue and 11th Street, which will be hence forth by the negroes, the piano was the centre of a rollicking group until stalwart Secretary Seldon, former teammate of Tad Jones on the Exeter football eleven, sent his new charges off to bed.
These men are the first of the 5,000 who will be trained in this cantonment for the 367th Infantry and 351st Machine Gun Battalion, Both commands will be included in the 184th Brigade and will be fighting units of the 92d Division. The infantry regiment will be in command on Col. James A. Moss.
FAMOUS MUSICIANS COMPOSE 304TH F.A. BAD AT YAPHANK
Sergeant Delphini, Leader, Organizes Windjammers From Far and Near Into Bang-up “Oompah” Outfit
Upton has developed a very acute case of “Bandelero.” Perhaps it should be called “oompah-it is.” Anyway, it’s a very pleasing sort of disease to have around. Its symptoms are brass in quality and quite alarming in expression. Mention has been made at various times to Trench and Camp of band activity here, and it is the purpose of the director to have a writeup each week of one of the bands. This has to do with the 304th Field Artillery outfit, the first one organized.
The inclination is deep within every member’s bosom to make it the best windjammering aggregation in the cantonment, and the ability is on tap to carry out the inclination. Sergt. Delphini, the accomplished leader, is capable of holding his musickers in the lead.
The personnel of the band includes names known from Oyster Bay to Puerto Rico, among which are the following: Al Hilton-Smith, cornet soloist, formerly of the Metropolitan Opera Company and the 71st Regiment Band, New York; Oscar Stange, soloist of the Dumhelt Band, Ridgewood, Brooklyn; William Wendell, cornet soloist, Battleship Florida; Phil Lentz, cornet soloist, Brownsville Band; Virdin Hickman, first cornetist of the 13th Regiment Band; Charles Altenburge, BB Bass, formerly leader of the famous East New York Submarine Band.
William Simonson, first cornet of the Westbury Band, Max Dreyblatt, clarinet soloist of the Spooner Theatre, New York, Thomas Kras, clarinet of the Polish Union of Brooklyn, Leonard C. Wright, clarinet of the Oyster Bay Band; Carmel G. Lombardi; clarinet of the New York Symphony Orchestra; William Moran, trombone of the Oyster Bay Band; Steve Dublyk, trombone of the 35th Regiment Band; James Jerman, trombone of the Olympic Theatre; Joseph Hogg, E Flat alto of the Mecca Temple Band, New York; Frank Godoy, E Flat alto of the Barr-n Band of Porto Rico; John Zubko, - Flat also of the Citizens’ Band of --enmaugh, PA; Arthur French, E flat alto of Mullen’s Band, New York; Phillip DeMarco, baritone vellirio, N.B. Pezuller Band, Yonkers; Edgar Dukes, baritone Southampton Band, L.I.; Harold Breese, saxophone, 29th Regiment Band, New York; Thomas A. Smith, saxophone, 1st Maryland Infantry Band; Albert Eisenburg, E Flat tube of Joe Harris Band, New York; Andrew Hahan, base drum of Henderson’s Band, Coney Island; Hank Marshall, drummer of New York Fireman’s Band; Harry Plaseusky, jass drummer of the Spooner Theatre, New York.
Spare the time to come and hear them at the 14th Street and Second Avenue Y.M.C.A. in the near future, as they will be at their best.
HOW ABOUT THIS?
That little “racket” YOU had in Your barracks—did an account of it get into Trench and Camp? If it didn’t, whose fault is it? Trench and Camp will cheerfully take the blame. It would lots rather take the account of your shindig, though, and color it up for consumption by you, your friends and fellow-soldiers. Don’t be exclusive with the “parties” you enjoy. Pass the word along to the rest of the Uptonites. They may be prompted to go and di likewise. If you have no newswriter in your outfit, give the details—in all their fullness—to the Trench and Camp man in the nearest Y.M.C.A. hut. He’ll see that the facts are woven into readable form. And you’ll be surprised how much the co-operation you put into Trench and Camp will lighten the soldiering routine, make life at Upton brighter and help the fols at home understand how you’re living. For, of course, you send every copy of Trench and Camp to them!
LECTURE ON GAS MASK.
Bryon Reiss of Manhattan, formerly a driver of the American Ambulance Corps, at the request of Lieut. Thomas, Battery E, 306th Field Artillery, has come to Upton to begin a series of lectures on the use of the gas mask,
PG. 3
NEWS FLASHES, BULLETINS, YARNS AND CHATTER FOR UPTONITES
“BARRACKS PARTY” BY 302ND F.S.B. GREAT SUCCESS
Officers Entertained With Buller Repast, Vandeville and Boxing—Guests of Honor Make Speeches
All previous amateur and professional records for “barrack parties” were smashed by the men of the 302nd Field Signal Battalion, when they had as their guests the officers of the corps at the entertainment and banquet.
The Signal outfit has developed a family spirit among its member which is the most sought-after variety of espirit de corps, and the racket was a family gathering, making the splitting up of companies.
Weiss and Eihoff Did It.
Nat H. Weiss, Company C and Phil L Eihoff, Company B engineered the affair and their comrades passed them deserved congratulations on its success which was largely due to their untiring efforts. Weiss was an able announcer, besides, and Eihoff proved vessatile by rendering “The Shooting of Dan McGrew,” by Robert W. Service.
The centre of the barrack room downstairs was roped off with a lariat which cost the backers of the performance much tearful effort to obtain and the large audience, including officers and several invited guests, among whom were a number of newspapermen, sent up approval of every number from points of vantage—cots, benches, chairs and other positions. Three boxing bouts, each having a trio of rounds, produced some exhibitions of spice and ginger. The bouts were all declared draws and were participated in by the following: George Curtis, Company B, vs. R. Raphael, Company A; Tony Perrone, Company C, vs, Harry Fredericks, Company C; “Butch” Bartalucci, Company A, vs. “Slim” Cotrell, Company C.
Mess-Sergeant Veteran of Marne.
One of the evening’s features was a short talk by Mess Sergt. F. Combes, for ten months a member of the 3rd French Chausseurs. Sergt. Combes served in the Blue Devils under the famous Fabri, Lieutenant Colonet, who, with Marshal Joffre, was a member of the French Mission to this country. He was in the Battle of the Marne, being engaged in the vicinity of Seannes.
Combes was gassed and suffered a broken arm and smashed shoulder. He is extremely popular with his new mates in the Signal Battalion and their questions, following his remarks, were interesting. A great deal of concern was evinced in the prospects for “chow” when the trenches are reached. Sergt. Combes satisfied them that they would be taken care of.
Big “Eats” and Officers’ Speeches.
The other number on the programme were: Songs and piano numbers by Private E, Jones, Company B; ukulele and mandolin duets by Private Gordon, Company B, and Private Miller, Company C, and Hawaiian-and-otherwise songs by the former; recitation, “Gunha Din,” Private O’Mara, Company A; recitation “Habitant,” Private Nelson, Sanitary Train; Private Ferrara, 152nd Depot Brigade, and his dog Prince in “Travels around the United States;” and Private Larue, famous for his “one-two-three-four-Sh,” in a bull story.
Mess call was sounded, following the programme, but not for the usual purpose of consuming “slum.” Instead a Signal Corps repast that would shame Sherry’s was provided in the mess hall. Among the items on the menu were fritters, fruit, salad, cottage pudding, ice cream, coffee and cigarettes.
The following officers who were guests of honor, made brief speeches; Captain C.M. Millken, Captain S.H. Lawson, Lieutenant C.C. Rickelboff, Lieutenant John Warren, Lieutenant J.W. Kirkpatrick, Lieutenant Matthew Hammond, Lieutenant Frederick A Modes,. All of the speeches “went big.” George L. Moore of the Y.M.C.A. was a guest and brought greetings.
PRIVATE CURRAN TELLS OF TRENCH HARDSHIPS
Private Curran, of the 28th Company, 152nd Depot Brigade, was having his first experience of that enviable detail known in the vernacular as K.P.
“Take those potatoes out of the soup kettle,” the mess sergeant directed, indicating a big metal vessel used for boiling up soup, and having a faucet to strain off the soups.
“How’ll I get them out,” George asked, and on being told to get them through the faucet, he turned on the faucet, and stood waiting for the potatoes to come through. On being kidded about this he told the boys he thought that was an arrangement for making mashed potatoes.
The other day it rained heavily, and at dinner the boys were making conjectures as to the programme of work for the afternoon. Private Curran intimated that the company was scheduled for a hike, and one of the boys began to kick immediately. “Hike, nuthin,” he said. “We would be up to our knees in water.”
“Well,” returned Private Curran, “what are you goin’ to do when you get over in the trenches? You’ll be up to your neck in water then, and if you stick your head out you’ll get it shot off, and if you stick in it you’ll get drowned.”
ADVANCE ON ALL FRONTS BY CO. B, 305TH INFRANTRY.
Reports which Uptonites have brought from Riverhead indicate general advance on all fronts, with a number of miles of trenches captured. The victories are non-military, how-ever, but are noteworthy. The have been gained over the civilian population in the town adjacent and were accomplished with the aid of fair allies—ah, so fair in fact.
These social triumphs are the talk of a certain section on camp, moe particularly in Company B, 306th Infantry. A picked detail of terpsichorean experts from that outfit made such a complete capture when they appeared in their uniforms for the occasion that all civilians were barred from the auditorium. Among those present were Sergt. Fowler, Privates Nat Wasserman, Herb Wolgin, Ed Fauer, Henry Stubenvoll, Louis Weiss, J.M. McConnell, A.J. Higgins and Fred Baer. They are instructing their comrades in the Manual of Arms—and the Woman.
MACHINE GUNNERS PROVE THEMSELVES AS ENTERTAINERS
Although the first show of the Machine Gun Company, 307th Infantry, took place in the mess hall of the Barracks, P56, some nights ago, the 500 officers and men who were present on that successful occasion have not stopped talking about it.
Herman Cohen, who engineered the affair, and who is better known to followers of the legitimate stage as “The Yodeling Yid,” to which hadveen added for obvious reasons “of Yaphank,” has been actually besieged with requests since the first show to put on another of the same high class character.
The reason why the Machine Gun Company show has been pretty generally regarded as among the best, performance yet see at Camp Upton is that the stars who appeared at the previous efforts of other companies were skillfully selected for the attempt. No one will question that the 77th Division is rich in theatrical talent, and the cream of the assortment of stars showed their turns for the amusement and entertainment of the Machine Gun Company and their friends, In addition to this there were several performers who heretofore had not been seen in camp entertainment.
At the present time considerable interest in being manifested in the Regimental Minstrel Show which is being organized under the direction of Lieut. Ernest A, Butterfield, 307th Infantry; Captain George W. Hubbel, commanding the Machine Gun Company, has appointed Herman Cohen, Chairman of the Entertainment Committee, for the purpose of selecting candidates for the big show.
Many of the performers who gained much applause Thursday evening are connected with the Machine Gun Company, 307th, and their chances of being selected to show their ability before a New York audience are very good.
The Camp Upton Quartet, consisting of Ben Baker, Company K, 307th Infantry; William Reedy, Company K, 308th Infantry, and Harry Solomons, Company I, 306th Infantry, received what particularly amounted to an ovation by their rendition of a song, the burden of which was that the American soldier boys would hang the Kaiser to one of the numerous trees along the Unter den Linden Boulevard.
Herman Cohen, who acted as Chairman of the evening, to to speak, was forced, as a result of continued applause, to wind up the show by singing “The Spanish Onion, Balos.” And his own interpretation of the yodel son, “Sleep, Baby, Sleep.” Each one of these made a fine hit and formed a fitting climax to a very successful programme.
Song Before Work Has Wonderful Tonic Influence on Upton’s Melodies Soldiery
Max Weinstein Is Drawing Vocal Wonders From Throats of Men – Sing by Groups – Transformation ad Joy-Creation Remarkable.
If music had charms to sooth the oft-mentioned savage breasts, as a bard once sung or recited, it also has marvelous power to transform soldiering. So the work of Max Weinstein, assistant to Harry Barnhart of the New York Community College Chorus, who is training Upton’s fighting men in chorus singing, demonstrates. Me. Weinstein’s accomplishments with the groups he has thus far come in contact have astounded officers and blessed men with a tonic which goes a long way in the day’s routine. He is here to help the men sing themselves into their work and anyone who has seen the expressions on the faces of the rookies who’ve had a few minutes of vocalizing under his leadership have been surprised at the success attained.
Works by Battalions.
He is working by battalions, and the singing is all done in the open air, in the regimental area. Just before inaugurating the day’s drill, the men gather about this enthusiastic, black-haired musical dynamo and at his bidding open their throats on “Over There,” or some such popular melody. They sing it, they chant it, harmonize it, whittle it, mark time to it, and by the time they have swung along in its rhythm for several minutes or so there is a new spirit in their faces, a new joy and eagerness.
“My Old Kentucky Home” is perhaps the next selection. Softly and plaint of the old classic from the olive drab. The boys hum it. They get the soft strains wove into the very texture of their live and carry it away in their hearts. Then they launch into “Pack Your Troubles Into Your Old Kit-Bag” and rollick through the song which has soldiers everywhere singing the gloom-dispelling strains. A patriotic song is chosen, and it is a whole college course in patriotism to hear the mean sing “American” under Mr. Weinstein’s direction. One officer remarked, after hearing the boys of Company H, 306th Infantry, Mr. Weinstein’s first pupils, render it, that he would hardly have recognized the song., if it hadn’t been announced. And then the men march off, singing, their expressions alight with new fire and vigor. Every day, Mr. Weinstein tackles a different group and all the soldiers of camp are to come under his tutelage in time. The concrete results of his work will be demonstrated in the Wednesday evening community songs, which Mr. Barnhart’s is the lead.
A book of seventy songs published by the War Department Recreation Committee will be here soon to aid in the work. Besides that selections mentioned, above, some of the songs in Upton’s community chorus repertoire will be: “Nancy Lee,” “Auid Lange Syne,” “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,” “Nearer, My God, In Thee,” “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground,” “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” “Annie Laurie,” “Dixie,” “Old Black Joe,” “How Can I Leave Thee,” “The Hymn of Free Russia,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Perfect Day.”
Song in the Air
A song which Mr. Weinstein has declared one of the finest melodies he has ever heard is the one which Private Rath, 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry, has to his credit. “When the Moon is Shining Somewhere in France” is the title of the number, which is to be the regimental song. It is dedicated to Col. Vidmer, and is now the hands of a publisher.
Trench and Camp hopes to be allowed the privilege of using it soon and congratulates its composer on the merits of his effort. Other regimental songs, it is learned from the highest musical circles, in G-sharp, will soon appear, and this publication promises a prize for the best one, and also for the best Camp Upton song.
Toothpick Factory Here
It’s hard for an enlisted man here to get entirely away from the trade or profession he followed before donning olive drab, as use is made of every talent a fellow has
Very few, though, employ their former business training quite as does Robert E. Siskind, Company D, 305th Infantry. He has been in the lumber business Now he passes his spare time making toothpicks for his pals, since they are not on Uncle Sam’s mess list.
Storm Extinguishes Fire Under Political Pot at Camp Upton.
Whereupon That Well Known and Justly Popular Vessel Ceases to Boil for a Time
Political campaigning here is the sort of work that tries men’s souls. So assert the representatives of the Fusionist and Democratic Parties who halted their caravans on the Long Island plains and covered the landscape with a blanket of cardboard during the strenuous days.
Ever since these tents made their appearance the weather had produced every variety of wind-storm and blow known to meteorologist After the big typhoon of last week, it seemed as if the elements were dead against candidates of whatever persuasion.
The Fusionist outpost of the Third Avenue and 10th Street was torn to shreds. It looked as if severe shell fire had raked it crosswise. Troubles of another besest the Democratic wigwam on Upton Boulevard, and when Edward W. Burkley arrived next morning after a twenty-mile drive from his evacuation base he found it under a foot of water.
The Fusionist up on Third Avenue, captained by Jacob Levine, saw the storm through and were able to restore things after the wreck a trifle more quickly than the Democratic outfit.
Rallies to boost the various candidates have shared interest with football and army routine during the days past and each party has had its big guns drawn up for the campaign here. Nor can the ladies be forgotten. They have brought the swish of skirts into political issues with variety welcome to the recruit. Uptonites are strong for the women.
Because of the late arrive of the last recruits, the data of voting for the 77th Division was changed from Saturday, Nov. 3, to Tuesday, Nov 6. This change in date softened somewhat for the campaign managers the rigors of storm and wind, as it allowed time for more big meetings.
PG. 4
TRENCH AND CAMP
Published weekly at the National cantonments for the soldiers of the United States
ADVISORY BOARD OF CO-OPERATING PUBLISHERS
JOHN STEWART BRYAN, Chairmen.
H.C. Adier, Chattanooga Times.
C.H. Allen, Montgomery Advertiser.
W.T. Anderson, Macon Telegraph.
F.S. Baker, Tacoma Tribuna.
W.W. Ball, Columba State.
Leader.
Harry Chandler, Los Angeles Times.
Amon C. Carter, Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Elmer E. Clarke, Little Rock Arkansas.
Democrat.
Gardner Cowles, Des Moines Register.
R.A. Crothers, San Francisco Bulletin.
Chas S. Diehi, San Antonio Light.
E.K. Gaylord, Oklahoma City Oklahoman.
F.P. Glass, Birmingham News.
Bruce Haldeman, Louisville Courier-Journal.
Clark Howell, Atlanta Constitution.
James Kerney, Trenton Times.
Victor F. Lawson, The Chicago Daily News.
Charles E. Marsh, Waco Morning News.
Frank P. MacLennan, Topeka State Journal
A.L. Miller, Battle Creek Enquirer-News.
D.D. Moore, New Orleans Times-Picayunne.
Frank B, Noyes, Washington Evening Star.
Gough J. Palmer, Houston Post.
Bowdre Phinizy, Augusta Herald.
Don C. Seitz, New York World.
Rudolph C. Siegiing, Charleston News and Courier.
H.D. Siater, El Paso Herald.
W.P. Sullivan, Charlotte Observer.
Chas H. Taylor, Jr., Boston Globe.
James M. Thomason, New Orleans Item.
Published under the auspices of the National War Work Council of the Y.M.C.A. of the United states with the co-operation of the papers above named.
Distributed free to the soldiers in the National cantonment.
SALUTED IMPERATIVE
With so many thousands of men unfamiliar with military ceremonies and courtesies now in the service, the question of salutes has been discussed probably more of late than at any other time in the country’s history.
A misconception of the purpose and value of the exchange of salutes between officers and mean may be pardoned in the cases of civilians, but a single day’s military training should convince the recruit that recognizing his superior officer and being recognized by the latter constitutes one of the cardinal principles of “good soldering”.
Every soldier in the regular army, National Guard, National Army and Reserve Corps shouls take a pride in saluting officers, who are required by regulations to return the salutes There have been many instances in which soldiers have actually bragged about having passed an officer with-out saluting him, whereas the best military authorities agree that it is something of which to be ashamed. To omit the prescribed salute is not only to disregard regulations but to openly manifest a disrespect for the uniform and insignia of authority.
And there are just about as many kinds of salutes as there are men. The manner in which one officer salutes another, or an enlisted man salutes an officer, indicates more clearly than anything else could just what kind of soldier the saluter is. If his salute is smart, snappy, clean-cut and business-like, you won’t be far wrong in estimating him to be a good soldier. By the same token, if the salute is “sloppy,” slow and begrudgingly or perfunctorily given, the man who makes it is pretty apt to be that kind of a soldier.
A man in civil life always exchanges a “How do you do?” “Good Morning,” or something of that kind with the proprietor of the store, foreman of the shop, or superintendent of the business establishment in which he works. Then why not the same greeting by a movement of the hand between soldier and officer?
There isn’t any excuse for the failure of an officer to salute his superior of for an enlisted man to fail to salute an officer. It is either carelessness or insubordination neither of which makes for a winning army. Officers should insist upon the rigid enforcement of the salute regulation and every man should be eager to comply with its provision.
The matter of salutes would seem to be a small affair, but it is not. If a soldier has not learned to salute his superior officers he has not learned the A B C of soldering.
One of the busiest men in the world today, General Pershing, regarded the matter of salutes of such importance as to cable the following from France to the War Department:
“Salutes should be rendered by both officers and men with special emphasis upon the rigid position of soldiers when saluting and when at attention. A prompt military salute is often misunderstood by our people, but it simply means and emphasizes an aggressive attitude of body and mind that marks the true soldier. The loyalty, readiness and alertness indicated by the strictest adherence to this principle will immensely increase the pride and the fighting spirit of our troops The slovenly, unmilitary, careless habits that have grown up in peace times in out army are seriously detrimental to the aggressive attitude that must prevail from the highest to the lowest in our forces. The strict methods used at West Point in training new cadets in these elementary principles have given Academy its superior excellence. These methods should be applied rigorously and completely to the forces we are now training.”
What Do You Do When Bands Play National Anthem?
WAR DEPARTMENT CALLS ATTENTION OF OFFICERS AND MEN TO FORMS OF RESPECT TO BE PAID
“For the information and guidance of all concerned,” to employ the chaste and classic language of General Orders, an announcement recently issues by the War Department regarding the custom to be observed by officers and men when the national anthem is played, follows”
“Attention has been called to instances of misunderstanding with regard to the form of respect to be paid by army men to the national anthem, when played in theatres and other public places. The War Department calls attention to the regulation which provides that during the playing of the national anthem, officers and enlisted men in uniform, when uncovered, stand at attention with-out saluting.”
The army regulations of August 10 last deal with the subject in this language:
“Whenever the national anthem is played at any place when persons belonging to the military services are present, all officers and enlisted men not in uniform shall stand at attention facing toward the music (except at retreat, when they shall face the flag). If in uniform, covered they shall salute at the first note of the anthem, retaining the position of salute at the first note of the anthem. If not in uniform and covered, they shall uncover at the first note of the anthem, holding the headdress opposite the left shoulder, and so remain until its close, except that in inclement weather the headdress may be held slightly raised.
“The same rules apply when ‘to the color’ or ‘to the standard’ is sounded as when the national anthem is played.
“When played by an army band, the national anthem shall be played through without repetition of any part not required to make it complete.
“The same marks of respect prescribed for observance during the playing of the national anthem of the United States shall be shown toward the national anthem of any other country when played upon official occasions.”
Overseas Forces Ready For Command “Forward”
New of the participation of American fighting men in battles along the western front would not be surprising any day, now that Secretary Baker has officially announced that Uncle Sam’s troops in France “are in splendid physical condition and efficient fighting trim.”
When the boys in khaki get that way all they need is the word “Forward!”
The whole world has been waiting to learn how the American soldiers acquit themselves in their initial engagement against the Germans. It goes without saying that the splendid troops sent “Over There” in the first expeditionary force have been thoroughly trained to bear the Boche at his own game and will make France and Belgium entirely too unhealthy for Teutons.
That there will be no let-up in the Allies’ battering against the German forces during the winter months and that the American troops will participate in the cold weather fighting was indicated by Secretary Baker when he said: “It is not anticipated that the Allies will go into winter quarters this year.”
SPEED NECESSARY
“Do you think the time is coming when the government will commandeer all privately owned automobiles?”
“I don’t know,” replied the melancholy motorist, “but if the government wants to bear the sheriff to mine it will have to hurry.”
CANTONMENT TYPES
THAT SPINELESS BOOB
He is the quiet chap you might overlook, if you’re not seeking him. He sits in unobstrusive corners of the Y.M.C.A. hut, reading and smoking thoughtfully. Or you’ll find him within easy ear range of the Victrola, drinking in eagerly the strains of music, especially those that have refinement of melody and perfection of nuance. This rookie loves music, but never offers himself as an entertainer.
He talks seldom, and when he does it is with a shy self-effacement. He dislikes attention and shuns prominence. In fact, his reticence is such that at mess he never jostles, and accepts the food issued o him without even a growl of discontent.
Perhaps you’ve pitied him, and wondered how such a spineless boob can ever be made into a soldier. Don’t be too hasty in judging this fellow, though. Lead him into a conversation. He’ll easily hold up his end of it, after he’s started. He may teach you something, strange and impossible as it may seem!
And if you get a chance, watch him drill. Notice his vigorously careful execution of orders. Observe how thoroughly he performs each movement. His mind isn’t following the sirens of melody now. It is on his work, all of it, every segment of it concentrated.
When drill is over he remembers the lessons, but forgets any petty unpleasantness which might have arisen. He is silent when the little group in his barracks is panning every one and everything in the camp.
Occasionally he flashes fire, though, and comes out flat-footed for some issue such as cleaner speech or cleaner conduct. He doesn’t mince nor mutter. He talks up, when he does talk, like a man, and a soldier. And he can hit harder and straighter in a boxing bout than any man in his company.
Look around for him and get acquainted. He is the quiet chap you might overlook if you’re not seeking him.
The Peacemakers
_______
Met Ezry today—I guess
It must be two years, more or less,
Sence Ez an’ me fell out. By jing,
Sometimes a little, durn fool thing
Jist aggrevates a feller so
He gits het up an’ round. I know
It ain’s all Ezry’s fault—an’ he
Don’t low to blame it all on me.
But Ez is stubborn when he’s hot,
An’—well, I guess I’m sort o’ sot.
When I git riled; I know I says,
Says I, when we fell out to Ez;
“Jist pass me bym an’ don’t you see
Me when you look.” An’ Ez, says he,
“Yut bet I will,” kist like some kid.
An’ kep’ his word—you bet he did.
Well, it must be two years ago,
That was—an’ sometimes I’d walk
Slow
A’goin into church—not hey
Up like I was—I hoped he’d get
Down off his big high hoss an’come,
Half-way with me; but no, by gum,
He jist walked by with that durn
Stare
Of his, as if I wasn’t there.
An’ them I’d get het up again
When Ez ‘ed pass me by; an’ when
He’d walk by slow sometimes, I
Knowed
He’d like to stop ‘longside the road
An’ holler “Howdy”; but I says
To me, says I; “No, Mister Ez
Jist have it out, Ol’ Stubborness.
I’ll Stand it long as you, I guess.”
Well, you know things is changing’
Fast
Sence we’re in war times, first an’
Last;
Lem Hawkins’ boy ain’t in th’ store,
A-clerkin for his dad no more;
Th’ barber’s gone, an’ that pert clerk
From Milledgeville, that used to work
In Emery Botts’ hotel, that’s daft
On Emery’s girl—he’s in the draft.
An’ Jim—my boy—well, that’s all
Right;
As ong as some boys have to fight,
I’m sort o’ glad Jim’s one—although,
By jing, I hate to see him go—
His mother takes on so. An ‘when
I see Ez Beggs today, right then,
I thought of Tom—his boy—an’ him
A-goin off to war with Jim.
So I says: “Hello, Ex,” says I;
An’ he says to me: “Hello, Si.”
An’ then he says: “Tom’s gone” says he,
A-puttin his hand to me,
An’ I says: “So’s Jim, too,” says I,
A-wipin somethin’ from my eye,
Jist wipin’ like I see him do,
An’ he says, “Two fine boys, them two.”
An’ he put put his hand again,
An’ I did mine, an’ squeezed his then,
An’ held on hard; and he says; “Si,”
A wipin’ somethin’ from his eye.
“I’m proud of Jim an’ Tom,” says he,
“They ain’t durn fool like you an’ me”
An’ I says: “Yep,” an’ nods my head,
An’ well,--I guess that’s all I said.
JAMES W. FOLEY.
_______________
SOME SHOES
Among the items of expenditure to the government in connection with the conduct of the war may be mentioned that of shoes. The War Department recently let a contract for 7,000,000 pairs for the American soldiers. The cost will be $4.65 a pair, or just $32,550,000 for the whole lot.
LITTLE BENNY’S NOTE BOOK
By Lee Pape
We had to rite a composition about soldiers for homework today, this being mine.
Soldiers
Soldiers are regular men with uniforms on. They can martch all day without getting tired, but they wood rather not.
Jest one soldier martching alone is only a soldier, but a hole lot of soldiers martching ogether is a perrade. If you see a soldier that you know martching past in a perrade, you yell Hello at him, and if he looks at you and shows he knowns you, the other fellows think you are grate, and so do you. But if he don’t look at you the other fellows all say jest yelled to make believe you knew one.
The fgerls all like to be saw out wawking with a soldier, meny if them even liking to be saw out wawking with 2. If a soldier comes to take your sister out, you think its something to brag about, even if it’s a sailor. One differents between a soldier and a sailor is the bottom of their pants. A soldier hasent got as mutch chance be sink a submereen as wat a sailor has, but he also hasent got as mutch chance to be sinked by one, thus making it even. It is safer to be hit by a bullet than by a submereen, but not mutch more fun.
Wen soldiers are drilling they haff to do ixackly wat their officer ses, so it’s a good thing they can understand wat he ses, wich nobody elts can.
The following is a pome about soldiers.
A soldier leeds a bissy life,
Weather the weathers dry or wet,
But wen hes not doing anything elts
Hes smoaking a cigarette.
__________________________________________________________________
Once Again
November 15
IS THE CLOSING DATE
of
That Cartoon Contest
__________
By noon that day all cartoons and sketches of soldier life in the army camps and cantonments must be in the hands of the editor, Room 504, World Building, New York City, to be eligible for the wrist watch competition.
If you have bit drawn a cartoon or sketch do so today. If you have drawn one and send it in, draw another, as there is no limit on the number each soldier may submit.
The soldier who draws the cartoon or sketch judged to be the best will receive a valuable and serviceable wrist watch. The foremost cartoonist and sketch artists in this country will pass judgement on the drawings.
Trench and Camp will publish the watch-winning cartoon or sketch and as many others as space will permit.
Get busy and send in a drawing.
PG. 5
AL HEARS THE STORY OF KHAKI’S MAGIC SPELL
BY OUR OWN RING W. LARDNER
Well Al here it is a Monday and we are back in the trenchus agen. Not reglar trenchus Al their aint reglar trenchus heaf eggzept what the plumbers make in the streets but in the trenchus of despondency as you mite say on Monday morning hwne the Sunday wimmen have all took back there teer stayned hankercheeves to the city.
I told you Al about how Aggie was gonna come out here but with that big stiff Bill Slacker that has a car and a big job with a lotta money comin to him every month more than thirty bux that we are drawing Well Al when I herd Aggie was gonne drive hear with that big stiff I was never as sorry that the riffles haven’t been ishewed with bullits and everything. That bug good having the nerve to drive down hear with Addie and me away. Some crust me Al.
Sence ive ben in camp Aggies sister has ben writeing me of how he hanga around and takes Aggie out to spend money on her which he has for more than I have with only thirty bux per. Well I guest sence what hapend yestidy their wont be so much money going out on Aggie from him. You know me Al.
Well tey get down hear in his runabout in the a.m. and he says hello Jim out of one corner of his mouth where a butt was hanging out of the other one in an easy way. Of course he was in ciclyun close Al not being draftit because he says hes fizically unfit some line hay Al with that big stiff stronger than you and me both. But I guest he aint quite so strong with Aggie as when he startit out yestidy in the unabout car.
It is sum story Al I wish I could give it to you all just as is happint. Well when he says hello jim Aggie never says nothing and I could of swore there was teers in her eyes and they is some eyes you know that Al. She just stood their and lookt at me not so much at me as at my unifform which is better than some these dubs wear because you know me Al how it is when I put close on they look different than when other guys put them on.
Well Al she just lookt at me and I lookt at her and finely said Hello Ag carries like as if wed just met on the street car or something but not as if wed been away from one another for three weeks and this big stiff Slacker there every nite if what her sister says is on the levul. She lookt at me so hard I thot their was something wrong with my uniform so I stood at attenshun and lookt like we look at inspecksgun when we feel as if we have got the guy next to uses close on.
Then she jumped outta that runabout and left Slacker cold and hollers back to hum Ill see you later Bill and left him smoking a butt and there was a look in his eyes that was bad eyes if he isn’t draftit to fite the Kaiser I think he could of faut me then and their Al.
Well he tries to start his car but something in the magnesis or seomthin was all rong Al and we stood their I and Aggie did I mean while he jumpt out and cussed at the macheen something awful for wimmen to here. I says Mister Slacker don’t seen to be in very good humor Aggie what is their rong do you think. Well Al she laffed and said I don’t know Jim mebbe he don’t like your uniform or something and the car has begun to fell the saim way. Are you gonna show me the samp Jim. She leened on my arm saying this to me and Al I don’t blame any magnesia for going in a car after what that big stiff Slacker says when he heard what Aggie says to me about asking would I show her the camp.
Well Al I pretendut I was bizy this a.m. and dident know for sure about whether I could show her the camp which was a stall Al for their was nothing on for me that a.m. eggzeot to report for mess. Get Mister Slacker to show you around heal probly know a good deal about this place and he has his car with him. Well Al she just lookt up at me and I could of pulled sum necking then and their if it hadent ben for that boob Slacker that brot her down and was cussen at his magnesia or something awful.
I and Aggie kept our eyes on nothing but that car for about 5 minits and finely I says Aggie Ill be glad to show you sum of the camp but I hardly think it is fare to Mister Slacker. Well Al she was hurt I could see that and look up to me agen with that buy me a new hat plees way of hers and says just two words which was enough Oh Jim.
Well Al it was all off that stall about having something on so we spent the say together I and her looking at the camp but not altogether at the camp as there is a lot of trees hear to show wimmen.
I and Aggie lookt at quite of both that afternoon and as we was coming in to the camp again I could of died with supprise. Their was that big boob Slacker in his car ahead of us in the rods and he was under it agen and we could here the cussin from where we was standing I and Aggie could.
Well Al she says Jim I don’t care when I get back to the city there are tranes or trolleys running sure and I says of coarse it will be possible Ag to reach the city in sum way diffrunt than you came out by. We says Hello Bill when we gets up to where his car was on top of him and he never lookt out from under only cusst something awfull which Aggie was ust to by now and dident say nothing.
Well Al she is back to te city now on the same desk I suppose but I and her have ta;lkt things pretty solid and by now I guess that big boob Slacker is wishing he never horned in on no solgers games hay Al. Thirty pe isent so bad Al when you get your bords and room and sum other things for nothing.
You know me your old pal
CARTOON
“US FIGHTING FELLERS”
By Chapin
U.S. Building Big Depot
“Somewhere in France”
“Somewhere in France” Uncle Sam is constructing a most extensive ordnance depot of issue and repair at a cost of $100,000,000. It will be stocked with billions of rounds of ammunition, shells, shrapnel, high explosives, bombs and ordnance of every description.
More than 1,000 miles of railway is to be constructed, leading from the arsenal to the sector of the western front assigned to the American forces.
High Class Shows Will Be Staged At Every Camp
The truth of the old saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” has been kept well in mind by Uncle Sam in establishing the thirty-two army cantonments throughout the country. The big brown tents of the Redpath Activities Commission are now being put up in the different camps and up to the minute programs will be given nightly for the army men.
The object of the Redpath Activities is to furnish clean, wholesome entertainment at movie prices. The entire project will be run on a cost basis with no profit to any one. Accounts will be audited by the Fosdick Commission of the War Department on Training Camp activities and all money above actual expenses turned over to the camp.
The present plan is to change the bill weekly and semi-weekly depending on the nature of the attractions. The programs will be given in vaudeville form; three or four different attractions appearing each night. Lively comedy will predominate at all times in all of the acts. The boys want fun and the Redpath tent is going to be full of it. A wide variety will be given—music, both vocal and instrumental; light opera, orchestra and band concerts; cartoonists; make-up artists; comedy sketches; plays and in fact high-class productions of every character, with costumes and scenic and lighting effects as good as to be found in the metropolitan theatres.
The shows are already in full swing in Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois; Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, and Camp Sheridan, Chillicothe, Ohio, where the big crowd and hearty applause each night show that the boys are getting what they want. Some of the attractions already presented have been the White Hussers, a singing band; the Fairchild Sister, a vocal and instrumental quartet; the Killarney Girls, a sextet in songs and stories; Reno, magician; Ratto, wig and grease paint man; and a complete production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s light opera, “The Mikdao.”
Harry P. Harrison, manager of the Redpath Bureau, Chicago, and Chairman of the Redpath Activities Commission, says: “The War Commission is to be congratulated on availing themselves if this tremendous force. Every father’s and mother’s hearts will be lightened at the thought the War Department is providing in the camps influence of the American Chautauqua and that their boys lives while away from home will be brightened by such wholesome entertainment.”
PG. 6
“WHAT’S DOING AT UPTON? --- YOU’LL FIND THE ANSWER HERE”
IN UPPER “J”
Y.M.C.A. Hut, Cor. 2nd Ave and 14th Street
GEORGE PECK,
Representative of Trench and Camp
Take no Charge on Guard.
Private “Dutch” Bernasch of the 305th Ambulance Corps is right on the job when on guard duty. Thursday night he held up a dozen officers returning from a social function at Patchogue and made them all fall in line while he examined their credentials. “Dutch” says that every man he stopped that night said he was a Captain or a Colonel, and he wasn’t going to take any chances.
Anxious to Get in France.
Lieut. Simmons has transformed the Ambulance Corps to the 152d Depot Brigade, with no idea of getting into France sooner.
Popular With the Ladies.
Capt, Trainer of the 305th Ambulance Corps is one of the most conspicuous figures in their section of the camp. His brother officers are not yet fully decided whether the attraction is his military bearing or his far-famed chivalry, but the ladies seeking information always seem to single him out.
Rescues Wrong Rooster.
Whitey Lawrence and Tommy Atkins of the Sanitary Train had a glorious time the other night hunting their pet mascot, a big Black Minorca rooster. They were afraid their pet would get wet, and chased around for a half hour in their Red Cross bedroom slippers through the mud. Finally Whitey crawled under the building and found the rooster there and took him into the supply room for the night. Next morning they discovered that they had commandeered the mascot of the neighboring company when they heard their own husky chaniticleer giving the “first call” from his gable point of vantage.
Advantage of Artillery.
A musician was down at the base hospital undergoing his examination. He asked one of the Lieutenants what branch of the service he would advise a man of his particular abilities to join. “Get in the heavy artillery; we don’t have to pick up the bits if anything ever hits you,” was the rather rough reply. Temperament dies a natural death in the National Army
Many of the Boys Popular.
Harry Allen of the 13th Company received a number of letter from the orderly on Sunday. “Gee, what a popular guy I am in New Rochelle,” he remarks. On opening the envelopes he discovered that his mail consisted mostly of election notices. Harry isn’t the only popular guy in the camp about this time.
Pst! Sh! Black Handers Actve!
The Black Hand is at work in Camp Upton. Private Smith of the 13th Company, Depot Brigade, was accused of placing a “Black Hand” note, accompanied by a big rock, on the bed of one of his sergeants. The sergeants of the company instituted a summary court martial in the messroom. It was a “phoney” affair of course, and Private Smith swore on his oath that he didn’t know a thing about the note, but he was convicted, nevertheless, and the sentence was that he should be punished “as the court might direct.” The court hasn’t decided to direct as yet.
German Frankfurters Deadly.
Private Feitler, 7th Company, gave a frankfurter supper at 9 P.M. last Saturday night. The frankfurters might have been all right or they might not. Anyhow, half the company was in line for sick report next day. Shouldn’t fool with this German food, boys!
The Fugitive Ear.
At the base hospital they pull some funny ones. A man was discovered in a certain company in this section of the camp with a glass eye. His sight had been passed as perfect down where they give em’ the needle. Another individual, whose ears were plugged with two arrangements of copper wire and two little artificial drums, passed twenty-twenty hearing.
“I couldn’t pass the doctor, me ears is running, guy,” one of the new arrivals with visions exemption on the grounds of physical disability stated. “How fast?” asked Private Ching McMullen of the 305th Ambulance Corps, who was on duty at the hospital at the time.
UPTON COLLEGIANS MAY RENEW THOSE “GOOD OLD DAYS.”
Enterprising Son of Nassau Complies Tiger Toll---“More Later,” Is Promise
Informal get-togethers of Camp Upton’s erstwhile collegians now wearing olive drab seem probably in the near future if present fragmentary talk and planning are to be taken as indications.
There are scores of college men in camp and suggestion that gatherings of the various clans represented be held to recall the well known and good old days strikes responsive echo in many a well-buttoned and soldierly breast.
The Princeton representatives have been formenting a rally which bodes ill for their late Indigo Neighbors and a committee is to be appointed in the near future, it is understood, to arrange a Wednesday noon luncheon in Officers’ Houses.
An industrious ex-Tiger has complied a list of Sons of Nassau now in Upton. Trench and Camp will be glad to publish any other college lists which descendants of the Old Mother may compile.
Here are the Princetonites:
1898---Capt. Wm. C. Merrill, Comdg. Off., Remount Dept.; Lt. R. Stockton, M.G. Battal.
1899---Capt. N. Bleecker Fox, Battery C, 305th F.A.,; Capt. L. S. Breckenridge, Co. B, 308th Inf.;
Lt. L. G. Stevenson, Q.M.C.
1902---Lt. Chas, Camp, 304th F.A,.
1903---Lt. Ward Chamberlain, 306th Inf.
1904---1st Lt, Wm. C. Armstrong, Supply Off., 13th Battal., 152 D, Brig.
1905---Lt. Thos. O’Brian, Transportation Dept., Q.M.C.
1906---1st Lt. Samuel J. Reid, Battery A, 306th F,A.
1907---Capt. Theo Crane, Battery C, 306th F.A.
1909---1st Lt. Ferdinand Sanford, Regmtl. H.Q., 305th Ind,; 2d Lt. Cleveland Dodge, H.Q. Co., 304th F.A.;
2d Lt. Frank L. Cunningham, 48 Co., 152 D. Brig.; 2d Lt. W. Myers, Trans. Dept., Q.M.C.
1910---Capt. Guy Garrett, Supply Co., 304 F.A.; Capt. W.H. Carpenter, Batry. F., 306 F.A.; Capt. J. Fine,
Batry. E, 306 F.A.; 1st LT. Reginald Livingston, Q.M.C.; Lt. Henry Ralph, M.G. Battal.
1911---2nd Lt. James Porter.
1912---Capt. Alvin Deveraux, Batry. A, 305 F.A.; 1st Lt. Ferdinand Eberstadt, Batry. D., 304 F.A.
1913---Lt. E. S. Mulford, 12 Battal. 152 D. Brid.; Lt. Gray Bryan, 30 F.A.; Lt. Purser Adams, 308 Inf.;
2d Lt. McCuen, 27 Co., 152 D. Brig.; Serft. Wolfe, H.W. Troop, 77 Divis.
1914---Lt. S. Goff, 15 Battal., 152 D. Brig.; 2d Lt. Nissley, Batry. F., 305 F.A.
1915---2d Lt. W. Jarman, Batry. F., 306 F.A.; M Olcott, Upper J. Bld., Y.M.C.A.
1916---2d Lt. Lennox, Ransom, 28 Co., 152 D. Brig.; 2d Lt. Thomas Niles, 78 Co., 152 D Brig.; Lt. Berry
Underhill, Barracks P. 77; Lt. N Kenyon, Inf.; Pr. Stevenson, H. Q. Co., 307 Inf.; Frank Glick,
Civilian Aide to Maj. Gen. Bell.
Ex. 1916—Serg. Phillip Barba, Signal Corps.
1917---Capt. Dougins Delaney, 305 F.A.; Lt. A. Behrer, 308 Inf.; 2d Lt. Gregory; Serg. Geo. W. Perkins
Jr., Supply Co., 304 F.A.
Ex. 1917---2d Lt. Maurschauser, 152 D. Brig.
1919---Lt. G. Saville, 152 D Brig.
Faculty---2d Lt. Wardlaw S. Miles, 308 Inf.
M’MANUS’S FAREWELLS.
The Diving Sarah has nothing on Private McManus, Upton vaudevillian, late of the Depot Brigade, when it comes to farewelling. Sunday afternoon “Mac” and a platoon of clansmen, following his “sergeant’s whistle,” a No. 9 tin horn, put on goodby programmes in several of the Y.M.C.A. huts, featuring “The Man Whole Stole My Future Wife,” in complete make-up, which consisted of a regulation O.D. Jacket converted into a toreador’s costume. The many well-wishers included Sunday femininity and hand-clapped parting greetings to the boys who left the first of the week for somewhere in Georgia.
MERCER, FARMER, RANNEY HERE
An ex-saloonist, a Bowery mission worker and a reformed college high-lifer made a unique trio of speakers for the Y.M.C.A. recently, when Tom Farmer, Dave Ranney and Ted Mercer appeared at the various Upton huts and told their stories. Mercer, especially, is know to college men the country over for his work in presenting the claims of the Christian life. He lived in the household of President Arthur, went the pace after leaving Yale and had a remarkable experience of regeneration which he related here.
Post Exchange Philospher.
Cartoon
ROOKIE RALPH SAYS: “Mebbe some o’ youse guy are crabbin’ about your grub, but even if you do find fault with some o’ the stuff, yuh gotta admit tha this here now jam they’re issuin’ to us covers a multitude of chins.”
YAPS AND YANKS.
There is a huge pile of Fallen Glory in Upton. A goodly portion of it was contributed by the fellow who was appointed captain by his local board to look after the men selected therefrom. When he brought his “captainey” into camp it became an honor void and empty.
° ° °
The perfection of awe is attained when a regular army man walks suddenly into a group of selected recruits who have been just four hours in camp.
° ° °
The rooky is undecided as to whether or not the home fires are burning until he gets a home-baked cake in the mail.
° ° °
The only Shrecklichkeit encountered thus far in Upton was the other day, when a recruit voiced his desire to use the needle on the man who had given it to him.
° ° °
A bit camp irony was unveiled the other day when it was learned that a certain rooky received rubbers from home, after being issued his trench 30-30 boots.
° ° °
“Patchoguing” has developed into quite a local diverson.
° ° °
Have you made your contribution to the Trench and Camp yet? If you haven’t, it’s high time that you did. Don’t be backward. This is your paper, issued for you. Put something into it, and it’ll be surprising how much you’ll get out of it.
° ° °
Lieutenant---What do you mean, rushing off with that bundle of paper under your arm?
Private---Why, that’s my contribution to Trench and Camp.
Lieutenant---Good! You’re exempt from kitchen police duty for the duration of the war.
° ° °
Guard---Who goes there?
Muffled Figure---A contributor to the Trench and Camp.
Guard---Pass. Friend.
° ° °
Officers are getting to feel sick themselves when Friday rolls around. It is the most popular day in New York for illness and trouble to hit enlisted men’s relative, according to telegrams which roll in.
° ° °
We wonder what sought of camouflage the rookie has been affecting whose parents wired a certain Upton officer to “Please let John stay home another day, as we want to see him.”
° ° °
It is thought probable, according to an authority in the Dental Reserve, that poison gas may be administered to the oak stumps around camp before they are removed.
° ° °
A great feeling of pity for her ignorance might well arise in the breast of the man whose girl asked him if soldier leggings were wore in order to make stockings necessary.
° ° °
The “hand-out” is becoming an institution in camp since the frugal rookie saved half his mess on Sunday and passed it along to his girl.
° ° °
For the benefit of the man with no musical ear, there is a rumor that all tunes in Camp Upton will be divided into two classes, One class is the “Star Spangled Banner” and the other isn’t.
FROM UNIT “R”
Y.M.C.A., Cor. 5gh Ave. amd 4th Street
Secretary PEECOCK
Representative of Trench and Camp
Religious Work.
For the men of the new draft, army life has become a more serious and intense thin than it ever was before. This spirit of purposeful living is evidenced in the military life of the men. And it is very noticeable too that their religion is deepened, intensified and more fundamental than ever before.
This fact is shown by the interested audiences which listen to such earnest men as Dr. Beattle and Dr. Ely, who talked to the soldiers here. It is evidenced too by the attendance of all types of men at the Bible classes. And it is reflected again in the officers’ Bible class of Unit R, which si the first class of this kind to be formed in the camp.
The class is, incidentally, a tremendous encouragement to the men, who realize, that they are being led by Christian men who feel for them in trials and difficulties of their new environment.
Educational Activity.
Classes are being formed daily in both French and English in the 306th Infantry.
Every Wednesday night at 7 o’clock a lecturer of note speaks in the R. Unit building at Fourth Street and Fifth Avenue.
“Germany Before the War and Germany Now” was the subject of an interesting and instructive lecture by Prof. William Tilly recently. Only a short time ago he arrived from a military prison in Berlin, coming to this country by way of Holland and London. The auditorium was crowded throughout his lecture here and at its conclusion many soldiers remained to ask him questions, which he cheerfully answered
Social Doings.
There is no difficulty in putting on high class vaudeville shows in this section because of the great abundance of talent available. Moving pictures are soon to be an added attraction.
Many requests have been received to use the Y.M.C.A. Building for company entertainments to increase the company funds by charging admission. The staff of the R Unit building has granted this privilege, provided arrangements are made with company commanders, and the company shows are pur on after the completion of the regular evening programme of the Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A. HEADQUARTERS NOW ON THE BOULEVARD.
Y.M.C.A. headquarters building, Upton Boulevard, near the foot of Headquarters Hill, has been opened during the past week, the executive staff moving from the hut at Second Avenue and 11th Street, from where the work has been administered heretofore.
The heads of the various departments, together with W.F. Hirsch, Camp Secretary, have their offices in the new building, which has also living wuarters for the chiefs of the organization, conference rooms and stock rooms. The hut in which headquarters has been located will be used by the colored troops, while the staff from there are doing business at the C-Station building, Second Avenue and Fourth Street.
“The U.S. Army”
Private Henry Meyer, 10th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, admits that his poetic form may be slightly below .300 percentage of Mr. Keats or Mr. Shelley, but he’s caught the spirit of the National Army.
Inspired by a particularly fine mess one night he apostrophized the life thus, calling his lines “The U.S. Army”:
In the U.S. Army
Everything is balmy;
The eats ain’t so bad,
There’s plenty of things to make you glad.
But best of all we’ll get a chance
To make the Germans do an awful dance.
MAY BE A BOXER.
“Dizzy,” the permanent kitchen mechanic of the 5th Company, will make a wonderful boxer some day if he lives long enough. HE is there with a chip on his shoulder all the time, and he begins to champ his bit at the Y.M.C.A. every time he sees a set of boxing gloves. “Dizzy” like to box at the barrack contests, and, as the top Sergeant of his outfit remarked one evening after they had brought “Dizzy” around with the smelling salts, “That boy would make a great battler if he didn’t get knocked cold so often.”
PG. 7
UPTONITES TO SEE 10 GRIDIRON GAMES A WEEK TILL DEC. 12
Engineers’ Gridiron Eleven Takes Lead in Championship Competition
Moleskin Knights, Representing 302d, Vanquish Two Infantry Outfits and Seem Bent on
Copping Gravy—Rooting Helps Them.
FOOTBALL STANDING
(To Friday. Nov. 21.)
Won
Lost
P.C.
302d Engineers
2
0
1.000
306th Infantry
1
1
0.500
307th Infantry
0
1
0.000
Machine Gun
0
1
0.000
Although dozens of contests in many sports---soccer, basketball and indoor baseball---are affairs of every day here, it is on the regimental gridiron struggles that athletic interest has become centred. A full schedule has been arranged, and already considerable advancement has been made on it.
The first blood, figuratively speaking of course, was spilled by the 302d Engineers who put the bee on the infantrymen of the 30th by a score of 10-0. The 307th also fell victim to the wily and resourceful engineering aggregation, being vanquished with greater ease even than were their brethren of the 306th. The score of their defeat was 27-0.
It looks as if the 302d Engineers would make a strong bid for the regimental championship, although the infantrymen in the first game out up a strong opposition and demonstrated that their gunfire will have to be reckoned with in subsequent encounters.
The engineer fraternity is gifted with a number of stars, who assisted materially in hanging up the bacon on the two occasions cited. It also has a band, and some of the most powerful lungs yet discovered in the United States Army. These lungs and all others in the outfit turn out for the games, invisible, of course, beneath the service overcoat, but very much in evidence, nevertheless. Headed by their music-makers, they march in regular formations of the games.
In their second game the 30th hung up on the scalps of the machine gunners, all batteries of which have consolidated in producing an eleven. The score was 20 to 0.
It is probable that the regimental eleven which, in the mystic language of the sport-writers “annexes the gonfalon” will meet teams from other posts in the East. All manner challenges have been flung into the teeth of Upton’s athletic authorities, and there will be no difficulty in securing opponents.
UPTON SOLDIERS MAKE MERRY ON FIRST CAMP HALLOWE’EN.
Hallowe’en in a military cantonment proved an enjoyable and interesting, as well as a novel, occasion for the men in training at Upton. The boys held high carnival and played all the pranks ever heard of and some them that never had been before. Hundreds of parties were held in camp and nearby places, and Oct. 31 1917, was made a most memorable occasion in the lived of the men here.
One of the most delightful affars in camp Hallowe’en night was the barracks party given by Capt. Benkard and Lieuts. Palmer and O’Brien of the 9th Company. 152d Depot Brigade, at the barracks, 152d Depot Brigade Second Avenue, with the enlisted men of the company and their friends as their guests.
The refreshments included cider, cake, fruit, cigars and cigarettes. An excellent vaudeville bill was provided and several good exhibition boxing bouts were put on. Lieuts. Palmer and O’Brien inserted coins in apples, and occasioned when the soldiers ducked into pans to pans of water to spear the fruit with their teeth.
Sergt. Reuben and Sergt. Moses managed the affair in a most creditable manner, and every one professed to have enjoyed himself as never before.
REGARDEZ:
Can you teach French?
Will you volunteer your services in teaching others?
Do you wish to study French—elementary, intermediate or advanced? If so hand in your name and camp to address to the nearest Y.M.C.A. educational secretary or to Mr. Hyman of the Jewish Welfare Board at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street.
Provision for classes in French will now be pushed as rapidly as possible.
Inter-Regimental Football Schedule
Frank Glick, director of athletics at Camp Upton, has mapped out an interregimental football schedule which will keep that knights of the moleskin busy. Games have been scheduled for every Wednesday and Saturday from now until Dec. 12. Five games on as many gridirons will be played by different teams on each of these days.
Here is the Schedule:
Wednesday
Nov.7
302 Eng. vs 305 F. A.; 304 F.A. vs 306 F.A.; 302 A.T. vs M.G.T.
302 S,T, vs 305 Inf.; 306 Inf. vs 307 Inf.
Saturday
Nov. 10
308 Inf. vs 305 F.A.; 304 F.A. vs 302 Eng.; 306 F.A. vs 302 S.T.;
302 A.T. vs 306 Inf.; M.G.T. vs 305 Inf.
Wednesday
Nov. 14
307 Inf. vs 305 F.A.; 302 Eng. vs 306 F.A.; 304 F.A. vs 308 Inf.;
302 A.T. vs 305 Inf.; M.G.T. vs 304 F.A.
Saturday
Nov. 17
306 Inf. vs 305 Inf.; 302 S.T. vs 307 Inf.; 302 Eng. vs 308 Inf.;
304 F.A. vs 305 F.A; 306 F.A. vs 302 A.T.
Wednesday
Nov. 21
M.G.T. vs 308 Inf.; 305 Inf. vs 307 Inf.; 306 Inf. vs 304 F.A.;
305 F.A. vs 302 A.T.; 302 Eng. vs 302 S.T.
Saturday
Nov. 24
306 F.A. vs 307 Inf.; 302 S.T. vs 306 Inf.; 305 Inf. vs 302 Eng.;
305 F.A. vs M.G.T.; 304 F.A. vs 302 A.T.
Wednesday
Nov. 28
308 Inf. vs 305 Inf.; M.G.T. vs 302 Eng.; 307 Inf. vs 302 A.T.;
306 Inf. vs 305 F.A.; 302 S.T. vs 304 F.A.
Saturday
Dec. 1
306 F.A. vs 305 Inf.; 308 Inf. vs 307 Inf.: 302 Eng. vs 302 A.T.;
M.G.T. vs 302 S.T.
Wednesday
Dec. 5
304 F.A. vs 307 Inf.; 306 Inf. vs 306 F.A.; 302 S.T. vs 308 Inf.;
305 Inf. vs 305 F.A.
Saturday
Dec. 8
302 S.T. vs 306 F.A.; 306 F.A. vs 305 F.A.
Wednesday
Dec. 12
308 Inf. vs 306 F.A.
ATHELETICS POPULAR AMONG ALL YAPHANK SOLDIERS
Camp Upton men are an energetic lot. There is very little solace in the life here for the lazy man, the chronic loafer. Life is real, life is earnest. Perhaps not overserious, for the soldiers at Yaphank are developing a quality of buoyance which bids fair to rival the world-known spirit of the Tommy, who jokes as he fights.
One of the phases of activity which keeps loafing at a minimum is the athletic energy constantly being liberated. All forms of exercise and play find favor among the barrack dwellers. A journey along one of the streets between rows of quarters requires ceaseless vigilance to keep from being mixed into one of the games which go forward merrily.
Basketball Interests many, and cages are mounted on posts, the courts lacking perhaps in the billiard-table smoothness to which many of the adroit passers are accustomed. But an Uptonite has a sixth sense for bumps and uneven places, and to see a rookie dribbling through the broken field would be an excellent object lesson for a gazelle or Rocky Mountain goat
Volleyball, soccer, basketball, games of catch and many other exercises fill up the time between duties for energetic enlisted men and impress upon one the fact that this is a place where clean bodily vigor is sought after by everyone, officers and men alike.
Ex-Cop Fraternize.
Private Birney of the 11th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, late patrolman of the New York police force, visits the Police Department of Patchogue occasionally, and finds him a very nice fellow.
MORAL: SLEEP IN THE SIZE 40’S
A certain Upton Lieutenant has been cured of a certain fastidiousness in a rather unique way. He has been sleeping in pajamas, heaven forfend, and until the other day had prepared them for the night’s vigil by inserting them in the oven of the kitchen stove. Certain duties detained him this fateful evening, and when he returned the sleeping robes were what is technically known as “a charred mas.” He announces that henceforth he will forswear such luxuries as pajamas
CAMP PESTS.
A man who does the right thing at the right time but in the wrong way is called clumsy. The man who goes about the barracks after tattoo, whistling, bowling rocks and creating all kinds of noises, such as dropping trench shoes on the floor when every one else wants to sleep, is called a brainless nut in polite society, but out here what he is called is not printable.
GLICK PLEASED WAY FOOTBALL TEAM SHAPES UP.
Coach Glick is immensely gratified over the fine shape into which the All Upton football eleven is rounding for the battle with Camp Devens team at the Polo Grounds on Nov. 24.
The Yaphank eleven will be composed of some of the country’s most famous football stars, and Coach Glick is confident that the All Upton team can defeat the moleskin contingents representing any other camp in the country. The boys here are looking ahead to the Polo Ground struggle, as they figure that is all over now but binging the bacon back to Yaphank.
The candidates for the team are all so good that Coach Glick probably will not pick the eleven warriors until just before the whistle blows.
NIMRODS ARE BARRED FROM CAMP UPTON
Disciples of Nimrod will have to limit their activities to sections of game country outside the Camp Upton military reservation, according to a general order which has gone forth and notices signed by the Provost Marshal and posted along the boundaries of camp and along all roads leading into it. No requests for permits to hunt will be submitted, and infantrymen who have cherished longings to use their Mausers on Bre’r Rabbit will have to save their fire for more worthy foreman.
HUNT THE L.I. CHICKEN
Private Jimmy Hanley, erstwhile Depot Brigadier, passed his last Friday evening at Camp Upton in a hunting—not the Broadway kind, but the Long Island variety. After frantic searching he located some eligible ones on a poultry farm at Bellport and his mess the next dy observed the results of his work. “Jimmy” is the composer of “Indiana” and other popular songs.
“SHAKING MEAN KNUCKLES”
Boxing in the barracks in Upper “J” continues popular as ever. Over Brigade, they have had some very exciting bouts. Paddy Coburn and Jim Carney the other night started very playfully on a little exhibition bout. Paddy had a sore arm from the recent needle, and Jim committed the mistake of his career in walloping Paddy on the tender spot. Strange to say. Paddy went out after blood, and Jim showed no tendency to disappoint his antagonist.
For a few months they stood up and slugged with all their might, but the pace was too hot for them, and they decided to finish it out on the floor. Finally the “top cutler” detailed four men to pull the combatants out from under the stove, and drag them apart. The bout was declared a draw and everybody was happy.
Cross-Country Run Trophy Captured by 308th Infantry Speed Merchant
J. Waroski Shows All the Other Boys the Way Home in Five-Mile Hike—Scarlotta Finishes Second
That the boys of the 308th Infantry have the others in Camp Upton beaton when it comes to endurance seems to be proved by the results of the first inter-regimental cross-country run over a difficult five-mile course. Frank Glick was the promoter of the affair, which was productive of some splendid time, considering that it was the first event of its kind stages here.
The 308th boys secured the first regimental trophy for their comrades as the result of the run, a handsome cup offered by Alex Taylor of New York. Individual prizes—wrist watches, trench mirrors and military brushes—were put up by the New York Athletic Club.
J. Waroski of the 308th copped first place, while a buddy from the same organization, J. Scarlotta, was a good second. Third position fell to N. Weg of the 306th.
The course was approximately five miles, and was by the following route; From 19th Street and Grant Avenue down Third Avenue to First Street; thence over First Street to Fourth Avenue, up Fourth Avenue to Eighth Street, across Eighth Street to Upon Boulevard; thence up Upton Boulevard, past Divisional Headquarters, turning a curve to the right, just east of the Commanding General’s quarters, and then continuing down Fourth Avenue to 19th Street, and south on 19th Street to Grant Avenue, turning north on Grant Avenue on Smith’s field and once around the field.
Following is the standing of organizations, with the individual placing indicated by the figures opposite each name:
First Place, 308th Infantry—Waroski, 1; Scarlotta, 2; Johnson, 5; Harvey 20; total, 28.
Second Place, 307th Infantry—Hanley, 6; Rotgard, 11; Leeddy, 18; Stay 19, total, 54.
Third Place, 306th Machine Gun—Lankester, 8; Carney, 14; Moskowitz, 16, Pignato, 44; total, 82
Fourth Place, 305th Infantry—Hampson, 15; Stembler, 24; Kramer, 25; Varcoe, 27; total, 91.
Fifth Place—306th Infantry—Weg, 3; Goodyear, 9; Weidam, 42; Trausneck, 43; total, 97.
Sixth Place, 152d Depot Brigade—Hynes, 21; Egan, 22; Littman, 32; Slack, 40; total, 115.
“ALAS, POOR YORICK”
Some of the boys of the 11th Company were toting one of the boxes of athletic goods from the Y.M.C.A. to their barracks when Wasserman, the gifted pianist, hailed them and asked what they were going to use that long box for.
“Coffin, you poor ham; every company gets its own issue before it goes across. Didn’t you get measured for yours?” was the cheerful response of the non-com in charge. And Wasserman wilted as though some one had touched him for his month’s pay. These Fosdick boxes certainly do resemble “wooden kimonos,” and the suggestion may be a valuable one to the Government for last use.
Now—And Then.
No more ham or eggs or grapefruit,
When the bugle blows for chow;
No more apple pie or dumplings,
For we’re in the Army now.
And they feeds us beans for breakfast,
And at noon we has ‘em too.
While at night they fill our stomachs
With a good old Army stew.
No more shirt of silks or linings,
We all wear the O.D. stuff;
No more night-shirts or pajamas,
For our pant are good enough.
No more feather-ticks or pillows,
But we’re glad to thank the Lord
That we’ve got a cot and blanket,
When we might just have a board.
But, by Gum, we’ll lick the Kaiser,
When the sergeants teach us how;
For, gosh, ding it, he’s the reason
That we’re in the Army now.
Compiled from old classic sources
By Private Charles Gordon, 302d
Field Signal Battallion.
PG. 8
“Over There!”
A Series of Incidents And Observations Straight From YM.C.A. Huts in France.
Some of the soldiers appear to have almost a woman’s point of view on keeping a secret. One of them, for instance, was told that he must not give away in his letters the point at which he was stationed. Accordingly, the next letter he wrote was signed something like this:
“William G. Burge, Corporal
X Company, 291 Infantry,
Chamounix, Somewhere in France”
TWO KINDS OF BATHS
“One of the terms used by the workers is ‘Christian Bath’, which means a rub bath,” writes one of the secretaries. “A ‘Buddhist bath’ is a bath in a basin.”
IF THE FOLKS ONLY KNEW
And here’s a message from a soldier, as transcribed by another of the secretaries:
“A soldier came in the other day. It was Sunday, and he said, “Sunday is pretty lonesome. Of course, I don’t get homesick, because I haven’t got a home, but I get thinking about myself, and that ain’t good. Then I beat it to the ‘Y’ hut. Gee, I hope there’ll be huts enough to look after all the Sammies who are coming over! The folks at home would see that we had enough if they just knew what they meant to us.”
A BIBLIOUS MULE
A little Frenchman, who had served two and a half years in the present war, was on leave recovering from a wound. He was forty-four years of age; had four brothers killed in the war and one brother-in-law killed; two nephews killed, two lost; a mother dead of broken heart.
His wife is now caring for their own two children, and for four others belonging to this brothers, who have been killed. She receives twenty-six cents for each child, making a dollar and a half a day on which to support a family of six. As a soldier of the French Army he receives five cents a day.
“They say I saw him,” writes a YM.C.A. secretary, “he had received notice to return to the front on the next day. He was whistling and apparently happy.”
“How can you keep so cheerful?” I asked.
“Oh, we’re always happy; we can live, we all work at home, and by and by the war will be over.”
THE FRENCH HE WANTED
In one of the French classes in a hut in France, the secretary had given the men, who were novices in the language, several of the useful phrases and expressions that they would need most. He then asked if there were any further questions. A prompt reply came from the front row
“Yes, sir, I want to know how to swear in French.”
AVIATORS’ NEWSPAPER
“The High Flyer,” is the latest newspaper in France. It is gotten out in the French Aviation Camp at Avord, France, and published by the American Y.M.C.A.
“This,” states the weekly paper, “has been conceived by the Y.M.C.A., is dedicated to the men who are training to do their ‘bit’ in the camp at Avord, and its reason to be is to giv news, gossip, inspiration and cheer to men in a place where there are many clouds and bad flying and living days until we drive them away. Turn in copy, jokes, locals, any old stuff, poetry, etc., to the editor before Wednesday night.”
AMERICAN SPIRIT
The spirit of our American soldiers “Over There” is shown in an editorial in “The High Flyer.”
“The life is hard, maybe,” acknowledges the editorial. “There are bedbugs, to be specific and unpoetical, hours are long, beds are hard, we don’t eat at the Waldorf-Astoria House. But remember France has been through three long ears of war. She can’t do things up brown for any of us any more than for her own. Then ‘cest la guerre,’ we must stand it, suffer a lot. Ahead are the glorious days of peace, world democracy, Cher up. Smile, You’re doing your bit.”
FAITH IS UNCLE SAM
“Y.M.C.A. Everywhere in France” is the title of another news story. The boys have faith that “Uncle Sammy” will help them get the huts they so need.
CAVE IN EXPLAINED
Here’s a sample of the jokes in the paper:
“I hear the German front has caved in.”
“That’s due to the shortage of beer and sauerkraut.”
DARKNESS SAVES HIM
“The other evening,” writes a secretary, “while a Chaplin film was being presented in the ‘Y’ hut here, just at the point where Chaplin was about to hit another man and knock him down, the ‘Lights Out,’ order came in. ‘What a place to leave Charlie!’ said one of the men regretfully.”
The men couldn’t fight so well without these movies that the Y.M.C.A. gives them.
“LEST WE FORGET”
That the “stay-at-homes” are not forgetting the boys now in the camps is evinced not only by the thousands of service flags now flying to the breezes throughout the country, but the wearing of service pins by fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. The service pin is made of red, white and blue enamel with one star for every member of a family now in the service of his country. Each of the soldier’s immediate kinsmen is entitled to wear the pin to show that he or she has a relative in uniform.
WATER POPULAR
Down in the “bone dry” cantonments in the South the soldiers are getting away with a little too much water to suit the division commanders and warnings against wasting aqua pura have been sounded.
In one of the camps the average consumption of water for each man was 100 gallons a day, whereas each horse consumed only 20 gallons a day.
Orders have gone forth that the cooks put less salt in the fish and that each soldier be held down to 55 gallons of water a day.
CARTOON
That Rookie from the 13th Squad
‘SEND PRIVATE DUBB TO ME IMMEDIATELY.’
‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WEARING TWO-STARS ON EACH SHOULDER?’
‘I SAW A MAN WITH THEM ON THIS MORNING AND I THOUGHT HE LOOKED AWFULLY SNAPPY’
By Pob Crosby
All Soldiers In Training Will Get Actual Experience With German Gas
Schools of gas defense are to be established in each of the National Guard and National Army cantonments and camps so that every American soldier now undergoing training may be familiar with the effects if the noxious fumes in the trenches.
Thirty percent of the shells now used on the western front contain deadly gases which necessitate the immediate donning of masks,
Is it not intended that the Americas are to be caught unprepared for gas attacks when they reach the trenches. Along with their other training for service overseas they are to be given practical experiences with war gas until they are so innured to the smell and effects that the deadly vapors will have no terrors whatsoever for them.
Under the direction of Brig. Gen. I.W. Little, who supervised the construction of all the cantonments throughout the country, special structures to be used as gas houses are now being built in each of the thirty-two camps.
A qualified medical officer who has graduated from the gas school at Fort Sill, Okla., where officers of the French army have been lecturing and showing moving pictures if actual gas attacks will be in charge of the schools of gas defense at each camp. He will be assisted by a chemist and non-commissioned officer of the Medical Department.
Lectures Delivered.
In many of the camps lectures on German gases and their effects have been delivered before groups of officers and non-commissioned officers and they are expected to be of material assistant when the actual gas tests are made.
The Division of Gas Defense Service is the office of the Surgeon-General has been placed under direction of Major E.D. Kremers, Medical Corps, with Major Bradley Dewey as assistant.
Orders from the War Department to the camp commanders require that “every officer and enlisted man in your division” shall take the gas defense course.
The gas houses in the camps will be hermetically sealed so as to prevent the deadly vapors from escaping and spreading over the entire reservations. Three kinds of gas will be used: bromine and chlorine, which are visible to the naked eye, and phosgene, which is wafted along on the breeze unseen and must be inhaled to be detected. The soldiers will wear the masks inside the gas houses for periods of fifteen minutes.
The United States government not only has all types of gas masks with which the French have been enabled to nullity the use of poisonous German fumes, but it is understood that one or more types of American-invented hoods, superior to the French ones, will be used by our fighting forces in the trenches. The superiority of the American masks lies in the speed and ease with which they can be adjusted when the presence of gas detected.
All Cantonments to Have Heat Soon
War Department officials have announces that all of the barracks, mess halls, hospital and officers’ quarters will be equipped with heating facilities before really cold weather sets in. Work of installing the heating apparatus is being rushed, the department announces, at Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass.; Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Mich.; Camp Grant, Rutherford, Ill.; and Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kan. These are the northernmost camps and will be the first to receive heat. Small, conical stoves may be used before the heat is turned on in the camps.
When the heating equipment is installed there will be an abundance of hot water available for bathing purposes and laundry work.
Some of the officers and men in the camps have been complaining about the chilly nights, apparently all unmindful that if they were at home the case would be practically the same, as furnaces are not started until around
TRENCH AND CAMP Vol. 1 No. 6
November 12, 1917
Staff of Famous Specialists to Man Million Dollar Hospital, One of Finest in Country
75 Buildings, Each for Specialized Work, Compose New Camp Unit, Now Open
One of the most interesting quarters of camp has recently been opened and is now running with that remarkable smoothness which soon characterizes all departments of this vast cantonment. It is the million dollar base hospital. The location in the P section which was used by the institution until the permanent buildings were sufficiently advanced for occupancy has been abandoned, and the Medical Department of camp is already becoming familiar with the lay of things in its seventy-building unit southwest of the “heart of the city.”
When completed, Upton’s base hospital will be one of the finest military establishments of its kind in the United States. IT is a small city in itself, with three score and ten buildings. These are connected by glass inclosed corridors and are steam-heated from the hospitals own plant. A power unit is included in the equipment which also embraces laundry, post exchange, guard house, chapel, mortuary, garage and fire engine. The buildings are all one-story wooden structure and when entirely completed will have a capacity of 1,000 patients.
Laboratories and special buildings for special departments of medical science are to be equipped with all of the appurtenances known to modern skill. One entire building will be devoted to surgery of the head and will have two operating rooms, complete in every detail, cases of the eye being treated in one and of the ear, nose and throat in another. Other branches of medicine will be housed in separate buildings and every care taken to insure complete attention to patients.
Has Notable Staff.
A staff of famous specialties medical men with national reputations will be maintained to make the treatment accorded Upton fighters the best which a finely manned hospital affords.
Major Jay D. Whitham, M.C., the commanding officer, has as his chief of medical service Major Harlow Brooks, M.O.R.C., of New York City, clinic professor of medicine at the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and at present chairman of the section of medicine, New York Academy of Medicine. Capt. William Etickney, M.O.R.C., of Rutland, Vt., who accompanied one of Rear-Admiral Peary’s polar expeditions, is chief of the surgical service. The hospital adjutant chief of the service of men’s diseases is Major Howard Fox, M.O.R.C., of New York, attending derindologist to the Harlem, Polyclinic, German and Willard Parker Hospitals. Major G. Hammond, M.O.R.C., president of the New York Athletic Club, is the chief of the neurological service. Capt. Russell L. Cecil, M.O.R.C., is chief of laboratory; Major Edward H. Dench, consulting otolaryngologist; Capt. Frederick G. Ritchie, chief of the ophthamological service; Capt. Aaron J. Rosanoff, psychiatrist; Capt. John R. V. Wolfe, roentgenologist, and First Lieut. John H. Snapp,, D.C., chief of the dental service.
A staff of assistants, all specialists in their particular line, will be under these heads of departments The son of Charles McBurney, the distinguished physician, First Lieut. Malcolm McBurney, is one of the specialists.
Nurses to be Feminine.
A feature of the staff which may put a premium upon going to the hospital is the intention to add seventy-five nurses to it. Judging from the reputation which Yaphankers have built up for themselves on visiting days and sojournings in the city, this announcement should be fraught with deep interest. In addition to these white-capped damseis, there will be a medical corps of 300 enlisted men, when raised to “war strength.”
MAKING UPTON THE SIGNING CAMP
The above photograph shows Max Weinstein, in charge of developing community singing at Camp Upton, leading the soldier-songsters of the Third Battalion, 30th Infantry, in a chorus. The regimental band is grouped about the leader and the infantrymen standing two deep are filled with song, although, of course, that doesn’t show in the picture.
Scenes of this kind will be common before long, as Weinsteing is to work with all the thousands of embryo warblers, taking them battalionwise.
National Anthem Artistic Enough For Former Associate of Dr Muck
Vincent Bash, Erstwhile Member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra but Now a Private Camp Upton, Delights in Playing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Although “The Star Spangled Banner” may be music of the baser breed to Dr. Carl Muck, director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, it is certainly not out of favor with a former associate of Dr. Muck in that famous musicianly organization, who is now a private at Yaphank. For Vincent Bach, famous cornetist and trumpeter, now training to be a gun manipulator somewhere in the Upton artillery section, delights in rendering the national anthem on his gold instruments to the great enjoyment of the boys, who are fast coming to regard him highly as a soldier as well as a musician.
His musicianship is of the highest order and entities him to a rank among those few virtuosos to whom the music world does homage. Bach is a native of Austria. He was born in Vienna and received his first training in the Academy of Music there. He acquired his artistic finish in the country whose men are to be his antagonists on the field of battle. Fritz Werner, a famous German cornet virtuoso, was his tutor.
Bach has toured extensively throughout Austria, Germany, England, Denmark, Sweden and Russia and established an enviable reputation which was acknowledged by the foremost musical critics of those countries.
Soloist at Frisco Exposition.
Since the outbreak of war in the summer of 1914 he has added to his successful career by work in the United States, playing under the direction of Dr. Muck of the Boston Symphony, and during the summer of 1915 he appeared as soloist at the San Francisco Exposition. He then toured the Pacific Coast until summoned to the East to accept the position of solo trumpeter with the Russian Ballet of the Metropolitan Opera House. Since then he has done most of his work as soloist under concert and Lyceum contracts, while recently, until called to service under the colors of the United States, he achieved great success at the Rialto Theatre, New York. Now he is offering music of the two-dollar-a-ticket variety to his comrades in olive drab, having been received with acclaim in the Y.M.C.A. Hut, Fifth Avenue and 14th Street.
Says a musical critic of this Upton private: “To hear Vincent Bach is in itself an education; for his technique is developed to the highest degree. The beautiful quality of tone produced upon his instrument in all registers, the artistic phrasing and classic perfection of his interpretation have placed hum un the highest rank of musical artists.”
TRIANGLE DRIVE FOR $35,000,000 INTERESTS UPTON
Young Men Who Appreciate Work of Y.M.C.A Watch Campaign
It is somewhat of a strain on the modesty, according to private tips given Trench and Camp by secretaries, to be a Y.M.C.A. worker in Yaphank. The boys have taken the spirit of the organization—its friendliness, disinterested helpfulness and broad-minded service—so closely to their unstarched bosoms that at times they smother the apostles of the Red Triangle with laudation. “Let him through, he’s a Y.M.C.A. guy” was the cry as a knight of that institution pressed into a crowded barrack board That sums up the free entry which the Y.M.C.A. has into the hearts of Upton men.
The announcement, therefore, that a campaign has been inaugurated by the National War Work Council, Y.M.C.A., to raise $35,000,000 for work among soldiers here and abroad is received in this camp with personal interests by the thousands of soldiers. They realize that they effort affects them vitally, and their enthusiasm for the success of the campaign is deep-seated and bounding. They have learned that the Y.M.C.A. isn’t in the axe-grinding business and is not moved by ulterior motives. And that is why the sentiment here is so strong for the big $35,000,000 drive. The soldiers realize they can help by “passing the word along” to the folk back home about what the Y.M.C.A. means to them, what it has done to help make life more pleasant and work while, and many are doing that.
On Sunday the start was made on the raising of this fund and the last date for contributions is set as Nov. 19. Not only will the men in the American Army be served by the $35,000,000, but it will cover the expense of working with 7,000,000 Russians, 4,000,000 Frenchmen, 3,000,000 Italians, 6,000,000 prisoners of war and 1,500,000 men in the armies of Belgium, Mesopotamia, India, East Africa and Rouxmania. With the American Army before next July raised to 2,500,000, a total of 24,000,000 will be on the service list of the Red Triangle o be benefitted by the $35,000,000.
PG. 2
CARTOON
That rookie from the 13th Squad by P.L. Crosby.
‘ALWAYS LEARN TO KEEP YOUR INTERVALS’
‘THE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU TWO IS FOUR INCHES’
‘NOW, DUBB, WHAT’S BETWEEN YOU AND O’BRIEN?’
‘NOTHIN’ CEPT WE AINT SPEAKIN’
Soldiers’ Insurance Law Explained By Secretary McAdoo
Head of Treasury Makes Provisions Of New Act Plain And Urges Men To Insure Their Lives
Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo, addressing the members of the National Army, through Trench and Camp, urges each and every one of them to take advantage of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ life insurance law recently enacted by Congress.
In his letter Secretary McAdoo explains the provisions of the law so that the soldiers may readily understand them. He says:
“The United States has gone further than any civilized nation ever has gone in protecting the officers and enlisted men.”
Officers representing each of the thirty-two cantonments throughout the country recently assembled in Washington and were given thorough instructions on the operation of the insurance law. The members of the National Guard and National Army will find at least one officer in Camp to give full details concerning the workings of this most extraordinarily liberal law.
Following is Secretary McAdoo’s letter which he sent to the editor of the Camp Kearny edition of Trench and Camp, published by the Los Angeles Times:
“Thank you sincerely for giving me the opportunity of communicating directly with the soldiers through the columns of Trench and Camp.”
Tribute to Soldiers
It was a genuine privilege to speak to that splendid assemblage of young men at Camp Kearny concerning the Liberty Loan, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Insurance bill, and the causes of this war with Germany.
“As I saw them, my heart swelled with renewed pride that I am a American citizen, and that our beloved country has such gallant defenders as the brace men who have put on the uniform of liberty and are going forward to make democracy triumphant over the perfidious military autocracy of the German Kaiser, which has disregarded all laws of humanity and civilization in this war and seeks to enslave the entire world, America in the bargain. So long as America produces the kind of men I saw at Camp Kearny, American rights will be protected and the world will be made safe for democracy.”
“It was a wise thing for the men who have entered the service to save their money and invest it in United States Government Bonds. No investment is so safe, and none can be converted so readily into cash or borrowed upon so easily if the owner wants to effect a loan. When the soldiers and sailors come back and enter civil life, they will find it a great advantage to have a fund with which they can establish themselves in business. It will set many a man on the wat to a successful and prosperous career.
Generously of Government
“The United States has gone further than any civilized nation ever has gone in protecting its officers and enlisted men. The new soldiers and sailors insurance law not only provides for the support of the dependent families of our soldiers and sailors, but it also provides that every officer and enlisted man may purchase at minimum cost from the United States Government life insurance up to a maximum amount of $10,000.
The rate is based upon the American experience table of mortality without overhead charges, so that the cost of a $10,000 policy ranges from $64 per annum, for the man 21 years of age, to $82.10 per annum for the man 41 years of age. In other words, the cost is from $6.40 to $8.21 per annum for each $1,000 of insurance.
“Policies will be payable in monthly installments, covering a period of twenty years. On a $10,000 policy the Government will pay to the beneficiary of the insured the sum of $57 per month for twenty years, or an aggregate of $13,680. If a man is totally disabled in the service and is insured for $10,000 he would receive $57 a month for twenty years, in addition to the specific compensations and indemnities to be paid to him for his disability under the provisions of the bill. Every officer and enlisted man who desires to make provision by life insurance for his loved ones now has the opportunity to do so through the just and generous action of his own government. He will get insurance in the strongest company in the world—the Government of the United States itself.
Must Apply by February 12
“But every officer and enlisted man must apply to the Government fir the amount of insurance he desires within four months after he enlisted in the service, provided he came into the service after October 6, 1917. Therefore, all those now in the army and navy must notify the Treasury Department on or before February 12, 1918, as to the amount of insurance they desire; otherwise they will lose their right to take such insurance.
“During the four months between October 6, 1917, and February 12, 1918, every officer and enlisted man, in the active service on or after April 15, 1917, is insured by the Government in the sum of $5,000, so that if any man should die or become totally disabled within that period, and before he has filed his application for the amount of insurance he wants, the Government will treat him as having been insured for $5,000, and will pay his beneficiaries the sum of $25 per month for a period of twenty years. This liberal provision is made in order that every man in the service may be protected during this four month period, while he is getting acquainted with the law and making up his mind as to the amount of insurance he wants to take.
“These insurance provisions and all the provisions of the bill apply not alone to the officers and enlisted men of the army and navy, but also to the women members of the army nurse corps and the navy nurse corps.
Urges all to Insure
“I earnestly hope that every officer and enlisted man, and every woman who is a member of the army and navy nurse corps, will speedily take advantage of this splendid provision for life insurance, and thus secure additional protection for themselves and their dependents.
“This great law for our soldiers and sailors and women nurses will be administered in the Treasury Department. Every effort will be made by the Government to see that every man and woman entitles to the benefits of this act has the fullest opportunity of doing so. Regulations covering all details and complete instructions will be issued from time to time by the Treasury Department and brought to the attention of every man and woman in the active service.
Nation Back of Soldiers
“America is fighting in the most righteous cause for which a nation ever fought. The entire resources of the American people will be put behind our soldiers and sailors, and the may go forward with the knowledge that not alone will their dependent families be cared for by a just government, but that everything that a great and generous people can do for them will be done without stint and regardless for sacrifice.
“I know that the men who are training at Camp Kearny and at the other camps throughout the country will add new glory to their flag, and that they will soon bring back to suffering humanity peace, founded upon justice and humanity—the only kind of peace worth having, and the only kind of peace that will endure.”
SNEAKING UP ON THEM
A young city fellow went to the country to take a flyer in agriculture.
About 3 o’clock one morning the farmer for whom he was working rustled him out bed in a great hurry.
“What’s the rush?” asked the young man.
“Come out to the barn as quickly as you can and I will tell you,” replied the farmer.
With all possible haste the young man went to the barn and again inquired as to the reason for the early rising.
“We are going out to thresh the oats,” said the farmer.
“Are they wild?” the young man asked.
“No,” the farmer responded.
“Then what’s the idea of sneaking up on them in the dark at this unearthly hour?” asked the city fellow.
UNAFRAID
“When I give you anything to do I want it done promptly and without any loafing,” said the Top Sergeant in reprimanding a private who appeared a little slow on the job.
“I am not afraid of hard work,” replied the private. “It holds no terrors for me. I have slept beside it many times without the least fear.”
UNRELIABLE?
“You can’t rely on a shuttering man.”
“Why not?”
“He always breaks his word.”
“IF”
(Rudy Kidling)
IF you can keep your heard when all about you
Are you losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting, too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make your thoughts aim,
If you can meet with triumph and disaster,
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken,
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stop and build em’ up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all you winnings,
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose and start again at your beginning
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your nerve and heart ad sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
And walk with kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a man my son.
PG. 3
Gleanings, Gossip, Humor and Chatter Gathered Here and There.
Knights of Columbus Are Well Into Work For Soldiers, With First House Open.
Building at Fifth Street and Fourth Avenue Offering Services Under Direction of Secretarial Staff—Auditorium on Upton Boulevard IS Nearing Completion—Buildings Open to All Races and Creeds.
By Clement B. Fenton.
With the operating of the new club house at Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue for service to the soldiers, the Knights of Columbus are well started on their work in Camp Upton, which embraces broadly a ministry of service to all the soldiers in the cantonment, regardless of creed or race.
This is the first building of three to be erected here for the work of the Knights of Columbus which is being carried on in the various cantonments throughout the country as the war programme of that organization. There will be at Upton, beside the building now completed and doing work, another club home built on a similar plan and a large auditorium on Upton Boulevard which is rapidly nearing completion.
Through the secretaries in charge, the Knights of Columbus plan to carry on vigorous activities along the lines of social, educational and religious welfare. There will be telephone and postal facilities, with ample writing space and stationary, which is furnished without charge. Each club house is equipped with a stage which may be used as an altar support at the proper times. Pianolas and phonographs assure plenty of entertainment for the musically inclined, while all of the current magazines and newspapers of the day, as well as a generous library of excellent books, will help to allay the soldier’s well known craving for reading matter.
Nightly attractions in the line of vaudeville performances and boxing bouts—in short, the carried events possible in camp life will be offered in each building. These will be open at all times to local performers, and the K. of C. will secure many professional entertainers as added features in the field of entertainment.
Athletics will occupy no small place in the work, and the organization is to furnish experienced coaches and supply an ambulance of equipment for the various sports. Literary and musical clubs are to be formed, with competent directors in charge and an effort will be made in every way to encourage those whose desires tend to the intellectual and aesthetic
Perhaps the greatest endeavor, one that compasses all, is to create for every boy who is lined up in Uncle Sam’s army an atmosphere which will be homelike, under roofs which he may use at all times and feel they are his own. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal order, have undertaken the matter of raising funds for this work, and act as sponsors. This, however, is the limit of sectarianism in the movement. Regardless of creed, the buildings are open to each and every one.
In charge of the religious work is the Rev. Laurence Bracken, formerly of Brooklyn. The General Secretary for Camp Upton is Harry A. Werner of Patchogue, L.I., with Clement B. Fenton of New Bedford, Mass., Assistant Secretary.
UPTON CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES BUY $35,000 OF BONDS.
Mr. Olson, Chairman of the Anderson Liberty Loan Bond Committee, announces that civilian employes of the camp subscribed to more than $20,000 worth of bonds. For days there was competition among Mr. Loew, Mr. Dempsey and Mr. Olson of the Construction Quartermaster’s Office in Yaphank in their efforts to break all records in obtaining Liberty Bond subscriptions.
With the aid of Messrs. R. Rosenberg, A. Fagen and S.J. Mann and J. Henley and A. Scheinwald, who spoke in English, Mr. Olson invaded the sleeping quarters of workmen about to retire. Stirring speeches in various languages were made. As a result several thousands of dollars in subscriptions were obtained. Mr. Olson then directed his associates to address men crowded about camp fires.
Out of $35,000 subscribed for bonds, Mr. Olson and his assistants obtained $20,000 worth of subscriptions.
Visitors’ Day in camp always furnished a new and interesting slant to camp life here, in token of which the following paragraphs are written.
There is no feeling or emotion in the human catalogue quite the same as the one a rookie experiences when he is seen by “Her” for the first time in his new uniform. It is halfway between the criminal’s sensations when found guilty of murder and the embarrassment a Plattsburg Lieutenant experiences when caught by the Sergeant looking in the mirror at his cub mustache.
It is remarkable how feminine touch changes things. On one of the recent Visitors’ Days some of the dainty sojourners were brought into a certain mess as guests. As soon as they entered the barren mess room a new light seemed to dawn on the faces of the men. Even the discouraged Kitchen Police took a hitch in their gunny sack aprons and pushed their hair back. The face of the second cook, who was dishing out stewed peaches, became wreathed in smiles. Men were given portions of unheard-of proportions. The conversation all over the room had a new buoyancy. There was a composite smile of self-congratulation on the way non-coms. A halo was over the entire establishment.
After viewing the partings at the station, one is impressed with the possibilities of Upton’s infantrymen in the use of their arms. All branches of the service, the observer is convinced, will be able to hold their own.
Many a rookie becomes on visitors’ day a general and a prince.
Several young and unfettered officers have resolved to treat certain of their men with more consideration after seeing their sisters.
Of course the boy was glad to see his parents. But his greeting might have been misleading to one unversed in army gastronomics and psychology. “Where are the smokes?” and “Did you bring the grub all right?” were the first questions he asked.
AMMUNITION MEN CONVERT THEIR BARRACKS INTO HOME.
Transforming barracks into homelike, clublike living places is one of the gifts which the selected men here have cultivated with surprising facility and to an extent quite remarkable.
Among the outfits whose energies have been turned to the rendering of comfort and luxury out of bare walls and wooden floors is B Company, 302d Ammunition Train. The boys have decked their living quarters in an attractive interior furnishing scheme which would elicit applause from a professional decorator and have installed, among other things a live, four-cylinder piano. Under the guidance of the company’s talented box-ticklers, the engine is hitting on all of them during the spare time which hiking and drills allow.
Private Joyce is official funmaster and fills his part to overflowing. He is the sort of chap that makes army life one round of comedy. A barrack orchestra composed of mandolin, guitar, banjo-mandolin and drum furnishes dulcet strains for the dancing which enlivens Visitor’s Day, and also performs when only khaki-clad pals are present. The Company B lads have sponsored some band-up barrack parties among other of their achievemnts.
THE CALL.
The Call is clear;
Arise ye sons of freeborn men, grid on the sword,
Take up the shield and go ye forth
Into the fray,
The men of Mars and mighty Thor are dripping red,
The earth is rent in twain and travailled sore.
Make haste, make haste, ye men of might,
Strike for freedom and the right,
The fight is on—the thunder roar, the lightning flash
Of cruel, grim guns that belch forth death
And voice with joy the paean of the dead,
Doth urge thee on.
Advance the steady tread, ye men of might,
Into the fight, and falter not,
Though red-hot blast of hell doth greet thee
And doth sear thy soul and strike thee down,
The Stars of Night will guide thee in they flight
Unto the Lord of Hosts as, mantled in the evening dew,
Thou sleepest. The bivouac of the dead may be thy portion,
But thou shalt still be free.
F. ALLEN, Headquarters Co, 304th Field Artillery.
Post Exchange Philosopher
Says Rookie Ralph: “If us boys of Division 77 can root them Huns outa the trenches like we’ve been goin’ to these here Long Island stumps it won’t be so awful long till we’re eatin’ our beans in Berlin.”
HERE’S AN UPTON MESS THAT READS A RITZ MENU
Meals in Camp Differ According to Abilities of Mess Sergeants and Cooks.
Whether it is the pro-German influence or just the human prerogative of being allowed to kick in one’s board is not known, but loose talk often floats around an army camp, and to the folks back home about the grub.
After being in Upton for a week, most enlisted men wonder that there ever could have been “bear stories” about hard tack and beans. Of course, every mess isn’t milk, honey and charlotte russe, and the palatability of the food in subject to variation. But in the large camp food is astonishing for its well-seasoned wholesomeness.
The variations are due to no favoritism on the part of the quartermaster, but to the abilities of the mess sergeant and the chef. One is different from another and the food which they place before the men is bound to follow the same lines of differentiation.
In one mess the following was a trio of menus recently, and if seeing this in print isn’t a solar plexus blow to the grub-knocker nothing that the Ritz or the Biltmore offers could be:
BREAKFAST.
Oatmeal
Grape Nuts and Milk.
Scrambled Eggs.
Lyonnaise Potatoes. Toast.
Coffee.
DINNER.
Beef Steak, Tomato Sauce.
Stewed Corn. Browned Potatoes.
Ice Cream. Cake.
SUPPER.
Cold Roast of Beef.
Cold Slaw. Pickles.
Potato Salad.
Cheese. Bread.
Tea.
IN UPPER “J”
Y.M.C.A. Hut, Cor, 2nd Av. And 14th Street
GEORGE PECK
Representative of Trench and Camp
This Company Are Both O.K.
Since so many of the men of the Depot Brigade let for Georgia it has been rather lonesome up on the Upton J Section. At retreat a squad is seen here and there in front of the barrack doors. Sergt. Smith of 14th Company took his company over to Patchogue Saturday night. He says that they both had a good time.
Under the Pecan Tree.
Lieut. Brown of the 10th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, was asked if he knew anything for the next issue of Trench and Camp. “Sure,” he replied, “tell them they should send all the loose nuts up to the 152d Depot Brigade.” Glad to oblige, Lieutenant.
“A Fireman’s Life for Me.”
There is a certain officer of the 28th Company, 52d Depot Brigade, whose favorite song is: “Oh, for the life of a fireman!” His command was appointed as the new fire company and the following conversation took place between the Company’s commanding officer and the Colonel:
“Where’s the hose real?”
“Don’t know, sir.”
“Where’s the hyndant?”
“Don’t know, sir.”
“Who’s assistant fire marshal?”
“Don’t know, sir.”
“------ ----- ? ------? –V! -----! -----?”
7th Con., D.B., Present and Accounted For.
They seem to have left all the wildest an wooliest in the 7th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, and silence seldom reigns there between reveille and taps. Chuck and Lee, the Siamese twins, still stick together and are noted for their famous sayings: “As you were!” “Get the needle!” “Hit me!” “Shoot the dime!” “What’s on your mind?” No seconds!” “Beans again!” and several others.
A Sergeant’s Hard Luck.
Sergt. Schwenk was late for supper the other night and he complained bitterly because he couldn’t find a thing to eat but sirloin steak, potatoes, sweet corn, fritters, stewed peaches and coffee. It’s a shame the way they impose on those poor sergeants.
Back From Georgia.
We are glad to see Lieut. Carlson back from his trip to Atlanta, Ga., with the men sent South. This reminds us of one of the 7th Company’s rookies of the Italian race, who told a friend that he was going to “Georgia Atlantic.”
An Oriental Magician.
Chioda, the Chinese magician, still mystifies the crowd. His disappearing trick, performed with slum-gullion, cannot be excelled.
Who Is She?
Every time the whistle blows other than for formation, we hear the cry “Telegram for McCarthy” or “Special Delivery letter for McCarthy!” He must have one who thinks a lot about him.
Doesn’t Bit the Tongue Maybe.
Private Attilia Creo of the 7th Company was telling of an amusing incident which took place in the kitchen of his barracks. “There was aftera dinner, see,” he said. “Chef, hima holda nose; say ‘vera bada smell. Looks round; no cana find nothin. Oh, tella him smella terrible thing. Looka in the ice box; no can finda. Looks in oven, undera stove; no can find. ‘Wasa malt? Thata no nads smell. Mess sergeant no got tobac; smoka oatmeal in pipi.”
Blood Up for Fliv Drivers.
The drivers of some of the obsolete autos which take the boys over to Patchogue are pulling a raw one on the fellows. Which may start trouble before long. The pirate who is not content with charging 50 cents each wat and paying for his seventy-six vintage flivver in a week, but who has beat the boys out of their hard-earned dollars by charging double fare on the return journey, when the bouts are not able to do anything but come across, deserves all that is coming to him, and from what some of the boys say, he is going to get his.
Characters in 12th Co., D.B.
They have a number of distinguished characters in the 12th Company, 152d Depot Brigade. Tony Boots of “ice, coal and wood” fame is never told to do anything without replying, “Wait while I play a little tune on my catarrh.”
PG. 4
TRENCH AND CAMP
Published weekly at the National cantonments for the soldiers of the United States
ADVISORY BOARD OF CO-OPERATIONS PUBLISHERS
JOHN STEWART BRYAN, Chairmen.
H.C. Adier, Chattanooga Times.
C.H. Allen, Montgomery Advertiser.
W.T. Anderson, Macon Telegraph.
F.S. Baker, Tacoma Tribuna.
W.W. Ball, Columba State.
Leader.
Harry Chandler, Los Angeles Times.
Amon C. Carter, Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Elmer E. Clarke, Little Rock Arkansas.
Democrat.
Gardner Cowles, Des Moines Register.
R.A. Crothers, San Francisco Bulletin.
Chas S. Diehi, San Antonio Light.
E.K. Gaylord, Oklahoma City Oklahoman.
F.P. Glass, Birmingham News.
Bruce Haldeman, Louisville Courier-Journal.
Clark Howell, Atlanta Constitution.
James Kerney, Trenton Times.
Victor F. Lawson, The Chicago Daily News.
Charles E. Marsh, Waco Morning News.
Frank P. MacLennan, Topeka State Journal
A.L. Miller, Battle Creek Enquirer-News.
D.D. Moore, New Orleans Times-Picayunne.
Frank B, Noyes, Washington Evening Star.
Gough J. Palmer, Houston Post.
Bowdre Phinizy, Augusta Herald.
Don C. Seitz, New York World.
Rudolph C. Siegiing, Charleston News and Courier.
H.D. Siater, El Paso Herald.
W.P. Sullivan, Charlotte Observer.
Chas H. Taylor, Jr., Boston Globe.
James M. Thomason, New Orleans Item.
Published under the auspices of the National War Work Council of the Y.M.C.A. of the United states with the co-operation of the papers above named.
Distributed free to the soldiers in the National cantonment.
OPENING THE WAY FOR US
Military operations have taken on a new meaning. We read no longer of the Ypres salient as the theatre of a bloody conflict or of Verdun as the stage of a world-renowned drama. Vimy ridge has become more than a name. The Aisne is more than a fabled stream. For we are soon to appear on one or another of these fields of action and we find them now a veritable part of ourselves. But as we view the operations on the western front in the imminence of our great endeavor and in the sympathy of our friendship for America’s allies, two facts of the utmost importance to each of us stand out in bold relief.
The first of these is the remarkable success with which our associates in arms are meeting in every great engagement with the enemy. Little by little, with unremitting patience, the French and the British are wresting from the Germans the key-positions from the North Sea to the mountains. Monchy-le-Preux, Vimy Ridge, the Chemin des Dames, the Messines ridge, the Zonnebeke ridge—one after another of these have fallen into the hands of the allies. With scarcely an exception, the British and French are now fighting down-grade, as far southward as the foothills of the Vosges whereas, in the past, they have been forced to move upgrade against positions selected by the Germans at leisure and fortified at pleasure.
Again, the British and the French have greatly improved their tactics during recent months while the Germans have either remained stationary or else have been losing in morale. In September, 1915, the French fought the famous battle of the Champaigne. This was undertaken after the most careful investigation on the part of Marshal Joffre and was entrusted to some of his ablest generals, including Petain and Foch. The victory was unmistakable, but the losses were heavy, and, if current reports are to be believed, the offensive had to stop because of a shortage of munitions. In the same wat, the British offensives at Neuve Chappelle and Loos and the French operations against the Labyrinth north of Arras cost the lives of tens of thousands. In contrast, we now read of attacks in which our associates in arms penetrate the German front for as much as two miles. The odds are turning. The heroic defenders of liberty are becoming masters in the art of war.
These facts do not of themselves forecast a speedy conclusion of the war. That is contingent upon many things and cannot be coldly calculated from the results of a single battle or a single campaign. But the present position of the allies and the notable improvement in their tactics indicate beyond all question that when America is able to out her great armies in France, sh can exert her strength when and where it will mean most.
ANOTHER AMERICAN SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD
The opening shot by America has been fired our boys are shooting. Those boys from farm and city, from prairie and seashore, from the mountains of the West and the valleys of East, are aiming their Springfields and training their cannon at the Hosts of Hideousness and the echo of those shots will not die till freedom is born again.
And this is no new adventure for American blood. Once before the grandsires of the lads now in the trenches stood at Lexington and fired a shot heard around the world.
That show was fired from a flintlock. It was aimed by untrained farmers who confronted war-hardened regulars. It seemed at best a valiant but hopeless effort, and yet that little flash of powder loosed an explosion that sealed the doom of kings.
National changes come slowly. But within a decade and a half after that shot they head of Louis XVI fell in a basket and France, with all the love of freedom and its worship of equality, was definitely in the ranks of Democracy.
Today only the despotism of Prussianism remains in Europe to menace those world-wide aspirations for which the farmers fought at Lexington. And Prussianism, too, has heard the shot fired by the American boys in the French trenches. In the dull ears of despotism the sharp, clear crack of that rifle has sounded, and even Prussianism knows that its doom is sealed.
While America stood aloof the success of the policy of calculated cruelty and foreordained frightfulness was possible. President Wilson made his public denunciation of Germany’s policies, practices and purposes on April 2. From that day the final outcome has never been in doubt.
Russia may have caved in. Italy may be overwhelmingly and tragically defeated. The ride may run with seeming resistlessness for the Kingdom of Cruelty, but America has yet to be reckoned with.
To the stern strength of France, who cried, “They shall not pass,” to the unyielding heroism of England, whose army was practically annihilated on the retreat from Mons and yet who never faltered or cried aloud, to the bright your of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, to the brave and indomitable Italians, America has brought her riches, her knowledge, her inventive genius and, above all, the spirits and bodies of her sons.
That accession will change the scales and that assistance will win the day.
It may not be soon. It may mean winter and summer in the tranches and in the field. It may bring suffering and death to the soldiers and to their families, but that shot fired from the trenches by the boys will bring no less glory to the warriors, safety to their families and freedom to the world. Yes, to all the world, even to Germany, when she shall have been delivered from the nightmare of Prussianism.
WHAT THE SUBMARINES MISSED
That the German submarine policy has failed is the best proved by official statistics as to the number of men and quantity of munitions and supplies safely transported across the Atlantic since the U-boats became active.
In the last three years 13,000,000 men have crossed and recrossed the Atlantic. Only 3,500 of these men were lost. More than 25,000,000 tons of explosives, 51,000,000 tons of coal and upward of 100,000,000 tons of machinery, rifles, and other supplies also were transported without any loss whatsoever.
WAR OF 1917
“The War of 1917” is the term by which the United States government will officially refer to the present conflict. The Signal Corps in each division has been instructed to compile a comprehensive pictorial history of “The War of 1917” for preservation in the archives in the War Department.
“A FATAL DEFECT”
At a banquet recently, Secretary of War Baker said: “One of the fatal defects of the Hohenzollern imagination is that fatuous belief that being frightful and making faces and killing women and children will scare brave men.”
The guy with the mole vision might claim that an O.D. outfit makes every man the same sort of man. He would back up his near-sighted claim by declaring that “clothes make the man.” But this Myopic Moke has never really lived in and of an Army cantonment. If he had enjoyed such a privilege, even his restricted gaze might have told him that there are types of khaki just as truly as there are in the ankle length pants and the colored necktie.
One of those types is the Book Who Thinks He’s Better. You’ve got him in mind. And when you think of him, your first swings outward involuntarily. You reach unconsciously for a missile to hurt. If there is none, you may unbottle some of the language that the Y.M.C.A. huts have signs against, if you’re that kind of a fellow. These hidden resources of language failing you, perhaps you lapse into deep disgust which is really more effective than indigo expletives. For the Boob Who Thinks He’s Better lurks in every camp.
He is not there because he wants to be. That fact he frankly proclaims. Not that he wouldn’t be willing to do his share in the war, if allowed to choose and pick. He might. Bu it would be soft-handed, white-collard, cologne-scented bit. HE really wouldn’t associate with the “common herd,” the canaille, the hoi pool, if he chose his path. For he is a Better Sort of Breed!
He is unused to contact with the bristly neck. He finds the jostle of crude elbows so annoying! And one is even forced to wash one’s dishes with those fellows (the “o” is ling as in “roast”). And disrobing in plain sight of a rude fellow who had driven trucks, and to have remarks made fixer of plumbing! Very distasterful to the Book Who Thinks He’s Better!
He isn’t at all chary with information about how he’s never been thrown with rough, unhewn men. They are from a different order. He only tolerates the common herd. This army misfit has a rough road ahead, not because of the road but because of himself. He is as out of touch with the democratic spirit as if he’d lived in the time of Louis Fourteenth. His nose has been inherited from a family in which the proboscis has always been on a forty-five degree angle, though, so perhaps the Boob Who Thinks He’s Better can’t be blamed.
And certainly a term as a member perforce of the great brotherhood in American leggings and service Stetsons will bring the Book to his sense, and make realize that, after all, he isn’t Better, but only a Boob.
HIGH HEART OF FRANCE
Out of the agony and sweat,
Out of the morial sacrifice,
Out of the high heart that could yet
Twine garlands as it gives and dies,
In the dire vigils of the west,
By the hard tears and blood their scroll
Dark in the sackcloth and beaten breast,
Men say, “France, you have borne a soul!”
The Lord He pitieth all scaled eyes
Come, pity you now the gaped struck view!
Pity you, pity the sheep surprise!
Always, Lily of France—you knew
You were a dancer at a ball,
Larking in a painted hose and basque,
You were a belle at a carnival,
Tickling fools with a wig and mask.
Pierrette, coquette shaped and trig
Dance! We follow!—But hark—a work!
Now comes leaping through mask and wig!
Who shines and towers there with a word?
Pierrette? Pallas? Nay, hear the clear call
Ringing round on the dumbfounded dance;
“Enough, enough of the mime and ball!
Mummers, have done! “Tis I! ‘Tis France!
“Look at me, mind me, now in mine eyes!
When was I a laggard for paint, for play?
By bugles, blow me! My children rise!
My day of glory has downed today!”
France, by your agony and sweat,
By your immortal sacrifice,
By your own knightliness that yet
Plucks purples as it pours and dies;
In the white honor that now flings all
For honor white, nor recks the chance—
You have but let the veiled years fall,
And turned the selfsame face of France.
--HENRY SYDNOR HARRISON, in “For France”
MUST BE PROPERLY CLOTHED
Strict orders have been issued by the War Department that all men transferred from the National Army to the National Guard must be equipped with a complete uniform and two or more blankets before leaving their cantonments. When the attention of the department was called to the fact that many men had been sent away without proper clothing and blankets, it was announced that this was in violation of specific instructions, and all division commanders have been ordered to see that the practice is discontinued.
HONOR FOR SORREL TOPS
America’s first shot in the war having been fired by “a red-headed sergeant,” the Red Head Club of Spokane, Washington, has elected to honorary membership all the sorrel top non coms with the American expeditionary force in France.
German Militarist Says U.S. May Not Send Army Abroad
Not withstanding the actual participation of American soldiers in fighting on the western front, the German newspapers still insist Uncle Sam has no men in Europe. The German people are led to believe that French and British soldiers have been dressed in khaki to look like American soldiers.
A fair specimen of the kind of staff the German people are being “fed up” on is seen in the following from Major Hoffe, of the German General Staff:
“Any extensive transport of American troops would cause serious difficulties in supplies to England and France. It must be remembered that the U-boats are sinking more and more ships daily.
“Finally, the fighting value of the American troops is not great, probably about equal to that of the Rumanians, and there certainly will be fewer of them than of Rumanians.
“In fact, it is doubtful whether the Americans will risk the venture of sending an army to Europe at all.
“The only American help to be seriously reckoned with is in the air. Flyers can be quickly trained and easily transported, but the German command has taken all necessary measures to meet this danger.
“The new enemy directs his efforts less against the German army than against the nerves of the German people and against the internal unity of Germany.”
U.S. TO FEED PRISONERS
That the United States is not overlooking any angle of the war is shown by the fact that plans have already been made o properly feed American soldiers taken prisoner by Germany. Thousands of prisoners taken by Germany have suffered and died from lack of nourishment, and the United States government does not propose to let American suffer for food. The War and Navy Departments have completed arrangements with the Red Cross for each American prisoner in Germany to receive two ten-pound packages of food every two weeks.
The food is to be forwarded from the Red Cross warehouse at Berne, Switzerland, where it will be held for the shipment to the prisoners in Germany.
FOUR STARS FOR PERSHING
After considerable debate as to whether General Pershing was entitled to wear three stars and a wreath or four stars as the insignia of his new rank, official announcement has been made by the War Department that four stars designates a general. It is not probable that General Pershing will be further elevated to the rank of field marashal.
PG. 5
Al Hears How Friend Jim Has A Change of Heart
BY OUR OWN RING W. LARDNER
Dear friend al: you know that when I and you got out draft cards and your card al had a big no onto it but mine was a small no. I was pretty soar for a wile at you because yours being a big no, ment you dident stand no show of being drafftit but mine al being a small no, was an indicashum that I woud be drafftit and you woud be left wear you have ben drawing 38 dolars a week ad lunch mony
Well I aint soar no oar believ me and I ait got no moar ust for a guy that’s soar at being drafftit unteerying but now al if I had it to do over I wood of volunteerd at once immediately without there being no drafting about it. This is a grate place to get it being a poor idea to get soar when your drafftit. Of Coarse you got Moll and the babies to think about al so this isent personell to you al but only a gen. Remark because you wood be eggs emptied anyhow al because of moll and the kids.
But what I was writeing to let you know was how diffrent idears like as this 1 comes to a fella when he sets down after 1 of these hear leckchures what the cap ten hands out to you wen they get you into the big shed with tabuls witch is called the mest room becaus it is wear we eat the mest which is called dinner and super in the city. You can tell hes a cap ten after being around for a wile al becaus he has 2 little sterling silver slugs his shoulders only mebbe their not sterling silver but lead as the sargint says only the sargint is a great bull artist al and be sides has to do whatever the cap ten says altho we pryvats must do what the sargint says when lots of times al he says it that way witch you cant tell weather he is saying it or only cussing.
Well at the 1st time that cap ten got up on a bench to talk to us I was soar about being drafftit as I was saying to you but when he got down again offen the bentc I wasent quite so soat but was fealing as if these Dutchmen has got something coming to themselves from us americans.
This cap ten al put it upto us pryvats that had only a few hrs befoar ben in offisus and shops that we were owing a det to the world witch we had got to pay up because we had ben having a pretty soft time of it but the rest f the world hadent been having anything but tuff going for a no. of years and that the wimmen was crying and all that sort of stuff and you know al I couldent never seen no womum crying al without doing something about it. He dident pull no sob line al it was strait dope but believe me al it maid me feal rotten about being soar at getting drafftit wen I might of beu helping out of my own free will and ackoard.
Well wen we went out of that mest hall their was a boob nezt to me said something about the cap ten being pade to say that and I called his bluft and said you big stiff that cap ten has got no axe to grind don’t you know hes pres. Of a bank wen hes not in the army. I happint to know about this cao ten because I of saw him offen getting out of a limozien on wall st. and that boob shut up rite away meebe because ime not so small as I mite be.
So I of got a little moar pep about this now al ad believe me I want to see it through as that English fella said who roat a book about mister gritling seas it through or something like that. Witch is just the way I feel about it al now ime in it believe me all ime in it to see it clean through without no stopovers for lunch or nothen. Well al I must cloas but I will tell you moar next time of how I of got to feel that it isent strait stuff to feal soar about being drafftit.
“Shell Shock” Nothing but a State of Mind, Says Noted Authority
Shell shock and how to prevent it, subjects of interest to each and every American soldier now in training for services in France, are interestingly discussed by Dr. Morton Prince in a recent issure of the Journal of the American Medical Association
Dr. Prince writes as an authority. He is one of the world’s foremost medical psychologists. He has visited military hospitals for the express purpose of studying shell shock. What he has to say deserves careful consideration.
Particularly significant is his statement that he popular view as to the cause of shell shock is entirely wrong.
Most people—including most soldiers—believe that when a high explosive shell bursts near a man the mere concussion of the air is enough to cause a physical injury of the brain. To this physical injury are attributed to dumbness, loss of memory, paralysis, etc., that are principal symptoms of shell shock.
But Dr. Prince unhesitatingly denies that air concussion by high explosives can cause the brain to be organically injured. Specifically, he states:
“It is now consensus of opinion that true shell shock differs in no wat from the ordinary traumatic neurosis as observed after railway and other accidents, earthquakes, etc.
. . . Being a traumatic neurosis, it is accordingly nothing but traumatic hysteria.”
That is to say that shell shock may be more properly described as “shell fear.”
It is because soldiers believe that air concussion can cause paralysis, dumbness, or loss of memory that these effects actually are produced. The paralysis, dumbness, and loss of memory are at bottom examples of the dire physical consequences that may flow from a wrong attitude of mind, a false and unhealthy belief.
If the soldiers could rid their minds of this belief, shell shock would no longer be the serious medical problems that is it today.
Accordingly, Dr. Prince suggests that all soldiers, officers, and men, be given by military surgeons instructions for the prevention of shell shock. It should be explained to the soldiers, he says,
“That shell shock is a form of hysteria, that it is due to fear and not to physical trauma, there is little danger, and nothing may be feared.”
He adds:
“In this wat it is to be expected that an anticipatory attitude of mind of healthy preparedness (instead of fear and mystery) would be formed; and also that fear when a shell exploded in the neighborhood without maiming the soldier, would be so minimized as not to produce the psychoneurosis.”
Every soldier ought to know—the importance of the mental attitude in shell shock, the importance of developing a firm conviction that unless an exploding shell cases actual wounding it is without power to steal away the soldier’s memory, deaden his speech, or turn him into a helpless paralytic.
Education, not speculation, is needed.
“US FIGHTING FELLERS”
CARTOON by Chapin
‘PROBABLY WILL NEVER FEEL MORE LIKE FIGHTING THAN WHEN WE FOR OUR FIRST OUTFIT OF CLOTHES-‘
(IMAGE) ‘BUSTED DREAM’
Sam Brown Belt Banned to Save Leather Supply
The reasons assigned by the War Department for refusing to O.K. the use of the Sam Brown belt by officers in the American army are: first that it is not a part of the regulation uniform and never has been and second that the leather thus used could be employed to better advantage in other directions.
While there is no doubt that the heavy leather belt, held in place bu the smaller strap over the shoulder adds sna- and finish to an officer’s appearance, it was never worn in the American army until the British and French officers began to flock to the United States on war missions, and its use after that smacks too much of aping to suit the War Department.
The ruling of the department placing the Sam Brown belt under the ban proved costly to a great number of officers who assumed it was correct to wear this “harness” and purchased it at a figure which meant no loss to the dealers.
All Soldiers Will Be Taught How to Swim
Although travel on an American troopship through the submarines zone is as safe as it is possible to make it and ample life preserves are carried on every transport, American soldiers to be sent “Over There” are to be taught how to swim. Every man ought to know how to swim. Every man ought to know how to swim, whether he is a soldier or civilian, but with submarines operating in the Atlantic it is all the more imperative that the men in khaki be as much at home in the water as on land.
PG. 6
News and Command on Doings of Ever-Active 77th Division Members.
Pat “P” Pointers
Y.M.C.A. Hut.
Cor. 5th Avenue & 8th Street
E.C. KNUDSON,
Representative of Trench and Camp
Sing Their Heads Off.
The other day Blanche Merrill, the playwright, dropped in to see us and recited her newest poem, “American Thine,” for the boys. Beck and Shultz have some new songs that pleased the crowd the other night. Kennedy, from the 306th Machine Gun Company, has turned up and talked to the piano and Max Weinstein, choral director, came around and made the boys sing their heads off at this direction. Charles Allen Abrahams is general utility man on the platform lately and can jump in and box a man twice his weight just to keep the ball rolling. He has gone and done it, leaving behind his bachelor days, and his wife came around to us Sunday to inquire if Allen was behaving himself out here. Come again Mrs. Abrahams—we will look for you in out movie films.
Lots of New Music.
Chase and Miller are a big help in a rush behind the counter. Thanks, fellows! And say, you piano players, we have a good supply of the latest musical hits just off the press. If you want to play any time during the day or evening, ask at the counter and we will be glad to let you use it.
To Put on Minstrel Show
Dave Jones has promised to write us a Camp Upton ministrel, fellows! All the men in the 308th Regiment who have, or think they have, ministrel talent, sign up quickly and see what we can pull off. If it goes strong we will book it up for every “Y.M.” building in the camp.
Attention! 307th Infantry.
And you boys of the 307th Infantry, we are going to put on a cracking good play from your talent under the same conditions. Can you beat the 308th bunch? Come o in and show them!
Sounds Interesting—Sh!
But the Machine Gun Company over here will bear both, we judge, if what they say comes true. A musical comedy with MALE ladies and all, boys. Chorus girls, orchestra, and everything. Sounds good, boy! Come on, you suicide squad, sign up right away; we have lots of places to be filled yet.
Upton Norwegians Gather.
The Y.M.C.A. Building, Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, was the meeting place of the Norwegians men of Camp Upton on Wednesday night. They filled the main room of the building and greatly enjoyed the programme arranged for the occasion. Private S.J. Arnesen was in charge of he meeting, obtaining the assistance of A.H. Rygg of the Norwegian News Company of New York and Prof. Lawrence Munson, Director of the Munson Institute of Music.
An exceptionally fine musical programme was given by Miss Helen DeWitt Jacobs, violin soloist with John Phillip Sousa’s Band: Miss Theresa Smith, soprano, and Prof. Munson at the piano, Pastor Lauritz Larsen of the Norwegian Zion Church gave the address. Mr. Larsen has been called to the National Army cantonment at Camp Dodge, Iowa, as a field secretary of the Lutheran Church. The success of the occasion has led to the desire on the part of the men for another meeting, and Private Arnesen hopes with the help of those interested to repeat the Norwegian night.
307th Ambulance Reports.
A member of the outfit reports to Trench and Camp:
“ The 307th Ambulance Company is not to be forgotten when it comes to Trench and Camp write-ups. To begin with, this company was elected for guard duty Sunday and Mr. Provost had the lich to escort two pretty girls who said they were lost. When it comes to the gallant knight stuff Mr. Provost is there.
“Late in the evening Mr. Gilligan held at bay, single handed, about seventy-five men, including Captains, Lieutenants and privates, and kept the company awake shouting ‘Corporal of the Guard!” Mr. Levine, another honored member, gives his commands as ‘Halt, please; Oh, please halt.’ It’s rought stuff, all right.”
A Certain Corporal is now convinced that luck, like firecrackers and grapes, comes in bunches. He got a leave unexpectedly to go home Sunday morning, and as he was boarding the train at Upton Terminal, his best girl walked into his arms.
You’ll Be Glad To!
You have probably already done it.
One rookie who, incidentally, never knew until he joined the army what the Y.M.C.A. was, said he never wrote a letter home that wasn’t filled with accounts of what the Hut—his hut—was doing, and telling the folks how it helped fill the need of the things which home had always provided.
You may have been that man. You probably have written more than he did—and better. You probably could improve on what you’ve said, though? At least, you’re going to try it. Won’t you—before taps to to-night? Write a letter to your parents, sister, brother, friend, Her-any, all or more—and give them a line on what the Y.M.C.A. in Camp Upton means to you.
And send them this copy of Trench and Camp. If you haven’t time yourself to wrap and mail it, give it to a Y.M.C.A. secretary, with the address, and he will do it for you. Wrote the letter by all means. If you can’t possibly write the letter, or letters, which is better (paper at the desk), send Trench and Camp. Or do both, and the bread which you thus cast on the waters, even though you’re not in the navy, will come back to you buttered on both sides—thick with jam.
SEEN AT CAMP UPTON
A diminutive Italian recruit civilian garb walking in Fourth Avenue inspecting the sixe ten trench shoes that had just been given to him.
° ° °
A dignified Van Dyke bearded major seated in his “tin Lizzie” putling with satisfaction on an old corncob pipe.
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A shaggy-haired puppy training with persistence a company of soldiers and refusing to heed the commands of an annoyed Lieutenant.
° ° °
A giant recruit saluting with full and solemn ceremony a chubby lieutenant whose head hardly reaches the height of the recruit’s belt,
° ° °
Sergt. Shinn had a new rookie out the other morning whose neither garments looked rather the worse for wear.
“Are those the only pants you’ve got?” the sergeant asking him. “You’ll find them rather cold unless you mend ‘em!”
“Yessir! Desa ma summer pants,” the rookie told him. “Summer here; summer gone!”
HUNT NO. 37 HANGS OUT RED TRIANGLE AND GETS ON JOB
Boys in 305th Infantry Will Try to Make It Best Y.M.C.A. “On the Lot.”
By A.O. Mainmberg
The Young Men’s Christian Association, known as the Army Y.M.C.A, Hut No. 37, is located on First Street and Fifth Avenue. We had our official opening recently, when Company I of the 305th Infantry put on a splendid entertainment. Both the Colonel and the Lieutenant were present and spoke. Since our opening night we have only once or twice let evenings go by without an interesting programme of sort or other on the platform.
List of Secretaries.
The following men are the Secretaries: A.O. Maimberg, Building Secretary; T.B. Young, Religious Work; H. P. MacDonald, Social; William Wefer. Physical; William Hessenberger, Business.
The work of our association will reach primarily, because of our location, the men of the 305th Infantry.
Although not open long, Hut No. 37 has been privileged to be of some service to the men of the regiment. Each secretary has his more or less definite programme, which he is trying to prosecute with the one object in view of being of assistance to the men in a way that will enable them to be better soldiers and men, fill up their spare time in a wholesome wat and help them keep away the blues and keep in touch with the folks back at home.
Major Dall has been appointed to represent the Colonel in all educational matters for the regiment. Lieut. Schuyler of Company 1 is in charge of entertainment, his title being Amusement Officer. Lieut. Griffin is the physical activity organizer of the regiment.
The boys of the 305th Infantry are trying their best to make their regiment the fore most in Camp Upton. On two occasions they expressed their determination to make and keep their Y.M.C.A. the best in Camp Upton. In about three weeks they feel that they will be ready to try conclusions with the men of any regiment in the camp along athletic or entertainment lines, or any other lines, in fact.
Feminine Touch Adds Charm to Opening of the New Y.M.C.A. Hut
Red Cross Women Graciously Assist Distribution Ever Welcome “Eats.”
High-browed Engineers and iodinic Medical Men are still talking about the brilliant and colorful opening of the New Y.M.C.A. building in the C section at 2d Avenue and 7th Street, which set a high water mark for entertainment at Camp Upton. The staff in charge of the building was formerly on the job at the hut at 2d Avenue and 11th Street, now used by the colored regiment. The members of the staff and every one else who played a part in arranging the opening exercises have been deluged with congratulations and compliments.
The setting for the party was most impressively picturesque, great sheaves of variegated autumn leaves being tastefully arranged on the walls and uprights of the building, the good old Stars and Stripes and the flags of our Allies being everywhere in evidence, and a crackling blaze in the fireplace.
But best of all, oh best of all, was the welcome presence of the group of charming Red Cross women workers from Bellport. They were the center of attraction because of their beauty and graciousness. They were especially popular when they passed around the refreshments, which consisted in the aggregate of five barrels of apples, hundreds of doughnuts, , sandwiches galore, slews of cake and quarts of cocoa. The refreshments were provided through the generosity of Mrs. J.L.B. Mott of Bellport and the party of ladies she mobilized for this most appreciated branch of “army work,”
Mrs. Mott and her associates have the pleasure and comfort of the boys at Upton very much at heart, a fact which is attested by their weekly visits to camp for more than a month to dispense large quantities of tea, coffee, sandwiches, cake, etc., to the boys.
A gala programme of stage events featured the evening. The show would have done credit to a Broadway playhouse. Singers and dancers in great number participated, while comedy ran rampant on monologues. The particular star in the comedy line was Joe Mozel of the 306th Infantry, who imitated Charlie Chaplin so accurately that many thought they famous screen comedian was actually appearing before them. Then there was Thompson, who contributed “Me and My Gal” amid such a maze of eccentric moves and expressions that he was compelled to respond to numerous encores before the crowd would let him go.
An Instructive Letter.
We all admit that we have a peculiar interest in the feminine members of our species. Even pictures of the ladies are welcomed. A few nights ago Dr. McLennan, Educational Director for the Y.M.C.A. buildings of the entire camp, gave a most interesting lecture on “Women in the War.” We have to admit that we never knew how truly the women are standing right alongside of the brave Frenchmen in this Big Fight. In the transportation service of Europe, in the mills and factories, in the coal mines and at the front in Flanders, where women are doing stretcher-bearer work in the frontline trenches, there they are, and a noble work they are doing.
Signal Corps Livens Things.
There is sure some peppy bunch in that Signal Corps! The other night they ambled over, fifty strong, armed with fiddles, ukuleles and plain vocal cords, and put on an hour’s worth of syncopated delight. They got the gang, all right, and we all hope they amble again. They were assisted in the evening’s work by Chris Klittgard of the Military Police, and Heitlinger, a Q.M.C. boy, in songs and recitations.
Real Doings in Social Room.
There have been some real doings in our social room. Pretty nice place to gather, around the fire log, and just talk along kind of chummy to your pal. Two of the country’s unique characters, renowned in evangelistic and mission work in all circles of life, came here and sat down informally with the boys and told their life-stories. Ted Mercer, who was once a famous college athlete, and whose talks and lectures have lost none of the “ouch” that used to take him between the goalposts; and Tom Farmer, famous mission worker in the slums of New York, thrilled us with their stories.
Private Riley Valuable.
Private L.D. Riley is making himself popular and useful to the crowds that throng the Y Hut every night by acting as announcer of some of the programme numbers, and in fact as general utility man. If the boys are slow to respond in putting numbers on he is always the man to jump in and hold the boards for a few minutes with a song or line of “nut” talk, or a dance or acrobatic feat. Riley hails from the 306th Field hospital.
FROM UNIT “R”
Y.M.C.A., Cor. 5th Ave. and 4th Street
Secretary PEECOOK
Representative of Trench and Camp
Members of the commissioned personnel are enjoying the Officers’ Room in the building at 42rd Street and Fifth Avenue, which was thrown open to them under auspicious circumstances.
Arthur B. Hunt, the building secretary, welcomed the officers to the new Y.M.C.A. and bade them make themselves perfectly at home. Col. Vidmer of the 306th Infantry responded in neat and graceful terms, expressing the appreciation of his staff for all that the Red Triangle has done for the soldiers at Upton.
Nieff Rosanoff, cellist; David Hockstein, violist; Walter Hackerman, all of the 306th Infantry, and Frank Bibb, pianist, of the 305th Field Artillery, entertained with solos, which were masterfully rendered and warmly received. The evening’s festivities were closed with a medley of patriotic airs by the 306th Infantry band.
Refreshments were served in the social room by the charming hostesses, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Major.
THIRD COMPANY GETS BIG, HEARTY SEND-OFF
Chicken, music and good fellowship were only a few of the ingredients in a farewell party accorded the boys who recently left for Georgia from the 3d Company, 152d Depot Brigade. Major Payson, Major Nolan, Capt. Coleman and other officers were the honor guests.
Sergt. Joe Shanley of Shanley’s of New York fame, who has been adding to the family laurels by conducting cabarets and tea dances of Broadway savor in the barracks. No. 207 13th Street, was a moving spirit in the party, which will long be remembered. Even when the trenches yawn near at hand.
Decorations of the variety that smack of New Year’s Eve in the white light zone elicited exclamations of admiration from the company present. The chicken supper was complete in detail.
Among the entertainment features were Jazz Band numbers by Lieut. Friedlander and his “merry men” of the 306th F.A.; comedy and songs by Privates McManus and McDermott of the same outfit; piano numbers by Sergt. Saltman of the 10th Company, 152d Depot Brigade; songs by Sergt. Cregan of the 6th Company, and ragtime numbers knocked out by the hands of Private Derkins of the 16th Company.
A feature was the chanting of a song, “Goodbye, Boys; We’re Going to Georgie To-Morrow,” by the departing 3d Company.
French and British Heroes Loud in Their
Praise of Progress Made by Selective Service Soldiers
Veterans from Western Front Surprised at Readiness of Men Here to Receive Advanced Training
That Upton has emerged from the adolescent stage of a military camp’s life and is coming out into full adulthood is becoming more and more manifest with the presence here of French and British instructor-officers and the progress noted in the intensive training which their advent marks. Gas masks, trench training and bayonet drill are some of the things which spell advance toward the real fighting. The Allied experts are here to promote progress along these and other lines.
Expect Great Things.
Expecting to find raw civilian material as their unshaped clay, they have expressed astonishment at finding a camp of well-seasoned men firm in the rudiments of soldiering. Basing their opinion on what they have seen at Yaphank, the visiting fighters entertain great expectations of the American troops.
“Your men are no longer civilians at the end of only a few weeks’ training,” said one of the French officers. “The degree of advancement surprises us all. After this brief time in camp, here is an entire division ready to receive our instructions in the more complicated methods of fighting. If this is continued America will have a wonderful army.”
Upton is fortunate in having some of the best trained men in the world as conferres in developing a star division. Both the British and the French officers have seen heavy service and are equipped to an unsurpassed degree for their work of instructing officers and men. They have begun work on their programmes, which will be thorough in the extreme.
The British attaches include Major H. P. Atkins, scouting, observation and nipping expert; Major R. T. Hayward, machine gun expert; Capt. Brown, an expert in physical training and bayonet practice, and Capt. H. W. Haserick, a trench mortar expert. The non-commissioned officers are Sergt. Majors G. C. Convington, W. E. Davies, J.R. Stone and H. Bradbury.
All French Heroes.
All the French officers are men who have served since the beginning of the war in all the important operations on the western front. Capt. Raymond M. Thibaud, 20th Artillery, who is a veteran of practically every battle his country has fought since August, 1914, will have charge of the artillery instruction. His three years have been rewarded with three Cross of War citations. Capt. Charles Nicot, who has made a reputation as a bomb thrower, has had four Cross of War citations.
The highly specialized instruction in automatic rifle work is in charge of Lieut. Pierre Geismar, 128th French Infantry, holder of four citations for the Cross of War and one of the acknowledged machine gun experts of his army. Lieut. Gustave Deteutre of the 8th Engineers is the liason expert. He also is a holder of the Cross of War. There are Sergt. Augustin Cougnenc of the 8th Engineers, Sergt. Jean Ricat of the 1st Light Field Artillery, Sergt. Andre Bouts of the 121st Infantry, Sergt. Martin of the 7th Engineers and Sergt. Camile Sauret of the 319th Infantry.
DEDICATION WEDNESDAY.
With solemn high mass, at which six prelates will officiate, the Knights of Columbus’s splendid auditorium at Camp Upton will be dedicated Wednesday. The dedication will be followed by a reception and celebration.
FRENCH OFFICERS SERVING as INSTRUCTORS at CAMP UPTON..
Reading from left to right; Sergt. Jean Ricat, Sergt. Andre Bouts, Lieut. Pierre Gaismar, Lieut. Gustave Duteurtre, Capt. Raymond M. Thibaud, Sergt. Jean Martin, Capt. Charles Nicot, Sergt. Augustin Cougnenc and Sergt. Camille Sauret.
BROADWAY THEATRE GOERS TO LEARN WHAT A REAL SHOW LOOKS LIKE
Talented Soldiers From Camp Upton Will Stage Performances in Big Town on
Nov. 25 and Dec. 9 for Benefit of Gym and Theatre Funds.
Broadway’s calcium glare will bathe Camp Upton dramatic stars during the coming weeks, if plans now under way do not go awry and there is no reason to believe that they will.
Five hundred soldiers from here will give a show at the New York Hippodrome Dec. 9 to raise money for a new gymnasium. The production will show the life of a National Army man from the time he shucks his “cits” until he has become a bronzed training camp veteran. There will be two performances.
This appearance will be preceded by a debut and the honors for first heightening the glamour of New York’s Rialto will fall to the men of the 307th Infantry who have secured permission from brigade and divisional headquarters for a benefit performance Nov. 25 at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre. The Regimental fun will receive the benefit, and a theatre is to be built in camp for the regiment, according to the plans of an executive board composed of representatives of each company.
Lieut. Everett A. Butterfield, who has appeared in “Johnnie Get Your Gun,” “Arms and the Girl,” and “The Misleading Lady” is manager of the entertainment planned in the big town. Capt, William D, Harrigan, well known in theatrical circles, is President of the Theatrical Board. Private H. H. Harris, nephew of Lew Fields, is Secretary and will have charge of providing the professional talent for the show.
The Twelfth Night Club, an organization of actresses, will sell the programmes. At the entertainment 200 men selected from the various companies in the regiment will provide an exhibition drill showing the degree of training attained by the Upton recruits.
A prominent place on the programme will be assigned the regimental hand, which has been making rapid strides under the direction of Olaf M. Nord, who has been selected to lead the first divisional concert in which all the eleven bands of camp will participate. Nord has had fifteen years of experience as band leader in the regular army, having been head of the Fifteenth Coast Artillery Band before coming here. Percy Grainger, famous pianist, was a private in that outfit. Among the members of the 307th musicianly corps are Ernest Gentile, formerly trombonist in Sousa’s band; Louis Galeshekow, trumpet, recently of the Russian Symphony Orchestra; Jacob Hill, clarinet late of the Strand Theatre Orchestra, and Max Gilbert, recently manager of Benny Leonard, champion lightweight fighter, and James Lannig, experienced New York and Philadelphia bander, drum handler.
YAPHANKERS EAT ENOUGH PIE ON PAY DAY TO COVER ALL WAR AREAS
Pay Day might appropriately be renamed Pie Day at Upton, and lose none of its significance. The great United States Delicacy played almost as important a role in the fiscal landmark of last week as Liberty Loan bonds and soldiers’ insurance. It is estimated that the number of pies purchased at the post exchanges on the recent anniversary of Old Mr. Thirtyper, if placed rim to rim, would make an area large enough to fight out the present world war and still leave a territory large enough to include Rhode Island, Texas and Patchogue.
COL. ROOSEVELT PUTS IN BUST DAY AT YAPHANK
Makes Two Speeches, Scorching Pacifists, and Then Witnesses Artillery Drill.
Conscientious objectors, pacifists and advocates of peace without victory were unmercifully flayed by Col. Theodore Roosevelt in a rousing patriotic address before 3,500 officers and men who crowded into the new Y. M. C. A. auditorium on Upton Boulevard Sunday afternoon. Col. Frederick C. Doyle and Lieut. Col. Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of War, represented the 305th Field Artillery at the big meeting, while the 302d Engineers were represented by Col. C. O. Sherrill and other officers.
Major Gen. J. Franklin Bell, commanding Camp Upton, introduced Col. Roosevelt. The address stirred the officers and men to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Col. Roosevelt told the officers and men he envied them and would like to go “Over There” and do his bit with them. He advocated universal military training and expressed the hope that in the future all appointments to West Point and Annapolis would be made from the ranks of trained and experienced soldiers.
Following his address in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium, which ended with an ovation for Col. Roosevelt, he addressed the 367th Regiment, colored, commanded by Col. James Moss, in the Knights of Columbus Hall, and later witnessed a competitive artillery drill by the 305th Field Artillery.
GEN. BELL ACCEPTS FIRST “Y. W.” HOUSE
In accepting the first Young Women’s Christian Association Hostess House for Camp Upton, Major General Bell crystallized in words that sentiment of the 77th Division towards this institution when he ranked it as one of the most important in camp, filling a peculiar need which has been keenly felt. He said that a place where all enlisted men could meet and entertain their feminine visitors would take a vital place in the service being rendered to the men by extra-government agencies.
This first Hostess House opened of the three to be located at Upton, has been delightfully characterized by the hundreds who have visited it as one of the two or three most beautiful places in the cantonment Broad verandas welcome the enlisted man’s guest, and the interior has the spacious weep of whole-hearted hospitality. A huge fireplace, comfortable wicker chairs, tasteful hangings and rugs, a cafeteria where lunches are served reasonably, children’s room and rest room are some of the features of this “Y. W.” House. Situated at Third Avenue and Sixth Street.
Mrs. Dave H. Morris, on the National War Work Council, Y. W. C. A., as the donor, presented the buildings soon to be in operation here. Miss Mary Dyer has charge of the cafeteria service of all the houses, and Mrs. Wheeler is the general business manager.
The hostess of the Third Avenue building is Mrs. George Pirnie, while Miss Ruth Ring, who has had charge of the Information Bureau in the Plattsburg Y. W. C. A. and will act in a like capacity there, and Miss Priscilla McClellan are members of staff.
PG. 2
“ The Thrill That Comes Once In A Lifetime”
WALKIN’ WITH YER BROTHER WHAT’S A SOJER RIGHT DOWN MAIN STREET PAST TH’ GANG EN’ TH’ GIRL AN’ EVERYTHING
Drawn Expressly for TRENCH AND CAMP BY WEBSTER
Ample Shipping In Sight To Maintain U.S. Oversea Forces
The question, “What grub are we going to get when we hit the trenches?” which thousands of American soldiers in cantonments over the entire country are asking on another, is a simple enough one to ask, but involved in its answer are problems which are vast and weighty.
Getting an army into action in Europe is simply the beginning of the game, as far as the American government is concerned in its relations with its fighting men. Once there, they must be maintained.
Food and equipment must be kept as the move so that the boys in khaki will be able to sustain the reputation for efficiency which the great Pershing organization has gained from the Allies. This maintenance totals about give tons per man per year. Every soldiers who arrives “Over There” is to be followed by five tons—ten thousand pounds—of upkeep, varying in shape and form from beans to bullets. The vital factor in getting this bulk across is ship tonnage. On October 1 there were available for Atlantic service, including German ships, approximately 3,000,000 tons, which means that at the rate of five tons to the man, an army of 600,000 could be maintained.
Of course this would be inadequate if it represented the only shipping resources with which Uncle Sam is to back up his expeditionary forces, but there is a total of 5,900,000 tons more either building or contracted for. The great bulk of this is expected to come in during 1918. It will not all be available in the twinkling of an eye, for providing ships is not done over night, nor is there any magic where-by ocean-going bottoms mat be whisked into being by the waving of a red, or of a sheet of paper with figured on it.
By June, however, there should be ready 3,000,000 tons, according to expert prognosticators. This, added to the 6,000,000 if tonnage which was available October 1, makes a total of 1,200,000 men, at the five-ton a man ratio.
This conclusion is safe, with these figured to build on, that shipping is in sight ample to maintain the forces abroad, and to give the men now in cantonments those necessaries of food and equipment which are so close t the lives of the soldiers.
As to the future, there will be 2,900,000 tons to come after June 1, when the maintainable force is 1,200,000. This additional tonnage will enable the support of reinforcements to the number of 580,000, making the total 1,780,000, which shipyards turning out standardized ships would be capable of an enormous output.
TRAINING WITH FRENCH GUNS
France has enough big guns to ship a few to the United States for the training of American soldiers in the handling of them. A number of French artillery officers and men are now in this country superintending the firing of the heavy ordnance and pieces of light caliber and also explaining the details and operations of the guns to American artillerymen.
As a result of the training the American gunners will be able to take their places on the firing line in French much sooner than if they were compelled to wait until they got “Over There” to learn how to handle of the French guns.
TOO HONEST
“Now, if, I haven’t left my purse under the pillow!” “Oh, well, your servant is honest, isn’t she?” “That’s just it. She’ll take it to my wife.”
ALSO GUM DROPS
“They’re making candy out of mucilage now.”
“What kind?”
“Stick candy.”
THEY’LL LIKE IT
Every soldier should remember that his family wants to ready everything obtainable about his life and activities. Send them Trench and Camp when you are through reading it.
WHAT HE PLANTED
“What did you plant in your vegetable garden this summer?”
“Oh, about the whole of my yearly income.”
PG. 3
News, Gossip and Gleanings the Folks Back at Home Would Like to Read.
COLONEL AVERILL AT 308TH ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS TRACK CUP
Regiment Assists in Concert at Which $5,000 Is Raised for Auditorium
BY JAMES GRUNERY, SECTION P.
When Lieut. Barlett, the popular athletic officer of the 308th decided to put on a regimental show at the Y.M.C.A., he looked around for an able Chairman for the Entertainment Committee. And he found one—Austin McClare of the Five Musical Maniacs, now in Headquarters Company of the 308th—and the performance Austin put on was “some show.” In the first place of the 307th Band under the able leadership of Band Master O. C. Miller furnished music of high order during the evening. The announcer of the evening was our fried the eccentric monologist, Dave Jones. His pack of telegrams from all over the world brought down the house.
During the entertainment Col. Averill om a congratulatory speech presented the cup won by the truck men of the 308th in the cross country race.
Other features of the programme were the singing of the Camp Upton Quartette, “Knut” McManus, Walter Shirley, Henry Abrams, Patterson, Joe Termine, the ragtime Paganini, and old friend Shultz. A bout between Young Fulton and Pete Powers, refereed by Charlie Abrahams, added to the enthusiasm of the crowd and Will Reynolds and his little friend in their ventriloquistic act made a big hit.
The boys say it was the best show yet held in camp, and McClute is certainly to be praised for his work in connection with it, not the least part of which was the wat he rattled the ivories in accompanying many of the acts of the programme.
Community Chorus Raises $5,000
At the 71st Regiment Army in New York last Sunday a bunch of the boys from the 308th, Bandmaster Miller and his band and McClure at the piano, took part in a concert that Mr. Barnhart of the Community Chorus got up to help toward the fund for a monster auditorium for Camp Upton and its soldier singers. Gen. Bell made the address of the evening and was most enthusiastically received, the result of the evening being a subscription of $5,000.
Congratulations Again, Charlie.
Right on top of getting married, what do you think happens to Charlie Abrahams of the Machine Gun Battalion? Why the Government at Washington sent along a paper granting him a lieutenant’s commission with transfer to Mineola. Say, some people are born lucky! A swell little wife and a silver bar in the same month! Well, we’re mighty sorry to see you go, Charlie, but our best wishes are with you and we will be glad to salute you next time we meet.
BOXING AND JAZZ STRAINS, MINGLE IN “GET TOGETHER” OF HDQ. COMPANY, 306 F.A.
Real refreshments, high grade entertainment and splendid fellowship marked the first get together and smoker given by Headquarters Company, 306th Field Artillery, in their barrack recently, with friends of the company as invited guests. The regimental jazz band bore off a large share of the honors of the programme, which follows:
Boxing exhibition between Private Glazer, the Bronx Knockout Kid, and Private Carter, the Hibernian Terror, suddenly terminating in the second stanza, when the Terror is reported as having misplaced a set of false teeth; cornet solo by Bandmaster Schratenbach, assisted by Privates Schmidt, Hueglin and Latainer; mellow tenor selections from the golden-throated Private Rudolphi; boxing exhibition between Private J. Murray and Private Gray, ending at the end of the second round when Private Murray had stored up a sufficiency of his antagonist’s wallops; banjo-mandolin tickling by Private Allegero; stellar three-round boxing bout between Sergt. Whitridge, 116 pounds, and Corpl. Bartenak, at 116 ¼, with honors even at the finish; vocal selections, Private Lombardi; cornet selections of old-time melodies by Private Latainer, assisted by the audience; novelty. Private McCarren; jazz band, numbers.
Lieut. Lawrence, ably assisted by 1st Sergt. Christgau, Sergt. Notley and Provates Mendel, Econopulos and Valli, supervised the affair.
Impressions
Don’t Grumble
(By Eugene Greenhut, 23rd Company, 152d Depot Brigade.)
Do you remember the day you were as sore as a newly inoculated arm! The day you paraded a face as long as your first “man” trousers and you were aching to get into some kind of a scrap so that you could take it out of somebody’s hide!
You know—the day you asked for a leave of absence and could not get it because the list teas made up before they could get to you, and they tapped it off with kitchen duty because so-few men stayed in camp.
That was the day when you didn’t get even a postal from anybody—the day it seemed that everything and everybody were conspiring to make life miserable for you.
Felt pretty blue, down-in-the-mouth, didn’t you!
Yet you should have felt cheerful—thankful, in fact!
Sounds foolish? Listen.
Anybody can be cheerful and happy and singing when everything is just right.
But the man who can smile when all is going wrong has earned his right to existence and his place on this earth. He is bigger than men or nations. His has reached the top.
And he can smile because he realizes that with every cloud comes a silver lining, with every rain, the sunshine, with every care, a joy.
So he has learned to be thankful for all the ills, pains, adversities, trials and tribulations. Because each time he overcomes an obstacle he has one less to overcome in his fight to reach the top. The sooner he has his troubles, the less he has in store.
And that’s the whole story.
If you want the worth while things you have to fight for them. If you want the gold you must dig—if you want the pearls you must dive.
You get nothing for nothing.
So make up your mind, if you want to get there, that you have to cut your own way and blaze your own trail. And while you are cutting and blazing don’t grumble.
CHAIN OF EIGHT Y’S AROUND CAMP IS NOW COMPLETE WITH L OPEN
Green Hut on 19th Street Last to Fling Open Its Portals.
The chain of Y’s around the U is now complete, speaking alphabetically. Which is to say that the service huts of the Y. M. C. A. are all open and doing business, since the move this last week which threw wide the doors of the last green building to open in Upton, the one on 19th Street, in the L. section. L. P. Lindsay and his staff who have been holding forth in the J. building, 2nd Avenue and 14th Street. Have taken charge of this last Y station, while their former outpost is manned by what is known “back home” as the Bedford Staff.
Frederick R. Starkey, building secretary, is religious work director of the Bedford branch. Brooklyn, having with him Frank W. Murtfeldt, religious secretary and Richard W. Strong jr., physical work, late confreres in Brooklyn. Messrs. Alyea, De Mond and Taylor have charge of social, educational and equipment branches respectively in Mr. Starkey’s building.
The L hut will serve the First Provisional Supply Regiment, 152d Depot Brigade and flung its portals with a local entertainment, including some interesting boxing bouts, Mike Pastor opposing Young Ketchell for three rounds and “Krazy” Katz sparring opposite Paul Mahier. Dan Caslar had charge of the musical features and proved his usual versatile self.
With the last emerald-hued structures doing business, the Y. M. C. A. has eight service huts in operation here, beside the administration building, on Upton Boulevard, and next to it the auditorium, about completed. The huts are at Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street, Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, Fifth Avenue and Fourteenth, Second and Eleventh (colored) and Second and Fourth.
THEY’RE FULL OF PEP.
Lieuts. Freeman, Saville, Carison and Gillette don’t somehow seem satisfied with life useless they can get some poor, deluded enlisted men to play against them at basketball or football, and, oh, my! How they do like to hit the line. Even in a little friendly game of soccer they can start more roughhouse than Irish wakes are supposed to furnish.
Private Otto Barlett, who resides at Freeport, invited his bunkie, John Donovan, who hails from Boston, to visit with him at his home in Freeport last weekend. They arrived there and a had a good time, but when they were ready to depart they were help up by the civic authorities and told they were under quarantine because of the fact that the younger sister of Otto was suffering from measles. This meant two days extra pass to the boys, but when they were finally pronounced perfectly sanitary, they were allowed to depart for Camp Upon. When they arrived at their barrack they were again placed in quarantine in one corner of the barrack, where the other boys of the A Company, 302d Field Signal Battalion amused themselves by hanging up festoons of signs, red flags and banners and by roping off the quarantined area.
RAPID ELEVATION.
Private E. C. Hess of Company A, Signal Corps, wore a pair of leather puttees and a garrison cap when on pass the other day. Hopping off the train at 2 A. M. Monday, he was accosted by a rookie who offered to carry his bag, thinking he was a “shave tail.” Hess very graciously permitted him to do so, but he kept on the dark side of the road all the way up to camp. Later the rookie said to a pal, “Gee, I thought that guy was a lieutenant, but he told me he was a major.” The modesty of some of these high privates in the rear rank is beyond comprehension.
ILLUSTRATED LECTURE.
The direction surgeon has a couple of men of the 305th Ambulance Corps, Tim Bulger and Tommy Atkins, the latter being so nicknamed—his, real surname being Atcheson—because of having seen service with the English troops, in the Upper “J” Y. M. C. A. working a stereopticon lecture machine.
“Does it take two of you goofs to run that little machine?” Time was asked by an inquisitive sergeant.
“You see. I’m the mechanic and Tommy’s the awful example.”
“THIRSTY-FIRST” REGIMENT.
Lieut. H. L. Rau of the Veterinary Corps in the casual barracks in the “K” section had a rather busy time with some of his men returned from furlough. He had a hunch that there was a little “snake bite” somewhere in the outfit, and finally discovered a half-pint neatly concealed in a hollow loaf of bread which one of the guilty ones had brought into camp with him. Observing that the man who could think out a scheme like that deserved a drink, the Lieutenant also added a little remark about the “thirty-first,” or “thirsty-first,” being a suitable name for that company.
GOT THE “GIMMIES”.
Private Paddy Kirrane, whose real front name is Jimmy, for which reason he is called Paddy, is suffering from that peculiar malady known as the “gimmies.” It has a peculiar effect on a victim who has suffered as long as Paddy. He starts early in the morning with, “Gimmie a cigarette,” “Gimmie a match,” “Gimmie a stick of gum.” He keeps it up at meal times, when he says, “Gimmie some seconds,” and in the evening games of five hundred he still uses the expression, “Gimmie three.”
NO POPULATION HERE.
Private Dutch Bernasch of the 305th Ambulance Corps was asked if he wanted to make an allotment on his pay or to take out any Government insurance. “No,” was the reply, “I no need; I ain’t got no populations in dis country.”
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
Company B, Signal Corps, Has one of the liveliest crowds in camp. They were sing a joist of wood to pry up a root on the parade ground the other day, and Fatty Nilan, the famous fullback, was perched on the end of the lever to get an extra purchase. Corp. Hammel was standing directly under the end of the lever where something slipped, and the lever and Fatty hit him home to the barrack and look for another gang foreman.
HOW DOES HE DO IT?
The boys want to know how Sergt. Faraon manages to buy $8 hats, silk underwear and Russian leather puttees and belt on the eighteen per, which is about what a sergeant gets on the new scale of pay minus allotment and insurance.
GOOD LUCK “GRUN.”
Private Grundstadter is going to Fort Monroe to try for a commission. We wish him the best of luck. He is a graduate of the City College of New York.
“CHICKEN POLICS.”
There was a certain recruit of Pelish extraction who was given a little hitch of kitchen police. When asked by a non-com why he didn’t fall out for drill, he replied, “No can drill. Me going on the chicken police.”
BATTERY C WINS.
A large and enthusiastic crowd of soldiers saw Battery C. and Battery F. 306th F.A., battle to a scoreless tie on the soccer field. The C baseball nine, however, got a 11 to 2 decision over the F team. Lieut. Bomeilser, smiled during the soccer game, but was not so tickled with the outcomes of the baseball contest.
Address by D. Fulton
Sunday night, following a very “peppy” sing-song, Dr. Charles W. Fulton of Pittsburgh gave the boys in the C Section a corking evangelistic address. Dr. Fulton is one of a number of prominent ministers who have taken short leave of absence to do this kind of work for the boys.
CO. A, 305TH INFANTRY NOTES
Company A is strong for the ladies and voted solidly for Woman Suffrage. There were a few antis, bit even the most rabid ones such as Sergt. Harris, Private Chapin, Coulton, Gethin and Horowitzm were easily converted to the cause by Private Mullett.
“Improvise” is the slogan of Lieut. O’Connor, regimental physician. Company A is profiting by his reaching. One night last week Battalion Statistician Lieberman was entertaining the company by playing selections from Tschalkowsky on his soulful violin, little dreaming that unfair competition would soon put him out og business. Like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky appeared in another corner of the barrack Private Chapin, the corporal of the safety razor guard, who had suddenly improvised a complete Jazz band out of his mess lot and a slice of stovepipe. The company “fell in” around him in less than the twenty-seven second record, and he sang new song upon new song.
The following words of thanks were sent to the Army Y. M. C. A. in Camp Upton: “On behalf of the members of Company A. 305th Infantry, I wish to extend the deepest appreciations for the useful gift in the form of the graphophone. It has already given us many a pleasant moment and will ever be a source of deep enjoyment. I will ask the Y. M. C. A. to see that this brief note reaches the proper party, M. K. HARRIS. Sergeant Company A. 305th Infantry.”
PG. 4
TRENCH AND CAMP
TRENCH AND CAMP
Published weekly at the National cantonments for the soldiers of the United States
ADVISORY BOARD OF CO-OPERATIONS PUBLISHERS
JOHN STEWART BRYAN, Chairmen.
H.C. Adier, Chattanooga Times.
C.H. Allen, Montgomery Advertiser.
W.T. Anderson, Macon Telegraph.
F.S. Baker, Tacoma Tribuna.
W.W. Ball, Columba State.
Leader.
Harry Chandler, Los Angeles Times.
Amon C. Carter, Fort Worth Star Telegram.
Elmer E. Clarke, Little Rock Arkansas.
Democrat.
Gardner Cowles, Des Moines Register.
R.A. Crothers, San Francisco Bulletin.
Chas S. Diehi, San Antonio Light.
E.K. Gaylord, Oklahoma City Oklahoman.
F.P. Glass, Birmingham News.
Bruce Haldeman, Louisville Courier-Journal.
Clark Howell, Atlanta Constitution.
James Kerney, Trenton Times.
Victor F. Lawson, The Chicago Daily News.
Charles E. Marsh, Waco Morning News.
Frank P. MacLennan, Topeka State Journal
A.L. Miller, Battle Creek Enquirer-News.
D.D. Moore, New Orleans Times-Picayunne.
Frank B, Noyes, Washington Evening Star.
Gough J. Palmer, Houston Post.
Bowdre Phinizy, Augusta Herald.
Don C. Seitz, New York World.
Rudolph C. Siegiing, Charleston News and Courier.
H.D. Siater, El Paso Herald.
W.P. Sullivan, Charlotte Observer.
Chas H. Taylor, Jr., Boston Globe.
James M. Thomason, New Orleans Item.
Published under the auspices of the National War Work Council of the Y.M.C.A. of the United states with the co-operation of the papers above named.
Distributed free to the soldiers in the National cantonment.
THE TRIANGLES OF THE WAR
They have figured again and again in the war—those great triangles of forest and stream and rolling plains and rivers, where armies have found shelter or met disaster.
First was the triangle of the Sambre and Meuse, with Namur at its apex and Charleroi on its northern face—a bloody but a glorious triangle, into which the French rushed to aid the Belgians in the first days of the war, and from which battered and undismayed, they retreated toward the Argonne and Verdun.
Then came the triangle of the San and the Vistula, where the Austrians rallied after first thrust against Lublin in August 1914. To the sides of that triangle came the regiments of Brusiloff and Ruszky, fired with a new dream of Russian Idealism. They forced the crossing of the San and they swept down the banks of the of the Vistula, until the routed Austrians had to glee to Przemysl, where a little more than five months after they had to surrender to the Russians.
The next was the historic triangle formed by the Vistula and the Carpathians, with the river Dunajek as its base and storied old Cracow at its apex. Into this, as into the San-Vistula triangle, broke Ruszky like a bold from the east—crushing his way westward, ever westward, until his glank was threatened. And then by a movement as sudden as magnificent, he turned to face the threat of Boehm-Ermolli and, in the memorable Christians battle of 1914, he restored his menaced front in new and more majestic strength. Months passed. Mackensen. The Russian caissons were empty. The Russian cartridge-clips were bare. The order to retreat had to be given. Back across the ridges they had triumphantly stormed the Russians had to withdraw, while infantry regiments were sacrificed that field-guns might be saved and divisions were slaughtered that the precious siege-train might be kept intact.
On far-flung lines there were for a year or more a few triangles such as these. It was the day of trench warfare, with all that sinister term has come to mean in vigil and in anguish. But under the steady pounding of the Allied guns, that mighty field-fortress between Peronne and Bapaume began to crumble. With it the Noyon salient was shaken. Then through wasted vineyards and ravished villages, the French pursued into a new and still more glorious triangle—that between the Oise and the Aisne, with Soissions at its apex and Laon and Rheims as the angles of the base. An historic triangle this was. Not only were its cities famed in the history of France; but likewise across its ridges, centuries and centuries ago, the Roman legionaries had marched. After them, comrades-in-valor despite the lapse of ages, the soldiers of Napoleon had tramped in the last campaign to save Paris. In this triangle were For Conde, the rive Ailette, the forest of Gobain, the forest of Couchy and the Chemin des Dames, truly names with which to conjure. One after another of these have fallen to the French. From one vantage-point after another the Germans have been driven. Today, the French command the Chemin des Dames and are looking up the forest-road to Laon, the foundation-stone of the old Hindenburg line.
Sambre and Meuse, Vistula and San, Carpathians and Vistula, Oise and Aisne—these are greater triangles. But there is one greater, allied, though different. It is the Red Triangle, whose base rests at the farthest camp on the Pacific coast, sweeps across America, spans the sea, crosses France, brightens the prison camps of Germany and ends only where the youth of Russia is being mobilized for future struggle. The western face of that triangle crosses the mobilization camps of the Southern and Eastern States and stretches away to Egypt, where Britons and colonials guard that artery of empire, the Suez Canal. The eastern face, linked with the base-line in Russia, crossed the fields f shattered Rumania, covers the Serbs on their vigil at Monastir and, like the other, ends only with the seas that limit the march of the enemy.
It is a wide, wide triangle, is this red emblem of the war service of the Y. M. C. A. It is wide in influence, wide in tolerance, wide, we trust, in service. It must be made as strong as it is wide. IT must give to every mind in the ranks that which he can get in no other way. It must nor fail to aid the Russian, even as it is aiding us in the cantonments of America. It can only be made as strong as it is wide through the support of the soldiers’ friends. That is why Trench and Camp—which makes no appeal for itself and champions no special philanthropy—believes that the readers of this paper will want their fiends to know that the war council needs money and that this money will go to the soldiers. If you have friends at home, and if you have been helped by the Y. M. C. A., let those friends know it, that they may help that which helps you. That is all Trench and Camp asks.
They have a saying, in France, that the Red Triangle is the “last sign the soldier sees that anybody cares.” Make it the surest sign!
PLAY THE GAME
B H. Addington Bruce.
Matthewson, Bender, Plank, and Walsh.
You have all heard these names, and many times. You are familiar with them as the names of four of the greatest pitchers that our national game has produced.
Perhaps you have seen one or all of these fine ball-players in action. If so, you will be carrying with you some extremely pleasant memories.
And some memories that today ought to be of special significance to you.
You will remember that their skill was equaled by their pluck. No matter what the score might be against them they kept pitching bravely will the call of the last. “He’s out.”
You will remember that, in pitching, they used their minds as well as their muscles. They were masters of strategy no less than masters of the art of throwing curves. Best of all, you will remember, they were four of the cleanest pitchers that batters ever faced.
Others might abuse umpires. These four did not. If unjust decisions were made against them, they help tempers and tongues in leash.
On the diamond, as well as off, they despised foul tactics. They were keen but they were no crooked. When luck did not break their wat, they simply smiled and went on pitching.
They would win fairly, or not at all. Mostly they won. They won so often that they will forever hold a foremost place in baseball’s hall of fame.
As these four played baseball, so, boys, should you play the infinitely bigger game for which you are now in training. You will be up against a rowdy team—the rowdiest, dirtiest, meanest gang of thugs that ever tried to win anything.
Don’t imitate their tactics when you come to grips with them.
You won’t better your chances of winning if you do imitate them. And even should you win by foul play, you will sink so low in the world’s esteem, and in your own, that you will be ashamed of yourselves and the rest of your lives.
Remember Matthewson, Bender, Plank, and Walsh when you get into the trenches, when you pursue the flying foe.
Hit hard but hit fair. If you get a set-back, take it with a grin. Think of the folks at home who will be watching you. Picture them to yourselves as one hundred million “fans,” eagle-eyed for every move you make.
You want to win for their sakes as for your own. And you want to wind in a way that will make them feel really proud of you.
You want to win for their sakes as for your own. And you want to win in a wat that will make them feel really proud of you.
So lay the war game with all your might and main. AND PLAY IT CLEAN.
SHE SLIPPED A COG.
Nurse (to badly wounded soldiers who have complained of their food)—You men don’t seem to know there’s a war on—London Opinion.
There is the fellow in every camp who generates noise. He might be a useful bit of camouflage at certain times, say when we get in the trenches and we want to make the German think we have twice as much heavy artillery as we have. Then he might be set to making noise, and the Boches would flee before the air-splitting racket he could work up.
Unfortunately, though, his noise-making abilities are always shown at the wrong time. He comes busting up to you when you’re sitting quietly trying to compose the Most Important letters. He makes a boom with his service shoes like a hundred carpenters’ hammers. He walks with a sort of shuffling band that chases ideas of your head like British 40’s scattering Huns.
His feet are only a small part of him. His mouth is the min works, the fountain head of all his peskiness. It begins firing without taking into account the whites of the enemy’s eyes, or anything else. It runs off like water out of a sieve. It chatters and bleats and bores. It emits curses, foolishness and nonsense. It saws and rasps, heckles and aggravates. It knows neither times not seasons. It starts going when everyone else in the barracks or the tent has drawn the curtains of repose. It giggles and gargles and slops over. He doesn’t realize that heavy objects can be handled without being dropped and rattled around. His mess kit when he gets his hands on it sounds like cow bells at a football game or rattlers on election night. In fact, this fellow reminds one of election night or an old fashioned Fourth of July. He rackets while you’re trying to sleep, bangs when you’re trying to read and explodes when you’re wanting just a minute of calm repose to rest your nerves.
When a concert is on in the Y. M. C. A. hut he gets up in the middle of a number and drags his studded boots over the wooden floor, drowning out the music. He never heard of tiptoes or a soft pedal. He lives in that style characterized musically as fortissimo. Some day he may be quieted, but until that millennium, he is the Human Racket in O. D.
The Rejected
It gives my soul a wrench, that I can’t join the boys, and excavate a trench, and make a war-like noise. I stick to my abode and do my daily grind, because I’m pigeon toed, knock-kneed and color blind. For me no hero’s wreath, no gariands or applause, because I’ve store made teeth, swayed back and lumpy jaws. I see the boys go by, with buoyant step and free, and shed a weary sigh—the march is not for me. I may not hear the drums, or join the gallant charge, because I’ve shriveled gums, because my waistline’s large. Ah, well, a gent can do his little stunt at home, if he can’t pot a few beyond the raging foam. By humping all the day, and buckling down like wax, methinks that I can pay each added wartime tax. By helping liquidate our Uncle’s grievous bills, I’ll keep my record straight, though shy of martial thrills. I’ll pay up like a guy who wants to do his share; so when they boys go by, I’ll get no story stare. I cannot pack a gun, or wield a snicker-snee, because I weigh a ton, and have the housemaid’s knee; I’m troubled with the gout and falling of the hair, but that won’t let me out—I still can do my share.—Walt Mason.
(Copyright by George Matthew Adama)
Warning Sounded Against Racial Trouble in Camps
Warnings have been issued by military men and editors throughout the country that German agitators doubtless will make every effort they can to foment trouble between the white members of the National Army and the colored selectives who have reported at the cantonments. Any racial antagonism that may develop will weaken the American fighting forces and be made the basis for newspaper stories in Germany that this country is not united.
“It is of the greatest importance that no see of discord be sowed either now or later,” says one newspaper.
The colored men called to the National Army made most admirable showings when they paraded preparatory to entraining for camp and those already in the cantonments are making good as soldiers. Ultimately the colored men will be organized in one division, but for training purposes they will be scattered throughout the various cantonments in regimental ad brigade units.
For the first time in the history of the American Army the colored soldiers will be officered by members of their own race, except for the highest commands. There are now 678 negro commissioned officers in the army, all of whom graduated from the training camp especially established for them.
GRAND OPERA FOR SOLDIERS
When American soldiers can’t go to the opera, the opera must come to them and some of the very opera singers of France have lately sung for a thousand American artillerymen at the Y. M. C. A. tent in one of the American training areas.
PG. 6
“Every Man in Some Sport” Is Upton’s Athletic Slogan
Athletic Directors All Work Together On Big Programme
Splendid Co-operation Evidenced, and Smooth Running Organization Is Accomplishing Results—Inter-Regimental and Inter-Company Schedules Arranged
Upton is bristling with athletic activities at all points, and from every indication will continue to be in that condition. The slogan of the camp athletic directors, who are working together in perfect smoothness and harmony in furthering the interests of a broad programme, is “Every man in camp a participant in some branch of sport.” From the reports of those who are working out the endeavor, as Y.M.C.A. physical directors on the various huts and as company and regimental athletic officers, the aim summed up on those magic words is being realized to an astonishing degree.
Enthusiastic word has come to B. F. Bryant, Camp Physical Director of Y. M. C. A., and Frank Glick, Divisional Athletic Director, indicating that he company organization of games, which has been stressed, is working out into all branches of sport with encouraging results. To further this intensive company work the physical director of each Y. M. C. A. keeps in touch with the company athletic director, consulting him on the needs of his men and wats in which he can help. In one section, for instance, committees have been formed in each company on particular branches of sport and this will be done over the entire camp in the near future. Inter-company schedules for soccer and basketball are being played, and the daily programme includes dozens of contests. Quoits, volley-ball and playground, or “indoor” baseball, are other forms of activity in which the Yaphanker is becoming skillful by much practice.
Co-operation Here Is Strong.
One of the aspects of Upton athletics which might easily become a matter, for self-congratulations is the hearty and complete co-operation which exists among all the agencies working for the athletic interests of the men. Director Bryant has as his large task particularly the promotion of the programme of that organization, which is worked out through the secretaries in charge of physical work in each hut. They handle the promotion of a plan agreed upon in conference every Saturday morning, and are allowed liberal play for their own initiative in meeting specific problems and conditions in their sections. Each physical director is responsible for visiting the barracks and consulting with the company athletic officer.
Mr. Bryant is a member of the divisional athletic council and co-operates in the drawing up of inter-regimental schedules, having been instrumental in whipping into shape the football schedule running to Dec. 12. With Frank Glick, divisional athletic representative and civilian aid to Major gen. Bell, there is the most cordial co-operation, and his work intermingles with Mr. Bryant’s in a manner conducive to the largest results.
The physical work in camp heads up in the regimental organizations. The company physical directors come in contact with and work through the regimental athletic officer. The programme of inter-regimental contests is handled by a inter-regimental athletic conference, in which Mr. Bryant and Mr. Glick are counsel for the interests they represent. Already the plan of activity for the 77th Division has made such satisfactory progress that it is safe to anticipate the realization of the desire that every Upton man be a soldier-athlete.
Boxing is one of the forms of sport being extensively encouraged, and bouts are numerous and interesting. There is some planning for winter sports, but as yet nothing definite has been done. There have been a number of requests for hockey, and in all probability arrangements will be made whereby the men can use the many ponds and lakes in the vicinity of the camp, which make splendid ice surfaces.
After one of the recent deluges a Lieutenant met a member of his company standing on the barracks steps, hesitating. “What’s the matter?” queried the officer. “Nothing, I’m just waiting for the tide to go out so I can cross the street.”
Champion Fighter Coming Here This Week
(Image of Benny Leonard by WORLD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Benny Leonard world champion light weight first artist, whose official appointment as boxing instructor at Camp Upton is being awaited from the War Department, will try and demonstrate the connection between the sport as he so nobly exemplifies and the soldierly self-defense game—bayonet wielding.
He is to appear at the barracks of the 5th Company 152d Depot Brigade, one night this week in a sparring exhibition with Private McCarthy of that outfit, who has acted as instructor in Muldoon’s place, New York. Benny will give a talk to the men on the science of boxing, connecting his remarks with a bayonet talk by Capt. R. C. Fowler of the 5th Company.
As assistant o Major Keeler in bayonet tactics at Plattsburg, Capt. Fowler demonstrated his grasp of bayonet work, and he has been instructing his me in its use. This is very closely related to the self-defense which boxing teaches, and Leonard’s talk is expected to help in grounding the men in a knowledge of bayonet manipulation. He will lecture on the scientific movements in boxing, the co-ordination of eye and brain, and of both these with foot shifts.
Capt. Fowler is responsible for the champion’s appearance as associate professor of bayonet work. He places determination at the top of the list of those things which a successful bayonetist must have, and points out that with a determination to use the weapon and a knowledge of the science which underlies its handling, the men here can be developed into formidable opponents to the boche.
TO PUT PEP IN ATHLETICS.
The boom of the field artillery will be heard resounding triumphantly across the athletic fields in Upton, according to James Clark, athletic director in the M-section, the haunt of the camp’s gunners-to-be.
Plans are under way for the formations of teams in the various branches if sport, and Director Clark is very much elated over the prospects in store for the men with whom he is working. Among the hustlers for athletics in the shrapnel division are Lieut. Sam Reid jr. and Lieut. Thomas, both of the 306th F. A.
MANY “OLD-TIMERS” FOUND IN HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 304TH F. A.
“The snappiest company in the snappiest regiment of the Division” is the sobriquet Headquarters Company of the 304th Field Artillery have set out to win for themselves, and under the leadership of Capt. Henry M. Kemphner they are in a fair way to achieve success in their undertaking. The number of “Old-Timers” assisting Capt. Kemphner is remarkably large, comprising as it does the following men who have seen previous service:
Sergt. Major Bernier, four years in the U. S. Marine Corps and another “hitch” in the Coast Artillery. First Sergt. Wenzel, who has a total of about ten years service in the U. S. Cavalry and Field Artillery and who was a member of the “crack” organization stationed at West Point; Stable Sergt. Merriman, who has served three tears in the Cavalry; Sergt. Difate, two years in the Field Artillery; Sergt. Cote, a 7th Regiment man and an attendant of the Plattsburg school and a border “veteran”; Sergt. Meldrum and Hochstadter, both of whom attended the Plattsburg O. T. C.; Sergt. Zeller, another border “veteran” and a former member of Brooklyn; Sergt. Kimball, a graduate of the Princeton O. T. C.; Sergt. Palmer, who has had a varied military career.
Engineers Tighten Lead in Football Struggle at Upton
Gridironers Who Represent the 302 D Continue to Humble Rivals—Great Crowds See Games—Bands and Snake Dance Are Side Attractions.
Regimental Football Standing
To Friday, Nov. 9.
Won.
Lost.
P.C.
302d Engineers
3
0
1.000
305th Infantry
1
0
1.000
306th Infantry
3
1
.750
307th Infantry
0
2
.000
Machine Gun
0
2
.000
308th Infantry
0
1
.000
302 Supply Train
0
1
.000
The last report from the football front by Trench and Camp’s special correspondent indicates that general advances have been made in all sectors by the 302d Engineers. Using a heavy barrage fire, backed by continuous drum fire from well placed heavy field pieces, these future sappers and railroad builders have advanced with shouts and yells of victory over the shell-torn portion of No Man’s Land at Smith’s field and have gone over the top with honor and credit to their country and families.
The machine gunners used all their rapid-fire well, but were unable to stop the Engineer’s advance and were defeated 19-0. First position for the present is thus clinched more tightly by the Engineers.
Their closest rivals thus far are the moleskin wearers from the 306th Infantry Regiment, who worsted their comrade rifle manipulators in the 308th Regiment by a score of 20 to 0. The 306th boys are crowding closely on the Engineers’ heels and vow that they will fight them out on the five-yard line if it takes all winter.
That Upton has given itself over to the great American College game is sure. The enthusiasm shown at the games during the past fortnight would make the vociferous rivalry of the two colleges seem like the cries of a deaf and dumb asylum. Huge crowds have turned out to view the contests which have been put on at Smith’s Field, and the cleared space between the 305th Infantry and 302d Supply Train, the infantrymen marching 900 strong in military formation with their band clear across the camo to see their mates down the supply outfit.
The game between the 307th and 306th Infantry was a hard-fought affair, in which the latter came off victor, 16 to 6.
EXCITING BOUTS STAGED IN C SECTION ARENA.
Followers of the fistic sport had a feast recently in the C section of the Y. M. C. A. hut. Besides rattling good bouts between Jack Hyan and Hanson, and Toohey and Dunne, and some good wrestling work by Gotham of the 306th Infantry, there was a real battle between Young Fulton of New York and Jack Tiplitz, the amateur welterweight champion, Sergt. Harold A. Leschinsky of C Company, 306th Infantry, is managing for Young Fulton, and Sergt. Bob Murray of the same company is dating the honor for Tiplitz. Both boxers grace the muster role of Company C.
Fulton’s friends will be interested to know that on Nov. 19 he will meet Willie Jackson of New York at Hunt’s Point Palace. His end of the purse will be donated to the Arm Athletic Fund. Fulton’s manager, Sergt. Leschinsky, is anxious to arrange bouts with any men in Camp Upton, the proceeds to be given to the Army Athletic Fund.
A LIVE SERGEANT.
When Sergt. McGuire of the 12th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, joined the army, the word lost a good salesman or a born section boss on an excavation jib. He is seen in the barrack or on the parade ground with a pick and shovel in one hand and a Liberty bond in the other, and he never runs across a rookie without persuading him to either dig ditch or put some money in the bank. Keep up the good work, Sergt.
Army Life Is Not All Song and Dance, but Upton Has a Full Share.
“MOVIES” FOLLOWING INTO ARMY POPULAR FORM OF DIVERSION
Officers Give Men Fine Entertainments—Other Pert Notes.
BY RALPH WALKER, Section C
The advent of real movies stirred up a lot of enthusiasm among the boys. The short leaves of absence give but little time for anything but visiting among the home folks, and, now that the Y. M. C. A., programme has brought right down to camp one of the favorite evening diversions of the old civilian life, enjoyment and appreciation are rife among these good fellows of the Field Hospital Corps, Ambulance Companies, Q. M. C.’s, Engineers and out other outfits. Marguerite Clark delighted the crowd in “The Goose Girl” and an evening of Vitagraph comedies were a genuine treat.
That all-around man, L. D. Riley of the 306th H. F., again proved his versatility by acting as operator, ad although he worked with a brand-new machine that needed a heap of adjusting he still managed to put across a performance that was free from interruptions.
Capt. Hooke Popular
Many of the officers in our section are making a place for themselves in the respect and esteem of their men by looking out for the latter’s comfort and pleasure. Conspicuously successful in this bully good kind of undertaking is Capt. Hooke of the Q. M. C. Through the generosity a piano has been installed in the mess hall. The Y. M. C. A. has contributed a phonograph, and the captain, with the assistance of his lieutenants, has staged several fine entertainments with prominent professionals, members of the Lambs Club of New York City. The company itself can boast of some good talent. Theodore Arnold is all three when it comes to handling a violin, nearly wearing out his elbow last Sunday as he fiddled for at least six hours in succession. Arnold was ably accompanied by Charlie Covert of the 306th Field Hospital. Covert is a professional theatre pianist and has led some large professional orchestras in the metropolis.
This same Q. M. C. company is favored by the faithful services of one of the most proficient and best-natured barbers in camp, Jon d’Ambrosio. In adition to his tonsorial accomplishments, Jow is a performer on the clarinet and is enthusiastically pushing the organization of an orchestra. Here’s hoping you succeed, Joe.
Kelly to Perform.
Private Kelly of the 306th Ambulance Company, is gifted as a singer and pianist. Kelly studied for some months with a prominent voice teacher in New York, and has promised us a short programme very soon.
Organizing String Trio.
We also will soon have the privilege of hearing a string trio which is being organized and rehearsed by Carleton F. Fry of Company K, 307th Infantry. Fry is an accomplished artist on the violin-cello, and has had engagements in the orchestras of the finest hotels in the country. He has played the last four seasons at the Fort William Henry Hotel on Lake George. Fry will be assisted by Joseph Wynne of the 302d Engineers, Company A, who has had much experience.
Colored Entertainers.
Oh boy! You should have been there! Believe me it was some show. The most recent arrivals in camp, the colored infantry in the Lower J unit, sent down a most talented group to entertain the other night. Those boys are sure on the job in dispensing syncopated melodies. And they were accorded a royal welcome and wished a speedy return to the forum on Seventh Street, The performers, among whom is a real high class vaudeville talent, were: L. D. Battle, pianist and singer; Randall, singer and dancer; Drayton, dancer; White, pianist; and L. Monogas, singer.
LOOKING FOR A FIGHT.
Mike Pastor, the 4th platoon of the 5th Company, 152 Depot Brigade, is one of those boxers who should lick the world if nerve goes for anything. Mike says the army life is the best thing he ever struck for getting a man in condition, and he offers to box anybody, anywhere, any time. Harry Nelson, at present with the casuals, is another good mitt artist who is one of the pupils of Benny Leonard.
MORE EFFICIENT SOLDIER, AIM OF ENGLISH CLASSES
One of the educational activities which are comprised in the general Y. M. C. A. programme at Camp Upton—that of teaching English to enlisted men inadequately equipped with the language—was brought to the fore recently by a demonstration lesson conducted at Bakers’ Mess-hall No. 10.
The class included thirty men, of divers nationalities erstwhile, now all Americans. Two men in horizon blue, Sergt. Camile Sauret and Sergt. Martin of the French instructors’ corps, were present.
“On Pass” was the subject of the lesson and was amply illustrated by Private Mantenband, the instructor. The class will be continued under the guidance of Private Christopher.
That the work is receiving the heartiest accord of officers was evidenced by the presence of Capt. Koch and Capt. Roosevelt, who expressed themselves as highly gratified at the efficacy of the method. Lessons are of a military nature, teaching particularly the words necessary in the life of a soldier, as illustrated by the following one on “Drilling”:
Use…………I use my toes and heels
Face………...when I face.
Can Face...…I can face forward the right;
Can Do…......I can do “Left face”;
Can Execute..I can execute “About face.”
Hear………...When I hear the Commander
Say………….say “Forward,” I get ready
Step………...to step forward, but I do not
Move……….When I hear him say “March!”
Step Out……I step out smartly with my left foot.
Take………..I take a step 30 inches long;
March……...I march 120 steps to the minute;
Count……...I count 1, 2, 3, 4, and
Hits………..my left foot hits the ground on the odd counts.
Halt……….I halt when I hear the command given.
Does any one know why just whispering “listen” gently in the first sergeant’s ear serves to loosen one of the fiercest angoras we’ve ever seen?
What caused the “Swede’s” dog to run away?
The strangest sight we’ve seen in many a day: Our battalion sergeant acting as “kitchen cop,” but—steady!—it was not in the line of duty. Little did the fair tea servers from Bellport realize the honor that was theirs.
An old nursery game as revised by Rosenberg and McDermott. “Button, button, who’s got the leggings?” It’s a hard game for he loser, especially when he’s “got a date at the Bushwick” with “a beaut’, fellows, a beaut’.”
Any one wishing to get an “earful” in regard to “Monis,” “Lillie,” King “George,” come around and our veteran of the British Flying Service, Private Henry Booten, will be glad to oblige ad lib.
TRENCH AND CAMP Vol. 1 No. 8
November 26, 1917
PG. 1 (Front Page)
Fosdick Statement, Outlined Vindicates Convictions Held Here That Mrs. Humiston’s Vice Chargers Were Unfounded
UPTON ELEVEN, OUTLINED BY DEVENS TEAM, LOSES HARD-FOUGHT GAME BY 7-0 SCORE
Minot, Thatcher & Co. of Ayer, Mass., otherwise known as the Camp Devens football team, scored a hard earned 7 to 0 victory over the Camp Upton eleven at the Polo Grounds Saturday afternoon.
Devens, in addition to playing a rattling good game pf straight football, was favored by fortune with practically all the breaks. Upton fought hard and consistently from the tap of the gong, but lucked seemed against the Yaphankers.
In the final analysis, however, it was the playing of Minot, left halfback, and Thatcher, right halfback if the Deven eleven, that prevented Upton from winning. It was Minot, former Harvard star, who zigzagged his way through the Upton team and dashed sixty yards down the field from a fake kick formation, who scored the touchdown for the New Englanders early in the second period. Palmer contributed the seventh point by kicking an easy goal. It was Minot who intercepted Upton’s forward when the Yaphankers eleven was in the shadow of the shadow of the goal posts and was bending all its energies to tie the score. It was inot who did the splendid punting for Devens.
Thatcher—the Upton rooters called him Snatcher—intercepted five of Yaphank’s forward passes and did considerable other damage. The entire Devens team, however, had to extend itself to win the skimpy victory.
For the greater part of the game Upton more than held its own with the New England eleven. Colbath and Blair, together with Lieut. Roth and Coach Glick all played the kind of football that usually wins games.
Coach Glick went in at quarter and put worlds of snap and ginger onto the Upton eleven after Lieut. Paul Roth, 306th Infantry, had been injured. Lieut. Roth received severe injuries to his head and was taken to the Seney Hospital in Brooklyn.
The line-up follows:
Camp Devens
Positions
Camp Upton
Whitney
L.E.
Hayes
Lyons
L.T.
Blagden
Weston
L.G.
Cleveland
Wiggins
Centre
Roscoe
Coolidge
R.E.
Darrin
Day
R.T.
Hirachman
Barton
R.G.
Shambelan
Robinson
O.B.
Roth
Minot
L.H.
Blair
Thatcher
R.H.
Gried
Palmer
F.B.
Colbath
Touchdown—Minot. Goal from Touchdown—Palmer. Substitutions for Minot. Minot for Swartout, Glick for Both. Referee—Mr. Laugford, Trinity. Umpire—Mr. Butterfield, Yale. Head Linesman—Lieut. Madden, Amherst. Time of Periods—Fifteen minutes each.
Wants Men to Understand and Appreciate New Insurance Law
Division Judge Advocate, in Charge of Administration Here, Striving to Get the Law Understood.
“We are not racing with other camps or striving simply to show big figured on the amount of insurance taken out. We are focusing out endeavors rather on getting each man in Camp Upton to understand just what rights he has under the new Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Insurance Law. We want the men to appreciate the importance of the new law as it affects them, and we want them to take out their insurance with a full knowledge of its provisions and workings.”
Thus did Lieut. Col. Marion W. Howze, Judge Advocate for the 77th Division, in charge of the insurance administration in Camp Upton, signalize to a Trench and Camp representative the work which is going forward to link up all the Camp Upton soldiers with the opportunities given them by the provisions of the law.
The work of bringing the features of the insurance law before the men has been going forward ever since Col. Howze, Private Joseph A. Lanigan, Company I, 305th Infantry, and Private Edward McLaughlin, Company D, 306th Infantry, returned from a conference in Washington at which representatives from all the cantonments were given instruction on the new law. They explained its workings to commissioned officers, who have been passing it on by lectures and talks to the men in the command under them. Personal explanations have supplemented these endeavors, the aim, as Col. Howze has states, being to have every man understand the law fully.
Thousands of dollars in policies have been placed already. Every man in one command took out the full limit, $10,000.
CAMP UPTON HAS ITS OWN LITTLE RAINBOW DIVISION
Volunteer Signal Outfit at Yaphank Includes Men From Many States in its Ranks.
Camp Upton has a Rainbow Division. Numerically it can’t compare with gallant command lately assembled in the neighboring bailiwick of Mineola under that name, but its claim to that title is as valid. The original Rainbow outfit was so named because it contained men from practically every State in the Union, making a veritable rainbow. Camp Upton’s Rainbow Division has enough States represented on its roster to make a half bow, if not a complete one.
The new Signal Corps which recently became a part of camp, taking its place alongside the 302nd Field Signal Battalion of never-dimming fame, contains the geographical essence of the U. S. A. It is called the 321st Field Signal Battalion and is made up entirely of volunteers. Some of the States present and accounted for are Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia. Their sons are in the local Melting Pot on 17th Street, near Third Avenue.
Another claim to individuality is that this new outfit contains the only two pairs of brothers in camp who enlisted for service under the same flag. There is a brace of Smiths and a duo of Rosenbergs. The members of the great Smith clan—William B. and Joseph F.—hail from Pittsburg, which furnishes about a half dozen other Signalmen, besides several whose home port of cali is in the vicinity of the City of Stogie and Steel Smoke—Steubenville, O., and Wheeling, W. Va. There is one New Yorker in the aggregation.
“Absolutely Without Basis in Fact and Unsupported by One Scintilla of Evidence,” Says Head of War Department Commission.
Feelings of Upton men toward the story recently circulated by Mrs. Grace Humiston charging vice at Yaphank which have ranged from incredulous amusement to violent indignation have been finally crystalized into extreme satisfaction by the formal statement from Raymond Fosdick, Chairman of the War Department Commission of Training Camp Activities, denouncing the charges as “viciously untrue.” It is felt here that Mr. Fosdick has completely vindicated the camp’s moral tone which Dr. Robert Bagnell, of Harrisburg, Pa., during a recent visit, characterized as “surprisingly high.”
“Conditions, of course, are not perfect, and there have been a few regrettable circumstances, but the wholesale charge of Mrs. Humiston and the innuendoes which accompanied it are viciously untrue.
“Our men in camp and at the front are sacrificing enough as it is without being called upon to defend themselves against persons of the type of Mrs. Humiston.
` “There seems to be no legal way just at present to proceed against Mrs. Humiston or to compel her to retract her slanderous statements.
“A cleaner army or a finer set of young men was never mobilized under a flag.”
Mrs. Fosdick said that Mrs. Humiston “impertinently offered her services to the War Department as a investigator to determine whether or not her previous charges were correct.”
Those most closely in touch with camp moral conditions—Major Gen. Bell and other officers, general secretaries of the Y. M. C. A., K. of C., Jewish Welfare Board, and Y. M. C. A. heads—were convinced of the absurdity of Mrs. Humiston’s charges when they were first made. Their convictions are borne out by the Fosdick statement.
Rifle Range to Help Make 77th’s Marksmen
First Five Weeks on Intensive Training Finds Men Well Advanced
Rifle practice will be started in earnest soon, when the big rifle range two miles north of the camp building area is complete. Gen. Bell is determined that his division shall be proficient with firing arms to an extent that will qualify them for the high requirements Gen. Pershing has set for American riflemen. The 77th will be in its full sense a “shootings division.”
With the first five weeks of the intensive training course completed. Upton soldiers can be said to have advanced wonderfully along the lines prescribed in the sixteen weeks’ course.
In machine gun manipulators, bayonet practice, bomb throwing and artillery work the British and French officers have been making progress with the officers and non-coms.
MOST OF SOLDIERS WILL PASS FIRST TURKEY DAY AWAY FROM BARRACK HOME
Eighty-Five Per Cent. Of Division to Be Given Thanksgiving Leave.
Their first national holiday as soldiers in Uncle Sam’s service—Thanksgiving—will be spent by a large portion of the camp with families and friends at home, much after the manner of days gone by. The olive drab uniform brings into contrast with snow-white damask tablecloths a touch which will be a source of pride in hundreds of homes.
Eighty-five per sent. Of the Division will be given leave of absence for the day. For the 15 per cent. Remaining in the cantonment every provision is being taken to make the day a memorable one. Mess Sergeants are busy laying out menus that will startle, and no one is to lack any of the turkey-‘n-things which distinguish Thanksgiving from other Thursdays on the calendar.
Through the Federation on Training Camp Activities of Patchogue, co-operating with L. A. Waterman, Camp Upton representatives of the National Committee on Training Camp Activities, invitations will be given a number of men to partake of Thanksgiving bounty in homes of Patchogue, Riverhead, Moriches and other towns in this vicinity.
No athletic programme has been framed up for the camo, because of the exodus which transfers celebration from Upton to Brooklyn, Manhattan and other widely known suburbs of Yaphank.
K. OF C. AUDITORIUM OPENED BY GEN. BELL
Camp Commander Commends Getting Together of Creeds Welfare Work.
To accepting the new Knights of Columbus auditorium on Upton Boulevard for Camp Upton, Major Gen. Bell sounded the keyhole of camp welfare work in making the opening of this building for the use of everyone of the spirit which is getting all creeds together. W. G. Boyle, speaking for the Y. M. C., said also along this line that he hoped the Secretarial representatives of the Knights of Columbus and Y. M. C. A. would enjoy the same comradeship which he himself enjoyed with Father Bracken. The men were formerly in the Eastern District, Brooklyn, and now are co-operating in the work here in camp.
Music was prominent in the evening’s programme. Before its formal beginning, the huge crowd which filled the building sang under the leadership of Max Weinstein. The 305th Infantry Band furnished enlivening music. The big musical contributions were made by Thoms Egan, the well known Irish tenor and company. The singing of Mrs. Egan was so appreciated that Major Gen. Bell led three cheers for her at the close.
Besides Major Gen. Bell and Mr. Boyle, addresses were made by the following: Mgr. McCarthy, representing Bishop McDonald of the Diocese of Long Island; the Rev. Bernard O’Reilly, State Chaplain, K. of C.; William P. Larking, Supreme Director, K. of C.; the Rev. J. J. Donnelan, pastor of Centre Moriches; the Hon. John R. Vunk, County Judge.
Clement B. Fenton will be in charge of the auditorium, which will be used as a service building also. It is open to all men. Two new secretaries have been added to the K. of C. staff is Thomas Grady of Woonsocket, R. I., prominent amateur theatrical producer, and Frank O’Leary of Brooklyn, former moving pictures promoter.
PG. 5
WHEN IT COMES TO “DRAMMER,” UPTON MUST BE MENTIONED
THINGS DRAMATIC WILL BE BOOSTED BY UPTON PLAYERS
Charles Waylard Towne is in Camp to Help Shape up Theatrical Matters.
As the temporary resting place of numerous New York Thespians, Camp Upton has valid claims to the title of the leading dramatic camp among the thirty-two and more homes of America‘s training soldiers.
There are sock-and-buskin activities afoot in camp of a number and size enough to keep the Dramatic Mirror covered with olive drab reflections. Company vaudeville shows, regimental productions, several of which are booked for Broadway engagement, and countless individual appearances of professional and semi-pro entertainers in Y. M. C. A. huts, K. of C. buildings and other places are included. ---- comes a camp-wide movement standarize Upton dramatics, standardize attractions and “head up” the many doings of the Knights of the Rabbits Foot.
Charles Wayland Towne, well known author, whose biography occupies a couple of inches spaces in Who’s Who, will act in a directing and advisory capacity in settling dramatic ventures here afloat, working under the Y. M. C. A. He is now located in camp looking over prospects and has expressed sanguine hopes of the possibilities.
His experience in promoting amateur dramatic ventures has been large. The programme which he will work on has not been definitely formulated, but will include the classification of talent, the formation of regular camp vaudeville circuits, production of Upton-written plays and direction of a Camp Upton Players selected from some of the talent in the cantonment. Musical activities will take a large place, and among other things a high grade concert company will probably be formed from the formidable array of high grade talent here.
Organization Formed.
A meeting of thirteen enthusiastic show boosters was helf recently at Y. M. C. A. headquarters, W. G. Boyle presiding, and it was decided to start the real theatrical season with a series of one-act plays. An organization was started, to be known as the Camp Upton Players, and the idea of this club is to interest the dramatically inclined members of the entire camp. It is in no sense a closed corporation, but was formed simply to five the general plans shape and body.
Among those who “joined up” as charter members were C. A. Cullen, Company A, 307th Infantry; Clement J. Burger, Company B, 305th Machine Gun Battalion; H. D. Canady, Headquarters Company, 306th Infantry; Bruce A. Ludgate jr., Ordnance Department; Thomas B. Clephone, Company B, 302d Engineers; Jerold Butts, Company K, 306th Infantry; Glenn R. Asplin, 306th F. A.; Ralph E. Senna, Company A, 305th Infantry; Joseph Daubert, Company B, 305th Machine Gun Battalion; and M. G. Backlar, Sanitary Division, 305th Infantry.
Two well known one-act players, ‘Cox and Box,” and a piece by Richard Harding Davis, have been picked to begin work on, and parts will be assigned, seven first and seven studies, so that rehearsals may go forward immediately. A. P. Waxman, 306th F. A., will make an able coach and stage director, Lieut. Frochman, Division Printing Office, and Lieut. Calhoun, Q. M., a member of the Lambs in New York, have promised to lend assistance. The scenery will all be produced by Upton talent.
The vaudeville end of things has been put in the capable hands of Private Henry Grossman, 307th Regiment Infirmary, whose stage name, Henry Brown is well known among the song-and-dance brethren. He will organize the talent around camp, and make it available for the circuit which is planned.
COMPANY I, 305TH STAGES VAUDEVILLE
Company I of the 305th Infantry has put over recently in their barracks a most interesting programme arranged by Lieut. Schuyler, Sergts. Krausmann and Gordon and Corpl. Jones. The programme included: Icicle rag, Private Rose, Company I; vocal selections, Sergt. Volx, Company I; comedy song, Sergt. Moskowitz, Company I; recitations, Corpl. Savage, Company I; operate selections, Private Crocilto, Company I; Hebrew monologue, Private Tennbaum, Company M; songs, Private Sullivan, Company N; specialties by Corpl. Brogan, Private Greenm assisted by Corpl. Silomer.
Barracks-Room Ballads and Songs of Fine Worth Are Struck From Upton’s Lyres
306th Song and “Battle Hymn” of Colored Lads Among the Best Thus Far Written
Upton’s weavers of melody are many-tongued and gifted, and they have turned their golden lyrics to numerous barrack-room ballads which provokes the whistler with their lip-tickling catchiness. One of the songs which has gained ready and wide favor is by Private Frederick Rath, Headquarters Company, 306th Infantry. It is now published in sheet form. Dedicated to Col. George Vidmer, the beloved commanding officer of the 306th, this one of Upton’s “Hits”, “Somewhere in France” is copyrighted by Jos. W. Stern and Company. The music is Rath’s as are the words which follow:
No matter where you chance to be,
In America or France, you’ll see
The same old moon shines everywhere.
But France is far away from here,
And before we see the stars appear
The moon is shining “Over There.”
So when each soldier boy goes away
To his mother and sweetheart he’ll say:
-Chorus-
“When the moon is shining somewhere in France
I’ll send a wireless to you.
I will say, ‘I’m O. K. and I’m thinking of you, too.’
Then when the moon goes sailing over the sea
It will carry my message through.
And every you see the man in the moon
He’ll bring my love and kisses back to you.”
Negroes Have Swinging Tune.
Col. Moss’s colored proteges are marching these days to a regimental melody which is in a peculiar sense a battle song written and composed by Private Battle, the talented colored entertainer and composer, and Max Weinstein, Upton song director, Upton song director. This song of the 367th Infantry, “SEE IT THROUGH,” has a lyric burden which runs thus:
We’ve had patriotic songs that have
been sung from coast to coast,
But now we’ve one, of which this land
Of ours can proudle beast.
It speaks of fearless courage, to men
both brave and true.
‘Tis the one true soldiers love to hear,
“SEE IT THROUGH,”
In frontier days, the Indians called the
Black troops “Buffalo Soldiers,”
Because in color, grit and strength they
Fought like the Buffaloes of old,
Now we are called to the colors of our
Nation to defend.
We are the Buffalo soldiers and you
Bet we’ll
“SEE IT THROUGH.”
Stand by your colors men,
Be stanch and true.
Fight with a purpose men,
For the old Red, White and Blue.
Keep up the spirit men.
‘Till our foes we have subdued.
Fight with a vim all our vict’ries to win.
“SEE IT THROUGH.”
SUPPLY CO., 307TH
First Class Private Tisch is tickled that he still has two men from the same company out of fifteen to partake of the coming New York events.
° ° °
Private Charles Bauman wears horseshoe chevrons. He wonders if they’ll bring him back to luck. He never shod a mule.
° ° °
Private Faulthaber says this is a funny world. In the morning you go out and chop a tree down and at evening come in and chop it up again.
° ° °
The Kilgus brethren wonder how they’ll get an early pass this Saturday, as they have no more grandmothers left.
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood Organizes Chapter Here.
St. Andrew’s Brotherhood, an Episcopal organization of laymen, has formed a probationary chapter in camp. Plans for the chapter’s activities include the formation of a Bible class to which all churchmen in Upton will be invited. The Rev. R. S. Nichols, civilian Chaplain in charge of the worl of the Episcopal church here, has been acting in an advisory capacity.
Officers chosen are as follows; Director, Lt. L. H. Frohman, Division Printing Officer; Vice Director, Sgt. C. D. Lethrop, Co. A, 305th Infantry; Secretary, David R. Peck, Co. K, 307th Infantry; Treasurer, Sgt. Walter F. Hoffman, 302nd Trench Motor Battery.
COMPANY IN EVER LIVE 307TH INFANTRY BRINGS ‘PRO’ VAUDEVILLE HERE
Private Moskowitz Turns the Trick—Other Notes From an Actor Quarter
By JAMES GRUNERT, Section P, Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street
We will have to hand it to Company C of the 307th. They certainly have a live bunch of boys. One of the liveliest is Arthur Moskowitz, formerly in the managerial staff of the Marcus Loew circuit, and it was through his efforts that a big time vaudeville show was brought to camp Saturday night. A larger proportion of men than ever before were on pass but enough remained in the P Section of camp to crowd the barracks of Company C and to jam the Y. M. C. A., Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue.
At the request of Private Moskowitz and the Y. M. C. A. Social Secretary, Marcus Loew, the vaudeville magnate, who is always ready and willing to help in such affairs, arranged to send some o his stars to entertain the boys who stayed in camp over Sunday. To accommodate as many as possible two shows were, given, one in Company C mess hall and the second in the Y. M. C. A., the talent going from one place to the other so quickly that no intermission marred the show for the boys.
At Company C Hall the company machine tilled out the programme with several reels of film., operated by Moskowitz, while Private Louis Statz, who was also formerly on the Loew staff, staged the show, and at the Y. M. C. A. Mr. C. C. Moskowitz, one of Mr. Loew’s manager, took charge of the programme and with his witty remarks of introduction kept every one happy.
And we must not fall to mention the volunteer piano, H. J. Reed, without whose valuable assistance the accompaniments would now have been and the big show would have lost much of its joy.
“Skirmish Line” in Demand.
In the middle of an afternoon counter rush at the “Y” a burly corporal of the Machine Gun Battalion demanded the use of a “skirmish line” and insisted that it was necessary for immediate use in his barracks. A few minutes later a second man from the same company presented an order for seven “right about face twisters” and could not understand why the secretary dropped out of sight behind the counter. Oh, well; it’s all in a day’s work, boys!
Joe and Austin Aid Movies
“Movies” are at the last a reality at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, and Joe Gizzen is proving his worth in running the machine on Wednesday and Friday evenings with Vitagraph feature films of a high order. And Ausin McClure accompanies the hero with a train of music that greatly adds to the enjoyment of the movie evening.
Volunteers Appreciated.
Two more men on the volunteer staff of Building 35 are H. J. Reed, who is always ready to play the piano for us, and Howard Valentine, helping behinf the counter. Such service is greatly appreciated.
Junior League is Active.
The “Programme for the Week” is the Y. M. C. A. at Eighth Street gives the boys something to look forward to. For every evening sees something worth while staged at this building and the hall is always filled almost bursting. A feature that is now being carried out is the Wednesday afternoon musical entertainment put on by the Junior League, at which well-known entertainers will be brought out by the league to make the half holiday pass pleasantly for the boys. And the league has also made itself responsible for a professional entertainment every Saturday evening, so that the camp will not be blue and lonesome for the boys who do not get that pass.
TRUMPET OUTFIT BLOWS TO TREAT
“Swipe It” Orchestra Aids Movies at the Upper J Y. M. C. A., Hut
By A. D. ALYEA, J Section, d and 14th.
The frequenters of the Upper J Y. M. C. A. were afforded a rare treat Wednesday evening. At the invitation of the Building Secretary, Mr. Starkey, the Edna White trumpet quartette of Brooklyn, an organization of nation-wide reputation, volunteered to furnish the boys with the best they had. Their “best” was certainly of the superfine variety and was enthusiastically appreciated by the men who crowed the hall and encored their numbers again and again.
Hospital Talent Mobilization.
It is reported that under the leadership of Maxwell Klein the dramatic and musical talent of the base hospital is organizing itself. The rumor is that this talent will in the near future put on all evening’s programme staging of a one-set play at the Upper J Y. M. C. A.
“Swipe—It” Orchestra Aide Movies.
The bi-weekly movies at the Upper J Y. M. C. A. are being supplemented by a “swipe it” orchestra composed of banjo-mandolin, guitar, violin, ‘cello and piano. The dulcet strains of this combination seem to add considerably to the evening’s enjoyment.
As there is considerable musical talent at Upper J an orchestra and a banjo-mandolin club are being formed and will soon hold regular practice. If there is any undiscovered musical geniuses in this section of the camp they are urged to leave their names at the desk (Y. M. C. A., 14th Street and 2d Avenue) where they will be given further instruction.
SIGNAL CORPS MEN ARE SAID TO SNORE BY A FIXED CODE.
So thoroughly are the men of the 302d Field Signal Battalion learning the lessons of their craft that they are said to snore according to a regular code which has been worked out by Chief Snorer H. Crawford of Company B.
All members of the corps are living by signal. The cooks are waving their arms, pots, pans and ladies like Hula-hula dancers—or Private Charles Gordon. Even in the darkness of the sleeping chamber signals rule, radio watches waving in all directions.
Some distinction has fallen to the wigwaggers’ lot for having the most complete Irish row in camp, and the boys are proudly boasting that it will take the Irish to beat the Dutch. In Company B there is a Wild Irish Avenue, with the following present and accounted for: Curran, O’Brien, McSorley, Brynes, Kelly, Crawford, Jackson and Giler, the last three0named Hibernians despite the English flatness of their names.
HOPE HELD HERE THAT IT’S NOTTHE GERMAN VARIETY.
“The best we can hope is that they’re not German measles,” was the expression from one of the boys left behind when he learned the news that 500 of the selected men recently transferred from here to Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Ga., had been exposed to that popular malady of childhood.
A telegram was received in Atlanta just before the arrival of the troop train bearing the Yaphankers saying that they had been exposed, and they were met by a corps medical officers and hospital ambulances. Each man was thoroughly inspected, and all who showed any signs of developing measles were transferred to the base hospital to be isolated pending observation.
Those in Upton who remember the departure of their late comrades on a rainswept day are surprised that it’s (or are?) measles. They were prepared to expect an outbreak of water on the knee or seasickness.
Artillery Officers Enjoy Evening at M Y. M. C. A. Hut.
Artillery officers, headed by Brig. Gen. Barrett, enjoyed an evening of music and fellowship. David Hochstein, violin virtuoso, accompanied by Frank Bibb, Hdq. Co., 305th F. A., surprised themselves with a splendid programme, which was enthusiastically received. Capt. Doyle, Batt. R., 304th F. A., proved his ability as a leader of sturdy songs in a get-together around the big fireplace.
SPORTS ON N. Y. A. C. DAY WILL HAVE MILITARY FLAVOR
Yaphankers Will Hurl Hand Grenades and Go Over Top When Division’s Soldier-Athletes Rally at Smith’s Field
Large Entry List for New York Athletic Club Day; Biggest Sport Event Held Here.
Smith’s Field on Saturday, Dec. 1, will fell the tread of athletes mighty whose prowess will be demonstrated before what is expected to be one of the largest crowds yet assembled in camp. The occasion will be the Divisional Track Meet, central event of New York Athletic Club Day, as that day will be known officially. Prizes and encouragement of other kinds have been offered by that club.
A huge entry list is anticipated, as most of the events allow a large class of participants. All entries are to come through the hands of regimental athletic officers, and are being sent to B. F. Bryant, Y. M. C. A. headquarters. No man may compete in more than one individual race and one relay or team race. Entries must be in by 6 P. M. Wednesday, Nov. 28.
The events have all been arranged with a special regard for their influence on the physical equipment necessary for specialized military exercise. Following is a list:
List of Events.
Hundred-yard dash, in regulation uniform; no track shoes to be allowed.
Equipment Race, 75 yards and return—Shoes are put on at 10-yard mark, leggings at 35-yard mark, coat at 65-yeard mark, rifle taken at 60-yard mark, return to finish and stand at attention.
Rescue Race, 60 yards and return—No. 1 man of each team advances on signal to 60-yeard line. When gun is fired No. 1 man drops to ground and No. 2 man, the rescuer, advances to the starting mark; when gun is fired the second time the rescuer foes “over the top” and returns to starting mark with No. 1 man. This race is considered an individual race.
Hurdle and Obstacle Race, 220 yards—In this race no company may enter more than one man, and each regiment or respective unit may enter but five men.
Hand Grenade Contest (regulation throw over 6-foot blind and distance of 75 feet)—Each man to have three throws. Grenade landing in trench will count three points; striking outside and rolling in shall count one point. Each regiment or respective unit may enter thirty men.
Medicine ball race, twenty-five yards, teams of twenty-five yards, teams of twenty-five men each. Ball starts at front of line and is passed or rolled between legs to the last man, who runs to front of line with ball and passes ball through his legs to the line again, as each man runs with ball the line moves back one space; the ball must pass between each man’s legs on each passing down the line. Prizes to winning team.
Flag relay race, fifty yards, twenty mean to each team. Ten men from each team start at teach end of the course. At the starting gun No. 1 man from each team runs to No. 2 man at opposite end of course, No. 2 man returns flag to No. 3 man and so on until each man has run his fifty yards. Each regiment and respective unit may enter five team in this and the medicine ball race.
Cross-country run, four miles. Start at Smith Field to 19th Street, south on 19th Street to Second Avenue, east on Second Avenue to First Street, north to Fifth Avenue, west to 19th Street, south to Jefferson Avenue, west to Smith’s Field, circle field once to finish line. Eight men shall constitute a team, and the first five to finish on each team shall count in the scoring of points. Each regiment and respective unit may enter as many teams as possible.
There will be cups given to the regiment and company scoring the most points.
Everybody’s Friend.
Private Axlerod of the 25th Company, 152d Depot Brigade, is out idea of a diplomat. He has been advertising his prowess with the mitts ever since he came to camp, possibly in the hope that his fellows would take him at his word and let him live the quiet life. After a while, however, the challenges began to come in, when Private Axlerod gently but firmly insisted that he was a friend of everybody and didn’t want to lose any of his friends just yet.
Among the ironies of camp life was the letter from a mother to her son after he had just received his service shoes, telling him: “Your rubbers are coming to you by this mail. Be sure and wear them whenever you go out in the rain.”
(IMAGE to left – Lieut. Darrin, REGIMENTAL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR)
302d ENIGINEERS FOOTBALL SQUAD….
Standing, Left to Right—Sergt. Mulcan, R. H.; Sergt. Royer, F. B.; Corpl. Amuduce, line; Private Crocker Reich, L. G.; Corpl. Berglin, line; Corpl. Humphreys, back; Corpl. Drexel, line; Corpl. Glenzing, L. E.; Lieut. Ryan, Coach; Lieut. Piersoon, Manager.
Kneeling, Left to Right—Private Field, line; Corpl. Cmith, back; Sergt. Extrand, line; Corpl. Bingle, line; Sergt. Bleier, Q. B. amd Captain; Corpl. Gilman, back; Private Hernandez, line; Corpl. Doerr, R. T.; Private Glenn, R. G.; Corpl. Colby, R. E.; Private Norman, back; Private Myers, back; “Lieut.” Greene, son of Capt. Greene, mascot.
Unbeaten Engineers Bank on Tecord To Bring Game With Fort Champ
Upton’s Engineers, with foal lines uncrossed as yet by local soldier-gridmen, look like strong contenders for the honor of playing the champion eleven of New York Fort Leagues, a game toward which the present football elimination schedule here is pointing.
The “sapping and mining” gentlemen have won a quartet of arguments, as follows: 306th Infantry, 10-0; 307th Infantry, 27-0; Field Artillery, 42-0; They are negotiating for a Thanksgiving contest, which will probably align them against the Yale Naval Reserves in the Yale Bowl on Turkey Day. Lieut. Darrin, old Carlisle star, as regimental athletic officer, has been working hard to make pennant grabbers of his associates; while Lieut. Dyer and Ryan, as coaches, have been responsible for helping develop a strong machine.
CO. C, 308TH, FINDS B MEN MEAT, ARE HUNGRY FOR MORE
Infantry Companies B and C stages their first indoor baseball game on the company street and the result was neber in doubt from the first inning. Among the features of the game was a home run by Higgins of C company. Mertz’s all around work both in the field and at bat work both in the field and at bat was worthy of commendation. The infield play was smooth and the outfield surpassed all previous expectations. Not to be out done the battery stood up well under fire when the occasion demanded. Baldwin must be figured when record time comes and the earned runs are tabulated. C company lineip: Hayden, catcher; Baldwin, pitcher; Hogan, first base; Rooney, second base; Mertz, short stop; Goldstein, third base; Higgins, center field; Meyers and Greenwald, left field; Guildin, right field.
Score by innings:
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Total
B Co.
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
3
C Co.
7
0
0
4
3
2
.
16
Co. K, 305th, Soccerites, Win; Want to Meet Other Teams
In what provide to be one of the most exciting soccer games of the season, Company K of the 305th Infantry, triumphed over the Machine Gun Company of the 305th Infantry by the score of 3 to 1. Although losing at half time, Company K rallied and Frank Kay shot the equalizer while Quinlan and McCarten added the winning goals.
Company K challenges any company team in Camp Upton. For information see Corpl. Frank Kay, Captain of Soccer Team.
CYCLISTS PUT PONDS OF “OOMPH” INTO EFFORTS; NO ADVANCES REPORTED
A novel form of athletic competition has been going forward in the 305th Infantry, in the bicycle race six days and more. Since the competition started among the companies of the 1st Battalion there has been no forward progress, but a tremendous amount of muscle energy has been expended in the contest, and theoretically the cyclists have covered thousands of miles of territory. A home-trainer racing apparatus which moves but doesn’t advance, like the Germans on the west front, has been used. It consists of a ack across which are hung three heavy rollers. The bicycle wheels drive these when revolving, and under the treazied pedaling of contestants some few revolutions have been noted. There is talk of carrying the competition here and there over camp and resolving itself into an inter-regimental affair with prizes.
The apparatus was loaned by Vito Sestone, holder of the Philadelphia-to-New York cycling record.
DEPOT BRIGADE
When it comes to importing Big Time talent for the delectation of the Depot Brigadiers, Sergt. Shanley, 3d Co., has no peers. His entertainment of recently, with luminous lights from right off Broadway, is still getting the gaps. The Sergeant knows ‘em all.
° ° °
The Depot boys welcomed their talented brothers from the 306th Field Artillery when they brought some of the Shrapnel’s best to the “L” Y. M. C. A., 19th Street, Carl Reisland, cornetist, formerly with the New York Symphony; Kelly and Griffin, who used to play all the large centres, in an intimitable sletch, were leaders in the programme. Corpl. Carney, 11th Co., D. B., pulled a big haud with his “dope” song and others. Sergt. Fisher’s band and straiged orchestra, 30th F. A., had ‘em all whistling through their teeth.
° ° °
Big details are grubbing themselves calloused on the raw earth back of the Depot outfit, sometimes known as the Perpetual Motive Brigade, will soon be read.
FOOTBALL ELIMINATION MOVES MERRILY APACE.
Four Games Played—306th Doughboys Are in From Rank.
The 306th Infantry is coming into the forefront fo the interregimental football elimination competition following the new schedule recently arranged. Lieut. Hayes, a Colgate star of recent vintage, has whipped a real bunch of fighters into shape, and they are full of fight and fervor for the contest with the 302d Engineers, is which will be seen the two camp teams with the strongest records to date. The 306th doughboys, in a contest marked by keen rivalry, have worsted their infantry confreres of the 308th, as another notch on their gun butts.
WRESTLERS HITTING MAT IN THE INFANTRY SECTION.
The wresters are going to the mat these days with some force, and Captain Dodge’s fine mat is seeing services ‘somewhere on Long Island nearly every night. The stunt night of the “Y” hut, 5th and 8th, the 308th Regiment show, the Machine Gun celebration, Headquarters Company racket, and numerous other company nights in the barracks have been featured by thrilling grappling bouts. The other night Peter Greimer and Young Forbman had a strenuous wresting match, and Abraham Monkowsky tried conclusions with Michael Paptadakis. Papp as referee had his hands full, but the house agreed with his decision. Onesta, out Iron Jaw man, wrestled with twenty chairs and a table in his teeth—the trenches have no terrors for Onesta. And Young McCarthy equaled Onesta’s horse shoe stunt by breaking one by hand.
MACHINE GUN BATT.
The smoker given by Company C of the Machine Gun Battalion, was quite a success. The boys are not giving us the programme, because they want to pull it at the Y as a surprise, but we got hold of a couple of their parodies which were mighty goo. Try this on your piano—we know how it feels.
OVER THERE.
Underwear, underwear,
Itching here, itching there, everywhere
On a frosty morning,
It may be warning,
But when the sun begins to shine,
That underwear under there
Begins to scratch and to rub and to tear.
Now, will you tell me will you please
Tell me.
How to stand at ‘tention,
Itchless under there.
“ON AGIN, OFF AGIN”—BOOM BOXERS.
At the athletic stunt night, Roy Male put a new one across on the boys! A couple of high horses were brought in and a fifteen-foot log slung between them, some eight feet above the mat. “Boom” boxing was the sport of the evening, and the crowds certainly got their money’s worth of fun. You can’t get hurt and you have los of fun boxing that way and plenty of spills.
Sergt. Major Convington of the British Army, who is at Camp Upton instructing the troops, entertained during the evening with his fund of stories and kept the boys a roar.
“Vets” Welcome Last Increment in this Week
Last Selected Men Last Draft Will Begin to Arrive Wednesday, With 7,685 Total Due.
Opportunity will be given Upton’s veterans this week to demonstrate what camp life can do in a few short weeks to transform and develop manhood. The beneficiaries of the object lesson will be the last “tenderfoot” contingent. Hopeful of themselves being soldiers soon, the selected men making up the last contingent of New York City’s draft quota begin arriving in camp Wednesday. The movement hither wood will occupy five days—Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will bring into camp a total of 7,685 more men. A large majority of these will go to fill in the gaps of the 152d Depot Brigade, quartered in section upper J and L.
On Wednesday the men from Boards 23 to 35, inclusive, will arrive 916 strong. Thursday 1,693 men are due from boards 36 to 48, inclusive, and Boards 113 to 126, inclusive. Birds 49 to 62, inclusive, Boards 128 to 154, inclusive, come Friday, bringing 1,693. On Saturday, there will be an increment of 1,682 from 68 to 77, inclusive; 155 to 164, inclusive, and 174 to 177, inclusive. Sunday they will bring the last batch and the largest, 1,705 from Boards 12 to 22, 78 to 88, 165 to 178, 186 to 189, 178 to 185, inclusive.
There may be no electric sign bearing the words to flare in the men’s faces as they breeze into the local midst, but “Welcome into the Fellowship of the National Army” is graven on each soldier heart now beating under regulation O.D.
Watch for cartoons!
The cartoonist of the 77th Division are rallying in fine shape to make Trench and Camp as blithesome and bright as India Ink and cardboard know how. Through the co-operation of carious talented sketching gentlemen about camp a weekly feature from now on in Upton’s edition of this soldier’s own paper will be a cartoon drawn by “one of our boys.” Watch the paper for this and other things which make Trench and Camp peculiarly your paper. And, by the by, or better, by the mail: are you sending it to the folks at home?
Among the cartoonists with us are Campbell, coming with us are Campbell, colored artist of the 367th Infantry: Shapiro (“Shap”) of Company I, 306th: Michael Lemmermeyer (“Len”) Battery B. 304th Field Artillery: Sid Hydeman, 4th Company, 302d Supply Train: D’Esposito, 306th Infantry, and Epier, Medical Department 306th F. A.
Ex-President Taft Coming Here for Two Addresses
Will Speak at Formal Dedication of Y. M. C. A. Auditorium Sunday, Dec. 16.
William Howard Taft, ex-President, will be at Camp Upton Dec. 15 and 16 and will be the speaker at the formal dedication of Y. M. C. A. Auditorium Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16. The ex-President comes to Upton on the joint invitation of Major Gen. Bell and the General Secretary of the camp Y. M. C. A., W. F. Hirsch.
The use of the auditorium has been offered to all the regimental commanders by General Camp Secretary W. F. Hirsch, and already a large number of gatherings have been held. The seating capacity is 3,046, which may be increased by about 200 by crowding. It was the original intention to use benches for seating throughout, which would have made the capacity 3,300 but in order to use the central section of the auditorium for gymnasium work, chairs were substituted for benches, with resultant reduction in seating room.
Upton’s Laundry is Largest in World
“The largest laundry in the world,” is the claim of Charles E. Ehle, superintendent of Camp Upton’s mammoth laundry for that institution, which will soon be turning out 250 bundles of soldier “duds” every eighteen minutes. The great structure on Third Avenue, with its sky scraping stacks, which make New Yorkers here glad that something has been built up in the air to remind them of home, has 78,000 square feet of floor space. It has a capacity of 45,000 bundles, with 600 pairs of hands at work. Four large barracks will be used to house the labor.
The idea that a laundry should be part of a military post was first put into practice by the commander of the 77th Division, when Major Gen. Bell was in command at Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Ehle, head of Upton’s washing equipment, was in charge of the one started at Fort Leavenworth.
Camp Upton’s laundry is under the Quartermaster’s Department. Capt. D. A. Gillespie being the officer detailed for supervision.
“A Day at Upton” Will Eclipse Any Show Given by Soldiers
Hippodrome Spectacle by 305th Will be Witnessed by Celebrities
Members of the 305th Regiment declare themselves “all set: to produce the Hippodrome on the night of Dec. 8 the most pretentious theatrical spectacle ever attempted by a regiment of American soldiers.
While it is realized that the task of putting over “A Day at Camp Upton,” the title of the production, is a big one the boys in the 305th are confident that the performance will be a huge success. Lieut. James E. Schuyler, who conceived the idea of staging the production and is working it through, is sanguine that when Broadway sees this show it will sit up and take notice.
Three hundred men from the 305th, picked from the fifteen companies, will participate, while the band, under the leadership of Sergt. Bergman, will endeavor to prove the claim made by its supporters that is the best one in the division. The prologue of the three scene spectacle shows Union Square. Men are leaving New York from the draft boards for Camp Upton. The second scene shows the barracks of camp, and takes the men through the day’s work from reveille to retreat. The third and last scene, from retreat to taps, shows the men gathered outside the barracks around a fire, enjoying a typical Upton “home talent” entertainment, organized instanter from the crowd gathered. Movies taken at camp will be introduced, sowing among other things the men at mess and a delegation rom Company I, 305th, leaving for Canada where they assisted in the recent Canadian war loan drive, Song will play a large part in the affair, all the music having been composed by the geniuses of this “bar-none-of-‘em” doughboy outfit.
For a week the boys in the how are in New York, rehearsing in the Hippodrome every morning and drilling in Central Park and the 69th Regiment Armory. The broad service which they are rendering for the 77th Division and for the National Army in showing how erstwhile civilians are becoming soldiers is recognized and it is probable that Gov. Whitman, Mayor Mitchel, Mayor-elect Hylan and other prominent men who have been invited will witness the performance. Major Gen. Bell and his staff, it is hoed will attend, while the regimental officers led by Col. Mellberg will occupy boxes.
The ground has been cleared and work begun on the regimental indoor drilling stadium and theatre which will rebuilt with the proceeds from the big show. It will be available for use by all the regiments in camp.
Upper “Jays” Enjoy Variety and Wrestling
George West and Millard Bennet Give Fine Mat Exhibition—Boxing and Vaudeville Mixture Popular
By E. O. Alyea, Cor. 2nd Avenue and 14th Street
The stunt night in Upper J. Y. M. C. A. building recently was as usual a howling success. The feature of the evening was a fifteen minute drawn wrestling match between Corporal George West of Headquarters Company 306th Infantry. 1915 Loval Y. M. C. A. Champion 158-pound class, and Millard Bennet of the 152nd Depot Brigade. These two boys had previously met for an hour and twenty minutes on the mat without a decisive result so there was plenty of excitement for those who watched the bout.
Several boxing exhibitions also figured. Morrison of the 6th Company 407 M. S. T. had a job to find someone of his weight (120lbs) willing to put the gloves on with him so offered to take on any one in the house. At last “Battling Seccler” of the 5th Company Vet. Corps showed his red blood and during three rounds the dust flew some. Mike Paster, of the Union Settlement boxed J. Schiff in another lively bout. And last but not least our friend J. Entwistle of the 2nd Company Quartermaster Corps played several selections on his “One-lunged violin,” bringing the house down. Good work, old boy!
Signalmen Making Live Gridders
Lieutenant Glann, the athletic representative of the 302nd Field Signal Battalion is coaching the Wigwagger football team, and the boys can lay their splendid work of holding their own 0-0 in the first game to hint. It wont be long before the 321st Field Signal Battalion will also have a tea, under coach Lieutenant Stair, a live wire in the athletic line.
Thousand Men Entertained
Local talent spread itself to the full at the variety entertainment Saturday night, Nov. 24, in the Upper J. Y. M. C. A. Entwistle performed with his usual skill on his one-lunged violin; Sergt. Grant introduced a very original musical act, making of himself a “human Xylophone:” Ratner (casuals) rendered withe excellent expression “The Face on the Barroom Floor” and Gragallalo (Company 5. Veteran Corps) made big hit with his clever impersonation of an aged Italian suffering from an acute attack of rheumatism. Archer, “the Rope King,” was also there with the goods, demonstrating his ability to escape from the tightest knots the boys could tie. He boasts that no guardhouse could hold him, but hasn't yet been able to get away from K. P. The high water mark of the evening, however, was reached when Luke Devlin (casuals) treated the boys to some Harry Lauder songs. The crowd of over a thousand men vigorously encored him again and again, and see,ed better pleased with each succeeding selection. Such appetite “grows on what it feeds on.”
“One—Two—Three—Four— Close Up Forty Inches”
Private Hientz of the 302nd F. S. Battalion, Company C, is suffering from a peculiar type of nightmare. He awakes in the black of the night and sees shining above him the stern face of his beloved Sergeant, while there thunders in his trembling ears the uninterrupted chorus, “One, two, three, four—close up—fourty inches.” Poor boy! Is there no rest for the weary.
B. R. T. Picture Dec. 12
All men who were employed by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company at the time they were ordered to Camp Upton are invited to assemble in front of the Y. M. C. A. Building at Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1917, at 1:15 P.M. to have a group photograph taken for reproduction in the B. R. T. Monthly Readers who know former B. R. T. men in this camp will confer a favor by bringing this to their attention.
Nuptial Notes
One of the Trench and Camp’s Social Intelligence outposts reports that Private Joe Potatoes, any company, any regiment, is to be married in the near future to Hermoine Stringbean. Sort Ration will be the best man and the ushers will be boys from the Kitch N. Police Club. Joe’s comrades will give the happy pair a can opener as a wedding present. Tae bridal bouquet will be a task bunch of carrot tops.
Harry Barnhart Takes Full Charge of Song
Mr. Harry Barnhart, director of the New York Community Chorus and one of the best known chorus leaders in the country, will give Camp Upton the full benefit of his abilities henceforth, assuming direct charge of the singing here, which has been heretofore in the hands of his assistant Max Weinstein.
Mr. Barnhart, in addition to developing the camp singing, will train the leaders of the regimental bands, looking toward a mammoth decision concert to be participated in by all the breast outfits at Upton. The local Sousas have already met with Mr. Barnhart in K. of C. Auditorium, with encouraging results.
Green Hut for Hospital
The great Base Hospital will have another building added to the seventy-seven which comprise the Upton medical headquarters, when a green Y. M. C. A. hut takes its place alongside the post exchange. Harmon Eldridge, who has been at Fort Niagara and Syracuse in war work, is in camp now, serving the base hospital and will be in charge of the hut when completed about Jan 1. The two hundred and more hospital teaches will use it, as will convalescents for whose comfort will be provided easy chairs, fireplace and other home touches.
A Cook and Cheese
The Mess Sergeant of the Seventh Company returned from a brief pass wearing what his chief kitchen mechanic termed a “rosy beezer,” meaning a rubicund proboscis. The Mess Sergeant insisted that the complexion of his olfactory organ was a little rosier than usual purely and simply on account of the fact that a little boil was forming there.
This Mess Sergeant had occasion to complain about the way the rations were being taken from the icebox without his permission.
“Who took that piece of cheese from the icebox?” he demanded the other morning.
“I am!” returned Creo to the cook, meekly.
Regular Mexican Army
The Fifth Company continues to have difficulty finding men for details. The company—like the Mexican Army, all Generals— consisted at the present time of twenty Sergeants and two privates. The Sergeants consider it a trifle infra dig to go on kitchen police and the privates are having a long hitch with the pots and pans. However, the Sergeants get an industrious fit once in a long, long while and they have been out cleaning up their street and fixing up the garden around the barracks.
Sergt. Brighten invited Sergts. Satchel and Gross, Corpls. Corby and Michael and Private Stadier to accompany him to a neighboring town to celebrate his birthday. They stumbled upon a group of their own officers after the party, and the efforts they made to get back to the barracks before the officers were worthy of a better cause.
More About Irish Stew
First Cook Dumas of the 9th Company is generous with his lum and never kicks on giving the men “seconds” as long as the chow lasts. One day they had a very good Irish stew for dinner, and one man came up for “seconds” and then for a third portion. “What’s the matter with you, you like Irish stew so much, are you Irish?” Dumas asked. “Yes!” was the reply. “What’s your name?” Dumas inquired. “Cohen,” the Irishman replied.
Sergt. Ed On Calories
Sergt. E. C. Roberts of the 1st Company was expounding on food values. “They tell us that a calorie contains so many units of heat, and that all food is food only in that it supplies a certain amount of heat for the body,” he said. Now, the caloric value of a hot cinder out of that stove would be a whole lot higher than that a pound of butter or a big sirloin steak.: This boy needs a change of diet and a period of rest in a quiet darkened room.
The Most Patient Soldier
Trench and Camp certainly registers a deep amen to the following sentiments, which appeared in the New York Sun:
“We had thought of a Job as the most patient figure in history until J. Franklin Bell appeared. Here you have a man if sixty-one years that have been crowded with work, damgerl responsibility and honors. At Camp Upton he is the father and mentor of some 30,000 untrained young soldiers. He drills, teaches, counsels and feeds them, Naturally, he is beset with a soldier’s work.
“Now comes a person, from without the lines, who plans to prove that it is possible for two persons to enter the great camp and feign an immoral rotation, She send the two, who incidentally seem to have been as great as fools herself, on this errand. They are detected. Instead of kicking the male conspirator out of camp and sending the girl to a reformatory, as some military men would have done. Major Gen. Bell spent hours, not merely to establish the character of the conspiracy hat had been attempted against him and the honor of the camp, but to make it plain that no physical harm had come to the wretched girl through her own part in the scheme against the camp and its commanding General.
Poor Bell! He has fought the Crees and the Sioux and the Filipinos, and now, engaged upon the hardest work of his life, the training of a new army, he has to fight the disgusting creatures who are willing to smuggle counterfeit vileness into his camp to prove that vileness might be there even if it isnt.
Gen. Bel has the Medal of Honor for his distinguished gallantry at Luzon. He ought to have another medal for his distinguished patience at Yaphank.
Camp Now Has a Hotel
Camp Upton now has a hotel, with grill, lunch room ’n everything. The Acker Merrill & Condit Company’s big red and white building, the largest structure in the camp, built at a cost of $80,000, includes these features, besides a stock of groceries and other commodities. The profits from the sale will be divided with the division. The use of rooms has been restricted to transients, except such ranking officers as the division commander may direct.
Upton Players Get On
Progress in rehearsing on two one set plays, “Peace Maneuvers,” by Richard Harding Davis, and “The Bishop’s Candlesticks” is reported by Charles Wavland Towne, director of the Upton Players. Each east has a full list of understudies and cordial rivalry is developing for parts. The plays will be put on about Dec. 10 in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium with an all star vaudeville bill. Mr. Towne is receiving cooperation from some of New York’s leading theatrical managers in securing scenery and suggestions as to the development of the Upton Players.
307th Benefit is Success; $15,000 for Reg’t Theatrer
Many Broadway Stars in Performance at Forty-Fourth Street Theater
Marked financial success attended the regimental benefit given by the 307th Infantry at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre, New York, the sum of $15,000 being realized. This will go toward the building of a regimental theatre and drill hall. Progress is reported already on this big structure which will allow the regiment to hold meetings of the full command, put on big shows and moving pictures and also accommodate other outfits in camp which feel the need of such a place.
Lieut. Everett A. Butterfield was manager of the entertainment, and Capt. William D. Harrigan, president of the regiment’s theatrical board. The program contained the names of many Broadway stars, secured through Lew Fields, whose nephew, Private H. H. Harris had charge of providing the talent. Exhibition drills by men from the regiment were received enthusiastically and caused the large audience to marvel at the strides taken by Uptonites toward finished fighting men. Olaf Nord and his star bandsmen took a large portion of the favor accorded the show, which all the way though was a thundering success for the up-and-at-them 307th men. They have the honors for making the first real debut into the theatrical world.
Minstrels Feature Third “Racket” of Signal Corps
The third barrack party sponsored by the 302d Field Signal Battalion was enjoyed recently in the home of Co. C. attractive with autumn leaves and other festal touches and with a real stage erected over the spot where ordinarily the K. P. hand out the strew and beans. There was nothing lacking. It was another of those rackets that have given the wig-wagging boys a local reputation for putting such affairs across. Nat H. Weiss, Co. C, as heretofore, was largely responsible for the affair. The several hundred present sat cabaret style at the tables during the performance, and, without having to do squads right to somewhere else, partook of a layout of food which included grapefruit, salad, pastry, coffee, bread and butter.
An all-home talent minstrel show featured the entertainment, J. Raymond Daly acting as interlocutor with R. B. Higgins, J. A. Watson, S. J. Wilde and G. a. Heinz, end men. Private H. Schoem showed versatility by a boxing bout, acting as cook and pulling a xylophone solo. The fistic encounter that drew the largest measure of applause was a four-round affair between Private Tony Perrone, “Camp Upton Champ,” and Harry Smith of New York. The names of all the talented gentlemen who contributed to the evenings fun would read like a page from the directory.
D, 307th Inf., Has Organ
Company D, 307th Infantry, has an organ over which organization might increase its chest measurement with all justice to its rights. The organ isn't of the reed variety, but is able to produce a large variety of effects. “The Bugler” is its title. Milton Woill is the editor in chief and inspiring spirit in the little publication which exudes from the mimeograph on Saturdays, with a cartoon, company news, comment, japes and wheezes on the company’s prominent members. Capt. Hastings is Company D’s leader and is in hearty accord with the notes sounded by the outfit’s “Bugler.”
“The Howitzer” is Heard in Artillery Section
“The Howitzer” has sent its first boom reverberating over the camouflaged area occupied by Upton’s artillerymen. Its managing board claims for “The Howitzer” the honor, which undoubtedly deserves of being the first regular regimental journal to appear in camp. It is a four-page tabloid sheet and will appear now and then in the Field Artillery Regiment under the guidance of Sergt. Major Adler, editor in chief. Private Monroe E. Davis is managing editor, Lieut Thomas. Regimental Chaplain is advisory editor, while the news correspondents are Corpl. Routh. Battery A; Private Lozier, Battery B; Private Wardwell, Battery C; Private Davis, Batter D; Private Harvey, Battery E; Corpl. Elliot, Battery F; Private Godbegs, Supply Company; Corpl. Willis, Headquarters Company.
A well-arranged assortment of news stories, regimental and personal, poems, roster of officers and editorial utterances, one of which is on “The National Army Spirit,” comprises this first issue of “The Howitzer.” “Our Colonel” is an appreciation of Col. L. S. Miller, the beloved commanding officer of the 306th.
Stumping on the Old Camp Grounds
We’ve been stumping to-day on the old camp grounds,
Give us a word to cheer our weary hearts’
A word of home and friends we love so dear.
Many are the arms that are weary to-night
Wishing that the work were done;
Many are the hands blistered and worn
And wish the work were dine,
Stumping to-day, stumping to-day,
Stumping on the old camp grounds.
We’ve been raking to-day ‘round the old camp grounds
Cleaning up the old camp grounds.
We've been drilling to-day on the old camp grounds.
And long to sit and rest our weary hones
And tired out limns and think of home that's best
Many are the thoughts that are wandering to-night.
Wandering across the foam.
Many are the boys wishing for the day
They'll bring the Kaiser home.
Drilling to-day, raking to-day,
Stumping on the old camp grounds.
Private E. F. C. Lehmann , Jr. Company C. Signal Corps, 302nd Field Battalion.
305th Infantry Grenades.
Mess Sergeant Deishler, Co. A, has a deep method of locating German agents. When sauerkraut and frankfurters are served, the man attacking the entree with especial gusto is closely watched and his mail censored. Co. B has taken on a big addition, literally, within recent days, in the person of Lieut. William E. Skinner, who attained his growth in Wisconsin. Before coming here he was acting as aide to Gen. Coulter, commanding the 81st Brigade. He is, all things considered, the largest officer the 306th boasts.
England is well represented in Company C by four non-coms, Sergeant Johnson and Corporals Martin, Leonard and Tweedley.
Albert Chassard, Company C’s French chef helps round to in the “allied conference.”
Company C has a number of aspirants for the regimental soccer team and judging from the kicking that goes on occasionally before (notice it’s not after) mess, they should be successful.
Company A. boasts of a University Cheferino. The following are professors, heads of the various departments: John Bardes, macaroni; Datta, rice stew; Diplarakos, hash; Smith, frankfurters; Ferris, food conservation.
Many Commands of 77th Hear Medical Lecture
Winfield Scott Hall, head of the Department of Physiology, Medical College of Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., has talked during the past week to practically every regiment in the 77th Division, having visited Camp Upton on a tour of cantonments through the country. Dr. Hali’s lecture here on “Venereal Diseases” was made an official medical lecture by Lieut. Col. C. R. Reynolds, division surgeon, and the various commands which heard hum marched as units to the Y. M. C. A. auditorium, where lectures were delivered.
No Need for War if John Lester had been There
Negro Heavyweight Who Has Felled Jeannette, “Porky” Flynn and Others Would Like to Take “Mistuh and Missus Kaisuh” in Hand.
“Yessah, theseyeuh big men ud justa let me know theuh’d nevuh ben no wah now by the United States.”
Such was the rather remarkable statement made by John Lester Johnson, lately ranked as sergeant in the 367th Infantry but by a transfer now simply plain Private Johnson, Company D, Medical Corps. And he meant it. His reputation as a heavyweight boxer gave punch to the statement, as you might say. Explaining further how the world war might have been neatly sidestepped had he only been put on the international wires with Kaiser Bill and some others, John Lester went on:
“Back in them Bible days they didden take no armies out to fight. They picked out a couple boxers like David and Goliath and let ‘em mix it up, ’n the one that licked, why his country won. Now they coulda done that with me. If they'd only let me at thatteuh Kaisuh family I’d whipped Mistuh and Missus Kaisah and the family one at a time or all together, the entiuh collection of them agglomerated. Boy, I’d like one punch at that Kaisah family! Ummm!”
The last suggestive exclamation was grimly premonitory as the monster darker who avers that he’s “stoutenen up” every day with Uncle Sam’s food and training, rolled his eyes and his fists at the same time. Being declined the privilege of beating up the Kaiser family before war came John Lester aches for a few pokes at the Boches who do the Kaisers’ bidding, and he cares not when the Big Bout is staged.
And hes been in some large encounters ere this. Joe Jeanette, Hoboken; “Porky” Flynn, Boston; Jim Savage, New York; Sailor Grande of California and Jack Keating are some of the mittmen who have bowed before Lester’s punch.
He is now acting Crown Prince of the Buffalo contingent and his great good humor, coupled with his pugilistic renown, have made him one of the most popular men in the colored regiment. His only sorrow is that he can’t get anyone to oppose him, and has to get his whiff of ring encounters second handed, from arguments he referees. Lester is willing to accept the post of regimental boxing instructor if it can be secured for him.
Machine Gunners Proving Worth as Basket Flingers
Company B 394th Machine Gun Battalion is proud of the quintet of basket ball stars which has given that outfit the top position in the Battalion Basket Ball League race. In a recent fast tussle on C Company’s court, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, on 12th Street, the B boys worsted their hosts, Company C, by a score of 12 to 4.
2D Regiment Holds Forth
The 2D Regiment of the 152 Depot Brigade held a regimental night at the 19th Street Y. M. C. A. hut. Capt. Davies, assisted by Lieut. Rudolph, regimental athletic and entertainment officers, were masters of ceremonies, and Lieut. Perkins at the piano was one of the best entertainers of the evening. The program consisted of singing, instrumental music, stunts, contortionist, wrestling, boxing and singing of all the popular choruses by the men of the regiment. And such singing! As soon as the song choruses were thrown on the screen the men took up the tunes led by Private Donnelly on the piano, and the echos could be heard over in the woods. The whole affair had the effect of stimulating the esprit de corps of the regiment and similar nights will be planned every two weeks for each regiment of the depot brigade. The officers who are planning these entertainments are doing a great piece of constructive work in building up the company and the regimental spirit. The next regimental night is planned for Thursday, Dec. 6, and ill be better possible than the opening night.
Boxing Motto Has Punch
“Early to bed, early to rise, and early to lick the other guys,” the motto of “Young” Fulton, erstwhile Gotham scrapper, who is now helming his mates in Company C, 306th Infantry, to a better knowledge of the manly art, might be widened into application to the entire 77th division. Boxing is one of the strong favorites here during those off hours when the soldier craves recreation and excitement. Fulton has been of great assistance around camp in arranging bouts, and is especially interested in making his outfit, in every sense of the word, a prize fighting organization.
Strictly Sanitary Stuff
Lloyd Dougherty is receiving congratulations from his associative on having kept a trio of Patchogue misses entertained all at the same time.
The only pajamas in sanitary captivity, so it is claimed, are owned by a buck private in Ambulance Company 307. Harry Silverman might answer inquiries.
Harry Best, lately private in 307, is now top sergeant in the 306th Amb. Company. Best luck Harry, say we.
Twelve first class privates were recently appointed in the 307th Amb Company. All were surprised, most of all George Bloom, who sat up all night sewing on his codices.
Sergt. Fundenburg has recently returned from a leave. Piqua, Ohio, was the objective and the boys are inquiring whether or not his odoriferous barbering wore off during the long trip.
If it is a matter of comment how many members of the Sanitary Train bought tickets for the football game at the Polo Grounds and never used them; that is, to get into the game. They may have passed them on the L. I. R. R. or used them as meal tickets at some N. Y. canteen.
The S. T. is lying low for those Engineers after cleaning up the artillery. And speaking of football, Top Sergt. White, late of the Middle West, is there a few, One of the boys has written some poetry to him which will soon be translated into all languages, exclusive of the Teutonic.
The 306th Amb. has a “Lawyer,” one of the guardhouse variety, who is doing a big business on the insurance information.
Lieut. Henry Brown certainly fools ‘em. Just as congratulations were being framed up on his promotion to captain, the War Department stepped in and made him a Major. His boys are perfectly willing to follow him through any Flanders mud as Colonel.
Liberty Bonds Lost Here
Two $50 Liberty Bonds, $12 in cash and a dollar’s worth of Red Cross Christmas seals were in a black seal pocketbook with a brass “B” on the envelope flap which Miss Florence Brown lost while visiting at the Trench Mortar Battery, No. 416 15th Street, Miss Brown will be very glad to reward the finder. She may be found at Herzfeld Stern’s No. 40 Exchange Place, New York.
Claim Champ. Incinerator
Members of Company B, 305th Machine Gun Battalion, claim a unique championship. They lay claim to having the finest and most scientific incinerator in camp. Lieut. Williams was in charge of the construction, for which plans were drawn by Corpl. Theodore Ross, a former architectural engineer. The incinerator has a roof ’n everything.
HDQ. 305 F. A. Wins in Baseball
Battery C, 305 F. A. baseballists were fairly easy picking for the swatting Headquarters outfit who added to their string of wins, 11 runs to 4. Private Kell, H. Q., slab man, was largely instrumental in humbling the C gun wielders.
Metropolitan Honors Have Been Received by 306th Doughboys
Benefit at Biltmore Distinctive— Frances White Sings the Regimental Song.
The 306th Infantry has been sharing metropolitan honors with its brother regiments, the 307th and 305th, having appeared in several prominent quarters in the Big City, with full military and civilian honors awarded.
One of the most distinctive functions Upton men have been responsible for was the regimental benefit held in the Cascade Room of the Hotel Biltmore, with officers present from all the regiments in the 153rd Infantry Brigade. A number of prominent Broadway stars appeared, the committee in charge being Major E. Weaver, Capt. R. J. Aitken and Lieut. J. J. Riordan.
The regiment and its song, “When the Moon Is Shining Somewhere in France,” were brought prominently into the spotlight when Company H. piloted by Capt. H Eldred, enjoyed a theatre party at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre, “Hitchy Koo” being the production. Frances White acted as impromptu song leader in the rendition of the regimental hit, the band furnishing the accompaniment. Col. Vidmer, Major Weaver, Major Bulger and Major Power were present, the officers being dinner guests at the Friars Club through arrangements made by Corporal Piermont, a member of the club, and Thomas Gray, playwright, who has been responsible for many fine company entertainments.
Company D is one of the regiment;s livest outfits, having adopted a motto. Its in Latin, too— “Semper Paradis et Fidelis” (Always Prepared and Faithful). Recently the company enjoyed a supper and entertainment, Sergt. Bruce, prominent in all the company functions having been instrumental in the arrangements. The company’s first platoon has some real spirit, taking for itself a little motto, “Courage, Confidence, and Common Sense,” which a member claims are most essential for the National Army to have. The platoon is open to drill contest engagements, feeling such pride in drilling that it is willing to stake it against that of any company in the 77th Division.
Five Hangs Up Goose
The basketball team of the 305th Infantry took a reconnoitering trip to Sag Harbor recently. Result: One game, several complete goose dinners. The score was 43 to 30, the doughboys proving altogether too fast for their civilian hosts. Sergt. William Siegrist jr. motored the party over via Riverbed, where a large quantity of food was taken on board. The fingers included Wagner, Stubenvoll, Gerken and Tonry, all of Company B, and Sergts. White and Jenson, Company C. A multi-course goose dinner was served the winners by the Sag Harborians.
Soccer Men Play For Feed
A big game in Patchogue with banquet to the winner by the loser is the goal of soccer men in the 308th Infantry whose schedule brings the H. Q. Company and Company L to groups as the regiment’s most adroit players. The schedule has been decidedly gratifying to those who have boosted it. H. Q. Company defeated Company D, 4-2, while Company G fell before Company L, 3-2, in semi-focal frame which brings H. Q. Company and Company D against each other for the regimental championship and feed.
TAFT WILL SPEAK AT DEDICATION OF Y. M. AUDITORIUM DEC. 15
Commanding General and Cleveland Dodge Also on the Programme
On Saturday evening, Dec. 15, William Howard Taft, ex-president of the United States, will formally dedicate the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium, Upton Boulevard, with a address. He will also speak Sunday afternoon in the auditorium. Both meetings are open to every one.
Other speakers of the Saturday evening dedication will be Cleveland H. Dodge, Treasurer of the National War Work Council, Y. M. C. A., and Brig. Gen. E. M. Johnson, commanding the 77th Division. There will be special musical features. W. F. Hirsch, Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., will be Chairman of the dedication of the meeting.
William Fellows Morgan of the National War Work Council will also make an address.
WHEELS ALWAYS WHIRR IN CAMP PRINT-SOUP
Division’s Typographical Outfit Chose to Continue Ink-Slinging
Printer’s ink is a substance with a strange fascination which never diminishes. When it gets in the nostrils once its incense-like odor sticks forever. That is probably why all the men in the Division Printing Office, one of the most interesting spots—a peculiarly appropriate word when speaking of ink—on Headquarters Hill, voluntarily chose to continue their work with leads, slugs, types, chases, quoins and the rest of the typographical whatnot.
They are organized into one of the rightest, tightest little printing offices in this commonwealth barring noneso-ever, under the supervision of Lieut. L. H. Frohman, The equipment is capable of handling work through all its stages and includes stock cutting machine, complete type equipment press, perforater and stitcher. The work is all hand set and it is considerable in volume, general orders pass forms and many other division printing requirements being included. The office is at work ceaselessly and the organization is of a notably smooth running character.
306TH CHAMPIONS.
The 306th Infantry eleven won the Camp Upton football championship Saturday afternoon by defeating the hitherto unbeaten 302d Engineers team by a score of 7 to 0. The 306th team will represent Camp Upton in the inter-fort championship series. The feature of Saturday’s game, played in a building snowstorm, was the playing of Ritter of the Headquarters Company, who scored the touchdown, and Hayden, the diminutive and elusive quarterback of the winning team.
BISHOP TO SPEAK ON WAR.
The Rev. Dr. Luther B. Wilson, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the New York, who has been for several months in the war zone, will speak to Camp Upton men in the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium Saturday, Dec. 23. Some of his experience will be the basis of his address.
MEMBERS OF BRITISH MISSION AT UPTON
Bolton row, reading from left to right; Capt. H. W. Haserick, Essex Regiment; Capt. Noel Heaton, Welsh Regiment; Major H. P. Atkins, Leicester Regiment; Major R. F. Hayward, M. C., Machine Gun Corps; Capt. M. Brown, M. C., Army Gymnastic Staff.
Top row, reading from left to right; Sergt. Bradbury, Regiment; Quartermaster Sergt. Stone, Artist Rifles; Sergt. Davis, Royal Welsh Fusillers; Sergt. Major Covington, Army Gymnastic Staff; Sergt. Major Spraggin, King’s Own Scottish Borders.
Attached to the mission are Orderlies W. Riches, T. W. White, C. W. Haswell and J. G. Camp.
BONDS TO GET $40,000 AUDITORIUM FOR 367TH
Buffalo Regiment Has Unique Plan for Getting Themselves Big Hall—Also Have Welfare League
A regimental auditorium, built by a bond issue, is to be the unique possession of the 367th Infantry, Upton’s Buffaloes. Work has already been well advanced on the building, which will seat 5,000 and will be used for entertainments, “movies,” concerts, lectures and instruction, gymnasium, indoor target practice, social gatherings, religious worship, and other purposes.
It is estimated that the construction and equipment will cost about $40,000, to be raised by issuing bond. The bonds will be redeemed as far as possible from the profits resulting from the operation of the auditorium as a place of entertainment, the unredeemed balance being considered as a contribution. It is estimated that by charging a nominal admission, say ten cents, the net income will be about $350 a day. Already $8,000 worth of bonds have been taken out by the enthusiastic soldiery of this spirited regiment and $2,000 by the officers. There have also been bonds totaling $10,000 sold in New York and elsewhere to friends of the negro outfit, one man purchasing $5,000 worth.
“The Lord helps those who helps themselves,” however, and the dusky lads are not asking their civilian friends to build an auditorium for them, but are digging in and doing the lion’s—of rather buffalo’s—snare themselves. They have been showering with suggestions on money-raising their beloved commanding officer, Col. Jas. A. Moss, originator and promoter of the auditorium and other regimental movements. And their labor with pick and shovel have given the construction a big start. It is hoped that New Year’s Day will see a house-warming and entertainment in this Buffalo Stadium, located on Third Avenue, near Upton Boulevard.
Regiment Welfare League.
The 367th also has a Welfare League, whose Honorary President is Col. Roosevelt. The other officers are the Rev. H. C. Bishop, pastor St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Bronx, President; Capt. William B. Williams, Assistant Regiment Adjutant, Secretary; Dr. William Jay Schiefflin, Treasurer. The Welfare League aims to foster in the colored soldiers pride in their race, in their service and in their country, teaching them patriotism. It wants to supply the needs of the men in the regiment, seeing that they are provided with recreation, amusement and everything necessary for contentment and the developing of efficient soldiers. Dependents also will be looked after. Membership in the league is open to any one interested in the negro soldier. There are various classes of membership, as follows: Foundation, $500 or more; Honorary, $250; Class A, $100; Class B, $50; Class C, $10; Class D, $5, and regular membership, $1.
Coat-of-Arms.
The 367th has a coat-of-arms, not the least of the uses of which will be on the silver top of a swagger stick of imitation snakewood. The design of the coat-of-arms centres a buffalo head in a shield, back of which is the eagle and crossed guns. The regimental motto, “See It Through,” is at the top and “367th Regiment” at the bottom.
ACTUAL FIRING BEGINS ON NEW RIFLE RANGE WITH FINE SCORING
Fritzian Snipers Had Best Duck When Yaphankers Get Across.
Real firing on Camp Upton’s new rifle range, four miles north of camp, beyond the Middle Country Road, has during the last week added a warlike rattle to the intensive training. Three hundred targets were thrown open the first day and some remarkable scores were made by the marksmen, who trudged the distance with their Lee-Enfields. One ---, who said he’d never handled a gun before, had either the luck of a beginner or the makin’s of a sharp-shooter, who will give the Fritz snipers some of their own medicine. He made 49 out of a possible 50 at 100 yards. Most of the shots were either bullseyes or No. 45’s, Company B, 307th Infantry, shot 44 out of 50 at 300 yards, and the First and Second Battalions. 306th averaged 40 out of 50 at the same range.
French Officers Tell Men Here to Keep Smiling
Lieut. Picard Answers Hundreds of Questions Asked by Upton Soldiers.
“Keep on smiling” is the kernel of the message which Lieut. Jean A. Picard, late of the 13th Infantry, French Army, has brought to hundreds of Upton men during the past week. “Remember, we are to win, because we are right,” he assures further, and his words have taken a strong grip on the men here who are looking forward to France as holding for them the Great Experience. Following his talks, which have been in the Y. M. C. A. huts, interested questions were flung at him, and the keen sympathy evoked was evidenced by the queries.
On Aug. 7, 1914, three days after war began, Lieut. Picard, a Reservist, sailed from New York to join his regiment. He was in two years and a half from Aug. 20, his regiment taking part in the Marne, the Alsne and the Alsace affair. He was in the Field Hospital Unit during the latter part of his active service, receiving release because of disablement. Lieut. Picard is under commission from the National War Work Council, Y. M. C. A., and is speaking in all the training camps. He is enthusiastic over the spirit of the men in arms, which he says, is fine and wonderfully high throughout the country.
Lieut. Picard and Dr. Adolphe Cohs, a native Frenchman who was a volunteer in the France-Prussian war, were in Upton at the same time speaking on France. Dr. Cohn was former head of the Romance Languages Department, Columbia University. His subject was “Franc and the War.”
NEW K. OF C. SECRETARY.
Dennis McDonough of Dover, N. H. has been appointed Knights of Columbus Secretary at Camp Upton and will be assistant in Clubhouse No. 3.
JEWISH WELFARE BOARD BUSIED WITH ACTIVITIES
Festival of Chanukah Will Be Observed Here on Dec. 16—Hope to Be in Administration Building by Jan. 1.
The Jewish Board for Welfare Work at Upton is very much alive these days, what with the $5,000,000 campaign. Dec. 3-16, plans for the administration building coming into shape, and he regular activities of the Board increasing in scope and nature. Just at present, a celebration for the Festival of Chanukah is occupying attention. The Independent Order of B’nai B’rith, District No. 1, New York, is co-operating.
On Sunday evening, Dec. 16, at 7:30 o’clock, the festival will be observed with services in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium, to which every one, regardless of creed, is invited. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Schulman, Rabbit Temple Beth-E1, Fifth Avenue and 76th Street, New York, one of the best known reformed rabbis and Jewish scholars in the country, will speak. Rev. Simon Schlager, cantor of Temple Emanuel, New York, with choir and soloists, will have charge of the musical exercises. Chanukah is the festival which commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, and the re-occupation of the Temple at Jerusalem is remembered by candle-lighting, symbolizing the lighting of the temple lamps.
The Welfare Board hopes to be occupying the new administration building, which will be built at Fourth Avenue and 12th Street, by Jan. 1. It will be a centre for Jewish men, and will be open to all men of Camp Upton.
Among the board’s activities is the conduct of religious service every week, on Friday evening. At 7 P. M. a service is held in the Y. M. C. A., Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, and at 6:45 in the Y. M. C. A., Second Avenue and 14th Street. Prominent Jewish laymen and rabbis are secured for these meetings, for which congregations singing is also planned. Dr. Alexander Kohut, Executive Director, National Religious Department, Jewish Board for War Welfare, is handling the arrangements for speakers.
In last weeks Trench and Camp, the Young Men’s Hebrew Association Building, Lexington Avenue and 92nd Street, New York, was omitted from 9 A. M. to 11 P. M. to soldiers, and is equipped with showers, swimming pool and many other conveniences.
HAVE THE ATMOSPHERE.
The Hicks Jazz Band, with their headquarters, rehearsal rooms and booking offices in the Quartermaster’s Corps Barracks, presided over by Caot. Hooks, are playing to large houses at Camp Upton. Their orchestrations are elaborate; most of their novelty is due to the unusual assortment of instruments and the remarkable proficiency of the players. There is included in the instruments a harmonica, jewsharp, nose whistle, piano, banjo and baton. This last named instrument is particularly important. Harry Green wields it. The orchestra is rehearsed by Private Carroll. Another item in their success is the fact that they spare no effort toward obtaining “atmosphere.” They even sprinkle hayseed in hair and whiskers, but carry their instruments in handsome and costly leather eases.
HURRAH FOR ELMSFORD!
William T. Slover, Company F, 306th Infantry, wants his fellow-townsmen from Elmsford, Westchester County, who haven’t been home recently on leave, to know that the Old Town is still up there—and then considerable. For on Thanksgiving a service flag was floated and a tablet erected in Independence Park in appreciation of the service which the 56 Elmsfordians are performing in various branches of the service. Several Spirited Salvos od Elmsford—all together!
TELLS WHY WE ARE IN WAR.
“Why We Are in the War” has been told to Uptonites during the past week by one of the men in the country most able to discuss the underlying causes. William Howard Taft, with Dr. W. H. Slocum, now in the League to Enforce Peace, has spoken at two of the Y. M. C. A. huts, Second Avenue and 14th Street and Second Avenue and 11th Street. Dr. Slocum, was formerly President of the University of Colorado Springs, building it from practically nothing to a seven-million-dollar institution. He told to Upton soldiers some of the historical roots of the present conflict and was well received.
(IMAGE)
Cyprus.
(An Ode in Very Free Verse by an Upton Private.)
There are many men whose only attraction appears to be their lack of attractiveness.
Such a man is Cyprus;
Built in unshapeliness
Formed without a hint of summetry.
Touped with hair that should be lining a couch.
Possessed of eyes that no respectable
Chimpanzee would claim for its own.
Feet! Alas! That his greediness in the choosing of lef-ends should be so well advertised.
What warped lines there are in his massive legs!
And those hands that wave through the air like tropical palm trees;
How they throw fear into all who have felt the sting of a father’s punishing hand
Those who see him at first have a tendency to shrink from him, making sport of his awkwardness.
He wears no striped on hits O. D. coat-sleeves.
No silver badges dangle from his chest;
And it is said that back in Blissville Junction he controlled the destinies of a cool-wagen.
But.
What a song of happiness comes from that heart of his.
How many a merry quip passes that pair of thick lips.
As a golden, infectious smile surrounds them.
When his comrades were soul-tried and homesick, who was it lifted them to contentment?
Whose quaint philosophy has taught them to fear naught and to smile always?
Whose love of life wins admiration from all?
And when a time comes for soldiers to make their greatest sacrifice of self, who will act first?
Cyprus of Blissville Junction, to be sure.
Who will raise up a second Cyrpus, a third, a fourth, a fifth?
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
For a long time the vast amount of Y. M. C. A. stationary consumed by Carleston E. Fry, buglar for the K. Company, 307th Infantry, has been a matter of wonder. He has been addressing reams and reams of it, all to the same name, street and city. The mystery has unraveled itself, with Carleton’s beaming announcement that on Thanksgiving Day he went to this self-same address, in the company of a clergyman. We felicitate. Knowing Fry, we feel we are in a position to congratulate his bride and himself. Mrs. Fry was Miss Schermerhorn of Lake George, New York.
‘HIGHLIFTING IT’ LEADS TO REMARKS FROM T. ATKINS
The taste of Broadway which Uptonites got Thanksgiving Day still lingers, and especially with fifty boys of the Depot Brigade and a dozen from the 305th Ambulance Corps, who were entertained at Reisenweber’s, Columbus Circle. Dan Casler, popular musician of the brigade, secured the invitation. Everything from soup to nuts, with some depot filberts.
HATS OFF TO M. P.’S!
The Military Police are able to be congratulated on their wonderful record of handling nearly 28,6000 soldiers on pass over Thanksgiving without misunderstanding or mishap. They handled the difficult situation at the Upton Terminal and other outlet points absolutely without friction. One squad, under the charge of Lieut. Sola, did especially good work. They are all former members of the New York City Police Department, namely Private William H. Lutz, Private Charles Glassheim, and Acting Corporal Otto Siedentopf.
TOWNSPEOPLE AN SOLDIERS BECOME MORE ACQUAINTED
Some of the dream ravings of Company A men, heard in the wee small hours, are hereby set down; McKay. “The 15-ball is mine, who moved the pocket”; Humphrey’s, “Come up, Southern Pacific, come up, my fortune is made”; Horowitz, “I’ll tell the truth for my client, your honor, even if I have to lie”; Stark, “My only friend in the kitchen is handing out the salt, and I never use it”; Sample, “When I leave the camp I’ll say good-by”; Vath, “Give me shots enough and I can hit any target”; Corporal Chapin, “The war will be over soon. I never held a job over three months.”
Company A has a Biltmore mess, according to Willis R. Prince. Daily menus are printed and a copy left in each man’s letter box. Improvement suggestions are sought by the mess sergeant at weekly company meetings. A specimen menu, “selected at random,” contained such a startling assortment of food that it isn’t printed for fear it might cause a riot among Upton’s trenchermen. Such items as mayonnaise dressing, chicken giblets, Nabisco wafers!
“Union League Club” is a name to conjure with for Company B. The following six are still talking about the wonderful time there Turkey Day; J. J. O’Brien, Herbert Wolgin, Frank Barnett, James H. McConnell, James Powell, Thomas Cavanaugh, Corporal Frank Pendleton.
A great member of the 305th boys dined in New York Thanksgiving, but when they arrived back in camp wondered whether, after all, they didn’t get the worst of it. Company B, with Mess Sergt. Wennik and 1st Cook Sam Schwartz on the job, fared like princes, and had a few princesses besides. Pvt. Smilowitz had his bride of a few weeks and his sister with him. Capt. George Wrenn of Company E. presented a box of cigars with his compliments for the success of that outfit’s party, which was big,
Company D Small-Fire—“Slim” Freiburg has a “big” time in the city recently, he loves the large ladies; Corpl. Tom Mitchell, thinking New York was Hempstead, asked a cop on 34th Street the way to the Post Office; Corp. W. R. Starkey comes from Yonkers and is quite shameless about it; Frank Cristiano, first cook, is a popular man, and the boys assure him he’ll always be if he comes over with the food as heretofore.
Company E is proud of Sergt. Griebe, who represented the boys on the Division Football Team and has been making his force felt in the 305th aggregation. The Sergeant is all around when it comes to athletics.
Sergt. Irish at the Administration Building has been appointed “Central” for news for Trench and Camp. Every man in the place who has a “nose for news” is hereby ordered to report early in the week all things worth while.
The opening of the Post Exchange Tuesday evening was accompanied by a miniature “Inaugural Ball,” when several officers tripped the “light fantastic” for a few minutes, just to show that they had not forgotten how. Lieut. Smith and his men smiled on all who came and aggravated everybody to the limit by displaying a tempting line of “eats” and “smokes” and advising one and all that nothing could be sold until the next day.
The event of the week was promoted by the Knights of Hospitallers, Maxwell Klein Superintendent and promoter. It was the first general affair of the kind we have had at the base, and to say that it was thoroughly enjoyed would be to put it mildly. It was simply “devoured” by those present.
In spite of the fact that the affair was largely an impromptu “get-together” of the talent, the whoel thing was a credit to all who assisted in the production. Among the artists were Herman Wasserman, pianist; Gustave Willie, violinist; Fred Damron and Guy Kendall, alternating at the piano; Charles O’Dell, cello, and Henry S. Woodhead, drums. Vocal solos were rendered by Leo I. Ruggeri, Arthur B. Feeley and Harry J. Connors. The male quartet, composed of Feeley, Blake, Ruggeri and Guthro, made a clear hit and was repeatedly recalled. Connors’s rendering of the “Hawaiian Butterfly” captivated the crowd.
The occasion was graced by the Commandant of the hospital and his staff and all the nurses who could be relieved from duty. The limited quarters assigned to the Y. M. C. A. and the Post Exchange were crowded to the limit and the interest and enthusiasm was intense from the start to the finish of the two-hour programme. The piano furnished by the Y. M. C. A. is in constant use and is greatly appreciated.
OFFICER SCHOOL FILLED.
Many Upton men have declared themselves as candidates for black and gold hat cords through the courses in the officers’ schools which opens here Jan. 5, known as “officers’ training camp, third series.” From the applications received from Oct. 23 to Dec. 1, Captains have recommended 10 per cent. Of their command. From this list a board of officers named by the Commanding General selects 1.7 per cent. of the command, which will compose the school. The course of training runs until April 5.
JUNIOR LEAGUERS SING.
Miss Florence Kimball and Miss Annie Bussert, with Miss Santfoort as accompanist, were the Junior League’s contribution to the entertainment of the boys at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street on Saturday evening.
Miss Kimball needs no introduction to a New York City audience and Miss Santfoort’s playing places her in a high class. The entertainment that these three ladies presented was most enthusiastically received, and they were kept singing till after 9.30 o’clock, Miss Kimball has promised to come down again, boys!
‘I FEEL LIKE A CAGED LION I DO’
‘SO HIS IS PARIS?’
‘FRENCH? NO—TRENCH PASTRY’
‘FAIRLESS DOUGBANKS, THE PATCHOGE WILDCATE, RADY TO ‘KNONVK’ THE STUFFINGS OUT OF A GERMAN DUMMY.’
MATZIAN REEARQCH WHO GAINED TEN POUNDS IN TWELVE DAYS AND WRITES HOME FOR A BALE OF HERRING JUST FOR AN APPETIZER AND ATMOSTSPHERE’
‘FIASCO, THEREGIMENAL. VONCENHOUND, WHO WORE HIS LEFS SHORT FROM RETREATING UNDER BARRACKS STOVES’
‘WERE GOING TO HANG THE KAISER UNDER THE LINDEN TREE’
‘SIGMUND FACISH AND HIGGENBOTAN RHINEWINE—PLAYMATES FROM WAPPINGER FALLS—WHO DO LEFT DRESS—RIGHT, AND SQUADS RIGHT-WRONG’
‘IZZIE SHORT, FRON GROWNSVILLE, WHO SLEEPS LONG IN THE MORNING—HAS CALLOWS ON THE BACK OF HIS NECK, AND CORNS ON THE CALVES OF HIS LEGS’
-SHAP—1ST SERGT. CO I—306 Inf.
Indoor Athletics Get Packed House at “Y.” Auditorium
Will Be Continued Through Winter—Fine Card of Events.
The Y. M. C. A. auditorium was packed to the rafters for the first indoor athletics exhibition, given under the direction of the Division Athletic Council, and the affair was a huge go from the opening strains by the 307th Infantry Band till the whistle shrieked the finish of the Tiplitz-Fulton boxing bout. B. F. Bryant, Physical Work Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., was in charge of the affair. Members of the British and French Mission were honor guests and evinced keen interest in the proceedings. Two hundred officers of the division were present as special guests.
A splendid half hour band concert by the 307th Sousas was enthusiastically enjoyed as a musical preliminary. LeRoy Keisling, 302d Engineers, whose excellences in calisthenics has secured him the job of director of his outfit, gave a muscle posture exhibition, showing marvelous muscular development and control. The rug of war was one of the most interesting numbers, the 308th Infantry proving themselves superior. The first pull between the 305th and 306th Infantry Regiments was won by the former, while the 308th outyanked the 307th in the second. The final was the best two out of three between the 305th and 308th.
Private Wolfe, Thirteenth Company, 152d Depot Brigade, gave a contortionist act; Prof. Allen Smith, the jiu-jitsuing Scot and his “sparring partner,” Mr. Haneischt, kept the crowd on chair edge with an exhibition of the Japanese science, Smith securing the advantage of points in a wind-up go.
The boxing was fast, particularly the last two bouts in which Young Fulton took on Young Buckley and Tiplitz. Other arguments were; Sergt. Watkins and Sergt. J. L. Johnson, Company B, Medical Corps, 367th Infantry; Papas and Young White, Company A, 308th Infantry.
This was the first of a series of indoor affairs which will come probably every week during the winter.
BROOKLYN, OFTEN REVILED, COMING INTO ITS OWN
Drop Letter Rate to That Borough Not Increased by New Postal Charges.
For once in the troubled history of the human race it is found to be an advantage to come from Brooklyn. Many Upton men are wishing that they could change their home address and the addresses of their friends to points across the East River in “the greatest city’s greatest borough,” as advertised. For the new postal rate increase, which is causing more commotion than would an order to leave within an hour for France, doesn’t affect mail going from camp to any place in the same postal district. And, as Camp Upton is in the Brooklyn post office district, the advantages of hailing from that borough are apparent,
The increase on postage rates on firs class matter and postal cards became effective Nov. 2. By its provision letters and other first class matter (except drop letters) must have three cents for each ounce or fraction thereof.
A drop letter is one that is delivered from the post office at which it is mailed and the rate for it applies to all letters mailed in the district which includes Camp Upton, There is no drop rate on any kind of mail matter except letters. Postal cards for any address will be subject to two cents postage.
INFANTRY TEAMS TIE.
There are football games and football games =, but there has never been a grid struggle quite to match the nothing-all exhibition which the rival infantry outfits—the 305th and 306th—put up recently. There s a keen but altogether friendly feeling existing, and the twenty-two and more men who charged and tackled on the new 305th regimental field were out for results. Neither side succeeded, however, in getting a decision. The final score was 0 to 0.
A gaunt, ungainly private reading aloud to his comrades a letter just come from his mother which read in part: “I hope now that you have been appointed to kitchen police you will not fall to accord those beneath you the same respect you did when but a private.”
“AVIATION TEST” IN MOCK MEET; CO. 6, M. S. T. WINS
There was lots of “pep” in the mock athletic meet at the Upper J Y. M. C. A. recently. The first event was a turkey fight and though he had been fighting turkey all day long, Hatjekeos (cook), Compant 1, P. R. Bn., cleaned up his opponent in short order. Nabut, Company 6, M. S. T., and Islet, Company 5, 152 D. B., were also winners in this event. Next came some Japanese wrestling, Sergt. Moore, Company 6. M. S. T., engaging in a furious blindfolded battle with stuffed clubs with a masked wonder from the Casusals. Dutchson and Friedman. Of the Casuals, went to a draw in a Scrotch wrestling contest.
The card of the evening was a test for prospective aviators. All you had to do was walk (head down) eight times around a cane and then straight across the platform to a chair Of the 13 who were tried out, only four came through; Ciociola, Company 6, M. S. T.; Garfinkel, Q. N. Corps; Rints, Company 6, M. S. T. and Sergt. Howell, First P, R, Bn. Company 6, M. S. T. carried off first honors in the meet with 15 points, Company 1, P.R., Bn., was second, with 10, and Company 5, 152 D. B., and Quar. Corps, tied for thirs, with 5 each.
WARNING! CUT-THROAT FOUR!
Albert V. Woodacre, of Bakery Company No. 10, says that when he was an infant, he and his three baby brothers for the habit of crying in male quartets. Anyhow, no matter how it for started, the Woodacre brothers have had a lot of pleasure in standing beside each other and voicing sweet sounds to admiring audiences. Albert and his brother sang solos before a big crowd in the Y. M. C. A. and when the basso profundo descended to a final R-flat, the boys were summarily prompt in demanding more.
Private Helm, of the 308th Ambulance Company, is similarly blessed with a melodious set of vocal chords. He can whizz around among—the stars with his clear, high notes and can mix in on demand with most anybody’s harmony. Private Schilling, of the Military Police, Troop 2; Woodacre, from the Bakery Company No. 10; the aforementioned Helm and Walker of the Y. M. C. A. get together on occasion, and are rapidly becoming known as they “Cut-throat Quartet.”
BOOKS FROM BROOKLYN.
Brooklyn, through various agencies has been contributing to the store of books available as ammunition against dull care. Through the Queens Borough Library 2,000 books and two tons of magazines recently arrived. Encouragement was given the Brooklyn Woman’s Club efforts on “Library Day” by Theodore Christmas, late Upton Y. M. C. A. Secretary.
CO. B., 308, TRIUMPH IN BASEBALL GAME.
Company B, 308th Infantry, defeated Company C in a well played baseball match, with a score of 7 to 2 recently. The battery for the winners was Leddy, Monahan and Marcus. The feature of the game was the all around team work of the winners.
N. Y. A. C. DAY IS SUCCESS IN SPITE OF HEAVY PALL
N. Y. A. C. DAY RESULTS
Equipment Race, 150 Yards—Won by Private T. Carroll, Company K, 306th Infantry; Sergt. W. Cote, Headquarters Company, 304th Field Artillery, second; J. Goldman, Company D, 306th Infantry, third; G. Manson, Battery D, 306th Field Artillery, fourth; B. Rieff, Company I, 304th Machine Gun Battery, fifth. Time, 1.47.
100 Yard Dash—Won by Arthur Engels, Supply Company, 308th Infantry; J. Jones, Company E, 306th Infantry, second; I. Kahn, Company E, 30th Infantry, third; J. Duffy, Machine Gun Battery, 30th Infantry, fourth; G. Reich, Company I, 302 Engineers, fifth. Time, 0.11 4-5 seconds.
Hurdle and Obstacle Race—220 Yards—Won by S. Wallace, Battery F, 306th Field Artillery; J. O’Leary, First Company, First Provisional Receiving Battalion, second; C. A. Huleser, Machine Gun Company, 306th Infantry, third; O. Hauschild, Battery B, 306th Field Artillery, fourth; N. Chelekin, Company C, 307th Infantry, fifth. Time, 42 3-5 seconds.
Medicine Ball Race—Won by Company I, 30th Infantry; Company H, 306th Infantry, second; Battery F, 306th Field Artillery, third; Headquarters Company, 304th Field Artillery, fifth.
Rescue Race—Won by Sergeant and McCroy, Company E, 308th Infantry; Sonnenschein and Kehoe. Company F. 306th Infantry, second; Seto and Hunt, 306th Infantry, third; McCormick and Broderick, Company C, 306th Infantry, fourth; Walsh and Rejo, Machine Gun Company, fifth.
Hand Grenade Contest—Won by T. Peterson, Company K, 306th Infantry; Thomas Higgins, Company A, 307th Infantry, second; W. G. Upton, Company H, 307th Infantry, third; J. J. Collins, 2d Company, 1st Prov. Rec. Bn., 4th; J. Childe, Company E, 308th Infantry, fifth.
Flag Race—Won by 308th Infantry; 306th Infantry, second; Battery D, 306th Field Artillery, third; second team, 308th Infantry, fourth; 307th Infantry, fifth.
Cross Country
W. Furlong, 308th Infantry
9:22
Harry McGinn, 306th Infantry
9:27
J. Scarlata, 308th Infantry
9:34
M. Dwyer, 306th Field Artillery
9:36
R. Finlayson, 302d Engineers
9:41
J. Warose, 307th Infantry
9:42
R. Johnson, 308th Infantry
9:46
E. Kelly, 308 Infantry
9:47
H. Hubbard, Q. M. Dept.
9:48
L. Lieberwitz, M. G. Co., 304th
9:52
J. Goodyear, Co, M. 306th Inf.
10:00
A. Hampson, 306th Field Art.
10:01
S. Sirlier, 308th Infantry
10:04
J. O’Brien, 308th Infantry
10:10
A Goldberg, 302 Engineers
10:15
J. Heins, 306th Field Artillery
10:20
P. Lynch, 302d Engineers
10:23
J. Mann, 308th Infantry
10:25
J. Hanley, 307th Infantry
10:25
F. Rose, 302d Engineers
10:30
J. Murphy, M. G. Co., 308th Inf.
10:31
A McCarthy, 306th Field Art.
10:32
T. Peterson, 306th Infantry
10:40
C. Maltis, 308th Infantry
10:41
W. Onesta, 308th Infantry
10:42
F. Stefano, First Recruits
10:43
J. Erifino, 308th Infantry
10:44
J Huggins, 302d Engineers
10:45
J. Ruter, 306th Field Artillery
10:46
S. Stokel, 308th Infantry
10:47
E. Lancaster, 302d Engineers
10:48
M. Hess, 30th Field Artillery
10:49
J. Treake, 302d Engineers
10:49
J. Unock, 302d Engineers
10:49 2-5
J. Tiplitz, 306th Field Artillery
10:50
H. Bochart, 308th Infantry
10:51
J. Brun, 302d Engineers
10:52
D. Schwartz, 308th Infantry
10:53
ENGINEERS TO HAVE PART.
The 302d Engineers will stage a regimental affair Wednesday evening, Dec. 12. They have engaged the Y. M. C. A. auditorium.
Tar Smoke Excites Spectators at ig Affair, Largest Meet Yet.
The sky was overcast with a cloud much larger than the conventional “man’s hand” on New York Athletic Club Day, and a pall was over the local landscape which threatened for a time to eclipse that large affair. Not that there was any pro-German design to mar the biggest track meet ever staged in Suffolk County, but a lighted match and a few barrels of tar can cause a lot of excitement. When billowing black smoke rose from the vicinity of Upton Boulevard and cured itself over the scenery like a huge feather boa, the thousands of soldiers and visitors massed about the athletic field, at Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street, saw imminent doom to camp buildings. Most of them set out for the scene almost as fast as the 100-yard dash had been run, but, arriving, found that a shovel brigade of gallant “Buffaloes” had smothered the conflagration under sand, and the meet went forward to a merry finish.
It was the largest of the many huge-proportioned events staged in Upton’s history, and every officer and rookie in camp is loud in praise of the Mercury Foot organization, the N. Y. A. C., which was responsible, furnishing $500 worth of prizes—wrist watches, cups, military hair brushes, etc.—and backing the meet in every way.
There were over a thousand men entered, and yet it was run with such smoothness, that the largeness of the task wasn’t noticed. Messrs, Glick and Bryant, Paul H. Pilgrim, N. Y. A. C., officiating as clerks, with a competent array of inspectors, handled the affair.
As to the competition itself there was the military dash in every event, no running togs being allowed. The events were twin brothers to the exercises which the 77th Division boys will have “Over There.” Arthur Engel, Supply Company, 308th Infantry, who has carried the Mercury Foot of the N. Y. A. C. to victory, was probably the individual star of the affair, taking the 100-yard affair in fast time. W. Furlong won the cross country. In this event the men lost the trail and id a mile and three-quarters instead of five miles. The 306th scored most points with 57 points, while the 308th was a good second with 34.
Q. M.’S HAVE THEATRE PARTY.
Two hundred men of the Quartermaster Corps enjoyed a theatre party recently, being guests of Klaw & Erlanger at the Knockerbocker Theatre, where Eleanor Painter held down in “Art and Opportunity.” The party, made up of men from the three companies, was in charge of Capt. P. E. Walker, Capt. Cecil Hooke, and First Lieut. Crinkhite.
PG. 8
304TH ARTILLERY MEN COMING WITH SHOW
Will Sponsor Big Benefit at 44th Street Theatre, Dec. 16.
Major Lewis Sanders has been hard at work for the past week or so getting all the details into shaped for the big Artillers Show which is scheduled for the Fourth-Fourth Street Theatre, New York, Dec. 16. It will be the regimental benefit and proceeds will go for the regimental fund. “Davy” Jones, nephew of Sam Bergard, who is a member of the outfit, has been prominently concerned in lining up big Broadway stars, and his famous uncle will be the presiding officer. Besides this Big League talent there will be number by Upton Talent.
The artillerymen are determined that nothing thus far given as a benefit by Upton regiments will come up to this large affair,
THIS MACH. GUN CO., 307, KNOWS HOW TO DINE.
The various dinners and celebrations that featured Camp Upton Thanksgiving Day attracted a lot of attention in the newspapers of the city owing to the quantity, quality and variety of the viands served, but it is doubtful whether any of the celebrations were as much of an all-around success as the Thanksgiving dinner of the Machine Gun Company, 307th Infantry. The dinner was held Friday evening, permitting the entire company to attend, and, with the aid of cider cocktails, selected musical acts, impromptu speeches and other spontaneous aides of the Old General Hilarity, the proverbial “good times” was outstripped, outclassed and outgeneraled.
None of the trimmings of the finest dinners along the Gay White Way were neglected for this affair. There were fanciful souvenir menu cards, donated for the occasion, appropriate decorations, an imposing toastmaster, and quantities of food. What the boys couldn’t eat they wisely took away with them and saved until such times as the sensation of being stuffed wore off.
The menu: Oysters half shell, fruit cocktail, mock turtle soup, celery, olives, almonds, roast turkey with berry sauce, asparagus, peas, ice cream, cake, pie, nuts, fruit, chocolate, coffee, cigars and cigarettes. Tommy Greene, cook, with assistants, was voted most popular. George Flood, First Sergeant; Corp. McDonald, company clerk, and several others shared the popularity honors and upheld their reputation as princes of blood—and the Machine Gun Company.
“VIC” SHOULD JOIN THE UNION.
Ralph Walker, C section Y. M. C. A., says: “Our Victoria, should belong to the musicians’ union. It is somewhat overworked. Not that we complain about it; not at all; we all enjoy the fine assortment of records as much as the fellow who cranks it up for the next disc. But, under the needs of fifteen hours continuous performance, we ran out of needles, needle-less to say. We happily hasten to say that Lieut. Haas, on hearing of out difficulty, immediately ordered for us 5,000 new needles. Let’s see; that will play of course, 5,000 records once. Most of these will be four minute records. Twenty thousand miniutes! And 333 hours and 20 minutes left over. Very nearly fourteen days and night. Zounds!”
SUNDAY HUT CONCERTS; 305TH F. A. PUT ON ONE.
Sunday afternoon concerts are getting to be quite the thing in the Y. M. Huts about camo, and large crowds of visitors have been enjoying the programme offered. Many secretaries are planning to import high grade professional talent from New York to regale the Sabbath sojourners.
Sergt. Major Frank Gibb, 305th F. A., was responsible for the one at the Artillery Building recently. Miss Pauline Curley of Boston and Ricardo Bonneli of the Creators Opera Company, New York, were the entertainers Gibb offered, and their programme had a large appeal.
TALENT AT “C” Y. M.
Some real theatrical talent has come into the light at the Section C, Y. M. There is Henry Burton and Harry Klein, Quartermaster Corps; Chris Klittgard, M. O.; Asplin, 305th Field Hospital; Harry Goldberg, 302d Engineers, and others of high rank. These chaps are old minstrel, stock company and vaudeville stars. Charlie Dune, M. P., is a notable figure, having written sketches, won several ring bouts and carried off other honors.
SPOTLIGHT TO FOCUS ON UPTON PLAYS
Two One-Act Plays and Big-Time Vaudeville Carded.
Friday evening, the fourteenth that’s when the spotlight will focus for the first time on the Camp Upton Players, the amateur theatrical club which has undertaken a series of one-act plays to be put on in the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium during the coming season.
“Peace Manoeuvres,” by R. H. Davis, and “The Bishop’s Candlesticks,” a dramatized excerpt from “Les Miserables,” in which Hackett once starred, are the initial offerings. Between these there will be “A Night in a Cabaret,” presenting the best vaudeville talent to be found in camp.
The task of coaching the players has been capably handled by Lieut. L. H. Frohman. Dan Caslar, Dillingham’s orchestra of Broadway quality.
Those assigned to parts are: Bruce A. Ludgate jr., Ordnance Detachment; Thomas B. Clephone, Company B, 330th Machine Gun Battalion; Jacob Deubert jr., Company B, 305th Machine Gun Battery; J. E. Goldstein, Company C, 306th Infantry; L. V. Higgins, Company M, 308th Infantry; S. B. Backlar, 305th Sanitary Detachment; M. W. Harris, Ordnance Field Department; John Laloin, Medical Corps, 307th Infantry; Stuart B. MacNaught. Charles K. Gordon, Company B, 302d Sanitary Corps; Louis Frank, Compny F, 308th Infantry. Special Scenery is being built in New York for the performance, which gives promise of being real Big Town Stuff.
DOUBLE THANKSGIVING RECORD OF CO. H, 308TH
Company H, 306th Infantry, has the honor of tacking soething of an innovation to the official Thanksgiving Day proclamation. They observed the refular Thanksgiving, and went it one better by having a double feast day, the second coming on Friday, or, till Friday, when the company roster would be full. But Sergt. Straus and Lieut. Harcout cooked up a surprise on the sixty-five men left in the command and is an hour or so had a regular turkey on the proper day, with sliced oranges, maraschino cherries, cranberry sauce, celery and celery salad, ice cream, pie, coffee, candy and cigarettes.
Through the company piano player, Private Todd and Lieut. Gaston of Company E, whose men Todd was helping entertain in their barrack, the E boys united, and the rest of the evening sailed along with the combined crews. E brought their refreshments which topped off a wonderful program. Some of the participants were Clark, H. Q., 367th Infantry; Petti, Company H, 308th; Carlock, Company H, 307th; Phillipi Del Duca, Company E, 308th; Musto, Company E, 308th; boxing, Russo vs. Pisano. A string orchestra was a feature, the personnel being as follows: Tresham, leader, Kelley, Eilerston, Dermody, Hersch, Tieman, Steffens and Wooley of Company B,302d Engineers; Donney, McKeou, Berwind, Copmany G, 302d Ambulance Transport; Walker and Schenk, Company A, 302d Engineers; Blackwell and Fauls, Company G, 308th Infantry. The party was unanimously declared “the jolliest Thanksgiving ever spent,” which is some declaration.
“BATTERY NIGHT” FOR C.
The “Battery Nights” in the artillery section was waxing in popularity. Recently Battery C, 305th, treated officers and men to an exceptional programme of music and boxing. The regimental band figured in the programme, which also included peerless brand entertainment from Dave Jones, Battery D, 304th Field Artillery; Walter Shirley and Jack Waldron, both Battery C, 305th Field Artillery; Private Liebling, 305th Field Artillery; Austin Mack and O’Hara at the pianoforte, with great effect. The boxing, especially the argument between Erchman and Gribben, was good, Knethel-Marcus and Goldstein-Bergen being the other set-tos.
FIRST FORMAL DANCE.
To Company B, 307th Infantry, goes the honor of putting over the first formal dance at Camp Upton, with invitations, chaperones and the rest. It was Wednesday of last week and their “million dollar” club-barrack dressed gayly for the affair to which girls from surrounding towns and such suburbs as Brooklyn and New York were invited. Capt. Blanton Barrett’s men are there on the treading act, and with the aid of real jazzers from the 367th, the p. m. was certainly big, An army mess was served the guests. In charge of the affair was the following committee; Sergeants D. H. Rose, Arthur T. Krombauch, Anthony J. D. Maggle, Corporal Howard F. Roeding and Private Julius Klausner.
THOSE UKELELE STRAINS!
Charley K. Gordon, private in Company B, 302d Field Signal Battalion, 16th Street and Third Avenue, is Upton’s unofficial professor of Ukelele. He has been initiating his mates into the secrets to pass them further. Charley has a musical instrument agency and can get splendid terms on “ukes” especially, but in any other stringed instruments—mandolins, guitars, banjos, &c.
306TH WINS, 13 TO 3.
The basket tossers from the 306th Infantry proved superior to a five from the 305th in a game at the Knights of Columbus auditorium, the final score giving them a lead of 13 to 3. Games are staged almost nightly in the K. of C. building, which has a splendid floor, made into a basketball court by erecting cages on standards at either end.
HEAR DR. RAINSFORD.
Capt. Thomas of Division Headquarters was in charge of the arrangements which brought D. George S. Rainsford, former rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church, New York, to Camp Upton during the past week. Dr. Rainsford spoke to officers of the division in the Y. M. C. A. auditorium.
ARTILLERY SHELL SHOCK.
The artillery boys are proving themselves highly effective with entertaining 75’s at the Artillery “Y” hut these days. In a recent programme Private Kelley and Corpl. Griffin brought the house down with nonsense shrappel. Sergt. Bibb and Private Fowler played from Tschalkowsky’s Nutcracker suite with fine effect, while the Dixie Ministries put on an exceptional bit of dancing and patter much appreciated.
Through the courtesy of W. A. Erday and H. Q. Company, 306th F. A., the great motion picture drama, “The Whip,” was recently enjoyed at the “Y.” Private Luerk made an efficient Chairman, and the following officers should added their presence to the affair: Col. L. S. Miller, Major Smith, Capt. H. S. Duell, Capt. A. H. Tomes, Lieut. Lawrence and Lieut. W. W. Jarrell.
Battery F, 306 F. A. received hearty congratulations for the success of their Dedication Night affair. Many of the officers accepted the invitation to be present and expressed themselves as highly pleased. Private Panzer deserves credit for the performance, which was distinguished by some admirable stage effects. Chef Seliner showed that he can sing as well as handle he skillet, rendering a selection from “Rigoletto,” “Sweetheart” and “Joan of Arc.” Panzer and Ginemann gave a comedy aerobatic act and Sol. Wolf’s Prison Sketch went big.
Capt. Starbuck, assisted by Private Jack Waldron-Kestonbaum, led Battery D, 305th F. A., over the top in a wonderful programme at the Green Hut. Col. Doyle and Lieut. Col. Stimson headed a delegation of officers. Some fast boxing bouts proved to be gallantly disputed, the line-up being Becker against Boyd, Favish against Koch and Palmer against Orlando. The regimental band was in fine form and delighted with its accompanying and concert offerings. The numbers on the programme were uniformly high grade and contributed to a bill which might well cause Hammerstein to bow his head submissively. They were: Monologue, Patterson; songs by Walter Shirley; piano solos by Herman Wasserman; original sketch and songs by Jack Waldron-Kestenbaum; “nut stuff” by MacManus; songs by Willis Lee, basso; reading Sergt. Peters; monologue and songs by Dave Jones; appropriate remarks by Capt. Starbuck.
As ministrels, the H. Q. Co., 305th F. A., has few if any equals as was proved by the performance recently given by the company’s “Recreation Association.” The programme follows: Overture, 305th F. A. orchestra; interlocutor, Sergt. Charles E. Hughes jr.; assembly, company; song, Corpl. Schweitzer; trombone solo, Private L. Schmidt; nonsense bits, Private Kelley and Corpl. Griffin; ballad, Corpl. Duffy; impersonation, Private Mitchell; classic duet, Sergt. Bibb and Private Fowler; monologue, Private Stack; songs, Private Shirley; Joe Welches, Private Levine; pianologue and songs, Kelley and Cronin; finale, entire company.
306TH MINISTRELS PLAN BIG DRIVE. N. Y. OBJECTIVE
“Radcliffe Club” of Headquarters Company Will Shuffle at Ansonia.
Plans are on the simmer in the 306th Infantry for a big regimental ministrel show which will be something of a rarer sort than anything yet seen hereabouts. Col. Vidmer, the commanding officer, has expressed enthusiastic accord with the idea and sanctions the probability of winding up the ministrels’ career with a New York engagement. Three performances in the regimental environs and one in the Y. M. C. A. Auditorium will proceed the Gallop into Gothum.
There are some stars on the 306th string that will take that village by the cars. The Jazz Band is up in the lead so far, while the 306th is also the evacuation base of the Upton Four, now known in approximately seven counties. Al Wagner, cabaret piano player without a peer; Walter Heckman, tenor, whose voice has no roof, and others similar salubrity are among those will compose the minstrels. A committee representing each company in the regiment is hard at work on the affair.
To Tread at Ansonia.
Christmas Eve may be booked generally as a night when not a creature will be stirring, not even a mouse; but in the Ansonia Hotel, New York, there will be a far different atmosphere. On that evening the Radcliffe Club, the social organization (with the accent on the “the”) of Headquarters Company, 306th Infantry, is to put on a dance in that holster, and the dough boys who are working it up plan to make it an epochal affair in the foot-shuffling annals of Greater New York.
MOTOR SUPPLY TRAIN SUPPLIES ALL RIGHT; GOOD ENTERTAINMENT
Motor Truck Company, No. 364, of the Motor Supply Train, staged a most interesting programme in their barracks recently. The audience was unanimous in the opinion that this show far surpassed anything yet staged at Camp Upton. The programme was arranged by Abraham Krauss and consisted of the following numbers:
“Wandering Musicians,” Private Mascarti and Macri, mandolin and guitar; The Original “Daffydill Peter” Corvo, imitations of well known comedians; Upton’s renowned tenor William Oettinger, new and old popular songs; the famous character comedian, Abraham Krause, impersonations of Big Time stars; Max Paitchel, the latest ballads; Private Billy Mack, M. T. Company No. 361, “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” and “Hunk of Tin”; the human nightingale, Phil Schueman, M. T. Company 359, whistling. There were three fast bouts by the following exponents of the manly art; Morrison and Levy, Archer and Conhans, and Vraun and Vaught. The entertainment was attended by Capt. Hurst, commanding the traiu; Lieut. Cushing, adjutant; Lieut. Cassals, Company 362; Lieut. Easterly, Company 361, and Lieut. Livingston, Company 359.
The 407th M. S. T. is to have a big time at the Upper J Y. M. C. A. building. Fourteenth Street and Second Avenue, Thursday, Dec. 13, when at the suggestions and by the aid of Lieut. Easterly a variety show will be staged. Each of the six companies comprising the train will contribute two acts. Private Kraus is managing the affair and promises that the best talent shall be picked by a regular selective draft. The feature of the evening will be a boxing bout with Willie Jackson of New York meeting his sparring partner, Joe Steers, in a three round affair. Sergt. Charles Huff, Casual Barracks, is responsible for bringing these fighters here.
SPARE PARTS FROM DEPOT BRIGADE.
The formation of the new Provisional Recruit Battalion has taken the remnants of the brigade back into the “K” section, as the poet would say: “All that was left of them, left of 600.” Lieut. Rudolph is one of the officers in this battalion and is doing great work in developing the esprit de corps of the company. They are planning to have weeks, staging their shows at the Y. M. C. A. hut in their section. The boys have been rehearsing almost every night for the past wee for their next show. One of the features of these “nights” is the singing of popular choruses by the men, and the vim nd “pep” they put into their vocal efforts demonstrates the fact that they are getting into this war game with every ounce of enthusiasm and “snap” in them.
WM. H. TAFT LAUDS Y.M.C.A. FOR WORK AMONG SOLDIERS
Ex-President Given Rousing Reception by Men-Makes Two Addresses
Former President William Howard Taft formally dedicated the new Y.M.C.A. Auditorium here Saturday night and was accorded a most rousing welcome by thousands of officers and men who were able to crowd their way into the giant structure.
Mr.Taft paid glowing tribute to the Y.M.C.A. for its work for the soldiers here and abroad. He said he had observed the work with great interest and gratification and realized that it was of the first importance, being of immense benefit to the men and nation alike.
W.F. Hirsch, General Y.M.C.A. Secretary at camp Upton, presided at the dedicatory exercises and made a brief address. Dr.John P. Munn, representing the National War Work Council, also made a short address, as did Gen. Evan M. Johnston, Acting Divisional Commander, who expressed his appreciation of the work association is doing for the soldiers at Upton.
Former President Taft also spoke at a meeting in the auditorium Sunday morning. He drew an indictment against Germany in legal fashion and told of the Teutons' violation of practically every doctrine of international law. His address explained why the United States is at war with Germany.
Mr.Taft spent Saturday night in camp as the guest of Gen.Johnston and Mrs. J. Franklin Bell at the Commanding General's residence.
"LONELY SOLDIER" HAS PLENTY OF CHANCES TO LOSE HIS LONELINESS
Letters Constantly offer Good Things-Godmothers League.
There is no need for Upton men to be lonely at Christmas or any time. And there should be no necessity for any man, no matter how scanty his list of corresponding friends, to see mails come and go, leaving him out. The only thing the soldier has to do when he experiences a strange feeling of neglect stealing over him is to hook up with one of the agencies through which corresponding friendships are made with Gloom Dispellers. And the beauty of it is the G.D.'s are feminine!
Letters are received daily by Y.M.C.A. secretaries. Knights of Columbus and Jewish Welfare Board workers from fair creatures who are anxious to "adopt" Lonely Soldier. This adoption privilege carries with it certain attractive gratuities-boxes of goodies, letters, newspapers and garments. B.F. Bryant, physical director Y.M.C.A., has several letters which he is looking up, one asking for thirty names of men who are willing to be kidnapped with kindness, and scores of others are received through various sources.
Then there are the godmothers. The American Godmothers' League has written to the office of the Jewish Board for Welfare, asking for a list of the men who feel lonesome and would like to receive letters, &c., from some of the good people of New York.
MEN AT UPTON HAVE ADEQUATE CLOTHING SAYS GEN. JOHNSON
Acting Divisional Commander Issues Statement Contradicting Rumor
Regarding the comment made in Washington in which it was stated that there is a shortage of equipment in camp, Brig-Gen. E.M. Johnson, commanding the 77th Division, has issued the following statement: "The statement that there is not sufficient clothing for the men or that the shortage of blankets exsists is not correct. The men are well supplied with blankets and there is sufficient clothing to clothe the command."
No more verification of this statement is needed then aa trip around camp and conversations with the hundreds of well-cared-for enlisted men of this division.
RIFLE RANG BUSY PLACE.
The troops of the division who use the rifle rang, shoot in two groups, rallying at the range on alternate days, as follows: First day, 305th Infantry, 307th Infantry and 302d Engineers; second day, 306th Infantry, 308th Infantry and 302d Engineers. The two hundred targets are divided, twenty to the Engineers and ninety each to the two infantry outfits shooting. Rifle firing goes forward without cessation. There is practice everday except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Some fine scoring is noted, the Engineers claiming to have a rookie marksman who makes 50 out of 50 on the hundred-yard range with regularity.
ACTUAL FIRING OF ARTILLERY THRILLS WHOLE 77TH DIVISION
Barrage Work, With Attacking Infantry, to Come Later.
The entire division was thrilled by the first heavy gunfire from the "heavies" when sure 'nuf "grannies" were unlimbered at the range the other day. The practice was begun by the 305th Field Artillery, using a battery of three-inch field pieces and firing full regulation shrapnel charges at a distance of 2,000 yards, Lieut.-Col. Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of War, was the observation officer in the advance post. Each gun crew of each battalion fired a round, while the big crowd which had braved the bitter breezes of Long Island in winter cheered the lads who are to "cover" the division's battle operations when they get to "Somewhere."
Hits on the wooden target brought great cheers from the assemblage, five seconds or more elapsing between the firing and the burst of shrapnel. Every day will see firing on the range and later on barrage work, with attacking infantry, probably will be practiced. Upton is one of the most fortunate of the camps, having thousands of acres in the artillery range, allowing all types of gun practice. Although the heavier pieces are not yet available the elementary training can be satisfactorily carried out with the three-inch pieces.
"WILL S.CLAUS BRING PASS?" IS QUESTION UPPERMOST NOW
Small Per. Cent. Left in Camp at Yuletide Will have Stockings Well Taken Care of.
Anticipation of the Yuletide season, the first khaki Christmas for Upton's soldiers, is uppermost in he minds of men here, and conjecture is rife as to what the bearded gent has in store. The principal concern is regarding Christmas leave and whether or not Santa Claus is traveling Uptonward with a pass.
It has been stated "On the Hill" that 70 per cent. of the command will come in for a four-day Christmas leave, from Saturday Dec. 22, till Wednesday morning, the 26th. This will also hold for New Year's, the following week.
The 30 per cent. left in the cantonment will no lack. There will be a Christmas trees in the barrack, Y.M. Hut and K. of C. Clubhouse, with special programmes, distribution of gifts and Christmas sing songs. On the night before Christmas a mammoth of Carol Sing will be staged in the Y.M.C.A., auditorium, with special musical features by prominet artists. Everything, from holly to blazing Yule log, will be provided the lads in the division who are not able to get o their homes. Many soldiers have expressed a desire, strange as it may seem, to see what a "camp Christmas" will be like, and a numer of parties on New Yorkers have signified their intention of spending the day in camp, sharing joys with the 77th's men in training.
CAMP'S MILITARY LIBRARY WILL BE WITHOUT A PEER
Building to Have Opening Soon- 50,000 Volumes Here.
A military referance department, more completely equipped than that of any camp library in the country, will be one of the distinctive features of Camp Upton's library, the central building for which is well on the way to completion. Considerable material for the department will be borrowed from libraries in New York and Albany, with a large assortment of the books a part of the permanent equipment here.
Although Upton's book building is not yet ready for occupancy, the library work, distribution of books, has been heavy. There are now upward of 15,000 volumes in circulation here, 5,000 of them being in the barracks libraries. The central building a one-room structure, 40 by 120 feet, will be a distributing centre for the Y.M.C.A.'s K. of C. buildings and barracks, with 10,000 books on its own shelves. There will be 50,000 volumes in camp when the organization is swung full. Each barracks has a 100 volume library of its own. A library in the new Officers' Club will be supplied from the central branch.
A permanent staff of three men will be in charge of the library work here, Frank L. Tolman being Permanent Camp Librarian and Galen W. Hill Organizer. Their endeavor will be, according to Mr. Tolman, who has been here for some time, to give as good library service as in any city in the country. The War Library Service of the American Library Association, working under the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, operates the library for this and other camps, the books being collected through centres in the various cities and towns.
Family Pride in 305th
The services rendered Camp Upton and to the National Army by such affairs as the entertainment recently given by the 305th in the New York Hippodrome cannot be estimated. To present before the eyes of those whose hearts and minds are constantly with the men in training a cross-section of the camp life, to present the embodiment of progress made, to communicate the spirit pulse-beat of this wonderful new army-such accomplishments have incalculable significance. New York had Camp Upton in its bosom as a training unit for a week. Her sons were able to show interested citizenry just how effectively they can become trained and accustomed to arms. And the final burst of the mammoth Hippodrome spectacle fired loyalties which cold print of training camp reports cannot do.
Upton is proud of the 305th, of Lieuts. Schuyler and Loughborough, and their able staff of executives of the song writers and band. It shares with that regiment the family pride a division in a big piece of service, and rejoices in the success which will give the regiment its gymnasium and drill hall.
FREE PACKAGE SERVICE.
The free express package service which has been established between Upton and New York is proving most valuable to the officers and enlisted men, and large numbers of parcels are carried in each direction everyday. Packages for New York are received at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Upton Boulevard, where a receipt is given, where also the packages may be secured which have been sent from the city. Persons sending from New York leave packages at No. 1916 Broadway, between 63d and 64th Streets, where receipt will be given. The Maxwell Motor Car Company is acting as transporting agent. Arrangements were made with them by the New York American.
BUGLERS IMPROVE.
There was a time when Upton's buglers hadn't quite the smooth edged, sterling silver, 16-carat quality to do their playing which now makes taps at 11-o'clock tonal classic. During those earlier days it was customary to shout at the energetic trumpeter when he essayed reveille. "Hey, cut out the practice; we wanna sleep."
SERGEANTS WHO SING
"Mansfield's Merry Moppers" is not the name of a head line act from the Palace, but is merely the appellation applied to the trio of sergeants from the First Company-Emerson, Suttin an Beck-who were detailed to clean up the Y.M.C.A. one morning, and who did it to the accompaniment of "All de woild wull be jails of me'-he-ee!" and similar gems of opera, strummed on the piano by the Sergt. Major Mansfield. We like to meet sergeants who sing.
NOTABLES IN CO. G.
Co. G. one of the 307th's crack out fits has such notables on its roster as 1st Sergt. James Corey, Buglers Fitzgerald, Lynch, Owens and Leonard. Private Fitzgerald wake up in the morning with a "Bright Song on His Lips," Private Owens with the "Gimmies" and 1st Sergt. Corey with fatigue "For Dig Duty."
IS TWOFOLD ARTISIT.
Joseph D'Ambrosio can lay claim to being to being an artist in two lines. Any member of the Q.M.C. corps can tell you he is a tonsorial artist of marked ability. In company with his friend Peter Papasgeorge of the Motor Truck Company, and his guitar. Joe has proved his musical artistry. Papasgeorge is an accomplished mandolinist.
HEROS AT HERO LAND.
Some of Upton's live heroes made Hero Land in Grand Central Palace worthy of its name on Scotch-Irish Day this past week, when a band of over a hundred pieces from here and a military chorus were featured as big numbers. The lads acquitted themselves with fine credit to the camp and themselves.
W.G. BOYLE, ASSOCIATE SEC'Y, FIRST UPTON "Y" MAN TO GO OVER THERE
Camp Upton's first Y.M.C.A. man to leave for work overseas will embark Dec. 19, when Walter G Boyle, Associate Camp Secretary, Religious and Social Worker Director, sails for France. Mr. Boyle's work in this camp has been noteworthy and associates and the men and officers with whom he has been in contact feel sure that he will make a large contribution to the Y.M.C.A. work "over there."
The task of building out of nothing the Upton Y.M.C.A. plant has been an achievement in which the departing Secretary has generously shared. He was on the ground when the first entrenchments were dug in the summer, and has headed charge after charge over the local "Y" top, personally overseeing much of the building work.
Mr. Boyle came here from Eastern District Y.M.C.A., Brooklyn, where he was Religious Worker Secretary. The General Secretary of that branch has also been an associate of Mr.Boyle here, Mr. W. Hirsch, Camp Secretary. The department of Mr. Boyle for foreign work interrupts between the two men a working fellowship of nine years. At a meeting in the Hut, at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, Mr. Boyle made a farewell address, wishing the work here godspeed. His efforts religiously have resulted in the formation of "Inner Circles" by e in each camp barrack. Catholics, Jews and Protestants uniting thus for "clean thought, clean speech and character building."
F.W. Murtfeldt, Religious Secretary in the Hut at Second Avenue and 14th Street, has been recommended for service abroad and will probably leave soon.
THREE DAY RUN OF HIGH GRADE ENTERTAINMENT
302d Engineers' Concert, Upton Players and Symphony, at Y Auditorium.
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The Y.M.C.A. Auditorium has had a three-day run during the past week of the sort of high grade entertainment which is planned to present during the winter, with a 302d Engineers' regimental entertainment, the Upton Players and Walter Damrosch's Symphony Society.
The Engineers' entertainment was in honor of Col. C.O. Sherrill and was attended by the Engineers in a body, headed by their band. A splendid programme was presented, featuring Eleonora de Cisneros, Metropolitan Opera Company, whose brilliant work captivated the Uptonians. Miss Ethel Burden, soprano, Miss Winifred Gray Gracie, impersonator and story teller and Edwin Hughes, pianist, were on the programme for numbers.
Real scenery, costumes and Belasco-like acting marked the first appearance of the Upton Players, coached by Lieut. L.G. Frohman. They presented two one-act plays as the opene for a dramatic season which promises well.
On Friday evening Walter Damrosch's Symphony Society, with seventy pieces gave the following HaSpangles Banner, Aida March (Verdi); Overture Oberon (Weber); INtermezzo and Toreadors (Bizet); Largo from New World Symphony and Rakoczy March (Bedlioz); Allegretto from Symphony No. 8 (Beethoven); Blue Danube Waltz (Strauss). George Engles, Symphony Mananger, arranged the concert.
MUSICALE ENJOYED.
The mid-week musical of the 2d and 14th "Y." was greatly enjoyed last week by those who attended. Miss Kathryn Platt Gunn and company of Brooklyn furnished the evenings programme. Miss Gunn rendered several violin solo's her most popular number being Kreisler's Caprice Viennois. The programme also included several contralto and baritone solos. After the men had had their treat, the programme was repeated before an appreciative group of officers.
FORMER UPTON MEN ARE BECOMING FOND OF GORDON
That Upton men who have been "ordered South" are getting on well and finding other camps almost as much to their liking as Upton, "first love." the following excerpt from a letter seems to indicate:
"I must confess that I like Camp Gordon in many ways almost as much as I did Camp Upton. I cannot make any complaint whatsoever as to things here."
Every mail brings letters from the boys who have gone, attesting to the fine comradeship's which the National Army makes possible.
302D ENGINEERS.
Hats off to 306th!
The wind, snow and rain Saturday afternoon Dec. 8th, could not chill the enthusiasm of the large crowd of spectators gathered to see the football game between this regiment and the 306th Infantry. Nor did it affect the spirits of the warriors, for it was a hotly contested game from start to finish. The teams were evenly matched and only in the last two minutes of play were the decisive points scored. The Engineers lost gamely by a score of 7 to 0 in favor of the Infantry. This was the second time that the gridiron warriors of these two regiments met. The first game was won by the Engineers, 10 to 0. The game Saturday was played for the championship of the division. We take our hats off to the 306th Infantry, but we are very proud of our own team. They fought hard and were full of spirit.
Engineers' Range Work.
During the past week the 302d Engineers have been making a great record on the range, during the preliminary shooting for officers and non-coms. The scores are exceptional, considering that 65 per cent. of the men never handled a rifle before coming to camp. The companies are so well balanced that only one, Co. D. led in scoring two days, Co. F, Co.A., Co. B. and Co. C. each leading once. The averages for the regiment are as follows: Bulls-eye target, slow fire 19.8 out of 25 possible; head and shoulder target, slow fire, 56.7 per cent. qualified; rapid fire, 12.5 per cent. qualified.
Company E Theatre Party.
On Wednesday evening Dec. 12, the men of Company E had a very enjoyable trip to New York. Capt. LaFetra, Company Commander of Company E, arranged the theatre party at the
Two Unofficial Chaplains.
For some time the regiment has been without Chaplain. It now has two who are unoffically attached to the regiment. The Rev. Dr. William T. Manning, rector of Trinity P. E. Church, New York, and the Rev. Charles D. Trexler, pastor of the church of the Good Shepherd (Lutheran), Brooklyn, are quartered with us until the completion of the interdenominational church, which is being erected on Upton Boulevard, adjoining the Y.M.C.A. headquarters. They are to be camp pastors for the Episcopal and Lutheran denominations.
Promotions in Company D.
Eight men in Company D are receiving congratulations upon their promotions. The boys are all happy to see them moving up. They deserve it. Here are the names: Sergt. Emil B. Meyer, appointed Sergeant 1st Class; Corp. Edgar Block, appointed Sergeant; Corp. Adolphe Brehman, appointed Sergeant; Corp. Albert A. Nesser, appointed Sergeant; Private Ralph E. Colby appointed Corporal; Private Daniel A. Curran, appointed Corporal; Private Arthur L. Lynch, appointed Corporal; Private William Neely, appointed Corporal.
Private Stephen R. Powers, Col. Sherrill's efficient stenographer, has also won his stripes, being appointed a Corporal in Compnay C.
JE SUIS BLESSE'
Some of the boys in the 305th think they may be "blesse'," some day, or that some of their French comrades may be. That is why so many of them are answering "here" when C.L. Clugston, Y.M. Hut 37, asked how many wanted to become proficient in parlez vous. Snap and enthusiasm, the 305th's way of doing everything, marked the first meeting, when over 350 French pioneers met in the hut. Capt. Eaton. Company F, 305th, C.L. Clugston and Dr. MacLellan, Education Director Y.M.C.A., were the speakers. Nine volunteers from the ranks who had been chosen to compose the French Faculty were called to the platform. The classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays in each company barrack.
Mr. Clugston says: "Any man wishing to "fall in" should start at once. We want the 3-0-5 to be the best equipped and most useful regiment when we get over there, and this is one way. If you want to study anything else, speak to the men at the Y.M.C.A. desk. They are always glad to help."
WANTED INVITATIONS.
Privates of the 152d Depot Brigade are distraught at not all having an invitation to a social affair which the Fighting 16 of the Brigade held early one Monday morning, the principals being Joseph Bienna, William J. Robinson, W.J. Flynn, Steve Kelley and Michael Lynch, cook.
FORMER ACTING CHIEF BRITISH RABBI HERE
Holds Special Chanukah Service-Former New York Cantor Forms Choir.
Monday evening Dec. 10, the boys at camp were agreeably surprised by the flying trip of Rabbi M. Hyamson, former Acting Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. A special Chanukah service was help in the "P" unit Y.M.C.A. Building, Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street, and attracted a crowd of almost 1,500 men. A quaint old custom, going back to the time before the Christian era, of lighting te menorah, the eight-pronged candelabrum, was gone through, while Private Oxenhandler chanted the liturgy. Dr. Hyamson's sermon delt with the story of the Maccbees.
Private Oxenhandler, who, before his entry into military service, was a well known cantor in New York City, is helping organize a choir for Jewish religious work.
STRICTLY SANITARY STUFF.
The Y.M.C.A. always tries to have a "clean" show, but the gala performances engineered by the 302d Sanitary Train was scrubbed, deodorized and sterilized to the last degree of sanitation. The packed house approved the "cotton gauze guys" mightly. The 306th Ambulance Company furnished the bulk of the talent. They put together the orchestra: Violinist Venetia, Monologist Blauvelt, Tenor Soloist Kelly and Impersonator Sergt. Hylan. Then there was a vocal solo by Private Walsh, 308th Ambulance Company, a song by Sergt. O'Brien, from the same outfit, and male quartet, O'Brien, Sergt. Harrington, Private Helm, 308th, and Sergt. Campbell, 307th Ambulance Company.
Certain members of the Sanitary train were working at the hospital, examining newly arrived men in the N.A. the other day when they ran across a man who was seriously affected with that familiar malady known as "dirtitis." We understand that a member of the crew recited "Ours not to reason why, ours but to do or die." as they shoved the gentleman under a shower, neglecting to ascertain which was the hot-water spigot. And this bath included the gentleman, his clothes and his hat.
Sergt. House, who graces the Headquarters Office of the 302d Sanitary train, is telling a story of a Carolina recruit who went broke on Saturday last. He was going around in the midst of the cloudburst of a rain-storm, trying to raise two bits on a straw hat with a yellow and black band.
The boys of the 306th Ambulance were given a treat Saturday evening when the Mudville Jazz Band of Woodhaven, L.I., came to visit the company. This talented group of musicians was secured to come and entertain by Private Alfred R. Livett.
HUT SERVES THREE REGIMENTS
Nearly all the Y.M.C.A. huts in camp take care of one regiment of the soldiers, but the building at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street enjoys the opportunity of serving three- the 307th, 308th Infantry and the Machine Gun Battalions. In order to effectively swing this big task two new men have joined the force this week, W.I. Reed, who will associated with George Hulst in the religious work and will have particular responsibility for the 307th Regiment, and Mr. Riegel, who will work with Roy Male in swinging the extensive athletic programme mapped out under the direction of the Colonels and athletic officers of these regiments. In a few days another educational secretary will be added to the force to carry through Richard Tullis's educational programme in the 307th as it is now working in the 308th and Machine Gun Divisions.
FAREWELL TO MR. BOYLE.
in spite of the very cold day Sunday visitors to camp crowded the Y.M.C.A. hut at Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue and filled the auditorium almost to bursting during the concert by the 307th Band. Under Mr. Nord's able direction the concert rendered was excellent and was roundly applauded in all its numbers by the audience.
In the evening the 307th Band again came over and rendered a sacred concert proceeding the religious service. This service was unique in Camp Upton history because of the number in attendance, there being well over 1,100 crowded into the hall. The talk of the evening was given by Mr. Boyle, religious director for the association in Camp Upton, and the meeting was arranged as a farewell to Mr.Boyle, who leaves in a few days for France to continue his successful association work "Over There."
DOMINICAN FATHERS HOLD WEEK OF MISSION HERE
Father Ignatius Smith, Famous Pulpit Orator, Heads Ten of Clergy.
Beginning Dec. 16, the Dominican Fathers of the Catholic Church will conduct a mission at Camp Upton, to continue a week, with three meeting every night an special daily masses. The Rev. Father Ignatius Smith, one of the foremost pulpit orators in the order, heads the mission. Ten other clergymen will be associated with him. The general purpose of the mission is to promote morality and clean living, and addresses which will be made each night are to have bearing on problems which confront the soldier in his spiritual and ethical relations. The meetings will be held in Knights of Columbus and Y.M.C.A. Auditoriums, Upton Boulevard, and the K. of C. Clubhouse, Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street.
The daily programme will begin with a morning mass at 5:30, and later masses will be celebrated at 6:30, 8, and 9 A.M. At 9 o'clock in the evening the sermon will be delivered, proceeded by short instruction and prayers. Benediction will follow the sermon. A committee of the Catholic chaplains is in charge of the mission: Lieut. J.J. Sheridan, 305th Field Artillery; Lieut. T.J. Dunne, 306th Infantry; Lieut. F.W. Walsh, 307th Infantry; Lieut. J.J. Halligan, 308th Infantry, and Father L.H. Bracken.
The Song of the Unfit.
The official wail of the "physically unfit" brother who is fearful lest he be selected to serve, has been indited here at Upton. Dan Caslar 5th Co., 152d Depot Brigade, is willing to release the singing and publishing right for something under ten thousand dollars. The correct makeup for the rendition of this song is a swathe of bandages about the head, a limp in both legs, several canes and crutches, a bottle of liniment and Red Cross nurses and undertakers in the background chanting a dirge-like undertone accompaniment. Here it is- "The Song of the Unfit" key of Q flat:
What's the matter with me, boys? I'm all right!
My hearing is completely gone, I've almost lost my sight;
I've got flat feet and prickly heat, my stomachs weak, I can't eat meat.
My lungs they creak, my heart-valves leak.
Rheumatics make my joint unique;
My health's all shot. I haven't got up on my frame one healthy spot.
The folks all think I'm on the brink;
I won't make a soldier; please don't send me out to fight!
What's the matter with me, boys?
Do you think that I'm all right?
GREENHUT AND HIS LINE
Private Greenhut of Headquarters Company 152 O.B. emitted the following little segment of barber shop kidosophy on night at the desk; "Well, I've got to get back and write to a bunch of girls I don't care anything about, just to keep them in line for Christmas presents." If Greenhut ever starts writing "Impressions" to a dame he does "care anything about" she'll fall so hard they'll have to dig her out. He has some "vine" for a young fellow.
FIRST AID FROM THE BASE HOSPITAL
The Knights Hospitaller plan a dance at Patchogue in the near future. The organization promises big at the Base, and is as follows: President Charles Williamson; Vice Preseident Arthur B. Feeley; Secretary Maxwell Klein; Treasurer, Harry J. Connors; Executive Committee, composed of officers and Ray O. Binger, Fred Damren, Fred Purcel; Membership Committee, Oliver Irish, Chairman; Rienzo Neaves, Guy Kendall; members Raymond Blake, John J. Blumenthal, Herbert G. Freese, Robert R. Goerstiner, Peter J. Gilroy, Charles F. Harlow, William Harlow, Clinton Ingles, Leonard D. Jackson, George Loehrson, Harry Morrison, Charles A. O'Dell, Harold E. Roy, Charles A. Weshrob, Gustave A. Willie jr., J.E. Wilson, Harry Woodhead.
The Y.M.C.A. and Post Exchange combination is a winner, and the boys in the wards and out are enthusiastic about the get-togethers, smokes, eats and stunts, which were not possible before.
Checker champions are becoming as thick as Iron Crosses in Teutland.
The Chaplains of the various regiments are constant visitors and their ministrations are appreciated greatly.
The Tuesday night musicale was greatly enjoyed by officers and nurses present.
There is music everywhere since the Y.M.C.A. has distributed ten phonographs to various wards, and the piano in the "common centre" always has some one-finger artist performing a painful operation.
The guard, Lieut. Hurley and Sergt. Williamson, spent a strenuous night during the storm. It lasted into the small hours.
There was a grim look of satisfaction on the visage of Lieut. Backus as he returned a set of boxing gloves he had taken to the officers' quarters from the Y.M.C.A. The Lieutenant didn't say what had happened and only a grunt could be secured from the other fellow.
Dr. Swain of Philadelphia gave a fine address, which was greatly appreciated by the boys.
RADCLIFFE CLUB ACTIVE AMOUNG COMPANY GROUPS
Among the many company organizations that are doing big things and creating and fostering company spirit at Upton, the Radcliffe Club, Headquarters Company, 306th Infantry, is noteworthy. Named for the company commander, Capt. Radcliffe, the group has regualr meetings and is particularly interested in keeping social matters on the hum with frequant entertainments. "Financial strength and true accounts; no useless expense and all disbursements approved" are planks in the Radcliffe platform. The first of a series of excellent entertainment has been given for officers and men. A paino is to be secured. The organization is as follows: Sergt. Kelly, Chairman; Private Kesper, Vice Chairman; Private Ritter, Secretary; Financial Committee, Sergt. Singer, Corpls. Young and Heatherly; Social Activites, Private Rath, Corpl. Berrigan, Sergt. Canaday. The boys are engineering a big ball for the Christmas Eve at the Hotel Ansonia, Broadway and 75th Street.
K.C. BUILDING EQUIPMENT COMPLETE. THREE HOUSES
New Location Dedicated, Making Three Service Station in Camp.
The building equipment of the Knights of Columbus in camp was completed during the past week, with the opening of the club house at 15th Street and Fourth Avenue. The dedication exercises were enjoyed by a large number, Dr. John Coyle of New York delivering an eloquent dedicatory address on "American Patriotism." The Hallin-Corbett-Rooney trio from New York furnished fine musical numbers. The new club house will be in charge of J.J. McGrath, who has been assisting at the auditorium, and with him J.T. McDonough will be associated.
With this opening, the trio of K. Of C. service buildings, including the auditorium, is complete. B.F. Fenton and Frank Leary are in charge of the first one to be used, at Fourth Aveune and Sixth Street, and the auditorium's interests are watched out for by Charles Pallen and Thomas Brady. Th club houses are taking a larger and larger place in the lives of Camp Upton men, who find them dispensers of unstinted help and service. Especially has the auditorium become a central gathering place, basketball games and entertainments being nightly occurrences. The floor space is also employed for drills.
RECRUITING BATTALION HAS BIG ENTRTAINMENT.
The First Provisional Recruiting Battallon had a big night at the Second Avenue and 14th Street Y.H. Hut recently. Lieut. Rudolf is being congratulated on his fine work in assembling and directing the progamme, which would have done credit to a troupe of regular actors. The hall was given over entirely to the battalion and was beautifully decorated by some of their artists, who spent a whole day at the job. Music was furnished by the regular "Y" Orchestra of nine pieces. An individual criticism (favorable of course) of the evening's acts would fill a book, but some of the high spots of the programme were: Singing, Holmes, First Company; comedy act by Meyerowitz, Second Company; tenor solo by Creegan, First Company, and best of all, some charactor singing by Lieut. Perkins, who associated with "Big Time" last summer.
There were several boxing bouts: Lippman, Second Company, Richards, First Company, vs. Irwood, Company C, 802 F.S.B.; Brown, First Company, vs. Bantam, First Company; Leisenheimer, Second Company, vs. Larkin, Second Company, and finally a thriller between "Biscuit Shooter" Schauen and "Corn Fritter" Steffen. Between the various acts, which were all enthusiastically received, the men sang their battalion songs.
308th INFIRMARY
Here's the proper spirit: Dentist to patient: "Do you want me to give you local anesthesia before I yank the tooth?" Answer: "No, Lieutenant, I wanna get used to pain. German bullets may hurt more."
Sergt. Jacque Fournier comes from a very refined family with absolutely no cannibal instincts and yet he expresses a desire to eat stewed Kaiser for breakfast.
Sergt. "Wild Bill" Conklin, C.C. N.Y. graduate, is chiefly engaged in jamming chunks of morality through the ranks, and "believe me Bill" gets away with it. Personality does it.
"The Funeral Brigade" designates the men who wait on the line for dental treatment.
The soldier-critic's opinion of the newly constructed Rifle Range: "It's a bull's eye."
THE TALENTED THREE
There was a talented trio who volunteered, through the invitation of Robert Nicolas, the genial social secretary of the "Y' Hut, 2d Avenue and 7th Street, to entertain the boys. They were Corpl. E.L. Quinn of the 302d Ammunition Train, who is clever in story telling and recitations; Harry Edelheit of Company B, 302d Engineers, who sang several of his own compositions, including his big success, "If You Had All the World and Its Gold," and his accompanist Private Robert Minotti, who is also a composer of regular music.
COL. MOSS TELLS HIS BUFFALOES OF BOND SALE
At a regimental rally of the 367th in the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium recently Col. Moss told his gallant Buffaloes of the bond sale for their new auditorium, citing some instances of how enthusiastic is the support being accorded. One man who had just come from Texas and had been in camp only a day or so said he had heard of the effort being made and sent his subscription for a $10 bond. Another case was of a man who had received his discharge, exemption being granted. Before leaving Upton he sent word that he still was planning to take the bond he'd contracted for before, being interested in the auditorium, although he was no longer to be in camp to enjoy the benefits. Another instance of the support which is coming to the effort was given by a lieutenant who promised to give two $10 bonds would be taken each month.
The colored men had a rousing sing-song under the leadership of Max Weinstein, who accomplished wonders with them on their regimental song and "Old Black Joe."
ARTILLERY SHELL SHOCK.
152d Artillery Brigade.
Talent from the Shrapnel Section trained their 75s on Riverhead the other night, giving a concert in the auditorium for the benefit of the "M" Y.M.C.A. Vincent Bach, bandmaster of the 306th F.A., was a headliner.
Sergt. Major Bibb, H.Q. Co. was responsible for a splendid concert in the Y.M. the other night, Miss. Florence Macbeth being the artist.
"Artillery Brigade Night" at the Y.M. Auditorium was the first attempt at a brigade entertainment. The shrapnel-hurlers established themselves in this initial try and a big crowd throughly enjoyed the versatile offerings of the brigade's entertainers.
Sergt. Josephs H.Q. Co., 305th, is being complimented on the excellence of the show put on recently in the "Y" for artillery officers. It was a musicale and smoker. The officers were enthusiastic auditors. Among the numbers were: Cello solo, Porinzerella; trombone solo, Schmidt; wind and string instrumental concert; clarinet solo, "Moonlight Bay" assisted by quartet.
Battery F., 306th F.A., put on a programme at the "Y" recently, among the officers being: Opening overture; vaudeville act by Sol Wolf; Smith and Tenzer, songs and patter; songs, Sellner; Pantzer and Eineman, variety act; minstrels, featuring Keller, Pantzer, Wolf, Tenzer, Seliner, in songs and latest stories. Private Pantzer, Battery F, credit for his production.
The 306th's "Howitzer" has fired its second round of ammunition, and the boys in the regiment who are responsible for this newsy publication are being hailed with "bravos," &c., from their comrades. Their aim is excellent.
Y SECRETARIES ENLIST.
Eight of Camp Upton's Y.M.C.A. secretaries have enlisted in various branches of the military service recently, among them being H. Grinton, E.C. Knudson and James Gridley of the fifth avenue and Fourth Street Hut, who entered the radio service, Rex Haight, Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street., also entering radio; T. T. Christmas, 19th Street Hut, Canadian Royal Flying Corps, and C.T. Wolfe, Fifth Avenue and 14th Street, who left to begin training with the Naval Reserves. C.W. Hunter, Second Avenue and Sixth Street, will leave Jan. 1 for training, and K. Forman, also of that building, is beginning to work with the Medical Corps.
CONFINED, GIVE BARRACK SHOW
Though confined to their barrack, the men of the 2d Company, 1st Prov. Rec.Bat., were not to be deprived of their show. They got together in the mess hall and staged an excellent entertainment. Armur started with "The Rosary" as a guitar solo. Next came a vocal solo, "The Sunshine of Your Smile" by William Messmik. Then the star of the evening appeared in the figure of J. Meyerowitz in a singing dancing number. He was followed by J. O'Brien, who made the dust fly with a lively clog dance, and by E. Washburn in a humorous recitation. Lippman and Moore gave a fast exhibition of the manly art and the programme concluded with the effective rendering og "Gungha Din" by Charles Reed.
DIVISION FOOTBALL CHAMPS PROUD OF THEIR ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS
306th, Also Winners of N.Y. A.C. Day, Show They're Up and Coming.
By winning the Division Football Championship from the 302d Engineers and taking first place in the New York Athletic Club Track Meet, the 306th Infantry has shown that it is up and coming for athletic supremacy in camp, and all the doughboys in Col. Vidmer's regiment are loud in praise of their representative athletes and Lt. Hayes, Regimental Athletic Officer.
The football record of the outfit shows 124 points scored to opponents' 6, the goal line being crossed by rival infantryman of the 305th. The record of the Division Champs stands as follows: 306th 33-Mach. Gun Bns. 0; 306th 20-308th Inf. 0; 306th 16-307th Inf. 0; 306th 2-302 Amt. Tr. 0; 306th 33-308th Inf. 0; 306th 13-305th 6; 306th 7-302 Eng. 0.
The line-up and summery of the championship game:
306th Infantry 302d Engineers.
Burns............................L. E. R....................Rifsneider
Connors........................L. T. R............................Reich
Duffy............................L. G. R...........................Glenn
Levine..............................C........................Mulqueen
Peterson......................R. G. L...................Phillippson
McNally.......................R. T. L......................Amaducci
Theibald......................R. E. L.........................Minskie
Hayden.........................Q. B......................Hernandez
Johnson.......................R. H. B...........................Royer
O'Heire........................L. H. B............................Smith
Ritter............................F. B...........................Troplan
Time of periods, 10 minutes: referee, Frank Glick; umpire, James Clark. Y.M.C.A.; head linesman, Lieut. Hess; timer, Sergt. S. Reffs, Company I. 306th; substitutions, 306th, Coaskley, Beach, Kaufman, Brawn, Cerrusct, Greenbaum, 302d, Meyers, Salisbury, Mulchan, Gilman, Leeman. Attendance 01,000.
"WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR YOU," UPTON SOLDIER TELLS TOTS
The assurance that back home the folks are thinking, praying and working for their boys-and yet not boys but men-in service, is the big thing that sustains and buoys up the fighting spirit, if conversations with Upton soldiers mean anything.
"What are we fighting for?" is a question our wise men are discussing at column length in newspapers. The one who is serving answers it more simply. He cherishes the picture in his heart of the loved ones back there, the ones whose dearest possessions he is making secure.
One Upton private has done more. He has expressed his convictions. The recipient of his letter is not a newspaper, not a wise man, but some of the kiddies whose helpless future is being decided by war.
The tots of Public School No. 4, Rivington and Ridge Streets, New York, saved their pennies an made up little kits of candy, crackers and cigarettes. They were sent to the office of the Jewish Welfare Board for distribution. In appreciation, back came the following message:
To the kiddies of Public School No.4 New York City.
Dear Kiddies: Your surprise reached us today and I was lucky enough to get some of the packages sent by you to the boys at Camp Upton.
It must have been pretty hard on you youngsters to save up your pennies for so many goodies, but the soldiers appreciate every lit bit done for them. When things come in bunches, just as you sent them, then we send back bunches of thanks.
The package I received cover a lot of ground, as everyone around me got the benefit as well as I did, and each one sends thanks.
I don't doubt that very many of your brothers and relatives are here, and we hope they are treated as well as you treated us, No doubt, also you know a great deal about our life. It is actions such as your that make us contested, as you feel that we are doing is for you and the coming generations.
We earnestly hope that when you reach our age there will no longer be such a terrible possibility as war on this earth.
Trusting that our appreciation will in a measure compensate for what you have done. I beg to remain. Cordially yours,
Private Emanuel Rosenstein. Third Co., 152d Depot Brigade. Camp Upton.
SIX DAY RACE HERE; 10,000 MILES RIDDEN.
Madison Square Garden isn't the only arena in these widely advertised United States where six-day bicycle races grind out mileage. The Y Hut at 5th and 4th has been the scene of a six-day contest on the home trainer apparatus which moves but doesn't go forward. The total mileage ridden in the 144 hours of pedaling was over 10,000. Goullet and Magin were picked as the first prize-winning team, with 2,595 miles, their mileage being estimated quite closely by L. Saitta, Supply Company, 306th Infantry. Sergt. Patterson, Company H. 306th Infantry, with an estimated total of 2,500, was the winner of the second prize, for individual honors.
HOWITZER HANDLERS AND SIGNALMEN KEEN RIVALS
There is keen rivalry between the football teams representing the 305th Field Artillery and the 302d Field Signal Battalion. These teams have met twice recently and both games have ended in a 0-0 score. The 302d Field Signal Battalion team in both contests has proved superior o offensive work, but has always lacked the punch to score on the heavier 305th Field Artillery eleven. Lieut. Moore and Lieut. Glenn, the coaches of the two teams, promise a play-off soon and the game should prove a hummer.
CAMP CUE ARTIST SHOOTS TO HELP AMBULANCE FUND
Part of a nationwide campaign for half a million dollars for ambulances, conducted by pocket billiard experts, was a contest in which Private Sid Emmons, Co. D, 306th Infantry, measured green cloth skill with Harry Hart, challenger for the world's championship . The palace Pocket Billiard Academy, Brooklyn, was the scene of the match in which Hart scored the requisite 150 points, while Emmons accumulated 83. "Our Soldier" cueist made a high run of 21, but was outdistanced when Hart clicked off 57 balls. The proceeds went toward the ambulance fund. One ambulance, fully equipped, has already been put in the field "over there" by lovers of the cue.
FULTON-GILLIGAN GO IS FAST, HARD EXHIBITION
One of the most interesting mitt encounters of the Yaphank season was pulled in K. of C. Auditorium when "Young" Fulton exchanged courtesies with Willie Gilligan. Willie is twenty-five pounds light than Fulton, but he made up for the lack in speed and determination. The bout was evenly contested, both fighters getting in some heavy hitting which sent the recipient staggering to the ropes.
ARTILLERY BASEBALL GOES INTO ELEVEN INNINGS.
It was necessary to tack on a couple of innings before the baseball tussle between Battery D, 305th Field Artillery, and their fellow calsson rustlers from Battery B, 306th, could be settles. The final reckoning showed the 305th swatman leading, 7-6. Metzer's mound work for the victors and Becker's stellar fielding were factors in the win.
WELL FIXED FOR MOVIE MEN
The 2d and 14th "Y" is well fixed so far as motion picture operators are concerned. Michael Kinsella, 321 F.S.B., Company B, the regular operator for the Y.M.C.A. bi-weekly shows, is a man of long experience in the game, having previously turned the reel for theWashington Theatre, Brooklyn. In hi absence his place is ably taken by Uhlenbach, Company C. 302 F.S.B.
NEW TOOTHACHE CURE.
Private H. Peterson, cmfwypcmfw Utilities Detachment, Q.M. C., was suffering from a sever toothache one night. His constant moaning kept the rest of the boys awake most of the night. The boys started to complain. His music had the well known "Horrors of War" beat to a frazzle. Somebody suggested giving him German gas. Being out of gas, a quicker remedy was applied . Under cover of darkness a hiking shoe was flung through the air, landing on the victim;s jaw. The toothache must have disappeared for Harry dropped off into quiet sleep. Nothing more was heard from him that night. He work up in the morning and said he had pleasant dreams the night before. No doubt he did when that hiking boot hit him!
THE INEFFICIENT BUGLE
One of the new men of the last batch, an eastsider, who seemed to want to labor under the delusion that he was a hopeless cripple, took occasion to tell each of the examining physicians of the many different little aliments he suffered from. "Yactor , will you blease loog in my dose," he asked the throat doctor, "when somet'ing smells bad, I no can feel it."
DECEMBER 24, 1917
WELL! WELL! CAMP UPTON
IS ALL OF THAT AND MORE
Practically no case of contagion Here, According to Division Surgeon.
Camp Upton ‘s health record is of the sort that would force doctors out of business in civil life and drape undertaking establishments with some of their own conventional black. It is a health record, in very truth, the amount of sickness being so small that it could hardly be called a sick record.
Although the weather conditions of the past few days have been calculated to increase certain kinds of sickness, only seven cases of pneumonia no one case of diphtheria are reported, with no cases of typhoid, para-
Typhoid, meningitis, scarlet fever or dysentery, according to Col. C.R. Reynolds, Division Surgeon. There are a number of measles cases admitted to the “sick report” is given by Col. Reynolds as nineteen per thousand, less than one-half the rate for the soldiers in the entire National Army. Inasmuch as admissions to the report include many cases not actually sick but for examination, observation and discharge the smallness of this percentage can be better grasped. The rate for all diseases, and especially communicable diseases, is very small compared with all the camps and cantonments, the fact that there were only eight cases of serious contagion when Col. Reynolds gave an interview to a Trench and Camp representative, being convincing evidence of this. There have been only three deaths from diseases contracted since the camp was started.
In fact, there have been only fourteen deaths in the entire three months in camp, the pro-German rumors circulated in New York and elsewhere as to “hundreds of men dying”” to the contrary notwithstanding. Three of the fourteen were due to the railroad accident and two were away from cam, one of these being a a result of accident injuries.
Christmas At Camp Upton is “According To Regulation”
Turkey, Ornamented Trees, Santa Claus and Yule Log All on Bill of Fare.
With Yule logs crackling in the fireplaces, turkey and fixin’s for dinner, gayly bedecked and lighted trees in scores of buildings, Santa Claus, aided and abetted by the United States mail, and express companies delivering gifts galore and with a general holiday spirit pervading the air – really now, Christmas in camp isn’t half bad.
The Yuletide marks a brief but thoroughly enjoyable recreation spell between the beginnings and completion of the serious work for which the 77th and other divisions throughout the country were organized. Leave has been granted to as many Upton men as the War Department would permit. With respect to leave the men at Upton were more fortunate than many of their brothers in khaki.
Relatives, friends and general public of New York have seen to it that the soldiers in camp will lack nothing that goes to make Christmas complete and as enjoyable as possible under the circumstances.. There will be all the gastronomic delights a king would want to tickle his palate and there will be a mirth and gaiety with a minimum of military duty.
The soldiers in camp who have relatives in New York may rest assured that their loved ones will have a Merry Christmas, for special honors will be accorded such families by admiring citizenship, which appreciates the service of the men at Upton.
304TH ARTILLERYMEN PUT ON
SUCCESSFUL NEW YORK BENEFIT
Manhattan Opera House Well Filled –
Movies of Camp Shown
True to the fine form established as a standard for regimental benefits, the show sponsored by the 304th Field Artillery in the Manhattan Opera House, New York, was a gratifying success to the backers and a substantial sum was realized for the regimental fund, the manager of the theatre characterizing it as the biggest benefit his house has ever had.
Sam Bernard, whose nephew, Dave Jones, is a bugler in Battery D. opened the party as Master of Ceremonies with the following star acts some of the other features of the bill: Louis Mann, Conroy and Lemaire, Florenz Tempest, Hattie Lorraine Martinique Revue, Hess and Bennett, Rector’s Jazz Band, Anatol Friedlander and L. Wolfe Gilbert, Frank Gordon, Mme. Palanowski, Russian dancer; Mme. Ohlman, Camp Upton Four, Reed and MacManus, 304 F.A. The regimental band and a chorus of sixty voices also took a prominent place on the programme. A moving picture, now regiment property, was shown. The film depicted a soldier in the making with scenes of the artillerymen at work and drill.
A committee of four officers and a man from each battery supervised the affair, with a board of managers composed of Bugler Dave Jones, Battery D. chairman; Corp. Murray, Battery D; Prvt. Horwitz, Battery A. and Sergt, Wallace, Supply Company.
BUGLER SLOWS CO. D., 307TH,
TO FIRST WEEKLY DINNER.
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Company D, 307th Infantry, pulled a party recently of some considerable uniqueness. It was a “blow” on the Bugler, the company news organ, which has had a steady growth under the steady guidance of Milton Weill, editor in chief. A dinner from funds realized on subscriptions was the “main works” of the evening. Lieut. Col. Smith, Major Gardiner, Capt, Spoonder, Regimental Adjutant; Lieut. Francis Walsh, Chaplain: Capt Hastings, Mr. Reed, Y.M.C.A., and others were honor guests, short addresses being made by several.
The following programme numbers were enjoyed: “All Together, Boys,” Moore and De Carnis; vocal explosions, Herbert L. Wolfe; “As Harry Lauder Would Sing,” Larry Flatley; jig, Corp. William Dickson; The Incomparable Four, Moore, Muhling, De Carnis and Sergt. Trapp; Highland Fling, Sergt. C. Jackson and Larry Flatley, Thomas Bracken at the harmonica; son, Sergt. Ben Weber; the same, Sergt. Trapp; Jack Moore at the piano and Louis Stauff at the mandolin. The Bugler plans to make these dinners weekly company affairs.
MOTOR SUPPLY BOYS GET
“THEAYTHER BUS.”
THE MEN OF Upper J section are acquiring the habit of attending theatres “en Masse.” Recently through the agency of their officers the 407th Motor Supply Train secured 200 complimentary seats for the show at the Winter Garden and 200 for the Columbia. At the Columbia the boys found special preparations for their welcome, the theatre being decorated in classy style and extra acts put on batch of men, this time form the Quartermaster Corps, were invited to the Winter Garden and, headed by Jack Aldrich, who was for twelve years connected with the Winter Garden show, and Lieut. Stumpf, who is a great favorite with the men, 200 of them left for the Big City. The boys want to use these columns to thank the managements of the above theatres for giving them a good big time.
SORROW IN 302 T.M.B.
That bonds are being forged here in town between men and officers the strain of fighting of harder task ahead is sure. The following communication is published as evidence: Editor Trench and Camp, Camp Upton, New York.
Dear Sir: Will you kindly make it known through your paper that the boys of the 302d Trench Mortar Battery are in a sad state. Hereafter this day will be known as Blue Monday, for on this day Lieut. Darley Randall left us, being transferred to another outfit. During his short stay as lieutenant of our battery the boys have become very much attached to him, and it was with deepest regret we learned of his sudden transfer. He carries with him the best wishes of the boys for his future welfare and success.
Thanking you, we are Yours truly,
THE BOYS OF THE 302D TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY, Camp Upton, New York
CULLED FROM OTHER CAMPS FOR UPTON MEN
Camp Dix, Wrightstown, N.J., believes in reducing sits music to regulation four-part stuff. “A quartet in every company,” is the slogan of the camp song leader, W. Stanley Hawkins.
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Camp Shelby, Hattlesburg, Miss., passed out gold, silver and bronze medals to the winners of the big Thanksgiving Day athletic meet. Clark Griffith, manager of the Washington American League Baseball Club, has given the Shelby fighters fifty baseball outfits.
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An inter-fraternity club has been organized at Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Okla., to make it easy for college Greeks to know who’s who.
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The Upton thespian germ is spreading. Men of Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va., have established a community theatre at which various plays will be staged. Henry V., by Will Shakespeare, the dead English playwright, will be given, and it is rumored that the Lee boys will stage an all-home talent piece by the same author, called “Lear.”
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An American sailor, Charles Allen, stationed at Newport News, flew 1,023 miles to the bedside of his dying mother at Dugoin, Ill, within ten hours of receiving word of her illness. Lieut. Hanson McCann, a naval filer, was ordered by the commanding officer to take his fastest plane for the trip. It would have taken two days by the fastest train.
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CULLED FROM OTHER CAMPS FOR UPTON MEN
The Wadsworth Gas Attack wand Rio Grande Rattler, Trench and Camp’s stepsister at Spartanburg, S.C., has a society page, edited by a woman. Considerable society!
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In the Camp Logan edition of Trench and Camp two items are placed in significant juxtaposition. One is headed “Camp Officers Signed Conservation Pledge,” and the other has the somewhat conflicting title, “Thirteen Soldiers Bought Marriage Licenses.”
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The 39th Division Headquarters Troop, Camp Beauregard, La., has the Southern States jazzing record thus far. The horses are groomed to jazz strains and a detachment from the jazzers occupies the troop’s motorcycle side-car and plays an accompaniment to the motor music.
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Milt Gross, one time Upton Depot Brigadier and cartoon contributor to Upton’s Trench and Camp, has been making a full-sized hit with cartoons in the Atlanta Constitution of soldier life at Camp Gordon.
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SOLDIER HERE HAS FILM
KIDDIES PROUD OF HIM
Every soldier has someone who is thinking and wishing well about him. But perhaps no one is in quite the situation of Stuart Sage, Machine Gun Company, 307th Infantry, whose two former little film pals who “worked with him in the pictures” remember with pride their big brother now with Uncle Sam. The Lee children, William Fox’s Baby Grand Stars are the tads – Jane and Katherine. There is a bond which is still “reel” between the two and the Upton machine gunner. Sage is one of the 307th’s star stage folk. “The argyle Case,” “Help Wanted,” “Baby Mine,” “Are You My Wife?” and “Old Lady 31” are some of the pieces in which he has played leading roles.
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SERGT. EATS PLATE AND ALL
It seems that Sergt. Stoner is fond of pie. He is in the neighborhood of the Q.M.C. Commissary store at some part of about every afternoon. We watched him attach a big, juicy mince pie the other day. He seemed to find the bottom crust to be rather tough. We pointed out to him that he had neglected to remove the pie from the paper plate. He had chewed up about four square inches of the cardboard.
NO OPPONENTS, SO JACK MOSES
QUITS THE RING
Another boxer gone out of the ring! News comes that jack Moses, one time Champion Featherweight of the East Side and now of Camp Upton, intends to retire. He is quitting not for the usual reason (!) but because there are no opponents with whom he can get even fair practice. His latest victim was Benny Valoger, whom he met in Philadelphia last Wednesday night in the semi-finals to the Leonard-Kline fight and disposed of in two rounds of fast going. If there is any man at Camp Upton weighing 122 to 125 wishing to take this wonder on, let him send his challenge to the Veterinary Corps, 210 16th Street, and Jack Moses will accommodate him.
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TALKS CARE OF EYES
The care of the eyes has been the subject of talks delivered in camp by G.L. Berry, Field Secretary of the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness. Mr. Berry’s Lectures have been given in the Y.M.C.A. huts.
TELLS JEWS TO TAKE SPIRIT OF MACCABEES
INTO WAR WITH THEM
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Dr. Samuel Schulman Says America Is In War to Win Nationhood –Condemns Pacifists at Hanukah Festival
“We are in the war to prove that brutal power and might are not the greatest things, and we are to make it impossible for a people, trained in forty years of blood-and0iron and relying on brutal power, to rule the world. America, which is a country unique in being founded not on racialism, but on a moral ideal, will emerge from the war with its nationhood established.”
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Schulman, rabbi of Temple Beth-El, New York City, reduced thus to spiritual terms the reason why this country is at war in an address at the Hanukah festival. When a large audience of Camp Upton Jews gathered to commemorate the triumphs of the Maccbees. Dr. Schulman congratulated his fellow-Hebrews on their opportunity to serve their country and invited them to take the Maccabecan spirit and use it for American purposes.
Condemns the Pacifist
Said he further in part: “It is not so much the might of armies as the spirit of officers and men which wins victory for a people. I invite you to take the wonderful spirit of those Maccabeean heroes with you. It is four-fold, this spirit: Faith in God, loyalty to land and people, heroic courage, modesty and humility. Antiochus Epiphanes, drunk with his own vanity and relying on military power attempted to root out the soul of Israel, which was grounded in the living God. That spirit of might is the same as has been shown to-day by the ruler who speaks sneeringly of our “contemptible little army!” there is no more ignoble sentiment than I would rather be a living coward than a dead hero,” because it reduces man to the level of the brute. The world doesn’t remember the dead coward but it does remember the dead heroes – those who fought for freedom and for an indestructible union. Nothing great can be secured without paying the price. It is not dying so much as the way we’ve lived. We should exalt and sanctify life and then filing it away with sublime self-forgetfulness. A sentence in the Bible which isn’t quoted much is one from Joel: “The plough-shares shall be beaten into swords and the pruning-hooks into spears.” For the successful issue of this great war we must merge our individuality into the will of nation. There is no room for the hyphen, and after the war there will be no such thing. You are the American people, and you will vindicate honor and justice”
Impressive Services
The beautiful and impressive Hanukah service was in charge of Dr. Schulman, with the Rev. Simon Schlager, cantor of Temple Emanu-El, and quartet assisting – Renee Schieber, soprano; Dolphine Marsh, contralto; Harry Burleigh, basso, and B. Fromenson, tenor, G.H. Faderlein was the accompanist. The service was as follows: Evening service, Haskivenu, Amidah; hymn, “Kindle the Tapers,” choir; Sh’ma Yisroel, Lighting the Candles, Rabbi and Cantor; Hanukah Hymn, “Mo-Oz Tzur;” “rock of Ages,” congregation and choir; Sermon, Dr. Samuel Schulman; Star Spangled Banner; continuation of service, Mourners’ Kaddish; prayer for the Government, Rabbi Adon Olam, Cantor and Choir; Benediction, Rabbi.
The Hanukah observance was under the auspices of Ordeer B’nai B’rith, District No. 1, and the Jewish Board for Welfare work. Cigars and cigarettes were distributed to the soldiers at the festival.
‘258 RECITED BY AUTHOR”
The story of Alfred O’Connor – “O’Connor of the Life Guards” – Brooklyn boy who became inflamed with stories of German atrocities and rushed off to London to enlist in the first days of the war, has been listened to with great eagerness by Upton men recently. Charles Wavland Towne, to Whom O’Connor, now in this country, disabled by wounds, told his story, has been the re-counter.
The boys here have also been greatly interested in a poem – “258” – by Mr. Towne, published in the New York Tribune shortly after the draft, and which he has recited here. The subject of the verses has been called the third most dramatic moment in American history, ranking with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was the drawing by Secretary Baker of the first gelatin cube from the glass bowl in which were the draft numbers. “258” was the first number drawn. The poem follows:
It was only a scrap of paper,
Enclosed in a crystal ball,
But it carried the Hope of half the world,
And spelled the Fate of all.
Not since the Arab ciphered,
Or Egypt graved on stone,
Have figures drawn from freedom’s pawn
Such wealth of blood and bone.
For figures were things of business,
Of diagram, map and chart -
The barren dross of profit and loss,
The mummers of the mart.
Till Destiny seized a tablet,
and took in her hand a pen,
and, scorning shame, plunged into a game
Whose stakes were a million men.
There where the elders gathered -
Exalted of heart and soul –
At her command, a groping hand
Drew a cube from the teeming bowl.
And one broke the seal, and another
Wrote the answer down on a slate;
Then, shrill and high, rose the echoing cry:
“Two Hundred and Fifty-eight!”
“Two Hundred and Fifty-eight,” you say,
“Merely a gambling score!”
Twas a prisoned soul that leaped from the bowl
And loosed a million more.
And be he a sallow stripling,
Or an athlete, hard and brown,
Be he the scum of a city’s slum,
Or a monocle man-of-the-town.
Be he poverty’s foundling,
Or the pet of a potentate,
His eye is alight as he reads to-night:
“Two Hundred and Fifty-eight!”
Be he the scion of Yankees,
Or the son of an alien state,
His is the boast, “I lead the host -
“Two Hundred and Fifty-eight!”
And the voice of a hundred million
Goes booming across the sea:
“Two Fifty-eight – heralds of Fate –
“These shall make you free!”
Let the figures fly in a war-torn sky,
Where birdmen train their guns;
Let them ride the wave, to succor and save,
where the U boat stabs and runs.
Let them flash like swords o’er the Kaiser’s hordes,
Till he yields the Belgian gate;
Let them carry cheer to the listening ear
Of those who stand and wait;
Let them sound the knell of that HUN-
MADE HELL -
“TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT!”
Turkey, Ornamented Trees, Santa Claus
and Yule Log All on Bill of Fare
___
With Yule llogs crackling in the fireplaces, turkey and fixin’s for dinner, gaily bedecked and lighted trees in scores of buildings, Santa Claus, aided and abetted by the United States mail and express companies, distributing gifts galore and with a general holiday spirit pervading the air-really now, Christmas in camp isn’t haft bad.
The Yuletide marks a brief but thoroughly enjoyable recreation spell between the beginning and completion of the serious work for which the 77th and other divisions throughout the country were organized Leave has been granted to as many Upton men as the War Department would permit. With respect to leave the men at Upton were more fortunate than many of their brothers in Khaki.
Relatives, friends and general public of New York have seen to it that the soldiers in camp will lack nothing that goes to make Christmas complete and as enjoyable as possible under the circumstances. There will be all the gastronomic delights a king would want to tickle his palate and there will be mirth and gaiety with minimum of military duty.
The soldiers in camp who have relatives in new York may rest assured that their loved ones will have a Merry Christmas, for especial honors will be accorded such families by admiring citizenship which appreciates the service of the men at Upton.
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SANTA CLAUS WILL REMEMBER ALL
MEN IN CAMPS AND CANTONMENTS
The whole country will join in an effort to show that the happiness of the soldiers is a large consideration at Christmas.
In every camp and cantonment there will be Christmas greens, and trees; there will be celebrations; there will be thousands upon thousands of presents.
In the whole army in the United States there will not be a single soldiers, even if he has not a relative in the world, who will be forgotten.
Abroad the American Christmas will probably excite the envy of the Allied troops. Christmas dinners such as would be enjoyed at home will replace the regular mess. Plum-puddings have gone “Over There” by the thousand. In addition the post office department and the express companies planned weeks in advance for delivering Christmas boxes to the soldiers on Christmas morning.
The Young Men’s Christian Association of course will play a leading part in making Christmas a real festival. Entertainments have been arranged in all of the Y.M.C.A. buildings and tents. Some well known players have promised to assist in the Christmas festivities. Singers, violinists, pianists – all who could bring Christmas cheer have volunteered their services.
To plan for the Christmas festivities meant weeks of work for the Young Men’s Christian Association authorities. But a comprehensive plan was worked out and no building at any of the camps will be without an attractive program.
In the communities near the training camps there has been the most eager evidence of a desire to cooperate. Every family that can possibly do so have arranged to “take a soldier home” and the fighting men of this country who do not remain in camp, and yet do not have furlough to visit their own homes, will sit by a warm fireside and dine again at a real table.
How many thousands of homes will be open to the soldiers is impossible to estimate. But it is a certainty that every soldier who can leave a camp will find a fireside waiting for him.
The offices of chaplains and adjutants have been busy places during these days preceding Christmas receiving all the invitations for the men and working out a plan so that everyone could be accepted, and so that there would be no slighting of deserving soldiers.
The Commission on Training Camp Activities has co-operated with the communities near training camps and enlisted the support of the local churches so that reading rooms and recreation centers will be open. Some of the churches have arranged to serve dinners to soldiers.
Another feature of camp life on Christmas Day will be the great carnival of athletics. All regiments at the various camps have been preparing for this day. The eagerness has been like that of a college and there has been as much loyalty shown for the different regiments as is shown before college games.
Christmas Eve in most of the camps will be marked by religious services. Some of the Catholic priests planned midnight celebrations of The Mass and Episcopal Chaplains planned also to celebrate Holy Communion at the very beginning of Christmas Day.
There will be regimental services at all of the camps in the morning hours, usually at the same time as Sunday services.
Then there will be an hour or two of idleness – a strange pastime in a modern training camp – and then Christmas Dinner!
Probably no army in the world’s history has had Christmas anticipated for it in such a manner as has the American Army. But the men in Trench and camp will be made to feel that the home fires are burning.
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DESERT SAND SHOES
FOR BRITISH TROOPS
The British troops in the Sinai Desert, in Palestine, have found a way to make their feet as sand-worthy as the camel’s. By weaving a stiff network or heavy wire and attaching it to their shoes. They are able to travel overt the finest sand without sinking ankle deep in it, says Popular Science Monthly. They have adopted the principle of the snow-shoe.
It is said to be physically impossible for a man to walk over desert sand for more than two days with ordinary shoes. At the end of that time the toes and heels became painfully inflamed and the skin comes off. No double the troops suffered untold agony before they devised the sand-shoes.
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THE MICHIGAN WAY
A Michigander made a goose of himself and boosted the Kaiser with-in the hearing of some loyal Americans. With scissors and razor they cut an iron cross in his hair, painted the word “Hun” in red letters across his forehead and sent him home.
The Problem of the Prisoners
A Graphic Story of Life in Prison Camps and Their
“Atmosphere of Heartaches” Told by a Man Who has
Ministered to the Captives of Many Nations
BY Marshall M. Bartholomew
He was only about nineteen. He was cheerful and he looked so well that as I went to his bedside I remarked:
“You don’t seem to have much the matter with you.”
“I haven’t,” he replied.
“Why don’t you, then, come out and enjoy the sunshine?”
“I can’t,” he said quietly.
In answer to my “Why not?” he turned down the bed covering and showed me that he had no feet.
He was a prisoner of war in one of the camps abroad and he personified the problem that confronts welfare workers. There maws something of the spirit of Nathan Hale in the boy – for he was nothing more than country my life and they have taken only my feet.”
A Humanitarian Task
Helping men like that who are helpless themselves is one of the great humanitarian tasks of the war.
Unless one sees at first hand, he finds it difficult to comprehend the problem of the prisoners. We read in news reports of 100,000 captured in a single battle. We admire the genius of the military leader who accomplished the feat – and then we forget.
One day I was in a railroad accident. A moment before I had been eating a quiet meal in the dining car. Without any warning I was plunged into a chaos of dead, dying and terror-stricken people. That night has left upon my memory an unforgettable picture- the mangled corpses lying in the snow, the cries of the wounded from under the wreckage; the black, endless forest that stretched on both sides of the wreck. I dream of it sometimes at night and wake in a cold perspiration; every detail of that night has burned itself into my memory in such a way that I shall carry the picture vividly real as long as I live. And yet, in all, there were only about eighty people killed
in this accident. A few days later I was reading the newspaper report on an action on the western front, where it was estimated that during a few days fighting 50,000 men had been killed or badly wounded. It came to me with a peculiar shock that this loss of 50,000 people meant infinitely less to me personally than the eighty or ninety whom I had seen with my own eyes.
In it lies a problem for all of us. It is almost impossible even partially to visualize the meaning, and share in the facts of what is going on in Europe. Occasionally something happens of such, staggering importance or such vivid intensity that it refuses to be pigeonholed and remains in the front of our minds, burning its way so hotly that it achieves a permanent place in our memories and always a real influence over our thought lives. And how shall we visualize the statement that there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000,000 prisoners of war in the prison camps of Europe today?
The Unending Line
Have you ever watched columns of marching men? Have you felt the thrill in your throat as line after line of strong men tramped rhythmically by to the music of drum and trumpet? I remember the Dewey parade in New York in celebration of the battle of Manila in 1899. That was the first great parade that I had ever seen. From eight in the morning until late in the afternoon regiment after regiment marched past, and yet less than 100,000 men participated in that parade.
But if the prisoners of war could be mustered together and marched past a given point and you had to stand and watch this weary procession, how your eyes would ache and your heart, too, before it had passed. No music this time; no joy; no excitement; but broken regiments of weary veterans, muddy, ragged, wounded, discouraged. Watch them from the windows of your imagination. Marching, marching. All day today unceasingly they appear, - boys and young men in great number; middle aged men in great number; old men, a few - French-men, Belgians, English, Russians, Germans, Austrians, Hungarians, Turks, Africans, Indians, Australians, Italians. The march continues tomorrow, and the next day, and on through-the week, and through the next week, night and day, day and night, for over a month before this vast army has passed you by. What a vast amount of man power is represented in this mass of human beings?
To the task of conserving this man power, of keeping these men up to a point, at least above deterioration, and perhaps even to better their stand, is the gigantic task to which the Young Men’s Christian Association has dedicated itself. For the problem is not one primarily of looking out for physical needs. Even if many of the prisoners of war today are sufficiently well fed and clothed, and housed to maintain life in a healthy condition under ordinary circumstances, they are in captivity, suddenly deprived of their freedom and of the chance to serve their country in the time of greatest need. More than food, clothing and shelter is necessary. Idleness, the greatest fee to personality, gets in its most deadly work in the prison camp. Men worn out with months in the trenches and the excitement and strain of warfare are suddenly plunged into inactivity, are cut off from the world. The result is one of mental and spiritual, and often moral degeneration.
Hungry for Books
And how a city Association secretary would chortle with joy to find among the members of his Association men of the talents and capacities that one fins within the barbed wire of a prison camp settlement. Professors, journalists, lawyers, engineers, skilled artisans, musicians, and so on throughout the range of talents, are at the war=prisoner secretary’s hand to help in the establishment of work in the prison camps. I recall a camp of somewhere over 5,000, where, with a school which included an equipment of only fifteen text books, three blackboards and about forty benches and tables, we had within a month enrolled 1,700 students in thirty-five courses of study, including five languages, with courses in general science, mathematics up to and including plane and solid geometry, and lectures in various subject. From eight in the morning until six at night one class after another came into this little school building and forgot their captivity and their homesickness by accupying their minds with one study or another. In the prison camps, things which at home we have taken for granted and neglected, suddenly assume tremendous value. Think of a library of 250 books in which every day every book is drawn out, including the dictionary?
It is so easy to think that the man who has been removed from the conflict and placed in a prison camp is out of the fight. From a moral point of view, however, his fight has really only just begun. The battle field calls for heroism, but the prison call a heroism even greater because it calls for that courage patiently to endure monotony, to hold o0ne’s spirit high through weeks of waiting, to suffer and perhaps to die far off from one’s own country, out of touch with home, and alone.
Prisoners Steadily Increase
The Association has it in its power to save the lives of many, the sanity of many others, and preserve the man power of countless thousands by the work that it is now carrying on in the prison camps. Is it strange that landing in America, after many months in the atmosphere of heartache, stupendous sacrifice and such magnificent heroism, I felt with a little pang the strain of self complacency, the willingness on the part of so many to forget what is going on the other side – and their duty? It is impossible at a time like this for Christian men to divide themselves up into Nations when it comes to working for those who are helpless and destitute.
Many have given their lives that the whole world might be spiritually quickened. I wish that I might be one of the many workers who could bring home to us our duty and our responsibility at this time, who could rouse the last phlegmatic heart of every man in America out of any smug complacency which still dwells there. The work is well begun. It must be carried on. The war goes onward, the number of prisoners of war increases; their needs increase. It is indeed a challenge to the Christian students of America such as has never faced them before. This is our greatest opportunity to step in and with helpful service and a heart full of the Christian spirit re-kindle and brighten the flame of Christian brotherhood which alone can heal up the wounds and bind together the shattered world. Jesus said, “Thou shalt love they neighbor”.
He dare not speak of Loving who can bear that his brothers suffer and die, if by any sacrifice, no matter how great, he may be the means of saving them.
U. S. A. Establishes School for
10,000 Soldiers Abroad
___
West Point excited the admiration of every foreign visitor who was privileged to inspect it. The most frequent comment was “a great school.” The word “Great” meant in quality; for West Point relatively is not large.
But :”Somewhere in France” America is erecting a school which in a double sense will be “great” – in fact it will be the largest school of war ever conceived, unless the whole theatre of war is considered as a school.
It is estimated that 10,000 students will be trained in this school at one time; Situated in the vicinity of a town whose Roman walls still stand, the school will command a field-glass view of all parts of the institution.
Already the work of instruction has been begun, and the school will be extended to its full scope as rapidly as possible.
Classes have been established in trench mortar work; anti-aircraft artillery; anti-aircraft machine gun operations and sanitary work. Complete divisional units train at one time.
Soon classes in automatic weapon operation and other phases of infantry fighting will be opened. In these classes officers will be taught so that they may return to their commands as well equipped instructors.
With the arrival of some tanks that are expected soon, a school of tank warfare will be opened.
Most of the instructors are French and British, but a few Americans are members of the faculty.
SOLDIERS’ MOTTO
First Lieut. Olney of the 204th Field Artillery, in a rattling good address the other night, told the soldiers they should take as their motto “Courage, Cleanliness, Cheerfulness and Courtesy.” These, he says, are the four essential qualities of a good soldier. Judging from the applause, the boys think so, too.
SPIRIT RUNS HIGH AT BIG CHRISTMAS GAMBOL OF 308TH
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The rafter-lifting, ear-damaging ovation Col. Averill’s lads of the 308th Infantry accorded Joseph A. McAleenan of New York in the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium will go down in history as the largest bulk of noise per cubic foot that ever packed the structure. Hats, voices, shapely doughboy hands and other articles were thrown carelessly into the air with a fierce enthusiasm and abandon which would make a Bull Moose Convention sound like the gasp of an expiring T. B. victim. It was all because Mr. McAleenan had adopted the regiment, and they in turn have adopted him.
The occasion was a regimental Christmas party, with the prominent New Yorker, who has been the god-father of the 308th over since he watched battalion drill with music several weeks ago, as Santa Claus. His interest hen was os kindled that he supplied each company barrack with a piano, Victoria and athletic equipment.
A rattling fine programme of vaudeville was hugely enjoyed as preliminary, under the direction of Lieut. Bartlett, regimental athletic officer. The corking regimental song recently composed by Bandmaster Oliver Miller, “The N.K. Averill March,” was played, with the Headquarters Company composing a fine chorus, and the popular commanding office, after congratulating the composer, stepped to the platform amid wild cheering, which attested the , which he is held. Col. Averill congratulated his men on their wonderful regimental spirit, and introduced Mr. McAleenan, leading three cheers for his friend Joe. The outburst was terrific in volume and enthusiasm, and it was with difficulty
that the riot of enthusiasm was quelled. A few modest words from the god-father, and Col. Averill thanked him on behalf of the officers and men of the command.
The real Christmas feature followed, boxes of smokes and candy being passed out to each man. Mrs. Evan Morton Evans of New York contributed 200 pounds of candy.
Some of the livest boxing seen here thus far in the ring same history kept the men on the qui vive until taps became imminent and the hugely successful affair was terminated cheers for “Joe” and bursts of some trailing behind the doughboys – a they marched off to barracks.
COMPANY ‘HOMES’
SOURCE OF PRIDE
A “Y. M. Bloke” on tour through mess and recreation rooms of the companies in the 306th Infantry was struck with the home touches and the comforts which the boys had wrought out for themselves. One in particular gave him the cozy feeling of a little halfway house, with red fire roaring and ingle warm, which welcomes the wayfaring man. Certainly this place must relieve tired minds and bodies and refresh, as home itself does. Company B’s quarters were typical of the general run, perhaps” above the average. Their recreation room has been transformed by the company’s artists, and the writing, library, pool and entertainment sections are appointed par excellence. Rustic, benches, writing tables, bookcases well stocked with books, mail boxes and mail chutes. Victroia, cozy corners, piano and pool table are some of the items. The company barber and tailor are neatly housed. And the mess hall has a glory all on it own, Sergt. Murray Cross is the guardian angel of the neatest kitchen and mess room this “Y. M. Bloke has ever spied, and he claims to “have been around some, by thunder!”
But B’s outfit, while perhaps more highly polished than some others, is simply a type. It embodies the home spirit, which Uptonians have strong. They’re proud of camp, proud of their company and its quarters, proud of their regiment and its Colonel and officers, proud of the cement walk in front of the barrack, the rows of murmuring pines and hemlocks and of the whole National Army, tooth, hide and tobacco-box.
RED CROSS EAGER TO SHOULDER SOLDIERS’
DOMESTIC WORRIES
____
No soldier or sailor need worry during his absence in camp or in the trenches about the folks back home, if he will but refer his troubles or anxieties to the Red Cross. He has only to apply to the Field Director of Red Cross Supplies Service in his camp, or, in the absence of such a director, write to the Home Service director, write to the home Service Bureau at any one of the thirteen Division Headquarters of the Red Cross in the United States – for example, the Potomac Division, 930-32-14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. –or else to the Civilian Relief Department of National headquarters of the American Red Cross at Washington.
No matter how he does it, the word will be forwarded to the Red Cross Chapter wherever his family may be with the request that a Home Service worker visit the home and report back to him in due time.
Is there sickness in the family? Is a mortgage on his house coming due? Is his wife or mother inexperienced in handling money? Is he uneasy in handling money? Is he uneasy about one of the children who was inclined to be wayward? Has he not been hearing from home? Does he wish to send a reassuring personal message to a mother, or wife, or little children; or any one else near and dear?
Letters and communications of this kind are now beginning to pour through the Red Cross national, divisional and chapter offices; and thousands of Home Service workers are going daily on these personal errands of service and good will.
Nobody knows better than does the Red Cross, that even though “Uncle Sam” is a good paymaster, sending his checks, as he does, for allotments and allowances and indemnities and insurance, nevertheless he and his money cannot make up for the absence of husband, father, son, brother; and, for the very good reason that the soldier in camp or at the front is and was more than a paymaster or breadwinner or a bank deposit. He was the companion, the advisor, the general factotum of the family.
The whole idea of the Red Cross is to serve as a go-between when and wherever needed, but along with this, to be everything possible in the absence of the man of the household to supply his place; carrying good cheer, heading off trouble, helping to maintain a proper standard of living, and looking forward to a family reunion when the home-coming soldier returns to find his loved ones no worse off, if not indeed better off than at the time of his call to the colors.
YOU CAN’T BEAT US
____
By ELLIS PARKER BUTLER
I knew the United States for four ears of peace and I though it was the best country on earth, but I had to see it at war to know what a chunk of “all right” this land of ours is. I never believed, with some good people, that war was a thing of the past and as dead as the two-toed Titticancus of the Silurian Age, which never did exist. I have always said war would come – and I have written it again and again – but I was afraid our nation and our people were getting a little soft-like, ripe, old Camembert Cheese. I take is all back. We are about as soft and mushy as a piece of case-hardened steel. There was quite a bit of peace mould on the outside of us, but it wiped off right easily.
There is a young fellow from across my street who was drafted and went to a Selective Service cantonment, and as he was an engineer by profession they put him in charge of a gang to build rifle ranges. He had lived on velvet, but when I asked him how he liked army life he said “Fine.” He said there were a lot of mighty rough fellows, but that they were dandy when you got to know them. I get the same thing all through. If I wanted to pick out a name for our drafted boys, I’d call them “The Men Behind the Grins.” This same young engineer, when he had completed the rifle ranges, was put to work on an embankment around the General’s Headquarters, and his gang was cut down to three men. As nearly as I can remember, one was a customs coatmaker, one a pants presser, and one a buttonhole maker. To take a buttonhole maker and turn him overnight into a soldier (and an engineer with a pick and shovel, at that) and have anything left but a sad, expiring moan, is great stuff. When the mould is wiped off us we are as soft as a chilled-steel bayonet. I would hate to be a German and have about a thousand of those buttonhole makers come over the top at me with bayonets fixed.
Wet Eyes Scarce
One day I saw a few hundred drafted men leaving a railroad station in a large city for the trip to camp. The wet eyes were not among the boys who were going. There were not many wet eyes anywhere; the boys were shouting and chaffing each other. The only really worried looking person was a negro who was carrying a banner on a pole – “We are the ___th District Boys – We are going to bite the Kaiser,” or something like that. He was worried because he could not find the contingent to which the banner belonged. He wandered around the station and he was really distressed. He finally sat down on a bench. Probably someone had given him fifty cents for carrying the banner and he was not earning it. Or perhaps he had not been paid the fifty cents and was afraid he never would get it. At any rate, he was the saddest person in the station. A negro who feels in his bones he is losing fifty cents can look/mighty sad.
There was one other person there who would have seemed sad if he had not seemed such an admirable example of complete sorrow. He was an Italian, the father, no doubt, of a drafted boy, and he was weeping with all his face, both hands and one foot. I never saw any one weep so thoroughly and wholeheartedly. He wept so completely, and put his soul and body so entirely into the job, that there was nothing sad about it. Poor Old duffer! I suppose he may have come to America so that his baby boy might avoid Italian military service and now the military had that very boy. But the boy- I saw him – was not downhearted. “Aw, cheese! It cheerfully, and patted his dad on the back, and the next moment he was yelling across the station: “Hey, Tony! Did you get that Kiss? Probably Tony had bragged about a farewell kiss he was going to get. I hope he got it. He looked so cheerful I am sure he did get it, two of them, maybe.
Well, there were glum follow, too, I suppose, I haven’t thought I have never seen – fellows who went to camp and cantonment with long, miserably – drawn faces. There were bound to be some of them, but the great thing is that their glumness was not contagious and smiles and rough cheerfulness were.
We are sending abroad, and will continue to send, men with a grin. The army of the United States, at home and abroad, is an army of good sports, taking things as they find them and making a joke of the annoyances. You can beat the glum man, and you can beat the sour-faced quitter, but you can’t beat the man-with-a-grin. You can’t beat us; our motto is “GRIN AND WIN”!
BRITISH TANK MOWS
DOWN EVERYTHING IN
ITS PATH AT UPTON
____
Tear Gas and Machine Gun Fire
Also Contribuate Warlike Touch
Society Note: Miss Britannia has been a Camp Upton visitor recently, giving an exhibition of some of the lastest dance steps from the west young lady was given the keys to the camp. If she hadn’t been given them she could easily have broken her way into local society. She has a way of breaking things up.
Yes, the reigning sensation of the week past was the presence here of the British tank Britannia, brought from Hero Land, New York. Upton was the first of the camps to be visited, and entertained royally the big battle leviathan. Practically every man in the post saw her in action, hopping over trenches, crushing trees and munching guns.
Real gas was also encountered for the first time during the sensational night now over, Lieut. H.G. Snyder introducing some of the 308th’s men to the delights of tear gas. Other forms will be used in actual gas experiences soon.
First rifle practice on the 100-yard range and machine gun target practice were other developments during the week of drilling which terminated with the Christmas holidays. The 154th Infantry Brigade’s trenches witnessed the first use of the rapid-firers, and officers and non-coms of the 304th Machine Gun Battalion limbered up with the Colt variety, directed by Major F.D. Griffith.
FROM THE DEPOT BRIGADE
One of the boys of the 9th Company complained that the chow in the mess of the 9th was not as good as he had had over at one of the other companies.
“When did you eat in one of the other companies?”asked Lieut. Palmer.
“On Thanksgiving Day, I had my dinner over at the 12th.” Was the reply.
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One of the latest Hebrew recruits is reported having said: “Fried bacon fro breakfast, pork and beans for dinner, cold boiled ham for supper! I never eat so much bread in all my life, Abey!”
Boxing is going strong. The battalion tournaments pulled off in the barracks were productive of some good bouts. Lieut. Davies of the 2nd Battalion has a fast bunch, and Lieut. Gleason of the 5th Battalion has discovered a champion in Young Dundee. At the inter battalion bouts held in the 19th Street “hut.” Joe Honan, the fighting waiter, representing the 3d Battalion, was the sensation of the evening. He has a reputation of “Knocking ‘em all cold,” and Lieut. Naylor says he will back him against anything at his weight in the camp.
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Capt. Higgins, 11th Company, told his men that those who could get full equipment could go home on passes. None of the boys had their hat cords, but they immediately made a rush to purchase some. The whistle was blowing for retreat formation as they trooped back, arrayed in service regulation blue of the doughboys. There were ambulance cords of the service. In fact all the cords and one youth strode along proudly under the full gold cord of a General.
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Capt. Hoyer of the 1st Company believes in recreation and entertainment for his men. The latest company asked is a new billiard table which Capt. Hoyer has presented to his company.
_____
Trouble with the pedal extremities is not always confined to long marches. Some of the men at Camp Upton have had trouble with their feet, and they have not marched any further than the Bevo counter at the commissary. Private Jack O’Brien of the 8th Company has been waiting two weeks for a pair of shoes to fit him, and when at last they procured a pair of kicks, size 10 ½, for him, he complained that they were such a close fit that he couldn’t wear any socks between the shoes and the feet.
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The 14th Company claims to have the original spadefoot artist in the person of one of its members. When this soldier asked why he was not being sent to Georgia with the rest of the gang, Top Cutter Red Smith informed him that he was being retained at Yaphank to form “the nucleus for a flatfooted brigade to be sent out ahead of the storming parties to tread down the barbed wire entanglements.”
PHILHARMONIC Programme
For Concert Wednesday Night
Ninety members of the New York Philharmonic Society will come to Camp Upton Wednesday for a concert in the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium at 7:30 P.M., the appearance of the world-famed musicians offering to men here one of the rare treats of the season.
This is the second concert of Christmas week given by the Philharmonic outside of the regular schedule, the Halifax sufferers benefiting by one held in Carnegie Hall Sunday.
Following is the programme for Upton, Jose F. Stransky, conductor: The Star Spangled Banner; Symphoney No. 5 in E minor, Op. 95, “The New World” (Dvorak); “The Swan of Tuonelas,” (Sibelius); Scherzo, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, “ (Duckas); Nocturne for Violoncello and Harp, Leo Schulz, violincello and Alfred Kastner, harp (Chopin); “American Fantasy” (Herbert).
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BUFFALOES WILL OWN NEW YORK
NEW YEAR’S EVE
One date in the calendar ahead is the important object of Buffalo hopes these days. It is New Year’s Eve. On that day Col. Moss’s colored boys of the 367th Infantry will own New York, or at least a very considerable section of that adjacent island. On the eve of the New Year regimental swagger sticks, brushed leggings and smart uniforms will cut figures at the 71st Regiment Armory. It is to be a regimental ball, and practically the entire command of nearly 2,000 men will be given permission to attend the ball, and Capt. Bull, regimental Adjutant, has consented to lead the grand march.
BLOW-OUT IN P.R. BATTALION
The boys of the fourth platoon lst Co., Provisional Recruit Battalion, are a peppy bunch. Last Saturday half of the platoon went on pass to New York, the others determined to have a good time so, headed by Private Harry Sitomer, they decided on a big Blow-Out. Accompanied by Sergt. Grant and Private Sitani and Mess Sergt. Cooper he went over to Acker Merral and just about bought the place out. About forty men came in for the feed. Lt. Kramer dropped in to tell them that they need not turn in till 11 o’clock and could sleep till 6:45AM the next morning. Sad news, Lieutenant!
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GET MOVIE MACHINE
The men of Company 1, 307th Infantry, are very happy. Private M. O. Felder of this outfit, formerly with the Fox Film Corp., has purchased a moving picture machine for the company and it is now being installed. Under the able direction of Capt. Harrigan the men are assured of many happy times. Dark and stormy nights will be made cheerful and full of merriment. Arrangements have been made to show the most modern and up-to-date photo plays twice weekly. The first picture secured by Private Felder will be a William Fox super-de-lux production entitled “The Spy” featuring Dustin Farnum.
December 31, 1917
SCHOOL HERE SOON
TO MOLD N.A. MEN
INTO OFFICERS
Non-coms 'and Privates Will Go
Into Three Months' Training Course
Red, white and Blue hat cords will soon take their place among the insignia of camp, denoting members of the third Officers' Training School, which opens here Jan. 5, composed of 535 non-coms and privates and 237 men from Eastern colleges enlisted as Regular Army privates.
There has been great density of interest among applicants as to who would be chosen, the choice being made from 1.7 per cent of the division's enlisted personnel by a board composed of Col. William R. Smedberg, 305th Infantry; Lieut. Col. W. B. MCaskey, 152d Depot Brigade, and Lieut. Col. Charles r. Pettis, 302d Engineers. Merit has been the sole qualification for places in the school, eligible's being recommended by platoon leaders, passed to the company commanders, thence selections to the regimental commanders and then to the division commanders.
Probably a provisional battalion of three infantry companies and one battery of field artillery will be created from the 762 students in the school, which will be in command of Lieut. Col. McCaskey. There will be a staff of twenty-nine reserve officer instructors and one French instructor. All the serve officers have had experience at the Plattsburg and Fort Niagara Camps, and are splendidly prepared for their work. The candidates will be quartered in barracks in the J section.
The course of training is three months, and at the end of that time graduates will be recommended as eligible to Second Lieutenancies, but will be returned to their former rank in camp until vacancies arise in the division. the National Army men retain their present rank and pay during the school. The college men classed as Regular Army privates receive $33 per month. These men come from Harvard, New York Military Academy, Cornell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Connecticut Agricultural College and Massachusetts State College of Agriculture.
Give Him a Try-Out, Lieut!
One of the men in Casual Barracks, corner 15th Street and Third Avenue, asked to be assigned the other day to the Medical Corps. His Lieutenant asked him what his qualifications were.' He answered that he was a butcher by profession.
BEST IN MUSIC IS
APPRECIATED HERE
Philharmonic, With 17-Star Service
Flag, Also Cheered for
Americanism.
That the men of Camp Upton appreciate the finest in music has again been demonstrated, this time by the reception accorded the New York Philharmonic Society, under the leadership of Josef Stransky. The Y.M.C.A. Auditorium was filled for the concert and a big cheer was given for the society when it was announced that every one of the ninety members of the great orchestra on the platform is an American citizen, that all belonged to the Red Cross and that they were giving the concert free as a bit of patriotic service. A service flag with seventeen stars hung from the rear of the stage, showing that number of men from the society, the oldest musical organization in America, in the service of their country.
The programmed numbers were enthusiastically received, especially the four movements of Dvorak's New World Symphony, written for the Philharmonic by Dvorak to express the spirit of America and incorporating negro and Indian melodies. three cheers were given for the orchestra at the close of the programmed, which included "The Star Spangled Banner." "The Swan of Tuonela" (Sibelius), "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (Dukas). Noeturna for violoncello and harp, Leo Schulz, violoncellist, and Alfred Kastner, harpist (Chopin), and Victor Herbert's "American Fantasy."
GOVERNOR, IN LETTER, INDORSES
"THE SOLDIERS' OWN PAPER"
_____
Is "a Patriotic and Practical
Activity," Says New York's Head
Above is a New Year's greeting to the officers and men of Camp Upton from Gov. Whitman, who feels on the eve of the New Year the heroic responsibilities which rest in the hands of men of this State in the Seventy-Seventh Division.
The fact that Trench and Camp is peculiarly a soldier's paper is recognized by the Governor, the text of whose letter follows:
"I am greatly interested to learn that the national War Work Council of the Young Men's Christian Association is issuing weekly a Camp Upton edition of Trench and Camp, a patriotic and practical activity which has my hearty endorsement.
"Such a paper must prove of the greatest interest and comfort not only to our soldiers in the field but to their families at home, and as Governor of this State I am glad to avail myself of the opportunity, through the medium of "The Soldiers' Own Paper," to send to the officers and men of Camp Upton my cordial greeting for the New Year.
"I share in the pride which must be felt by every patriotic citizen of this great State in the noble response of our gallant manhood to their country's call, and I know that whatever the coming year may bring forth in suffering and hardship, there will be no faltering no indecision - in the high duty they are called upon to perform.
"CHARLES WHITMAN"
"INNER CIRCLE"
SIGNIFICANT OF
A BROAD SPIRIT
___
All Religious Agencies Here
Cooperate, by Distinctive
Plan
_____
Visitors to camp who have visited other of the National Army cantonments remark upon the remarkably fine and liberal spirit of co-operation which exists among the various agencies working here, especially for the conservation and advancement of religious activity and interest. One of the strongest tangible proofs of this is the distinctive plan adopted here by religious workers for the maintenance of the high moral tone. No other camp uses the plan, which is an Upton one, conceived and executed. "The Inner Circle" is the name under which the work is carried on, and cards are used which bear the insignia of the three agencies working together - the Jewish Board of Welfare Work, the Knights of Columbus and Y.M.C.A.
Signers are secured in each barracks who constitute the Inner Circle, and it is upon them that much of the responsibility for moral conservation rests. they sign the following obligation: "Having answered my country's call and recognizing that an obligation rests upon me as a member of the National Army to be a strong and efficient soldier, and realizing the need of help in meeting this obligation. I do hereby pledge myself to cooperate with other like-minded men by forming in my barracks an Inner Circle which will promote the following: 1 - Clean thought. 2 - Clean speech. 3 - Clean living, and 4 - character building. Character is formed through prayer, Bible study, attendance on divine worship and service for other men."
Bishop Brings
Message From
Gen. Pershing
Must Get Spirit of Determination
Into War, Says Divine.
_____
That America can win the War, must win the War and will win the War was the message brought Upton soldiers from Gen. Pershing recently. the bearer was the Rev. Bishop Luther B. Wilson, General Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New York, who was six months in France and Italy observing conditions. Before leaving for America the Bishop had a conference with the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, and asked Gen. Pershing what message he sent the American people and the young men in training.
"Tell them." said Gen. Pershing, "that it is the rankest sedition to say that Germany will win this War. America can win the War, America must win the War, and America will win the War."
"They shall Not Pass!"
In his three addresses here, Bishop Wilson said that his country must get the same determination which stiffened the living wall of French at Verdun, when the immortal sentence went through the defenders, "They shall not pass!" He deplored the presence of those in this fend who sympathize, professing loyalty to the Stars and Stripes, with Germany and its programmed, and suggested that they be sent to a place where there will be meatless, wheat less, sweetness, heatless and, occasionally, earless days. "There will be no treating for peace with the present heads of Germany," said the divine. "That power must be crushed, with absolute finality."
The noted cleric delivered two of his messages to the men of the 305th Infantry, being a guest of Mr. Young and Mr. Malmberg of the Fifth Avenue and First Street Y.M.C.A. His third address was to men of the 307th and 308th Infantry Regiments in the hut at Fifth and Eight.
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COLORED SOLDIERS TO
SING IN NEW YORK
____
1,000 Buffalo Warblers, Under
Max Weinstein, Will
Be Heard.
One thousand men of the 367th Infantry (colored), the Buffalo regiment, are practicing zealously under the direction of Max Weinstein, official regimental song director, for a musical affair in New York, which promises to take a unique place among soldier entertainments.
It is to be a concert in Manhattan Opera House, New York, Sunday, Jan. 20th, featuring the great chorus of negro soldier voices. Weinstein secured marvelous effects from the throats of these song-birds. some of the pipe organ harmonies and nuances rising into the heights of real musician. Col. Moss is enthusiastically backing the New York appearance, and it will be an opportunity to hear music of a rarer sort only infrequently accorded even in the neighbor village.
The 367th continue in the entertainment field with honors, one of their most recent being an evening in K. of C. Auditorium, when a programmed of regimental talent was given. Among the performers were the following singers, dancers and monologists: Private Williams, Company A; Sergt. Bowman, Company A; Private Fells, Company A, Private Simmeljkaer, Headquarters Company; Private Blackwell and Private Robsinon, Company A; Sergt. Battle, Headquarters Company; Private Hacketts, Company A.
THEY WANT TO KNOW
All your family - grandmother to little sister - are eager for every scrap of information they can get about your life in camp. Trench and Camp is full of items concerning your military life. Send this paper home.
PUZZLE - FIND THE SOLDIER
WHO DID NOT GET
A LETTER
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Here is another drawing from the pen of Frank Hines, a member of the 122d Field Artillery Band at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, who won the wrist watch in the cartoon contest recently conducted by Trench and Camp. Like his prize-winning drawing, the above cartoon doubtless will appeal to all soldiers because of its human touch.
In his letter acknowledging receipt of the wrist watch awarded him, Bandsman Hines said:
"The watch is a beauty, and needless to say, I am more than proud of it, not only for this reason, perhaps, but also because it is in a way a trophy and one I hardly hoped to get. I fear very much that if Mr. Ray McGill, at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., had been more prompt in submitting his work I would have been rated among the "also rans,' but fate was kind.
"That Trench and Camp has been, so far, successful in its mission to inform, stimulate, entertain and amuse the soldiers, I am sure, for it is decidedly popular among the boys here, many of whom send it home."
All Officers Must Be Able To
Stand " Prolonged Hardships"
_____
"Capacity to perform a highly specialized and arduous type of service" is the test by which the fitness of general officers of the army for services "Over There" is to be judged.
Physical examinations have already proved the unfitness of a number of high officers in the Regular Army and National Guard to stand the rigorous service in France. Announcement has been made that these officers and others who cannot pass the examination will be utilized in training troops in camps and cantonments in the United States.
Following is Secretary Baker's statement regarding the physical examination before being detailed for service overseas:
"All general officers of the Regular Army and the National Guard are being examined by medical boards and efficiency boards with a view of determining the advisability of sending them for service abroad. The conditions of foreign service in this war are unusually severe, requiring that general officers shall be not only adequately grounded in military science and adequately alert physically to acquire rapidly the lessons which the new form of warfare require, but able to endure prolonged hardships.
"The determination of these boards are impersonal and in the interest of the success of our armies and the welfare both of leaders and men, and will be affirmed by the War Department. This policy will no doubt commend itself to the people of the country as being in the public interest, and even where it is necessary to delay the opportunity for foreign service to soldiers of long experience it will be understood to imply nothing in any way prejudicial to the officers involved.
"Boards of this kind have already found some of the general officers of both the Regular Army and the National Guard physically unfit. Such finding does not in any way reflect upon the past services of the officer or upon his present zeal and willingness to make personal sacrifices in the further service of his country, but the question to be determined is one of capacity to perform a highly specialized and arduous type of service."
Bill would Permit
Americans To Accept Foreign Decorations
_____
Among the first bills introduced at the present session of Congress was a measure by Congressman Linthicum, of Maryland, "To permit any soldier, sailor, marine or other person engaged in the service of the United Stated in the prosecution of said War."
Passage of this bill, which seems practically assured, would permit the wearing of War crosses recently bestowed upon twelve American officers and enlisted men by the French government and the acceptance of similar decorations by the families of Corporal James d. Gresham and Privates Merie D. Hay and Thomas F. Enright, the first United States soldiers to die in battle "Over There." The fifteen War crosses were informed that they could not wear them until authority was granted by Congress.
The Linthicum bill would permit the acceptance of decorations from Great Britain and Italy as well as France, and also provides that diplomats be allowed to receive decorations.
_____
WILHELM'S LAST WILL
APPEARS AS SOUVENIR
_____
One of the latest souvenirs of the War to make its appearance in various cities throughout the country is an official-looking document bearing a big red stamp and entitled "The Last Will and Testament of the Kalser,". The wording of the will is as follows:
"This is the last will and testament of me, Wilhelm, the super swanker and ruler of the sausage-eaters, recognizing that I am fairly up against it, and expecting to meet with a violent death at any minute at the hands of brave Sammies, hereby make my last will and testament.
"I appoint the Emperor of Austria to be my sole executor (by kind permission of the Allies).
"1 - I give and bequeath to France the territories of Alsace and Lorraine (as this is only a case of returning stolen property, I don't deserve any credit for it, and am not likely to get it either).
"2 - To Serbia I give Austria.
"3 - To Russia I give Turkey.
"4 - To Belgium I should like to give all the thick ears, black eyes, and broken noses that she presented me with when I politely trespassed on her territory.
"5 - To your Uncle Sam I give all my dreadnaughts, submarines, trope do-boat destroyers and fleet of Frunkers generally, what's left of them. He's bound to have the, in the end, so this is only anticipating events.
"6 - To John Bull I give what's left of my army, as his General Haig seems so hand at turning my men into sausage meat.
"7 - To the college of Science and Museum I leave my famous mustache as a souvenir of the greatest swanker in this or any other age.
"8 - To Mrs. Pankhurst and the wild women I leave my mailed fist; they'll find it useful, no doubt, when they resume their militant tactics.
"9 - To Sir Ernest Shackleton I leave the pole I've been up for so long that I regard it as my own property.
"(Signed) H.I.M.Wilhelm,
"Lord of the Land, Sea and Air,
"Not forgetting the Sausages and Lager Beer."
FRENCH CONFIDENT SAMMIES
WILL END WAR NEXT SPRING
_____
"When the American forces start their drive next spring the Germans will melt away like butter before a hot fire."
This is the expression heard throughout France today and brought to this country by Americans returning from Europe. These travelers declare that an entirely new spirit has come over France since the American soldiers arrived "Over There." The French soldiers have been
greatly encouraged and stimulated by the sight of the boys in Khaki and are confident that the more American soldiers sent to France the nearer draws the end of the War.
Shortly after his arrival at an Atlantic port Robert Davis, who has spent several months in Europe working for the Red Cross, said:
"Everything is all right with the American troops this winter. General Pershing told me that unless something unforeseen happens he does not expect American troops to get into action generally until winder breaks. He said we must buck up the French because they are holding the line until our baby army is schooled."
SHORT STORIES
SAVE THE CANS
___
In each of the camps and cantonments throughout the United States an officer has been appointed to direct the saving of all tins cans. Similar work has been taken by civilian committees in various cities. The object of the can saving is to conserve the tin supply of country.
IDENTIFYING THE NOISE
_____
Harry (just "out") - Listen, Bill! Sounds like Ole Fritz comin' over in the mud- Squish squash, squish squash.
Bill - that's Orl right - that's only the Americans further up a 'chewin' their gum rations. -
LONDON OPINION.
ITALIANS BATTLE HUNS
WHERE ATTILA WAS HALTED
FIFTEEN CENTURIES AGO
______
Italy's struggle to save Venice developed one of the strangest phases of War ever known in the history of the world. It is neither land warfare nor water warfare, but a combination of both and is referred to by correspondents as "half aquatic, water-and-land conflict."
Fifteen centuries ago Atilla and his original Huns reached exactly the same spot between the Piave and the Sile rivers that the modern Teutonic Huns have reached today. Fifteen hundred years ago the original inhabitants of the section fled from the mainland and on to the gulfs and flats of the lagoons founded the island colonies which eventually became Venice. Over the same intervening canals, marshes, lagoons and lakes by which Atilla and his Huns were checked, the Italians today are checking the modern-day Huns.
302D - ENGINEERS.
___
Dr. Trexler has been transferred. He now is chaplain for the Base Hospital. His cheery ways will comfort many there. Don't forget us, Doctor' we won't forget you!
The design and construction of the Community hall has been placed in the hands of the engineers. Any other odd jobs, or hard ones! Send them along to us and we will finish them. Essayons!
The Chief of Engineers at Washington took occasion to compliment Company E on their fine knot and lashing board, photograph of which had been sent him. Hats off to Privates Cole, Lehman and Foley, who superintended the making of the board.
And while on the subject of compliments, Ye Scribe wishes to call attention to the remarks made on the record of Coral. Bromberger of Company B. he has received a very high compliment from one of the ranking officers of the division for gallant and courteous conduct. One can never tell when actions are being watched. Let his action be typical of engineer courtesy.
The lecture by Capt. Trounce, Engineer Reserve Corps (late of the Royal Engineers) at the Auditorium was enjoyed by all. His account of the doings of the Royal Engineers was very apropos. As a result, we are going to do some mining and tunneling. here will be a good chance for the companies to distinguish themselves. Who will finish the first dugout? And who the best one?
The relief map being made by the artificers of Company E is well worth seeing. It illustrates the terrain of an areas about one mile square, and shows all the accessories of modern warfare. Go and see it and do likewise!
The frozen ground has delayed the completion of our landscape improvement, but you can bet we will win that $100 prize for the best kept grounds; also any other prizes that are offered.
The men here Christmas didn't lack. At a Christmas party in Company F barrack, every one of the 130 men received a box, with candy, smokes and other articles. Dr. Manning received 130 pairs of very fine gloves from New York, which were included in the gifts.
_____
FROM THE HILL TOWER
CAMP UPTON
Private C.a. Brightside is of the opinion that the fellows who got New Year's leave were vastly better favored than the brethren who passed Christmas at home. They only got four days. We New Year's ginks get home for two year's
OFFICIAL STUFF
Where do we go from here, boys? Ah, yes, where do we! The observer from the Hill Tower perceives a ray of light illuminating this question sending its beams from any barracks.
_____
Says Lance Corporal Helmiderkiser: "One of the Post Office boys told the fellow who wears my other shirt when he goes to town that the General's mail was five ounces heavier yesterday. He thinks that means we leave within forty-eight hours to besiege Hoboken."
_____
Chief Beanzunash figures that his outfit will be packing up for Porto Rico soon. "Not so much sugar in the mess as there used to be. That must mean we're going to beat it for where there's more. Probably Porto Rico."
_____
December 31, 1917
"We'll be here at least a year," disagrees Orderly Orsumthing. "Didn't the Sergeant tell a fellow the other day that it'd be a year before he could shoot at a German if it took him as long to load a gun as it did to learn how to carry it?"
_____
Private Supeladel overheard a pair of lieutenants talking. "No," said one, "I don't think I'll new my subscription to the Poetry Review. I report in Pvt. S.'s company spread like jam for breakfast that "We're going South pretty soon- probably at once. heard two brigade generals talking and they said we'd leave within a week."
_____
Of course it may not mean anything, but Sergt. Sacks is in the Bakery Department and has considerable to do with Flour.
_____
One of the many little advantages of being a soldier at Christmas is that the Aunt Who Gave the Pale Flowered Neckwear is no longer terrible. But speaking of useful gifts for soldiers, how's this for a prize package: Tow pair garters, two neckties, one red and one green; one copy of Shakespeare's "All's Well That Ends Well," a blue silk muffler?
_____
The guard had challenged three times. The challenge was a "non-English speaking" person and the only American language he had was What he'd picked up under Private Masterbrand's classes. The click of the guard's gun spelled business. The challenge gapingly realized that he'd better say something, so from the book he rehearsed, slowly: "Sergeant, dismiss the company."
_____
Now that the discussion is on the matter of leaves, we venture to wonder if the Kaiser will turn over a new one.
_____
Some sort of decoration is due Private Nauheim, Company A, 308th. He likes fire guard duty in the Hill Tower. That's not why he should be given a war cross, but the reason for liking it ought to qualify him. He likes it, gently reader, because form thence he can see the Camp Upton sunsets. Now while the class in esthetics is reciting, how many have deliberately and cold-bloodedly watch a sunset from here? Let there be a show of hands!
_____
"How do you wish your hair trimmed, sir?" murmured the barber to his Soldier Prey.
"Over the top," came the reply, just like that.
CULLED FROM OTHER CAMPS
FOR UPTON MEN
_____
There may be a munitions shortage and all that, but nevertheless the boys of Camp Kearny, Linda vista, Cal., are having valuable preliminary experience with powder. "Battle With Powder" is the caption of a little story in the Camp Kearny Trench and Camp, and, reading on, the intelligence is gleaned that a score or more members of the 160th Infantry engaged in a battle royal with - talcum powder! Several cans were used and the stench of battle was terrific. Then, as an indication of the love of these Kearny fighters for powder, another item in the same paper tells of the theft of a powder puff from Miss Katherine Stinson, an aviatrix, by one of the 40th Division men. Some ambitious youth in the Ordnance Department, no doubt.
While the chaplain of a Camp Beau-regard (La.) regiment was conducting service, some disturbing talk went on in the vicinity of the meeting. the padre happened to be praying and a devout worshipper rebuked the disturbers in old-fashioned theological language thus: "Shut up there, you damned heathens, don't you see he's praying?"
_____
Uptonites, ducking their heads under Long Island nor'westers, may be interested to hear that their comrades-in-arms encamped at Palo Alto, Cal. (Camp Fremont), are in the midst of a camp "world series" of baseball. The account says that "these warm days (business of brushing perspiration from the brow) see the diamonds filled morning and afternoon." Orderly, pass the Iced Tea!
_____
Some one at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, wants Private Brodie's address. We wonder if it's the immortal Steve who's being sought for data concerning the taking of another chance.
_____
One man in twenty in Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, got a Christmas Leave. the imagination finds it hard to picture what happened when the other nineteen greeted him after the vacation.
_____
Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas, is to have an Aviation Examining Board for men aspiring to soar higher in the service.
_____
"Pockets were not made for men's hands," is the comment on the lax habit of thrusting the latter in the former, by Major Gen. Bell, commanding Camp Logan, Houston, Texas. he issues an order that this habit, carelessness in dress, saluting with a cigarette or cigar in the hand, and other evidences of faulty soldier breeding, must cease.
_____
Farmers in the vicinity of Camp Wheeler, Macon, Georgia, demonstrated a real warmth of patriotism by hauling seventy-five wagonloads of cord-wood into camp for the use of the soldiers.
_____
RECRUITS FROM SLOCUM.
Over a thousand of the enlisted men who found Fort Slocum without hotel accommodations and slept in New Rochelle churches and clubs have come under the Seventy-Seventh Division's hospitable roof, and from the remarks they have a high opinion of Gen. Johnson's treatment. They came with the proverbial "two thin blankets," but were supplied with more protection against Long Island's rigors, and in their Depot Brigade quarters have been making themselves quite at home. They compose' part of the great flow of men who enlisted before Dec. 15th.
_____
FIRE DRILLS TESTED
The first fire alarm has proved the wisdom of the strict fire drills which have been practiced here, and the damage done was kept to less than $1,000 as a result. A blaze started in the basement of the 304th Field Artillery Dispensary, when no one was in the building, but some of the heavy gunmen returning from a hike discovered it, formed a hose line and bucket brigade, and by the time the Fire Department arrived the would-be conflagration was done for.
JAZZERS PROVE THEY'RE INDEPENDENT
OF L.I.R.R.
The famous Jazz Band of the Q. M.C. was smashed all up on Sunday last by the absence on leave of two of its most prominent members, the Harmonica and Jew sharp manipulators, Privates Alfred Lawrence and Julian Hankins. Of course, there is nothing remarkable in the fact that they were away. herein lies the story: for a lark (More or less) these two musicians decided to practice marching by saving carfare to New York through the simple expedient of walking it! It can be reported that the energetic hikers reached the big town in just nine hours. They were given lifts in eight different automobiles, walked thirty miles, and had a beautiful time the whole way.
_____
With the Humorists
Among the proud boasts of the Machine Gun Company, 307th Infantry, which include military efficiency, accurate marksmanship and esprit de corps, is Herman Cohen, the Yodeling Yit of Yaphank, who is known from the wilds of the Bronx away down to Battery Park, from one end of Camp Upton to the other.
Every organization has its funny man; every outfit has one or more characters who, in some way or the other, serve to liven things up and make the time fly faster; but the machine gunners are ready to maintain that no disciple of wit and humor in the division so deservedly enjoys such popularity as the Yodeling Yit.
He is a truly funny man. His stuff is good. There is nothing half-way about it. His gulps and jokes are as effective against the blues as a forty-two centimeter gun against a sandpile. There is no strained attempt to be funny. He is just naturally humorous. His presence on a disagreeable detail is enough to make the job not only easy but pleasant - and that's the reason why the Machine Gunner swear by him. he makes them laugh. and anyone who can make people laugh is better than a philanthropist.
And some jay-not far distant, perhaps - the Machine Gunners of the 307th Infantry will go into action with smiles on their faces, produced by some remark or joke from the Yodeling Yit, and then woe betide the botches!
TAPS AND REVEILLE
MEET IN MILITARY
BALL OF BUFFALOES
____
367TH Infantry Welfare League
Sponsors Affair in
New York.
____
If there was a in ember of the 367th Infantry by any misfortune or hard fate wrought by military necessity left at Camp Upton Dec 31, he was some mournful Buffalo. For at 9 o'clock on that evening, the threshold of a new year, the Buffalo hand men, inspired by the able baton of Egbert E. Johnson, erstwhile leader of musicians in the British Navy, struck up a grand march that will always be memorable. The scene was the 71st Regiment Armory, 34th Street and Park Avenue, New York. Hundreds of friends, with their erect, stalwart military escorts, furbished and accoutered as becomes the perfect soldier man, gathered for this grand military ball and army New Year's Eve ceremony. It was given by the 367h Infantry Welfare League. Col. Moss and other regimental officers, officers of the Welfare League, of which Theodore Roosevelt is Honorary President, were honor guests and the patroness lie contained many prominent names.
The sounding of "taps" and "reveille" were features of the evening, which was replete with interesting ones. The following explanation of these two calls and their bearing on the part was given in the programme:
"At military funerals "taps" is always sounded just before the coffin is lowered into the grave. This practice involves a deeply felt sentiment - ' rest in peace. In the daily life of the soldier the sounding of "taps." at 11 o'clock P.M., signifying lights out, announces the end of the day, implying that the cares and labors of the soldier are ended for that day. So does the sounding of "taps" at his funeral signify the end of his day, the "lights out" of his life, his 'rest in peace'.
"Reveille" is the first call that is sounded in the daily life of the soldier announcing, as it does, the dawn, the beginning of another day.
"So it is that with "taps" and "reveille" possessing the significance they do, meaning what they do to the soldier, it is an old army custom to sound, with all lights extinguished, the "taps" of the old year as the clock is striking 12 the night of Dec. 31st, after the last stroke of which, mid light, music and song, the "reveille" of the New Year is sounded."
REGIMENTAL BUFFALO.
The first issue of the Regimental Buffalo, the paper which will be issued for the men of the 367th Infantry (colored) will be ready for distribution soon. Capt. B.F. Norris, Headquarters Company, is editor in chief of the venture, with Col. Moss in general supervision, and talented members of the outfit contributing drawings, news, poems and quips.
THE UNBREAKABLE LINE
One of the higher commanders of the French Army now on duty in America recently prepared a memorandum for the French Institute of the United States , in which he pointed out that Germany would make her supreme effort to win the war before June 1, 1918. Already the German divisions that have been set free on the Russian front have been hurled against the northern borders of Italy. France and England and America are calmly waiting the advent of new divisions for fighting in the Champagne district, in front of Verdun, or anywhere else the Germans may choose along the line of trenches from the mountains of Switzerland to the North Sea.
We speak of trenches and we have in mind one narrow trench three or four feet wide and five feet deep, but how many of us stop to think that trench, and then another trench, and then another, until the whole system from where the first front line trenches face each other all the way back to the rear line covers a distance of more than fifty miles? It is this network of trenches; it is this long and carefully prepared system of defense backed by the artillery of France and that of her allies that has made France so sure that Germany would not pass that way.
As the attack on Paris failed in 1914, as the great drive at Verdun has since failed in spite of the hundreds of thousands that the Crown Prince lost, so this new drive against the integrity of France and the success of the Allied cause will also fail.
But one thing this French commander did not emphasize. He spoke of the fact that America would be there to help, and she will; he spoke of the fact that the French artillery and the British artillery were now able to dominate the German gunfire as they had never been able to do before in all their experience, and he commented with evident satisfaction upon the fact that Germany had been forced to go back to the old method of mass formation which, though it gives more courage to the men who are marching, exposes the whole body to a degree of destruction from gunfire that is not possible where men attack in open order.
These are some of the conditions which make the Allies' line seem unbreakable, but there is one fact that surpasses them all. It is the spirit of the American soldier. These men do not have to be herded along like cattle by their second lieutenants; they did not cross the ocean in pursuit of loot or lust; they have not been fed for a generation on hatred, nor is their national industry founded on war. they are come to face death because they wish that life may be preserved for themselves, their fathers, their mothers and their children. They have made war that they might insure peace. They have brought suffering that they might do away with sorrow. They are fired by the highest ideal that animates the heart of man, and that ideal is the unbreakable trench which no German Soldier can ever take, and no German shell ever demolish. The Prussian barbarians have sacked Louvain; they have shot to pieces the great Cathedral of Rheims; they have laid waste the fairest portions of France, but they have not broken the spirit of France, and they will never scale the citadel of the soul of America!
That is the contribution that America will make. All its guns and all its men are only the outward symbol of the spirit which these men exemplify by their lives and by their labors.
The way may be long, but the end is certain; the cost may be great, but the victory is secure. Already in Germany there are those who see the handwriting on the wall. Perhaps even the Kaiser has seen it; if not, the time will come when he will look back and know that when America came into the war he met the insurmountable force of the American spirit. And that day the war for Germany was lost!
CARRYING THE BOYS "OVER
THERE"
"There is," said Napoleon, "no such thing as certainty in war."
That maxim applies today as surely as it did at Austerlitz, at Jena and at Waterloo. There is no certainty as to the effect of artillery-fire, perfected though it seems to have been. There is no certainty as to the resistance of the enemy, tried though he has been by three years of fighting. There is no certainty as to the future of the submarine, combated though it is by most accurate science and the most creaseless vigilance of the allies.
This was why Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, in announcing the arrival of the first American troops in France, felt it necessary to warn the people that some of our transports would inevitably be lost before all the boys had been landed "Over There." If nothing else operated, the mere laws of probability and chance would make it almost certain that some of our transports would founder and sink. There is no use concealing the probability.
But this we can write down with assurance and with pride: Thanks to the efforts of the allied navies, not one of the tens of thousands who have left American ports for foreign service since last April has yet lost his life at sea en route to England or France. Dangers there have been as a matter of course, and close escapes; but of deaths, not one in all the army.
How this record has thus far been attained it is neither prudent nor patriotic to explain in detail. The less the enemy knows about our defensive methods, the less capable he will be of combating them. But the censorship has permitted the publication of a few facts from which readers of Trench and Camp may draw conclusions.
Reports have come, from time to time, of submarines operating 300, 400 and sometimes as much as 500 miles from the shores of France and Ireland, but actual experience has demonstrated that the undersea boats seldom venture more than 200 miles from shore. it is within this distance - the last day's run - that the danger is most acute. Consequently, as our transports approach the edge of this zone, preparations are made for defense and the size of the convoy is greatly increased. The guns are manned, the boats are swung out on their davits and the men put on life-belts. Fore and aft, the gun-crews stand ready to fire on an instant's warning, while the officers and the lookout scan the horizon.
Chief reliance, however, is placed upon the destroyers and the submarine chasers. These move around the transports in a cordon and at a speed more than twice that of the transports. If a submarine is sighted, the destroyer is under orders to open fire and run it down, where practicable. If a "chaser" or a destroyer sights the wake of a torpedo, the navigator must, if possible, put his boat between the torpedo and the transport. Dangerous work, that, with the assurance of a certain dearth if the torpedo strikes the chaser! But the men on those fast flying craft face it with a cold courage and a quick decision that are an honor to America.
Taking all the troop0movements at sea since the outbreak of hostilities, some statistician has computed that the chances of death on a transport are only about 1.5 times what they would be on ocean-liners during times of peace. If the comparative losses on transports during three years of war be reckoned against the losses at sea during the three years immediately preceding the war, the chances of death are even less than 1.5 to 1. That is consoling to the fighting-man who wants at least, to die with Mother Earth beneath him. But if those chances were ten times as great as they are, there is scarcely a man in any of the thirty-two camps that would hesitate a moment. that is the spirit of America and that is the spirit which is to win the WAR!
CANTONMENT TYPES
THE AUTHORITY
At every mess his voice is heard. it rises from every tent and barrack group, and thunders forth edicts, pronunciamentoes, last-words and final opinions.
The Authority has a grim set of jaw and the light of inside information in his eye. He Knows It All - or If Not All, Practically Everything of Any Account.
Perhaps that question if before the house which All Men Everywhere discuss: How Long Will The War Last? The Authority doesn't guess when the conflict will end. He knows. He proves by arithmetic, calculus, theology and astronomy that it will be over in three years, five months and fifteen days. His opinion amounts to a Fiat. Let The Powers heed, is the way one feels after The Authority has seen fit to Speak.
His pronouncements on other matters, be they smoking tobacco, rifles, philosophy, religion or army hash, are Final - five -Star Complete, as the newspaper language has it. If his mates are hanging breathless on the Latest Rumor, The Authority pushes aside the bringer of the alleged tidings and lays before the house contrary information forty seconds later than the latest.
It is impossible to argue with The Authority. Like trying to contravene General Orders with poetry, or put off reveille with logic, is any attempt to gainsay him.
Toleration is the most bitter treatment. Indulgence, such as one accords a mildly insane person, is the best medicine for this chap who is in every camp and cantonment. He can't help it. Perhaps his nurse dropped him on a concrete sidewalk when he was too young to prove authoritative over that point in knowledge is to know how little is known, or can be. Then, he will be humble, and no longer The Authority.
THE FIRST THIRTY-SIX HOURS
ON SHORE "OVER THERE"
By CHAUNCEY P. HULBERT
Somewhere In France
"Heaven help the Germans if they ever get in front of that bunch."
There was good reason for this remark. Across an open field came charging 1,400 khaki-clad men as fast as they could sprint.
"Like a herd of buffaloes," remarked another observer.
At the end of a minute's run the 1,400 men jumped a shallow six-foot trench and went flying back again. If the dust had not been so muddy it would have filled the air.
This took place at one of the great French ports during the first afternoon the men landed from America. it was called an inter-regimental field day and somewhat over 4,000 American soldiers participated in it inside of two hours. The events included a company run of 200 years, the trench jump and "Company Soccer." Every man took an active part and the winning company was announced amid cheers. This is one example of what the Red Triangle is doing with "Mass Athletics."
During the morning on which the soldiers arrived on the transports three members of the athletic and recreation department of the Y.M.C.A. delivered nine lectures before all the officers and men of the convoy on "social Morality" and "Mass Athletics." The filled day of the afternoon was a practical experiment along the latter line, being conducted by six "Y" secretaries without preliminary plan or special equipment. Every man got strenuous exercise and plenty of it and spent the evening writing home about "Some Track Meet."
The next morning the same Red Triangle speakers, Dr. John McCurdy, Dr. John Coulter and Dr. James Naismith, addressed other groups of men drawn up by regiments on similar topics. It is significant that the activities of the arriving troops for their first thirty-six hours ashore were put entirely in the hands of the Y.M.C.A. The favorable comment of both officers and men attested the success of the undertaking.
In the trench jump the men wore their full uniforms and carried their rifles and looked for all the world like they were actually going over the top. Following the trench jump they were actually going over the top. Following the trench jump they were marched back to the starting point and a few moments later dashed off the 220 yards in record breaking time. In the company soccer game four balls were used and the officials included four referees, two umpires, four scorers and two time-keepers.
THE RED TRIANGLE
(An appeal in behalf of Y.M.C.A. War Work)
Lift up the Red Triangle
Beside the thundering guns-
A friend, a shield, a solace
To our ten million sons!
Go build a hut or dugout
By billet or by trench-
A shelter from the horror,
The cold, the filth, the stench!
Where boys we love, returning,
from out the gory loam
Can sight the Red Triangle
And find a bit of home!
Lift up the Red Triangle
Against the things that maim
It conquers Booze, the wrecker!
It shuts the house of shame!
-2-
Go make a friendly corner,
So lads can take the pen
And get in touch with mother
And God's clean things again!
Where Hell's destroying forces
Are leagued with Potsdam's crew,
Lift up the Red Triangle-
And help our boys "COME THROUGH"!
SIX NEW MAJOR - GENERALS
THE FOLLOWING BRIGADIER-GENERALS HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO BE MAJOR-GENERALS:
George H. Cameron, Andre w. Brewster, Charles C. Ballou, George W. Reed, Charles H. Muir and Charles T. Menoher.
These colonels were made brigadier-generals:
Malvern-Hill Barnum, William H. Hay and James McI. Carter.
Col. Alexander L. Dade was made brigadier-general of the Signal Corps.
SOLDIERS SEND GIFTS
It was not a case of all take and no give with the American soldiers in France on Christmas Day. The khaki-clad boys "Over There" sent back more than 10,000 sacks of Christmas presents to their relatives and friends. The gifts included hundreds of foreign novelties and souvenirs of the war and will be most highly treasured by the recipients.
SOLDIERS GRADUALLY COMING UNDER SPELL OF THAT
INEFFABLE FEMININE TOUCH IN HOSTESS HOUSES
____
Mrs. George Pirnie, With Three Sons in Service. finding That
"Camp Mother" Mantle Falls
Upon Her.
____
Outside Mud, wind, rain, damp, bluster. Inside-Warmth, subdued lights, comfortable wicker chairs in which soldiers are resting comfortably, Yutetide decorations with the ineffable touch that denotes a women's artistry, blazing fire in the huge stone fireplace, Christmas carols, a queenly, sweet-faced woman acting as mother-host.
Such was the contrast offered by the Hostess House at Christmas. and such a contrast is afforded at all times by this haven, where men find the quieting, restful, toning-up balm that is brought into life wherever women are. It was sight never to be forgotten in the great room of the house Christmas Eve and Saturday night before. Men of all races and creeds singing together the time-hallowed Christmas carols, and Mrs. Pirnie, with the three-star service shield mothering "Her Boys"
She is one reason why the men of Camp Upton have gradually fallen into the habit of drifting into the Young Women's Christian Association establishment. the mother of four sons, three of them in service, this Springfield, mass., Woman has a heart open for all the men in camp, and they find her a ready, sympathetic friend and a wonderful counselor. She is the hostess of the house, at Fourth Avenue in-the-Fields, Capt. Malcolm Pirnie, somewhere in Russia": Lieut. Bruce
Pirnie, Fort Douglas, Salt lake City, and Second Lieut. Roderick Pirnie, Camp Dix, are her three flesh-and-blood contributions to the war for liberty. Gradually she
is finding the honor of Camp Mother inevitably falling upon her shoulders.
The Hostess Houses have as their avowed function the entertaining of women visitors to camp, and they fill that place to such an extent that Upton would be a dreary place indeed if they were removed suddenly. But one by one the soldiers have found out that a visit during the week makes them better men. At first they came from neighboring outfits, the 302d Sanitary Train, the Engineers and the 302d Supply Train. But the fame has gone abroad. Now there are men there every night from the four corners of camp, from the Depot Brigade, the 305th Infantry, the 306th infantry. And they keep increasing in numbers. A real light can't be kept under a bushel. or even in the middle of a muddy, stump-littered field.
IN WHICH DONAHUE
DISSECTS A HEAD
____
Headline in last week's Trench and Camp: "Turkey, Ornamented Trees, Santa Claus and Yule Log All on Bill of Fare." Raymond Donahue of Bakery Company No. 10 called attention to it. He said: "Turkey? Yes, and some were there who were Hungary! In fact, we have all nationalities. There was some Greece present. In reminded one of the Sandwich Islands, where they Fiji. Ornamented Trees? That must have been the celery sticking out of the glasses. Some of 'em grew very all. And Santa Claus? No claws at all on our turkey! Yule log? Let me see - they play a kind of Hawaiian music on 'em, don't they? And the bill of fare? Well, if they send me a bill it wouldn't be fare, that's all!"
Donohue is six feet tall and one or two feet hick at certain points. In his home town they say he goes with a petite damsel, who is so small that when they go down the street someone has to go around on the other side of Donahue to make sure he isn't talking to himself. Donahue says most of his family joined the army when he enlisted.
JUNIOR LEAGUE PLAYS SANTA
The Junior League played Santa Claus to the boys left in camp over Christmas in the section around the Fifth Avenue and Eight Street Y. M.C.A., presenting them on Saturday afternoon with cocoa and cakes and on Christmas Day with cigarettes and gum. They also brought down decorations for the Christmas trees and the walls of the rooms. the decorations of the building are highly effective, two large trees, furnished by two regiments, 307th and 308th, gracing the platform, and smaller ones surrounding each post and banking the fireplace of the social room. And the panoramic winter sense decorating the walls all around the building give it warmth and color that is very attractive. In fact, as usual, everyone who comes in says it is the most attractive "Y" in camp, and of course, keeps up to its "rep" of being the most homelike and cheery, according to its habitués.
OFFICERS SERVE
MEN CHRISTMAS;
ALL CARED FOR
One "Y" Hut gives Out Nearly
Two Thousand
Packages
____
The provisions made for a substantial Christmas were not overestimated in the predictions. through the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Knights of Columbus and dozens of other agencies, every soldier who remained in camp was given a package, some more than that. There were special Christmas parties in all the "Y" huts, each one of which had its Christmas trees and decorations. In the 19th Street building one of the largest parties was held, nearly three thousand packages being distributed. On Sunday night the five hundred men who left Monday for the South from the Deport Brigade were given a send-off of holiday cheer, with boxes. On Christmas night two thousand and more boxes and packages were given out, the men who came in that morning from Fort Slocum not being forgotten.
The other huts all proved splendid hosts and helped make the day a home-like one, with a minimum of blue and indigo combination. Col. Smedburg, Lieut. Col. Ray and Officers of the 305th helped make the Christmas party at 5th and 1st a huge success. Candy, ice cream, pie, smokes and other "useful and beautiful gifts," as they say of the Bride's presents, were passed out to the large company of men by the officers. It was an uplifting sight to lamp a captain, his arms laden with edibles, et al, serving the men under him. Movies were shown, Christmas services were held in the morning and each hut did a more than substantial bit in warming things up.
SPIRIT HERE CHRISTMAS WILL MAKE
GREAT SOLDIES, SAYS DR. MANNING
____
NOTED DIVINE WHO CHOSE TO BE
In Camp Says He Never Spent
a Christmas More Worth While
At first it was hard to believe. A man who actually chose to stay in camp Christmas Day, when perhaps - and the perhaps might be made a bit stronger - he might have been home with his family and friends.
Was there one? You ask with some incredulity. There was, and he's mighty glad he stayed here. This unusual choice was the Rev. Dr. William T. Manning's, rector of one of New York's largest churches, Trinity, and now chaplain here in camp, attached to the 302d Engineers.
this was the first Christmas Day Dr. Manning has been absent from his parish. He chose to remain here and share the Christmas joys with those whose lot it was to perform duties in camp. The appreciation of the divine's work here among the men was borne witness to by the attendance at the Christmas service he conducted in the Second Avenue and Seventh Street Y.M.C.A. The service was attended by every officer of the 302d remaining at Upton, except two, one whom duty kept in charge of regimental headquarters, the other forced to stay in by sickness.
Dr. Manning very kindly prepared for Trench and Camp the following article on his Christmas at Camp Upton:
Thanks to the Y.M.C.A., the
K. of C., the Y.W.C.A and the
other good agencies which look
out for our welfare, we had a real
Christmas here in the camp.
Naturally, every man among us
would have liked to be at his own
Home on that day, but the many
hundreds who were required to be
here on duty stayed at their posts
willingly and cheerfully.
There is a magnificent spirit
in this camp and it was this which
made our Christmas a good one
in spite of all obstacles. We
have a wonderful lot of men
here. Wherever I go I find a
straightforward human reality,
an open hearted frankness, a
readiness of response and a
cheerfulness under all circum-
stances which fill me with ad-
migration and make it a pleasure
to be with them. And this same
spirit which was in our men here
on Christmas day is going to
make them great soldiers when
they reach the front. That sec-
tor of the German line which hap-
pens to be opposite the Seventy-
seventh Division has my sincere
sympathy
-2-
The religious services on
Christmas morning were remark-
ably well attended. The Christ-
mas trees and other festivities
were a great success. The
weather was bad. We had no
fine music at our services. We
missed the faces and the greet-
ings of our families and our
friends. But for my part, I have
never spent a Christmas which
seemed to me more worthwhile
than this one here at Camp
Upton.
_____
MACHINE GUN CHRISTMAS
SHOW ENJOYED BY 400
____
A Christmas vaudeville entertainment was given by the Machine Gun Company, 307th Infantry, in the mess hall of their barracks, which was decorated for the occasion with holly, red and green bunting and other seasonable touches expressive of the Yuletide. More than four hundred privates and many officers were present.
The record attendance is attributed to the success of the first Machine Gun show, given several months ago, and the high standard of that affair was gone a couple better, if anything by the Yuletide Lay-out. Herman Cohen pulled big hands with his inimitable comedy. others who elicited high favor were Corpl. Sam Friedenberg, Machine Gun song-bird; Willie Leblanc, 304th Machine Gun Battalion, in bass songs; Private Buffo, Company M, 306th Infantry, selections from Italian opera, and the famous Camp Upton Four-Harry Solomon, Ben Baker, Will Reedy and Harry Weisberger. Fifty dollars was realized from the affair, which will go to the company fund.
K.C. XMAS PARTY
A HUGE SUCCESS
____
Auditorium Is Jammed for
Vaudeville and Gift Dis-
tribution
_____
Two thousand who stayed in camp Christmas packed the Knights of Columbus Auditorium in the afternoon to witness a fine Vaudeville performance by entertainers sent out by the United Booking Office from New York. the building was jammed to overflowing. Men were clinging to the windows outside and sitting across the beams near the ceiling. Quite a number of officers were among those in the audience. After the performance 2,000 packages of tobacco and cigarettes were given out to the men as they passed from the building and also comfort bags sent by the Chaplain's Aid Society. The K. of C. Secretaries were not prepared for quite such an overwhelming crowd, and are consequently sorry that some of the men had to go without gifts. Three rousing cheers were given for the performers after the excellent entertainment.
The bill was as follows: Songs by Doris Keene, Gladys Berkley and Lola de Morgan; T.J.l Carroll, prison and straitjacket escape artist, who gave a demonstration of how it might be possible to escape from the guard house; Nicola Dominco, Italian baritone; Miss Cathryn Powell, one of America's most famous classical dancers; Cantwell and Wright, the two salesmen, with jokes, stories and songs that kept up a gale of laughter; Billy McDermott, the famous tramp comedian, who made a hit with the crowd as soon as he stuck his face into things. The last number before retreat he "went big," and nearly missed his train back to Broadway accommodating the encores. All in all, it was a wonderfully fine show. Every artist appreciated the enthusiastic greeting accorded each number with generous encores. The boys hope the United Booking Company sends another such galaxy to Camp Upton, and will assure them a royal welcome.
_____
"CANE" YOU CHEW IT?
Private Arthur Henry of the Quartermaster's Corps is passing out to his compatriots some real samples of Louisiana sugar cane. you simply cut off a chunk from the reddish stalk, peel off the tough covering, and go to it. it is grand, succulent chewing too, and the flavor lasts.
______
CONGRATS TO SILOSKI!
When it comes to grand Christmas dinners, the Fedora must be doffed to Mess Sergeant Mike Siloski of the Bakers' and Cooks' School. It was not only in the cuisine that the Sergeant excelled, but his dining hall decorations were most tasteful (like the turkey), and every table was sheathed in snowy white cloths jes' lak home!
THE MAN WHO DID NOT KNOW
BY: H. ADDINGTON BRUCE
Have you ever heard of the spirochaeta pallida?
Do you know what it is? Do you know what it can do?
Are you aware that it is one of the worst enemies menacing you as a soldier for Uncle Sam?
You do not have to go abroad to encounter it. You are in danger from it even now.
Here, on our own soil, it is waiting a chance to attack you, And it is cunning in its method to entrap you.
It masks itself in attractive guise. it comes to you, not as an open foe, but as a seeming friend - a young woman, eager to help you amuse yourself when off duty and away from camp.
True, the face of your would-be "friend" is not quite so fresh and pleasing as the faces of the girls you know and respect back home.
And the mode of entertainment she offers is not one approved by your moral sense.
But you feel lonely. The flame of youth is burning brightly in you. The temptation is strong to forget the teachings of morality- just this once.
Tremendous Risk Involved
Yield to the temptation, and forthwith you make yourself liable to suffer the physical pains and mental anguish which the spirochaeta pallida knows well how to inflict on its victims.
Prompt help from men expert in fighting it may save you from its cruelest tortures. But it is indeed a foe whose grip is hard to lose.
Years after you think you are entirely free from it, you may one day discover that it was only biding its time to strike you a new and deadly blow.
You may even find yourself in the miserable plight of a certain successful business man, who one day confided to his wife:
"I'm afraid I'll have to see the doctor. Something queer is the matter with me."
"But," his wife objected, "You eat well and sleep well. Your health seems to be as good as usual."
"I have strange pains in my legs," he told her. "They are sharp, shooting pains, like a stab or an electrical shock.
"When I walk, it sometimes feels as if I were walking on cotton or sand, not on firm ground. And when it is dark I have trouble controlling my feet
"I have noticed, too, that I almost fall if I stand with my eyes shut. Certainly I must ask somebody about it."
The doctor consulted was not long in giving an opinion.
"I think you had better let a neurologist examine you," he advised. "Your nerves seem out of order, and may require special treatment."
At the neurologist's there was a prolonged session of physical testing. As it proceeded, something in the specialist's manner sent a chill of dismay through the business man.
"You might as well tell me the worst," said he. " I guess I'm pretty sick."
"Your nervous system is not in good shape," the neurologist admitted. "In fact, I am afraid that you are suffering from locomotor ataxia."
"Which means," the business man groaned, "that I shall soon become a helpless cripple."
"It may not be as bad as that. Modern methods of treatment may -"
"I know, I know. But I have seen too many men afflicted with this terrible disease. Doctor, how did I get it?"
Enlightened Too Late
The neurologist parried the questions, answering it by a vague reference to nervous injury in earlier years. He did not deem it wise at that moment to enlighten his agonized patient concerning matters about which he should have been given enlightenment in the days of his youth.
therefore he did not show him, as he might have done, a picture of the spirochaeta pallida. He did not say, as he might have said:
"this curious little corkscrew-shaped creature is the source of all your trouble.
"It is a disease-germ which got into your system when you were young and foolish. It is the germ which cause syphilis, and which is now causing your locomotor ataxia as a sequel of the syphilis you contracted in your years of indiscretion."
there was nothing to be gained in telling this long after the harm had been done. It would only have drawn from the unhappy patient, as it has drawn from many another sufferer, the bitterly regretful cry:
"If I had but known!"
But there is much to be gained by letting other men know, before it is too late, the harm that the spirochaeta pallida may do to them.
And Uncle Sam wants to put every one of his boys on guard against this insidious enemy.
He wants them to know that the surest way to protect them salve against it is to lead clean sexual lives.
He wants them to know that, they do not lead clean sexual lives they will be incurring risks as dead to health and to life itself as any they will incur on the flaring -line.
BIRDMEN WILL DECIDE WAR
______
The war will be won in the air. This is the opinion not only of the great army of rocking-chair strategists, but also of some of the best informed military leaders.
Just what is it what the aceroplane does in warfare? The lay mind conceives of some wonderful feats of reconnaissance, of map-making and of directing artillery fire. But in just what measure does the aeroplane contribute to victory or defeat? the whole story of the aeroplane's contribution will not be known until, in those quiet hours following the war, men that have actually taken part in aeroplane encounters can write the stories contained in their brief and fragmentary notes.
General John Maitland Salmond, head of the Central School of the
Royal British Flying Corps, in an article published in the New York Tribune, tells in detail of some of the feats of the nation's airy navies.
He explains the fact that the German reports tell the names of machines and even of engines and of the rank of British pilots and observers by the statement that the Allies retain air supremacy. if the Allies did not hold this supremacy, he argues, their aceroplaines would not fight and fall over German lines and it would be impossible for the German Intelligence Service to have such detailed information. Were the supremacy held by the German their aeroplanes would be fighting over the Allied lines.
The German reports for a given month claimed 78 British machines. the British, for the same period, claimed 152 German machines as victims by actual crashing to the ground and 122 driven out of control.
General Salmond surveys the work on all fronts. he says the artillery co-operation resulted in such careful ranging in a single week of the given month that 226 enemy batteries were "successfully engaged for destruction."
In the sphere of actual offensive squadrons carried out several deliberate attacks with enemy infantry concentrating for counter attacks. All the counter attacks were broken up, troops being thoroughly demoralized by machine gun fire from heights of one hundred to three hundred feet. Also in the sphere of actual offensive, bombing was continued in all weathers, day and night. No enemy air dome opposite the British front escaped unmolested and "rest-billets, ammunition dumps, road and railways wee attached assiduously."
Thus it will be seen that the aeroplane assists in directing artillery fire, in making and preventing reconnaissance, in destroying enemy morale and in scattering his forces during respites from front line effort.
THE HONOR ROLL
Last week Trench and Camp told how Hawaii had sent more than twice her quota of volunteers to the army and how she had asked that credit be waived so that more of her 26,337 eligible's might be chosen under the selective draft.
Now comes the following:
Larne County, Kentucky, had 132 men as her quota for the National Army. Only 132 were examined. None claimed exemption. All the 132 wee accepted.
connecticut will send double its quota into the army of the United States. When the recruti9ng closed on December 11, the total accepted in Connecticut stood at 4,305. Only 3,228 were called for.
NEXT
THEY'LL APPRECIATE IT
The home folks will appreciate Trench and Camp. Send it to them so that they may read the news of your camp.
NEXT
SOLDIER'S WATCH LAUNDERED
Being laundered did not hurt a watch owned by a soldier in camp near San Antonio,Texas. The watch was thoughtlessly left in a pocket of an army shirt by the owner when he sent he sent the garment to the laundry. The timepiece went through the big washing machine and was not discovered until the shirt was put into the wringer. It was removed from the pocket and found to be running in perfect order.
THE SOLDIER'S RECREATION
By RAYMOND B. FOSDICK
(Chairman of the Commission on Training Camp Activities)
In the summer of 1916, when our troops were temporarily mobilized on the Mexican Border, I was sent down, as a special agent of the War Department, to study the conditions which were surrounding the troops. I remember standing in the streets of Columbus very shortly after Villa devastated that village, and watching the soldiers as they came across the railroad tracks. Five thousand of our men were in camps there. There was absolutely nothing in town that could in any way amuse them. There were no moving picture shows; no places where they could write letters; no athletic equipment for their use; no library facilities of any kind; no homes to which they could go - absolutely nothing offered to the soldiers in the way of clean entertainment.
Just after war was declared last April, the President and the Secretary of War, having these facts keenly in mind, asked me to assume the chairmanship of the newly appointed Commission on Training Camp Activities. The main job of this Commission is to supply the normal things of life to the hundreds of thousands of men in training camps. Besides the chairman, the members of the Commission are Lee F. Hanmer, of the Russell Sage Foundation; Thomas J. Howells, of Pittsburgh; Marc Klaw, the well-known theatrical producer; Joseph Lee, president of the Playground and Recreation Association of America; Malcolm L. McBride, the former Yale Football star; Dr. John r. Mott, well known as General Secretary of the War Work Council of the Y.M.C.A.; Charles P. Neill, of Washington; Col. Palmer E. Pierce, U.S.A., and Dr. Joseph E. Raycroft, director of physical education of Princeton University.
It was our task, in the first place, to see that the inside of the sixty odd army training camps furnished real amusement and recreation and social life. In the second place, we were to see to it that the towns and cities near by the camps were organized to provide recreation and social life to the soldiers who would flock there when on leave. In short, the government took this attitude and is holding to it all along: "Over a million men are training hard to flight for the Government; the Government will give them, while they train, every possible opportunity for education, amusement and social life.
The Commission has not developed any more machinery than was absolutely necessary. So far as possible we wished to work with the existing agencies. The Commission leans heavily on the Y.M.C.A, the knights of Columbus and the Jewish Board of Welfare. For the general club facilities inside the camps the splendid achievements of these organizations are so well known that they need no explanation here. The American Library Association was asked to assume responsibility when it came to creating library facilities inside the camps. It has raised a fund of over a million dollars, and in every National Army cantonment and National Guard camp there is now, either finished or in process of construction, a library building - in charge of a trained librarian who makes it his sole business to see that the men have ready and easy access to any type of book which they desire.
The needs of a million men in camp, however, cannot be met by club facilities and books alone. the War Department felt that it was absolutely necessary that opportunities for athletics, mass singing, dramatic amusement and education be furnished, not to five per cent or twenty per cent, but to one hundred per cent of the men within each camp. Accordingly, the Commission on Training Camp Activities has established for the Government a comprehensive organization which will furnish such opportunities in each of the training camps. Sports directors, song leaders and theatrical managers on the payroll of the Government are super-intending this great work at most of the important army training camps.
For instance, to furnish dramatic entertainment to every man in the sixteen National Army camps the Commission has erected a theatre seating 3,000 people. These theatres were built under a standardized plan and are completely equipped with full sets of stage paraphernalia, lights, drops and a moving picture machine. By building theatres on a standard model we obviated the necessity of transporting scenery from camp to camp and made possible the production of high-grade performances at the very low cost, for the expenses are reduced to a minimum.
Mr. Marc Klaw was given the task of organizing four companies to play light comedies and four companies of vaudeville stars. "Turn to the right," "Cheating Cheaters," "Here Comes the Bride," "Inside the Line" and other popular plays will be presented in turn at the various cantonments. The professional vaudeville companies will also make the rounds and the theatres will be offered to the men for the production of amateur dramatics or special moving pictures. There will be a small charge of from 15 to 25 cents made for the professional entertainments. In addition to these theatres, and at both the National Army and National Guard camps, the Redpath Lyceum furnishes entertainment. The general direction of all paid entertainments at the camps is in the hands of Mr. Harry P. Harrison, the president and general manager of the Redpath Lyceum Bureau.
One of the most interesting activities of the training camps is a brand-new one - mass singing. that is, a systematic and organized development of it is new. Victorious armies have been singing armies for many years, but the United States is probably the first country to go into mass singing on such a big scale. Under the direction of a song leader, singing in nearly every training camp has become an enthusiasm. To meet the demand for songs, the government for the first time has printed a song book. this was published by the Commission.
To make sure that the man who wanted to study French or English or trigonometry - indeed any such subject - would have an opportunity to do so, a special committee on education attached to the Commission has been charged with the responsibility for supplying instruction i9n any course for which a demand is seen. The great number of men throughout the camps who have seized upon these educational opportunities is inspiring. Naturally, in many of the camps of forty thousand men there are a number of native Americans and a number of foreigners who have taken up with interest their first lessons in English grammar, and in reading and writing. The Committee on Education is utilizing in its work the machinery not only of university extension courses, but particularly the educational department of the Y.M.C.A.
Athletics in connection with the training of a modern army is, of course, extremely important. The responsibility for the organization and conduct of these recreate athletics in each camp is in the hands of a skilled organizer and coach who is officially recognized as a civilian on the staff of the Commanding Officer. His salary is paid from Government funds. thirty such sports-directors have been appointed by the Commission and assigned to posts. The supervision of this work in each camp involves the creation of a Division Athletic Council, supplemented by regimental councils, and by such organizations among the companies as may be necessary. The sports-directors in the National Army camps will be assisted by boxing instructors, fifteen of whom have already been appointed. They will also co-operate with the representatives of the Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus assigned to athletic work in the camps.
The whole object of this comprehensive athletic program is to give to the largest possible number of soldiers the opportunity to play hard as well as work hard - and to play at organized athletics if they want. One of the most popular sports has proved to be boxing.
So much for inside the camps. What about the very important problems of recreation and amusement for soldiers on leave in the towns nearby? To make these communities adjacent to the training camps the best possible places for soldiers in their free time - to organize the social and recreational facilities of the towns to meet every need of the men on leave, the Playground and Recreation Association of America has sent, at the request of the Commission, nearly one hundred train workers to such towns. Their object is to impress the various city organizations with their responsibility for showing a sincere hospitality to men in uniform. They are emphasizing the fact that the soldier in uniform is exactly the same men who walked on the streets in civilian clothes a few months since, and the putting on the uniform has not changed the man but has increased the responsibility of the community toward treating him fairly - and, more than that, cordially.
_____
ATHLETICS PROVE
BIG HELP TO MEN
IN TRAINING CAMPS
_____
The wisdom of appointing athletic directors in all the training camps and cantonments to co-ordinate athletics with the military drills has been thoroughly established by the results achieved.
The soldiers have been immeasurably assisted in their military work by their participation in games in which the same movements were used as in drills. As a result they have made astonishingly rapid progress.
Much of the credit for the splendid condition of preparedness in which the men in the camps and cantonments are found today belongs to the professional coaches and regimental and Y.M.C.A. athletic directors.
Of particular assistance to the men have been the athletic games in which the participants wore uniforms or heavy marching order equipment. the athletic programs were so arranged as to put the participants through the same movements as they would be called upon to execute under actual war conditions.
In a number of the camps the athletic games have approached trench conditions, the men taking part in contests of bomb throwing for distance, bomb throwing for accuracy and bomb throwing for speed and accuracy. These contests have been witnessed by French and British instructors, who marveled at the ability of the American soldiers in mastering the art of bomb throwing in such a fashion as to compare them most favorably with the men now in the trenches.
CONSCRIPTION IN CANADA
Conscription has been adopted in Canada by a larger majority than was expected. The majority will be increased by the votes of the Canadian soldiers "Over there," practically all of whom cast their ballots in favor of selective service. The retention of the Union government in power into the Dominion carried with it endorsement of the "win-the-war" policy as against the "quit-the-war" policy of a certain element of the Canadian citizenship. BENNY BACK
AND BOXING
TAKES BOUND
_____
Champion Will Give Exhibition
at Indoor Athletic
Meet.
_____
Benny is back among us again. After a triumphant tour of the country during which he fought military benefit bouts in Denver, St. Paul, New Haven and other centers, the World's Champion Lightweight has weighed anchor in the Home Port. For Benny Leonard, official boxing instructor to the 77th Division, has temporarily moved from Manhattan, Stutz and all, and writes "Camp Upton" as his habitat. It is needless to say that he returns with the luster of his brown undimmed and his hair unmissed. Benny has a way of going through encounters and coming out fresh and combed and brushed, as faultlessly as when he steps into his racer for a breeze-out. He's here to stay, so he announces, and will carry on his work of instructor where he left it off.
One of the evidences that the manly art is in the ascendancy is the company boxing eliminations which are going forward. In each company the men are all putting on the gloves to select the premiere fisticuff expert who will compete in the boxing tournaments to be held.
Benny himself will appear on Friday at the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium as the headliner of another Athletic Night similar to the one so successfully conducted there recently in the winter series of Indoor Sports. He will put on a couple of exhibition bouts with "Young" Fulton, who has sparred with him on other occasions, as one antagonist.
The Friday night show will have other splendid features. There will be some boxing preliminary to the Leonard exhibitions, and a moving picture of an athletic nature. In all probability Lieut. Roddy will be billed to give some bayonet and share movements, and there will be other interesting contributions to the athletic evening.
MORE "Y" MEN ENLIST.
_____
"Y" secretaries at Upton continue to feel the call to other service. L.P. Lindsay, building secretary of the 19th Street Hut, goes to the Third Officers' Training Camp at Dix, Wrightstown, N.J., Jan.5, and K. Forman, late physical director at Second Avenue and 14th Street, has enlisted in the American Ambulance and is training at Allentown, Pa.
_____
FINE SPIRIT SHOWS
IN JEWISH WELFARE
ACTIVITIES AT CAMP
_____
Notes From the Board Which
Is Working for He-
brews Here
_____
(From Jewish Board of Welfare.)
At one of the Jewish services at Second Avenue and 14th Street, a number of non-Jewish fellows waiting for the movies, which were to follow the Hebrew services, had sat through the service and sermon. "Say, Bill," said one after it was over, "do you know there isn't an awful lot of difference between their prayers and ours." Another instance of mutual understanding.
Mr. Hyman, in charge of the Jewish Welfare Work, on Tuesday sent over to the Adjutant of the 306th Infantry about 1,100 packages of cigarettes to be distributed.
As an instance of the fine spirit which the men at camp are showing toward the work. Private Ruben Rosenfeld, Headquarters Company, 307th Infantry, popped into the office of the Jewish Welfare Board and said modestly, "I just got my pay and don't know what to do with it; I know that you people are doing good work, so I want to contribute $10," and before we could stop him, had laid down his offering and disappeared.
We do not believe in taking money from the men in the service, and we are going to get Private Rosenfeld to apply that money to some other useful purpose: but the spirit is great!
When it leaked out among the men who frequent the Y.M.C.A. Building at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street that the Y.M.C.A. men and the Jewish Welfare Board Secretaries had just receive the needle, one universal grin overspread all faces. "Do youse get jabbed, too?" asked one anxious looking individual. He was reassured when we told him that the needle spared no man. Another bond of fellowship between the workers and the men in the army.
All Jewish men who are interested in forming a Bible Study Class should get in touch with the Jewish Welfare board office.
"THE SPY" SHOW HERE.
One of the strongest films seen here such movies have been a favored Upton pastime - was seen at the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium when "The spy," featuring Dustin Farnum, was shown. the picture was secured by Company 1, 307th Infantry, some for the fine "motions" coming here having been signed up by members of the outfit.
HAVE YOU BEEN INTRODUCED TO
YOUR LITTLE SH'TA-HARA YET?
_____
Allan Smith Begins Initiating
Enlisted Men in
Jap Art.
_____
"The Apostle of the Sh'ta-hara" might be the title of Allan Smith. He is the short, smiling Scotsman who is bringing the persistence and steady enthusiasm which got him the Black Belt to the work of making Upton soldiers more efficient. he is planning to spread the gospel of the sh'ta-hara until there shall be one in every barrack, like a piano or a shaving stick. But, stay, there is already one in every barrack. The difficulty is that nobody knows it's there. Everyone has one of these here-now-sh'ta-hara. The thing is to get acquainted with it, train it, become friendly and clubby and intimate with it. to make everyone know his sh'ta-hara is Mr. Smith's mission.
the sh'ta-hara is the center of gravity. it is practically the same as "guts," to use a classical term not generally understood, and is that portion of the person lying south of the chest. Part of it is called the diaphragm- why digress into physiology. The sh'ta-hara is more practical than just physiology. When you get control of it your efficiency is raised several kilos. Your carriage and poise are then not what they were in the dear, dead days before the sh'ta-hara entered your life. They amount to something. Mr. Smith makes it worthwhile. He has been here some weeks working with the officers, or rather playing with the, for he's thrown the biggest Lieutenant that every consulted a wrist watch. Jiu-jitsu did it.
He knows jiu-jitsu as perhaps no other white man has ever learned it, holding the Black Belt which is awarded only virtuosos in the Japanese art. It took him ten years to get the belt.
Mr. Smith has begun to instruct the enlisted men in sh'ta-hara control and will teach them some jiu-jitsu tricks. Two companies of the 305th Infantry received his first tutelage immediately after the Christmas Holiday.
308TH AUDITORIUM
_____
Night and day mean practically the same thing to Col. Averill's doughty doughboys these latter days, as the work on the new regimental auditorium advances both in the dark and the daylight, whenever details can be girded up with saw, hammer and overalls. The work is being done by men of the regiment, supervised by the officers, and the 308th is taking a lot of interest in the enterprise. Contributions by officers made it possible, financially, to construct the building, which will seat about 1,800, and will be used for regimental entertainments, lectures, movies and other purposes. The structure is to rear its bulk in the exclusive Fifth Avenue section, near the corner of Eighth Street.
_____
COURT GAME PLANS
PRESAGE ACTIVITY
_____
Basketball to Be Played All Over
Camp by Company and Regiment.
_____
This will be a shooting winter in camp, from all indications. The rifle range is one reason why, and another one is summed up in the basketball plans which the duo of athletics dads, messrs. Bryant and Glick, with the co-operation of regimental athletic officers, have ready to set in motion. Basketball is a shooting game, and there are scores of cracks among the enlisted men, indicated by the games played thus far, who can punish the bull's-eye with great consistency. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the game, which is an excellent form of exercise, and the number of participants will be large.
Enough good indoor courts will be available to give all the teams plenty of practice. There is no doubt but that a basketball arena will be constructed in each Y.M.C.A. hut, where companies can play off battalion tournaments and the battalions in turn play for the regimental supremacy, as the plan calls for. There are, besides courts in the K. Of C. club houses, and the K. of C. auditorium has already been very much in demand and has witnessed a number of fast floor contest. There will be also several regimental halls which will lend themselves to the caging game. There will be two courts in the Y.M.C.A. auditorium, and this building will probably see the games for the division regimental championship.
_____
HUTS' MOVIE PROGRAMMES
ENHANCED BY BANDS.
_____
The pictures now being shown at the Y.M.C.A. huts in camp are remarked by the men as being of a much higher class the last couple of weeks, and the men show their appreciation in every decided way. Recently at the Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street building the showing was a photo play entitled "The Last Man." The 308th Infantry Band under the direction of Bandmaster Miller opened the programme with the new march, "Colonel Averill," and rendered a selection during each intermission between reels. Austin McClure of the band played the plane all during the picture, adding greatly to its enjoyment. It is planned to have a musical programme put on by various companies of the 307th and 308th regiments in connection with the movies each Wednesday and Friday evenings.
At the Fifth and Fourth Street Hut a band detail from the 306th plays Wednesday, in accordance with an order issued by Col. Vidmer, and Bandmaster Burns's men add greatly to the enjoyment.
_____
ALL SIGNALMEN GUESTS
OF NEWER BATTALION 321.
_____
Signal Corps men of the two battalions, 321st and 302nd, got together recently at the Y.M.C.A. hut, Second Avenue and 14th Street, in a wigwag evening, when the members of the former battalion were hosts. Officers of both battalions were present as guests of honor, and a feature of the entertainment was the presentation of non-com warrants to those of the newer battalion who have won their chevrons. A signal Corps jazz band, composed of musicians from both outfits and embracing every known jazz instrument yet led into captivity, took honors in the entertainment, as did the Eczema Quartette, which broke out with camp songs and original parodies. Harry Schoen, xylophonist and versatility man of Company C, 302nd F.S.B., figured prominently in the programme, which from start to finish had the unmistakable marks of class. The occasion was noteworthy in bringing together the men of the two signaling "corpses" in close fellowship and establishing a closer bond between them
_____
TRAIN INFORMATION
FOR LONG ISLANDERS.
_____
Many of the Long Island men in camp are unaware of the arrangements in force by the Long Island Railroad to take care of them in their journeying. To inform the, especially the men new in camp, the following excerpt is printed from a letter received by Corpl. Harry Tappen, No. 302 Headquarters Train, from Mr. Ralph Peters, President of the Long Island:
"We have put into effect a special rate of $1.20 for the round trip between Camp Upton and all points on the Island, good on all trains. This enables the Nassau County and Suffolk County men to use the regular or special trains from Camp Upton, Manorville, Moriches, Yaphank, or wherever they may find it convenient to take them. We have built a westbound wye between the Manor Branch and the Montauk Division at Eastport, so that trains can leave Camp Upton terminal and head out in either direction, either by Main Line to Jamaica, or to Manorville, Eastport and over the Montauk Division to Jamaica. The movement has become so heavy that some of our trains must be diverted to the Montauk Division".
_____
INTERESTING 305TH HISTORY
ONE OF DEVELOPING MORAL
_____
Regimental Spirit Has Been
Strong From Inception With Splendidly Disciplined, Well-
Trained Organization the Result.
_____
One of the best-drilled and best-disciplined regiments at Camp Upton is the 305th Infantry.
Filled with new York City men, officered by New Yorkers, many of whom were "captains of industry" before they entered the army, and with a Regular Army Colonel at its head and a Regular Lieutenant Colonel, this organization has established a remarkable training record.
The 305th can justly be referred to as Greater New York's "peppiest" regiment. Within a little more than three months its members have demonstrated not only that the average New Yorker can be transformed into a well-disciplined fighting man at short notice, but that, torn from either a tenement house or a Fifth Avenue mansion, he thrives on life in the army.
Some Shy on English.
When the 305th came into being its officers found themselves struggling, like every other National Army outfit, with what was practically a civilian mob. New York men from every walk of life were its members. Ninety-five per cent. of them had no record of previous military experience. Many there were who could not speak English.
To drill these men under the supervision of Col. William R. Smedberg jr., commanding officer of the 305th, and Lieut. Col. James C. Rhea, both of the Regular Army, and both West Point graduates, was the task that fell upon the shoulders of the new Reserve Officers. Of these officers there was a sprinkling of men who had risen from the ranks in the Regular Army; but most of them were former New York business men who had given up important interests and sacrificed their home life to defend their country.
With the exception of having attended one or two Plattsburg training camps previous to the "war camp" of 1917, or a period of duty with the National Guard, these Reserve Officers had no records of military experience. Much has been said of the "paper work" that confronted the new Reserve Officers. As a matter of fact, this 'paper work," or individual book-keeping on the soldiers, was not the bug/bear it has been pictured. It kept many of officer up late o 'nights and robbed them of much sleep; but having been well established in business before taking up a military career, he found that by applying common sense and energy to his "paper work" he got along all right.
_____
MORALE DEFINED.
_____
The biggest job of all was to start the men off right with their daily routine - to establish in the 305th Infantry that difficult - to -define element known as "morale." This word "morale" means "the soul of a fighting unit." If you see a bunch of soldiers who are cheerful, happy and well-disciplined, you may know that their morale is good, If, on the other hand, you see an outfit of men surly, poorly disciplined, who do their work as if forced to it, you may know their morale is bad.
Good morale is what every commanding officer first aims at. it was what Col Smedberg aimed at in the 305th. he hit the mark. The men were cheerful from the beginning. He made them work hard and enjoy what they were doing. Then, finding that they were making good progress at their work, they became mighty well satisfied with their surroundings and decided that the 305th was the best possible outfit for them. Having decided this, they became proud of their organization and centered every energy on bettering it.
This feeling - regimental spirit, it is called 0- was encouraged by Col. Smedberg and his subordinate officers, with the result that it now exists in the highest possible degree.
Col. Smedberg has a military record that is well worth a glance. Here it is:
Graduated from West Point in June, 1893; entered the cavalry. Instructor at West Point 1896 o 1898. From 1889 to 1902, covering the period of the Spanish-American War, was aide to Brigadier-General S.B.M. Young, serving in Cuba and the Philippines. Promoted to First Lieutenancy in 1899; Captain in 1901; Major 1916; Lieutenant Colonel 1917, and on August 15, 1917, after serving as commander at Madison Barracks Training Camp, was appointed Colonel.
_____
MOVIES TO PLAY PART
IN DIVISION COURSE
_____
Films to Be Shown Designated
Organizations - "The Training
of the Soldier".
Motion pictures will play an important part in the training of the 77th Division's soldiers. A series of instructional movies called "The Training of the soldier's is included in the course of instruction for regiments of the division, and the first group of films will be exhibited in the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium within a short time.
Organizations will be designated to attend, and will march to the auditorium, each company in charge of a commissioned officer. The reels, made under the direction of the General Staff of the United States Army, are on subjects common to all branches of the service, and special films will be shown organizations whose schedules of instruction includes subjects treated.
Group one, to be exhibited the first day, consists of Discipline and courtesy, Physical Drills, Army Signals. Various regiments will be appointed to attend each day, and those which will view the initial presentation are the four infantry outfits - 305th, 306th, 307th and 308th.
_____
ORPHEUS FOUR PLEASES;
SING IN NUMEROUS CAMPS
_____
The quartet of young men who have taken the M out of Morpheus- the Orpheus Four, in other words- of Los Angeles have been in Upton for a week tickling the ears of Seventy-seventh Division fighters. The new York gang know good stuff when they hear it, and their approval of the smoothly phrased, mellow harmonies emitted by the lads form the Golden State has been unqualified.
The Orpheus singers have been singing in numerous camps through the East and South and have sung before thousands of men in the new army. They have expressed astonishment at the advanced stage of soldiering achieved by the National Army men here and have commented on the splendid discipline and co-operation.
_____
F. 307th, PACKS "AUD".
Vaneville and Italian war pictures were on the programme given at the Y Auditorium under the auspices of Company f. 307th Infantry, with a packed house. the company fund benefited by the proceeds. private Paul Weinheimer was in charge. Some fast boxing topped the programme.
DECEMBER 31, 1917
_____
L BOYS REGAL HOSTS.
_____
The boys who make the 5th and 3rd Y Hut their spare time hangout were treated to an evening of "fun and frolic" recently by Company L. 308th Infantry, with five big vaudeville acts and eight reels of motion pictures on the menu. First Sergt. Stevenson, through the kindness of Private Philip A. Schwartz, obtained the reels, Sergt. Frank Mocherce trotting them hither in his car. The vaudeville went big, and not least among the success factors was Mr. Miller's 308th Band. Some of the camp's big timers were there, including Abrams, MacManus, Nulty and Incus. Private Louis Stutz, social representative of Company L, superintended the affair, Private Harry B. Scheiber ably assisting with Cronin, artilleryman, at the piano. The Liians proved no pokers when it was time to feed. They served a line of gastronomic in the company barrack after the programme that resembled a grange picnic before the war for completeness and variety.
DECEMBER 31, 1917
_____
OFFICERS' CLUB OPENED.
_____
Beautiful in every appointment, Officers' Club was recently turned over to the Board of Governors, of which Gen. Whittenmeyer, Second Senior Officer of the Division, is Chairman, by Mr. and Mrs. Milton Burrill of Westbury, L.I. the building, which is part of the group at the base of headquarters Hill, is easily the most perfectly equipped of any in camp for comfort. Great easy chairs, beautiful rugs and every appointment of a gentleman's club are included. The building and furnishings are the memorial gift of Mr. and Mrs. Burrill, in commemoration of their son, who died while a cadet at West Point. the officer of the Division are eligible to membership.
_____
ASK FOR STAMPS NOW
IN REFINED ACCENTS
BECAUSE OF A WOMAN
_____
Old Terminology Disappears
Among Denizens of 5th
and 8th Hut.
_____
The doughty doughboys of the 307th, 308th and the Suicide Club men in the Machine Gun Battalions are stepping with a lighter tread and speaking with cultured accents these days. It's the training they're getting in buying stamps and securing paper from one of the fairest of the fair who is on duty at the desk of 5th and 8th Y Hut every day in the week.
"Three of each, if you please," are now the refined syllables lisped in boney-dew accents in place of "Hey, Billy, jitney's worth o' red and green 'uns," or the expressive "Gimme stamp."
The Junior League girls are doing many other very large "bits" also. The boys in that section are continually singing their praises. Just recently it was Mrs. Fairchild, whistling soloist, and Mrs. Braisted, pianist, who please with an entertainment. And there are always "seconds" on the coca and cake which are accompaniments.
_____
305TH GIVE ST. JOHN'S
CLOSE RUN IN FAST GAME
_____
The whirlwind quintet from St. John's College, Brooklyn, had to travel their limit at Knights of Columbus Auditorium when they met the five basketball geniuses who uphold the banner of the 305th Infantry. it was a neck-and-neck affair from the first whistle, and the result was in doubt until the final minute of play, which showed the visiting team slightly to the goo, 29 to 23. Clever playing on both sides brought round after round of approval from the large gallery of fans, who declared it the speediest contest of the many excellent ones played on the K. of C. court. The teams were as follows:
305th Infantry - Donohue Mills, Graham, Shepard and Woods.
St. John's College - Murphy, Roche-Glass, Burke and Flynn.