Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1893 — Why Soldiers Break Ranks. [ARTICLE]

Why Soldiers Break Ranks.

There are very few bridges in the world over which troops are allowed to march in regular step. In general, when coming to a bridge, particular, ly a suspension bridge, the drums or bands are stopped, the array is broken and the soldiers pass over without keeping step, or rather taking pains not to keep step. The reason is (found In fact that a very slight initial vibration, if continued, is im(parted to the whole structure, and in a short time becomes so strong a downward strain at every recurrence as speedily to endanger the safety of the strongest bridge. The same principle is illustrated in sqme houses, which can be made to tremble from roof to foundation by persistently and regularly pressing with the foot on a loose board in one of the floors. A similar curious circumstance is seen in the case of certain churches in which it is dangerous to play the heavy pedal pipes of a grand organ, for the reason that the vibration becomes so great as to shatter the panes of glass in the windows, and even to imperil the safety of the roof.