Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1917 — Military Training Camps Association. [ARTICLE]

Military Training Camps Association.

Those who wish to qualify as officers in the new U. S. army will have an opportunity when the military training camp opens on May 14th at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis. Thus will be the first chance for men of suitable ability to enter the army with a grade befitting their merit. The three months course will cover, in “tabloid” form, the entire four years course of .practical military training given at West Point. At the end of the three months, those who have successfully completed the course of instruction and drill, will be given commissions in the officers reserve corps, from second lieutenant upward according to the demonstrated ability of the individual, and will then await the orders of the secretary of war. The camp is open to all citizens of good moral standing between the aiges of 20 years, 9 months and 44 years, and with the equivalent of a high school education. Men of mature years, with executive ability and the quality of leadership, are especdalyl diesired, although this preference does not by any means exclude the younger element. Previous military training and a college education are an advantage, but are not necessary. Physical examination will be required before the camp opens, but all mental examinations have been waived.

The three months’ course will constitute work and training of the most serious sort. The number of entrants has been limited to 2,500, and these will receive the close attention of U. S. aitny officers. Everyone who makes good is assured a commission. It is understood that the new officers, graduating freon the special training eamps, wiM immediately be put to wook officering and training the new army of 500,000 or 1,000,000 men to'be raised by act of congress. When an officer goes on duty, his salary starts. Salaries run from $1,700 for escond lieutenant to $3,000* for major, and ceriain extras are allowed by the government. 1 All transportation expenses to Ft. Harrison will be allowed by the government, and afll subsistence, arms and other equipment will be supplied. But, in the event the government is unable to furnish uniforms and shoes, the members of the camp will be asked to furnish these, for which the government 'will later reimburse them. The complete cost of uniform equipment, consisting of hat, shoes, two pair service breeches, two flannel shirts, leggings and coat, is 'between sls and S2O. Up to date no provision has been made for paying the members of the camp for their services during the three months tracninig, but it is understood that a conference between the war department and the house committee on military affairs has resulted in an agreement to attach a rider to the army appropriation bill to provide for compensation. The military training caimps association is bending every effort toward having this amount set at SIOO per month.

Applicants may express a preference for the branch of the service they desire, and so flair as passible this preference will be respected, although the right is reserved to put any officer in the branch of the service to which he is 'best fitted. For the first month the entire camp be drilled as infantry, but at the. beginning of the second month it will be divided into infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineering corps. Enlisted mein in the militia may make application for this camp, but they should make sure of their ability to obtain a discharge from the national guard in case they are accepted. Commissioned officers of the national guard are not eligibly. The limitation of the membership to 2,500 makes it advisable far these who wish to enter the camp to make application by mail at once. Application blanks may 'be obtained by writing to Blythe Q. Hendricks, Secretary Indiana Division, Military Training Camps Assn., 517 Fletcher Trust Bldg., Indianapolis. The lists will be closed as soon as 2.600 applications have been acted upon favorably.

Patrick O’Donnell, attorney of Chicago, foimerly of Delphi, has offered to the U. S. government the use of has 200 acre farm near Delphi during the war. Mr. O’Donnefll also agreed to furnish tractors for plowing the ■soil, other farm implements and the use of the farm house by the (laborers.