Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 203, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1917 — Page 2

SELF HELPS for the NEW SOLDIER.

By a United States Army Officer

(CopyTifht, 1817, by the Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.) THE COMPANY IN LINE OF SKIRMISHERS. The company in skirmish line executes a number of commands as if In close order, except that the skirmish Intervals are maintained. For this reason the movements are, in the nature of things, less precise, but they approximate those in close order. Thus, the company in line of skirmishers advances, halts, moves by the flank or to the rear, obliques, resumes the direct march, passes from quick time to double time by the same commands as in close order. “Company right (left)” by the skirmish line is executed as explained for the front rank in the school of the company. That is to say, we have now a single rank extended by twice the number of men, at half-pace intervals, or 15 inches apart (approximately a yard of front to each man, as against 22 inches in close order, which single rank may be turned on a fixed pivot precisely like the front rank of a company or a platoon. “Company half right (left)” is executed in the same way, except that the line is halted when it • has swung around to an angle of 45 degrees. The rules for the deployment of a company are necessarily less simple than those for the’ deployment of a squad; for there is a double consideration to be borne in mind. In the deployment of the company, the individual squad must be deployed, but it must also be deployed with reference to and in conformity with all the other squads of the company. For this reason, it is necessary, as* a part of the preparatory command, also to establish a “base squad” which is to serve as a guide to the line. The preparatory command is, therefore, “As skirmishers, guide right (left or center).” If the company is in line, this designates the actual right (left or center) squad as the base squad. If the'company is in column of squads, the command, “Guide right (left)” designates the leading squad, upon which the other squads will deploy either to the right or left. The command “Guide center” designates the center squad, which may or may not deploy without advancing further according to directions; the other squads conform to it, and the guide thereafter is center, unless otherwise.

To repeat, the base squad, designated as above, advances or not at the command of execution, “MARCH,” depending upon the point chosen by the captain on which the base is to rest. The corporal of each of the other squads commands his men, “Follow me,” or “By the right (left) flank,” dependent upon whether the command to deploy is given when the company is in line or in column of squads. Ts in line, the corporal marches his men off by the right or left flank, as the case may be, until he has sufficient Interval in which to deploy. The squad nearest the base squad deploys first after the base squad, the second squad from the base deploys next, and so on, until all the squads are deployed. If the company is in column of squads, at the preparatory command, the corporal, as has been said, gives “Follow me,” and at “MARCH,” he places himself in front of the squad and leads it into place. The squad remains at close order until it reaches the skirmish line, to which the corporal takes it by the shortest route. No. 4 of the rear rank, however, steps into the place of the corporal in the front rank and marches there as long as the corporal remains in front of his squad. Arriving on the skirmish line abreast of the squad ahead, the squad then deploys.

DEPLOYING THE COMPANY IN LINE.

The base squad, as-we have seen, deploys as soon as it has a sufficient interval, and the other squads of the company -are deployed as soon as they reach the general line, but if tactical considerations demand it, squads may be deployed before reaching the line. Otherwise, each corporal when he reaches the line ogives the command, or signals with 1118' arm, “As skirmishers.” His squad thereupon deploys and halts abreast of him. An orderly progress of the whole line is of first importance, and for this reason the* deployed squads preserve a general alignment toward the guide. Nevertheless, the different squads, within their respective fronts advance according to how best they may progress, owing to peculiarities of the ground, or the possibilities of cover. On Jialting, the men in all cases face to the front, which , (in combat or extended order) is always the direction of the enemy. Even when a squad marches to the rear, it faces to the front immediately upon the halt. At the halt, also, the men must take advantage of cover—by lying down if no more complete cover is available. Being in line, to form skirmish line to the front, the command is as follows: “As skirmishers, guide right (left or center), MARCH.” If marching, the corporal of the base squad deploys It and moves straight to the front. When his squad has advanced ffo the point on which the captain desires to form the skirmlslt’line, the captain commands, “Company, HALT.” The squad then halts and the other •quads halt on the same line. If the guide is right (left), the other corporals move to the left (right) front, and in succession from the base jjlacs their squads on the line. If the

guidq* is right— observe — the squad must advance to the left front; if the guide is left, theft to the right front If the guide be center, the other corporals move to the right or left front, according as thf?y are on the right or left of the center squad, and in succession from the center squad place their squads on the line.. J If at a halt, the base squad is deployed without advancing. The other squads are then conducted to their pi-oper places by the flank. Interior squads may be moved when squads more distant from the base have gained comfortable marching distaneer That is to say, while the squads deploy in succession, according as they are near the base. It is necessary first for the other squads to clear a front for them by marching off on the flank. ■ At this point it may be explained ‘that, as in the close-order drill, attention has sou far been confined to the company and the squad, without reference to the platoon. This has been to avoid confusion. As a general principle, however, it may be said that the rules for the deployment of a platoon are the same as those for the company. Yet by this time the new soldier will have comprehended the importance of the platoon in that it combines both the functions of the squad and the company.

MORE COMPANY DEPLOYMENTS.

When the company is in column of squads, to form the skirmish line to the front, the command w’ould be, “As skirmishers, guide right (left or center), MARCH !” If then marching, the corporal of the base squad deploys it and moves straight to the front; ifr at a halt, he deploys it without advancing. If the guide be right (left), the other corporals move to the left (right) front, and in succession from the base place their squads on the line. If the guide be center, the corporals in front of the center squad move to the right; if at a halt, to the rear. The corporals in the rear of the center squall move to the left front, and each, in succession from the base, places his squad on the line. The company may also be deployed in an oblique direction, whether in line or in column of squads. The captain points out the desired direction, and the corporal of the base squad moves in the direction indicated. other corporals, with their squads, conform. To form the skirmish line to the flank or rear, the line or column of squads is turned by squads to the flank or rear; it is then deployed as described. The intervals between the men are increased or diminished as already described in the school of the squad, althaugh it may be necessary to add to the preparatory command, “Guide right (left or center).” To assemble a company deployed as skirmishers, the captain either designates or takes his post in front of the element, on which the company is to assemble. At the command, “Assemble, march,” the men move promptly toward the designated point and the company is reformed in line. If it Is to be assembled by platoons, the platoons are first conducted to the designated point by the platoon leaders, and the company is re-rormed in line,

The platoons individually may be assembled by the command, “Platoons, assembly, march!” This is then executed by each platoon as described for the company. Btft it may also be desired to assemble certain platoons, one or more, and this may be accomplished by the command, “Such platoon(s) — that is “The first and second platoons,” or “Lieutenant Blank’s platoon” ■ —“Assembly, march.” The movement. as said above, is then executed by the designated platoon or platoons as described for the company. It must be admitted' that deploymentsby the company are at first confusing to the new soldier. But if he attends strictly to his corporal, and remembers his instruction in skirmishing for the squad, he will have no difficulty. All that devolves upon him will be to do his individual share, and -Fhis, i n pra etieally all eases, is confined to what he has learned in the school of the squad. It is for his noncommissioned officers to handle the squad in a way to conform with the rest of the platoon or company. Nevertheless, the new soldier —the intelligent American soldier —will want to know why he is called upon to execute certain movements, as well as how to negotiate them. This he can readily learn if, while performing his own duties to the best of his ability, he keeps a close eye upon the composite movement around him.

An Aged Gander.

The birds that live to a great age -are comparatively few. Gulls have been known to reach forty years, parrots frequently live eighty years, and swans nearly as long. Ravens and owls usually die somewhat younger, but there is good reason to believe that eaglet and falcons sometimes live more than one hundred years. Of barnyard fowls, ducks and geese live longest. Mr. D. MacLachlan of Islay, Scotland, writes to the Field that he has a gander that Is now sixty-six years old. For forty-five years it belonged to the pr#» prietor of a hotel at Bridgend, Scotland. Twenty-one years ago the fa-ther-in-law of the present owner bought it, Mr. MacLachlan says that the gander looks as well and as young and seems as active as it ever did. There is no doubt about its age.— Youth’s Companion.

An Easy Story to Tell.

“So you were in the battle of the MarneJ’’. " . “Yes, ma’am,” replied the tramp. “What can you tell me about that great fight?” “Not a word ma’am. I’m on my honor not to reveal a thing I saw or did. That’s a very strict military rule.”

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER. IND.

RECORDS DETECT UNPROFITABLE COWS

REPORT SHOWING YEARLY PRODUCTION OF COW.

(Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) The dairy cows of the United States now number approximately 22,000,000. The milk, cream and manufactured products, as butter, cheese, ice cream, condensed milk, etc., from these cows have an estimated value of pearly sl,000,000,000. In nearly aU herds of which records have been kept it has been found that Individual cows differ widely in production, even with the same feed and care; and this difference exists among all kinds of grade and purebred dairy cows, as well as, among cows of common stock. In 1915, in Wisconsin’s 47 cow-testing associations, out of 16,700 cows tested, 3,375 were disposed of as unprofitable —about one in every five. Using this proportion in the total number of dairy cows in the United States, 4,400,000 cows would be eliminated as unprofitable. It seems only sensible, therefore, that the dairyman should make every effort to discover the unprofitable cows and weed them from the herd. Through the keeping of records the unprofitable cows can be detected and eliminated and the profitable cows kept in the herd for breeding purposes. The next step is to perpetuate these good qualities by using a registered bull of dairy merit. But that is another story.

Fallacious Belief. Many dairymen believe that they can pick out their best producing cows without keeping a record. The fallacy of this belief is demonstrated every day by the records of the cow-testing associations throughout the country. Seven cows maintained on a dairy farm are taken as a basis for the rec-ord-keeping work to be illustrated. While the cows are all grade Jerseys, they possess individual characteristics that affect materially their net profit to the owner. Is it possible to tell by looking at these cows how much milk they will produce in one year, what it tests, and how much profit they will return to the owner? The first step in determining the efficiency of each cow is the keeping of a debit and credit account, in which the cow is charged with the cost of the hay, silage and grain she consumes and credited with the value of the milk produced. The dairyman can keep such a record at very little expense. To begin this work he must have a milk scale and a supply of record sheets. A spring balance, or milk scale, made especially for weighing milk, may be purchased from any dairy-supply house at approximately $3. Sample record sheets may be obtained through the state extension department, or through the dairy division, bureau of animal industry, United States department of agriculture. On the monthly milk and feed record sheet are entered the names of, the cows and the w-eights of the different feeds consumed and of the milk produced at each milking. A ten-day period has been found to be a convenient unit of time in the feed record, since changes in feed rarely are made oftener. The milk is recorded at each milking and totaled for the month. For the period that the cow is dry it is nevertheless necessary to keep the record of feed consumed, so that the total cost of feed for the year may be considered in determining the profit or loss. Weighing-the Mlfle — The milk scale is graduated in pounds and tenths, so that it is easy to add the figures on the milk sheet. The dial has two hands; the black one indicates the actual weight, while the red is adjustable and can be set at any desired weight. The empty pall or weighing can is hung on the scale and the red hand set at zero, and the black hand indicates the weight of the pall. When the milk is Weighed in the pail, the red hand indicates the net weight

of the milk, and the black hand the gross weight. By the use of an extra pail, the weight of which can be adjusted with the red hand on the milk scale, the regular milk pails need not be used for weighing milk. The milker in large commercial dairies usually wears a white suit, but any clean, washable, outside clothing is satisfactory.

PARSNIPS ALL WINTER

Parsnips may be allowed to remain in the ground and dug as needed, as freezing does not injure them. As it .is a difficult matter to dig ,them when the ground is frozen, it is advisable to store a small quantity in the storage room in the basement of the dwelling or in the out-door storage cellar for use during the winter periods when the ground is frozen. Write for Farmers’ Bulletins 847 and 879, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., which furnishes information on storage, free of charge.

BUY LIMESTONE NOW FOR USE IN AUTUMN

Men and Teams Now Have Greatest Leisure, Roads Are Good and Dry. The most convenient time to apply ground limestone is in late summer or early fall. It is at these times' that there is the greatest leisure of men and teams, the roads are good and the fields are dry enough to go over without serious trouble. This year, however, the threatened car shortage makes it important to-get the lime in as soon as possible, even if it must be stored for use. Another reason for applying lime in the fall is that it is always best to apply tton land prepared for a crop, and the preparation of land for wheat offers a good place for its application, since farmers are usually too busy or the ground is too soft ta apply it before corn. Moreover, clover is the crop which is usually most benefited by lime, and clover ordinarily follows the w’heat. As a rule, the wheat crop itself will not show great benefit, unless the land is very sour. Since lime is applied to sweeten the soil, and thus influence all crops, but particularly clover, and since it is usually applied at rather infrequent Intervals, it does not matter greatly to which crop application is made. M. F. Miller of the University of Missouri-College of Agriculture suggests that the time of application depends largely on convenience. - There is a prevailing opinion that since lime does not give the quick response secured from fertilizers, that It ls not a g OO d war measure apptlcation. This is true in part, but since the war may last indefinitely, and since the period of food shortage will doubtless continue several years after the war hits closed, every measure which will Increase soil productivity should be considered. Clover must be grown to supply nitrogen. On many soils lime is essential to successful clover culture. The use of lii&e should steadily increase, therefore, regardless of war conditions. ’ ■ / ■ ; (

The Need of Divine Guidance

By REV. B. B. SUTCLIFFE

Of the Extension Department, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago

Then I proclaimed a fast.., that we might afflict ourselvesTieforeTTocf to seek of Him a right way.—Ezra 8:21. Perhaps today as never before the Christian needs to be instructed by

all too dearly that the way that seems right to a man ends in death and disaster. There is no way of knowingwhat will take place on the morrow or even within the next hour. An explorer or a tourist going into a strange unknown country will want guidance as to what lies before him. We take much care in securing all the information we can before starting into new territory. Many think it necessary to prepare for passing to the unknown land beyond the grave, but after all each new day brings such dangers and such opportunities that to be ready for them needs to have the feet' guided into the right way. Then by nature man is so self-willed and self-sufficient he needs a higher intelligence, than his own to guide him. This is humiliating but again history tells the truth. Ever since Cain in his self-will chose the wrong way it has been true that “the way of a man is forward and strange,” as the Proverb says. Moses knew something of this when he declared in his 1 ast word to the people in Deut. 36:29, “I know that after my death ye will utterly turn aside from the way and evil will befall you,” _ . Again we are so prone to wandei from the right way. As the prophet says, “All we like sheep have turned everyone to his own way.” Like sheep we wander, go astray and without sense keep on going further and further astray. 11. Because of the Character of the Way Before Us.

It is a difficult way for the Christian in these times. Bogs and mire are on either side and the way daily grows narrower. The master hlmseli warns us in Matt. 7:13, 14, that “wide is the gate and broad the way that leadeth to destruction, and strait is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” So difficult is the way before the Christian, beset by the snares, pitfalls and straps of Satan, and so strewn with the allurements and attractions of the world, that left to himself he would surely come to destruction. He needs always the guidance of the one who alone knows all the difficulties and how to pass them. Not only difficult, but dangerous is the way. 111. Because of What the Lord Is as Guide. He knows all the way that lies untried and unknown before the Christian’s feet. He is omniscient. It was the Lord, not Moses, who led the people of Israel of old, and it is the Lord who would guide his people in safety today. A story is told of a little boy

from which we all may learn. During a storm a mother sought to rescue a family of six children. As the water burst open the door of her home, she tied her baby on her shoulder and took a boy of six in her urnis. To Iler four-teen-year-old daughter she said, “you must carry one child.” “Which one,” said the girl. The mother looked at the two, one of four, one of two, unable to choose. Ben, her boy of eleven, said, “Ma, I’ll take the little one." “No, my boy, you can’t.” “I know 1 can’t,” said Ben, “but Jesus can.” “The water is too deep for you,” the dispairing mother said. “It’s deep for true,” answered the boy, “but Jesus is a tall man.” They started, the mother calling to her children, but soon Ben ceased to answer. The mother and the others soon reached a place of safety. When the tide went down next day little Ben tramped to them and put his little charge Into the mother’s arms. Had he followed her the night before he would soon have been beyond his depth. But unconsciously he had turned aside and followed a bank that years before had marked a boundary. The water was to his waist, and a step or two on either side would have been fatal. And he can keep the Christian in the way as well as put him on it. He is the Almighty one. One day is no harderforhim than 'another. Though there be days black with discouragement and foreboding and care, he knows it all and can keep within the narrow way that leads to life and light and Joy. A story is told of ar Alpine guide who put out his hand for a traveler to step up by. When the traveler hesitated the guide said, , “this hand never lost a man.” To al! who will listen our guide says, “I will hold thy right hand saying, fear thot not.* , 1 Jt

God as to the right way. There are three great reasons why divine guidance is needed. I. Because of what we are by nature. First of all we are Ignorant. It is unpopular, but true that “it is not in man that walketh to direct his step s.” So said Jeremiah long years ago. And history shows

THE DIFFERENCE

By A. C. NEW.

Walter Brent checked his satchel, gave another impatient glance at the dispatch board and walked across the deserted station to the news stand. “See tha t New York train’s an hour and a half late,” he remarked cryptically tu tlieilruwsy prupi'lelur, who nodffeff" a sleepy assent. “Give me a copy of the Tattler. Is there any eating place near here?” answered the other briefly, handing Brent the magazine. Brent then walked out of the station. Raising his umbrella, for it was raining hard, he trudged down the quiet street, until he halted in front of a dimly-lit lunchroom. He paused a moment in surprise, for a very pretty and dainty young girl was standing on tip toes extinguishing the front light, but as he entered she left the light burning and smilingly demanded his order, then disappeared In the direction of the kitchen In the rear. Brent settled himself in a chair and opened the magazine, and did not notice a young man, who appeared at the rear door, scowled at him and then withdrew again. ‘‘Huh!” grunted the latter in a low tone to the young girl at the stove. “Looks like he’s settled down for a stay. I was goin’ to close down after Joe came. What’d he order, sis?” “I’m glad he came,” answered the gfrl, dropping an egg into the steaming pan and Ignoring his question. “Now I won’t have to wait on that bum.”

A bang In the dining room outside was heard and the young man turned on his sister quickly. As Joe lurched into the lunchroom, slunk into a seat, and, grasping in his hands a salt cellar, he beat a tattoo on the table. Soon the girl emerged from the kitchen with Brent’s order, and as she passed Joe she stepped out of his way as he made a grab for her arm. Brent noticed her agitation as she set the dishes down in front of him. In response to her polite and musical query if he would have anything else, he absently gave a negative nod and she started back for the kitchen. This time, as she passed the drunk’s table, she was not quick enough to dodge his restraining hand, and he pulled her over to him. “Please, Joe,” she pleaded. “A kiss —a sweet little kiss,” came the maudlin answer. “C’mon now. Ah, now, you don’t wanta scream ! It’d ruin your place, y’ know it.” “Walt!” pleaded the girl, her face tleman something. When I come back I’ll kiss you.” And she darted away to the kitchen.

Ten minutes slipped by before she rose hastily from her chair and hurried into the lunchroom. At the door she paused in astonishment, for both the stranger and Joe were gone! Returning to the kitchen she routed her brother, and they ran together to the door, but the stranger, with his scarcely tasted meal yet unpaid for, was nowhere in sight, nor was Joe. But the quest of the watchers was brief, for a new gust of rain drove them inside, and locking the doors they extinguished the lights and retired. Half an hour later, Just as the girl had slipped off to sleep, a loud rapping at the front door beneath her room summoned her, attired in a simple dressing gown, downstairs. At the front door a beefy policeman accosted her. “Mis’ Lucy,” he said, shaking off the rain, “we got a young guy up at th’ lockup, who says he owes yeh forty cents. Here it is,” and the officer slipped some coins in her hands. “Says he was eatin’ in here ’while ago.- Big, handsome young felleiybrown hair, an’ all dressed up. Knovfem?” “Y—es,” she Altered. “But why—Js he —locked up?”

“Fer flghtin’,” was the brief reply. “I caught ’em down th’ street. He had his coat around Joe’s mouth and was beatin’ th’ life outa him —you know Joe, th’ one that runs a taxi. He’s at th’ hospittle.” At the mention of “Joe,” the color receded from Lucy’s face, leaving it deathly pale. “Did—do you know what they were fighting about?” she inquired nervously. “ ’Bout a woman, I guess,” replied the bluecoat. “Th’ young un’ was callin’ Joe a skunk fer mistreatin’ a fine little lady. Joe never answered. Never had no front teeth left t’ answer with.” Lucy thought quickly. “Mr. Giles,” she asked, hurriedly. “How much collateral do you want to let that young man out tonight?” Then she checked a reply from the policeman’s lips. “No, I mean IL He—he came in here to kill time till his train came. He —I know he’s too nice to be locked up. How much? Can I pledge this place? It’s mine.” The next day Brent rushed into the restaurant. “Miss Marston— Lucy,” he said, reaching across the counter and taking her hands in his. “I thank you for that. But don’t thank me. I couldn’t let the beast kiss you—and I couldn’t let him ruin your place. So I draggedhim out first, then beat him. But—l I can’t blame him much for wanting to kiss you. Td like to make a life Job of that myself. How about one now—for collateral?” / “Well,” she whispered, “you’re different. I wouldn’t mind kiss—,” but he stifled her sentence with his lips. (Copyright, 1517, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) .ff ' - .