Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 222, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1917 — Ban “Sword Swallowing.” [ARTICLE]

Ban “Sword Swallowing.”

No more "sword swallowing” at the mess table for the Jackies at Great Lakes naval station, says the Chicago Post “Jimmylegs,” otherwise chief master at arms, Bates, disciplinarian of the mess hall, has undertaken the great Job of teaching table etiquette to several thousand young Americans in training to become sailors. Five assistants help him at his work, and they are needed, for when it comes to telling a hungry, healthy youngster that a fork shall be a vehicle for his food from plate to mouth instead of his knife or spoon, it generally takes persuasion and reminders to make the order sink in. Of course, not all the Jackies eat with their knives, not by a long shot, for not a few of them are from the families who can go through a 12course banquet without missing a trick. However, there are others.