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Oct. 24, 1917. Sidelights on the Big Bunch of Pennsylvania Boys 112TH PARADES WITH 3,700 MEN Probably First War Strength Regiment in Army to Parada. Soldiers Clear New Drill Field in Short Time. Fine Practice March: What is believed to have been the first parade of a war strength infantry regiment in the country since the new organization plan went into effect .took place on the drill grounds of the 112th Regiment on Monday evening. Oct. 15th. More than 3,700 men were in line. The troops were reviewed by Colonel George C. Rickards and his staff, of the 112th, and by Colonel Maurice E. Finney, commanding officer of the old Eighth Regiment, whose command joined the 112th on Wednes day. Mess Sergeants If you would be popu lar with your troop, get them Kenny’s High Grade Coffee and Kenny’s Che-on Tea. C. D.KennyCo. 976 Broad St. Phone 601. Smith Brothers Co. Wholesale Grocers Most Complete Line of Camp Supplies in the City. WE WANT YOUR BUSINESS. Phones: 3068 and 566. 922 Walker Street. TRENCH AND CAMP More tyoops were on the field in otje regiment than were in the entire old Second Brigade during the border service. While there was plenty of excite ment, no real confusion attended the arrival of the Eighth Regiment boys in the 112th camp on Wednesday. Tents had been moved to the new alignment several days before, and nine new ones were added to each company street to accommodate the newcomers. Everything was so well, in hand Wednesday afternoon that many boys got off for a visit to Augusta, while on Thursday the boys of the 112th turned out in force and with the 111th Regiment soldiers cleared the new drill field south of the Wrightsboro road, collecting stumps and eliminating all growth and underbrush. Colonel Rick ards was especially proud of the man ner in which the boys handled the big task and the rapidity with which it was accomplished. On Friday afternoon the 112th Regi ment soldiers headed the great column of troops that marched through Au gusta’s strets on a ten-mile practice hike. Eighty-two hundred men, belong ing to the 56th Brigade, participated in the biggest military spectacle Au gusta has seen. Brigadier General William G. Price reviewed the soldiers on the 112th Regiment’s drill field. The men, march ing in line of companies, with combat wagons and supply trains taking part as well, presented a splendid sight. No more than a half* dozen men dropped out along the whole line of march, and this is considered a remarkable record. Wholesome Environment of Men at Gamp Hancock Every Effort Made to Keep Men Morally Clean. The Gen eral Speaks. A telegram was laid before Brigadier General Price, commanding the 28th Di vision at Camp Hancock yesterday to the effect that some preacher in a public ut terance had decried the immoral atmos phere of this camp, stating that the con ditions were bad. implying that they were unusually degrading. Without any hesitation whatever, in a formal statement, General Price replied: “I would say that such a statement is a willful lie and shows lack of knowledge of conditions existing in the camp of the Twenty-eighth Division. Say to the mothers and the wives of the men here, for’me, that their sons and husbands are in an environment in which I would have my own sons live and that every precau tion is being successfully taken to safe guard the moral, physical and mental con dition of the men at all times. "In all my 31 years of Army and Na tional Guard experience I have never seen men in such wholesome environment in camp or even in any city where 1 have lived or visited. “Any preacher or public man who states that the conditions of the Twenty-eighth Division are immoral has little regard for the truth of bis statement and seeks notoriety at the expense of patriots as clean in body and mind as he ever dared be. Let these seekers of notoriety com municate with the civilians here repre senting religious orders and the Young Men’s Christian Association before they horrify the mothers and wives of these soldiers by their rotten insinuations.” This ought to be sufficient. Our weak words would hardly emphasize the truth expressed. Temptation is farther re moved from men here than in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. The Provost Guard is more strict in dealing with soldiers than are the police of those cities in dealing with transgressors. Men looking for hell can fall into it, but surely no army has had so many incentives to a right life as has this. And the men are responding to the upward pull. s SAND~SHOfSFROM THE 112TH Greatest interest is now being taken in football among the boys of the 112th since official word has gone out from Headquarters that it is to be a war game ” Its value for training men for combat has been recognized, and the appointment of officers to supervise a schedule of games follows in due course. First Liutenant John F. Graff heads the list of officers, with First Lieutenants Philip Webster, Joseph Connell and Second Lieutenant Frede rick Blankenship as assistant athletic directors. A non-commissioned officer of each company represents his unit at the athletic meetings. First games on the schedule were played Satur day. It costs about $3,400 a month now to feed a company of 250 men in the 112th, according to one mess sergeant’s estimate. He finds it necessary to use 100 loaves of bread. He has estab lished a record of serving his men in eight to ten minutes. “Augusta is like heaven compared to El Paso.” said one of the officers of the 112th the other day, commenting on the splendid conditions prevailing about the camp. Only two prisoners have been in the guardhouse to date. Colonel Rickards, in a recent published interview, commenting on the excel lent conditions, said he had not seen a single soldier in an intoxicated con dition — a. condition far ahead of that of border days. Ten large corral sheds were erected behind bath-house row for the new 112th mules this week. Only 25 of the animals have arrived so far. The new regimental infirmary was completed during the week, and has been open for several days. It is well suited to take care of the needs of those who are sick. The past week also saw the Supply Company in its new offices, near the foot of its com pany street, the two large warehouses having been completed ten days ago. The 112th Regimental canteen was doing such a thriving business on Wednesday, moving day for the Eighth Regiment, that the doors had to be closed for half an hour. JUST j|L RECEIVED A Shipment Broad Brim Jy J 1 QBjfik Army Stetson Hats. A new shipment of Over -7/ *‘ coats. V; Sheep-lined Coats. ® eav y Weight Uniforms. » Army Regulation Sweat " ~ ers. MILITARY OUTFITTERS. DRINK At Counters Camp Hancock Boys! We have Souvenirs and Novelties to suit your taste. Our line consists of: Felt and Silk Pennants, Pillow Tops, Post Cards, Pictures, Swagger Sticks, Tie and Handkerchief Holders. Our stock also includes some camp necessities, such as: Comfort Kits, Hat Cords, Khaki and Silk Handker chiefs, Collar Ornaments, Money Belts, and many other useful articles. Camp Hancock Souvenir Store 630 BROAD STREET. Our Motto: Popular Prices, Courteous Service. ARTILLERY BAND ASSISTS SINGING Every Sunday afternoon the Soldiers’ Welfare committee of Augusta arranges community singing at the Grand theatre and the 107th Artillery band gave a pro gram during Sunday afternoon's session, winning favorable comments. Several numbers were applauded vociferously and encores were demanded. Lieut. John Croly, baritone, and Pri vate Luther White, tenor, were the solo ists. These two, with Mrs. S. H. Myers, Mrs. G. W. Andrews, Mrs. Dixon and Messrs. J. L. and J. P. Mulherin, sang the serenade from “Robin Hood.” A. L. Tebbs of the Army Y. M. C. A. conducted the singing and sang the solo parts of several selections. Page 5 t 'in rra Gap' ipwgrr% TO jw, Jg-*-** —— wg vfc YU 111 I I I