Evening Star Newspaper, January 4, 1942, Page 18

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, JANUARY 4, 1942 A—17 OUR ERUDITE ARMY—The field of knowledge of offi- These soldiers at Fort Belvoir are building an expedient foot Bricklayers’ Unlon Buys $150,000 Defense Bonds ‘The International Union of Brick- layers, Masons and Plasterers of America, A. F. L. afliate, has pur- chased $150,000 worth' of Defense bonds, Willlam J. Bowen, president emeritus of the union, announced yesterday. Last year the organiza- tion purchased a like amount, the maximum available under Govern- ment regulations. “These investments of our trust - MONDAY-—Another Big Day in J ’s funds have been made as sound financial policy because our officials are confident that Defense bonds are the safest securities available,” their purchase is the exercise of the practical patriotism which is today the duty of al.” The 76-year-old union, one of the oldest, recently issued circulars to members urging their co-operation during the emergency. Prior to yesterday’s bond acquisition, it had purchased $1,600,000 in Government securities. Federal Agents Start Coal Mine Inspections Government coal mine inspectors are operating in coal-producing re- gions of the United States for the first time, the Bureau of Mines an- nounced today, in an effort to cut down the 1300 coal-mine deaths recorded in 1940 and insure produc- tion of natural resources essential to war. The bureau reported that 42 in- spectors, first of more than 100 au- thorized under the Federal Coal Mine Act of 1941, took their places in the fleld January 1. Another group of 70 will report to Pitts- burgh for training tomorrow. Mine injuries and resultant lost time deprived industries of more | than 10,000,000 tons of coal in a year, according to recent figures, it was sald. American War Mothers District Chapter will meet at the Thomas Circle Club, 1326 New Hampshire avenue N.W., on Janu- ary 9 at 1:30 pm. JULIUS HOYNASNY1 bridge. They learn how to do this during their weeks of preparatory training at Fort Belvoir. In the ranks of the “students” there is nearly always & man who was & bridge builder or an engineer in civilian life. Officers pick these men out to help in instruction. cers who instruct our soldiers must be broad, indeed, if they are to know more about all subjects than the well- educaged selectees. Officers, like First Lt. James 8. Sligar, must spend hours of study each night preparing Now in progress . . . Julius Lansburgh Furniture Co.'s greatest January clearance. Here is the one big opportunity to save tre- mendously on Lanstyle quality furniture. Items are one only unless specified and subject to prior sale. No phone or C. 0. D. orders. Use the J. L. Budget Plan . . . up to 18 months to pay. for next day’s instruction. Rear Ranks at Fort Belvoir Yield Experts in Many Lines Young Officers Burn Midnight Oil to Teach| Men Who Include Experts in All Lines Bditor's Note: This is the seventh and last of the stories written by The Star reporter who was a guest in the ranks at Fort Belvoir, Va., for a week. By ALFRED TOOMBS. A young second lieutenant, fresh out of engineering school, was ex- | plaining to his platoon at Fort | Belvolr, Va., the difference between true north and magnetic north. His men started firing technical questions at him. A first lieutenant stepped into the breach and tried to answer the questions with his own explanation. But within a few minutes, he found himself in hot water and still the soldiers did not understand. One of the selectee privates, had been listening attentively, i terrupted at this point: “Pardon me. sir,” he said. “Per- * instructions in bridge building, they ‘work with the knowledge that there are a couple of men in the ranks who worked at the trade in civil life. When they are instructing in knot typing or rigging, they find there are ex-riggers and ex-sailors in the ranks. On the rifle range, there’ll usually be an ex-rifle champion or a squirrel shooter from Kentucky who can | shoot rings around most any one. The younger officers, because of this, have a tough struggle. They | work in the field from sunup to| dark, then spend hours of study at | night preparing themselves for the | next day’s lessons. When they find | a soldier who knows more about | tying knots or working algebra than | they do, the officers call on him to | help with the instruction. It makes a good arrangement—for after all, —=8tar Staft Photos. heard of President Roosevelt, the war, Hitler or Churchill. “I don't keep up with those things,” he explained. “Well, what are you doing up here in the Army?” “I don’t just know. They told me to come, 50 I came.” They tell of another soldier who | was brought before the board. The | officers asked him what he had | worked at before coming in the Army. “I was a bootlegger, sir,” he replied. He explained that, since he was 13 years old. he had done nothing but “make it, haul it and sell it.” The officers started testing his in- telligence by posing some mathe- matical problems. “If T wanted a case of whisky that cost $13” asked an officer, “and I gave you $15, how much change would vou give me?” “Well, sir,” said the soldier, “if you wanted that $13 whis I'd sell it to you. But $13 whisky's no good. It's cut with water.” Tlliterates Learn. For the illiterates, the post main- | tains a number of special classes. In the 13 weeks they spend at Belvoir, before going out to join various Army units, the illiterates to units where their eivilian experi- ence is needed. ‘This office is run by a young lieu- tenant who was a psychologist in civilian life. All the men in the office are college graduates. You see | dozens of them, in khaki and some drawing no more than $21 a month, working away in this office—just like they were in business and making big money. Result Is Good Army: ‘The ways of the Army in assign- | ing selectees seem mysterious some times, but there is a system behind it. The classification officers at Fort Belvoir tried to get rid of selectees who have been misassigned. But they say there aren't many mis- takes. ‘The result of this careful classifi- cation is that most selectees in the Army find themselves doing work in which they had some prior experi- ence. The result is that most Amer- ican soldiers have quickly become experts at their Army jobs. And its obvious that an Army of experts is going to be a good Army. In fact, the best Army in the world. Two Receive 186;D;y $139 3-Pc. Modern Bleached Maple Bedroom $ Just 2 suites to sell. Modern design, built of bleached maple. Comprises full-size bed, chest and dresser with round mirror. 32.89 $3.95 Mahogany Ot- tomans for Needle- Up to 18 Months to Pay 94 Living Room Suites and Sofas B one dhiw aies Mot o | e Mk [uiiee e e reachers nater- | Terms in Traffic Deaths e : WAS su;vh i oI B | ooeed & Plano Tuner, .| Bigh school and collegeteachers, | _Two men found guilty last month | $4995 Modern B S SN - e 98.00 . private launched a highly technical |a check revealed there were more || el Make to e Court iy in connection with traf. | Armless Lounge g 2 950 2-pc. Sectional Love Seat, Boucle cover_______________ 98.00 54.49 e ot i e oo, | s WU wsleth e I ey e anim e e N SERR PO T Down Cushion Regency Sofa_—————————————oeommmnm- 19500 99.00 was precise and accurate in all 19 illiterates. Ios e o D e Jomn e S e = ” G Bocatelle Tuxeds Sofa 98.00 69.50 Qe e thanked him snd, & oo TRCTS AT S7eR epresenatives of other made up of physical defec- | Folloving Impotion of sentence | $6.95 24" Round M3 T ; 96.00 Uit amaped . his dieply of uee " Theyve goen quite 8 fow |ieive” Service boatas n ome M Intention of appesls, pending e AR sl I et tn | e e e e 3o | el el o S0 I S | 33930 Moder Bue MG E e Sl i - NS - NN e ot e s v o In P AL, g |k o1 B s S s G Occesenel §9 Q44 Zope e by LAy M S e T o replied the bick DHVALE | v, | ST a7 00 the credt side ot the | YO0 ihEY clcmnere e | (s death ast August of Prancl £ Wenumy K B ... st Tain pbige it ot o] bsr';;!fifimer gels s’ share of morons, cOUDUEY. There, officers have dues. i the 400 biock of Litreet NW. | $1495 Modem g 104 Duncnn_Phyfe Sofa, solid mgl'wgony ----------------- 75.00 8 CXher. et erery mbjest e the | e Sed DL KLU EEDTO ] st el experienices e il ot thel1og | B Nnee holeRDesk 2-pc. Wine Boucle Modern Living Room_____ - 129.00 86.90 sun—from civil engineering to| alcohol compounding, from music to motorcycle riding. The post at Fort Belvoir, Va, is practically self-sufficient, as far as talent is concerned. Whenever a man is needed around the place for shows up in the ranks and becomes a problem to his platoon commander he is sent before a reclassification The War Department keeps cir- culating through the reception centers a table showing the type board, which questions him to de-|0f men needed by various branches termine whether he is fit to con-|Of the Army. When a new man is tinue in the Army. | classified, the reception center will | know where to send him. Naturally, convicted in connection with the traffic death last April of Robert C. Wayland, 27, of the 1300 block of Irving street NW. Mr. Wayland was said to have been struck by a truck operated by Mr. Ercoli at New Hampshire avenue and M street Card Table Sets V2 OFF Blue Boucle 18th Century Living Room Suite___. 225.00 BEDROOM SUITES 2-pc. 168.92 5 5 s | Some pretty amazing information y s . o any job—whether it be playing a |, SqeUe UE Y A OTENE T (TS on | men who have radio experience are N.W. $4.95 79 3-pc. Bleached Mahogany Bedroom_ ________________ 145.00 103.77 French horn or taking care of iy poard start to question the prob- | Wanted in the Signal Corps, and en- 5 - = Hi-Chair Bogs-the postis oflicetsiean find & ver (s CriersTisatin on onelsessiontj B eer Eatiates, sasiwellas fuoad Rl S e T 4-pc. Solid Maple Bedroom . 89.00 man x;i:‘hex ranks ho used to do S S0 0 e Brought before | Workers. bridge builders. ditch dig- ar Cartoon Exhibit 183.00 e jol civilian life. : 5 : | gers, etc., are needed in the En- . = | the b s a select - | 8 2 g -pc. Plastic Bedroom___ e ! o Talent Also in the Ars. | (00t e qute beenable| FT COTDS Will Open Tuesday $96.95 5 4. Sl o A B oo The camp’s magazine, “The Duck | to learn the difference between right | Usually Fit In. An exhibition of war cartoons by| 14 Maple Break- ’23-42 3-pc. Mahogany 18th Century Bedroom_____.________ 104.00 76.24 Board,” is written by a corporal who | and left face. Oceasionally, selectees with cer- | Acthur Szyk, illustrator of the book, | fast Set _______ : 14.67 masion e siafl offthe New Xorker | Some Foggy Ideas. tain professioral experience will be | ‘The New Order wil heve s 3-pc. Modern Walnut Bedroom_. oo 105.00 g corporal who was a free lance | The officers began to question him pa‘;ent‘]’y T,'f.v‘e’"m bfig;r:;s Aecy F‘;fi; Polish Ambassador Jan Ciechanow- | $39.95 Solid Ma- $ 15 magazine artist. |and this is a verbatim record of | Bejyoir. for instance, one selectee |Ski Will appear at the exhibition, to ple Buffet 27' o ® e b The morale officer at the camp | Part of the interrogation: | brotested that he was & Ph. D, in|be held in the Whyte Gallery, at B inin oom |ne1"l'e UlfeS decided to_ present 8 play, “The | s there a war going on?” asked | Chemistry and thought he belonged | about 5:30 pm. Spider.” He called for volunteers |&n officer. nf Included, besi cartoons, - a:fl found in the ranks a nmfes.{ “I believe so,” replied the noldier‘;:g&r;’;;?l T A pm:iixg: and nsh?x;!inmons. e g’ 75 h:;hocg ‘H"Y 7-p€. Bleached Maple Dinette-—— - _____ 15500 1‘4-84 sional New York stage director, sev- | after some thought. o i _— uncan Phyfe Coffee ¢ .26 i 125.00 76.12 eral professional actors and a num- | Do you know who Hitler is2>” |, On studying his record, however, L F Seri Table __ -~ . 7-pc. Mahogany Dinette_______ 5. . ber of ienced amateurs. One| “No,sir.” = zpex ayman Forum oeries G s . . of the professionals had been play. | “Never heard of him?” on paint chemisiry and that. the | ~0) 10-pc. Mahogany Dining Room Suite with Credenza Buffet 209.00 147.00 Sz s part in 3 oad tour of “The| “No, sir.” Engineers needed some paint experts | To Resume Tomorrow $1895Mahog- f 123.00 Spider” when e was drafted. He | Do You know who is President of ‘°N‘[‘e‘\’ mix Cflm‘;‘l‘flsie- The lecture series, “Principals,| any Finish Drop ¢ 26 7-Pc. Mahogany Dinette Set 139.00 o t the same part in the camp’s the United States?” | Musicians sent into the Engineers = > 14 ; :?n.yA B P The soldier thought for a minute. at Belvoir protest that they belong | f,l’;"fa;,',‘,‘:n?;f,‘,‘lffi; O:R‘(}Z:%:g;g Table .- 7-pc. Modern Walnut Dinette_____ oo 135.00 97067 The presence of so much assorted| “Mr. Roosevelt” he answered in some other unit, but it is dis-|will be resumed at 8:15 p.m. to- i : 14 103.00 knowledge in the ranks represents brightly. i ‘%overed that they wete sent into the | morrow at the Willard Hotel. The| $39.95 Mahog- 10-pc. Mod. Walnut Dining Room s 5.00 o something of a menace to young “Is the United States in the war?” | Engineers to fill up vacancies in the | i hi - " officers, who are struggling bravely | “I don't think so." | post. band. Dot e Do et :me Ds'r::':a"' s . 7-pe. Limed Oak Dinette__________ 169.50 118.60 to pick up military lore fast enough | “Who is in the war?” At Belvoir, there is a classification | Passion,” is to form the first of three 4 . P f to keep o jump ahead of the mes. | Again the soldier thought and at ofice which goes over the records of | lectures_on the emotional lite ot Table .________ 10-pc. Solid Maple Dining Room Suite__————————————- 215.00 167.00 v s v | all men wl the post, to| will livered by t] which the officer is discoursing,| “Germany, I think” make 2u:e ol}.l::cm:hier;mareea}s):i;gne!gi::x ;g{‘llip F. ‘;f(u?fie?’ne.reo. P}.' ; : c there's nearly always at least one | “Who are they fighting?” $13.95 Swedlsh. Mod- M I S E LLA N EO U ' genuine' expert among the listeners. | This time the soldier’s face bright- i R = ==y ern Occasional ’ 95 Thus, one young lieutenant was | ened up and he answered proudly ‘ashington’ tra rmanent < . 7' . o lecturing on mathematics in con- |and surelyi G Wave Shop for Smart Women” Sl e 5-pc. Black and White Porcelain Breakfast Set_________ 33.75 24.67 nection with map reading. Pretty “I thinl ey're fighting Hitler.” | o on che of Lis inen ofteredia vz Alibi for Clumsinest. | BRI NG TH iS AD g $3495 Mahog- Daveno Bed ___ o 59.50 49.60 r found o i : f . that the “pupil” had been a| Another soldier was brought in. 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