Iowa
Old Press
The Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa
August 3, 1917
pg 2 - Column one
Should the United States be drawn into war, the Iowa state
university has 240 graduates from its two nurses' training
schools, most of whom would be available for the Red Cross
services. An affiliated chapter of the Red Cross society would be
formed at the university. These chapters are open to anyone, and
includes instruction in elementary hygiene, home care of the
sick, and other subjects which would make the members valuable as
assistants to the Red Cross proper.
Elaborate arrangements are now being made at Lone Tree for a
reception to be tendered the members of the local cavalry command
when it returns from the Mexican border.
pg 2 - Column two
The First squadron of Iowa cavalry and Iowa Field Hospital and
Ambulance corps have left the Mexican border for Fort Des Moines
to be mustered out.
pg 2 - Column Three
Guard Pays for Clothes.
The final blow to the officers and men of the Third
regiment fell when the war department ruled that all clothing
issued to the regiment must be turned in at full value.
It is the case of the First regiment over again. Bitterness of
feeling on the part of the men over what they regard as
outrageous treatment is even more intense.
Coming to the climax of a long series of incidents which they
believe to be part of a deliberate campaign to make their
position as guardsmen as uncomfortable as possible, this ruling
by the war department well nigh whipped all the enthusiasm out of
the men.
Resentment may cool with time, but just now anyone who mingles
with the men of the Third regiment will quickly be convinced that
nothing short of an actual invasion would cause them to offer
their services to the government again under present conditions.
It will be recalled that second hand clothing, much of it
scarcely fit for wear, was issued when the regiment mobilized at
Camp Dodge, yet under the department's ruling this is charged up
at full value, exactly the same as for new garments issued later
on the border.
The entire bill both for new and worn out goods is charged
against the soldier;s clothing allowance, and in case of
overdraft, the balance will be deducted from his pay.
pg 2 - Column four
Third Iowa Mustered Out.
The Third Iowa regiment has been mustered out and the
companies have gone to their home stations. Payrolls were signed
and turned over to the regimental adjutant.
The dispute between the state government and men over clothing
issued by the state and worn out on border service is causing
much ill feeling. The state demands reimbursement from the
government for the old uniforms. The army authorities have
ordered the men to replace the state property or pay for it. This
means that each man will lose from $5 to $25 from his clothing
allowances.
"This is the final blow,' said a sergeant who has lost $24
by the order. "Wait until that federal oath comes along. The
whole regiment will yell 'No' so loud that the boys of the Second
will hear us at Brownsville. I have talked with many enlisted men
and all are disgusted. I didn't find one that would take the
oath."
A committee has been named to appear before the legislature
committees on military affairs with the request that the state
reimburse the men for the money they are thus forced to expend
out of the small amount paid for army services.
Killed New Cigaret Bill - Cigarets are still unlawful in
Iowa.
The Rule bill which seeks to repeal the present statutes
making it a misdeameanor to sell coffin nails and license their
sale, was killed in the senate by the adoption of a drastic
substutute by Proudfoot, and later the substitute was killed
also.
Cigaret regulations thus will be left so far as the senate is
concerned, just as they are now.
The weakness of the present Iowa law, Rule pointed out in debate
on the measure, is that it conflicts with interstate commerce
regulations which allow the sale of cigarets in original packages
in any state.
[transcribed by C.D., December 2014]