The Elgin Echo
Elgin, Fayette Co., Iowa
03 Aug 1917
Page 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.