Soldiers’ Newsletter, 1 August 1917

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL

NEWS LETTER No. 4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 , 1917

Honored Sirs all:-

It has now become our painful duty to speak of the weather! It’s “)/$+ec-:§%$^;(:??? and then some – H O T. Guess Brig.Gen. Golding would again remark “Texas was never like this!”

What it must be like up in the tin and wood barracks at the forts and in the tent encampments our compassionate hearts tremble to imagine. Cheer up! Soon the north winds will blow and we shall have snow, and What will the Sammies do then, dear things ?

Speaking of several things and Golding, we will now call his case, held over from the last session of the court, before this high tribunal. In re Grade in Evolution of Law: Contended that Mr. Kocourek decided the case of Golding, appelant, v. Evolution of Law , Incorp., appelee , strictly on principle of law , and not equity. (see His Honor’s own statement.) His Honor also holds that it is a cardinal principle of law that a case decides no more than its facts.

“The first case in this series was the case of A. The facts were: A had been to class more or less often, but could offer no evidence to Prove his ability except the results of certain other cases decided for (or against) him. This latter evidence his Honor rejected as inconclusive and inconsequent. The decision was that A receive a B as the result of his more or less attendance in the course.

“The second case was the case of one B, which differed only in this respect from the case of A to-wit: B offered this additional evidence – inconclusive evidence – of his ability in connection with the trade, business and legal transactions of Evolution of Law, Incorp . The decision was that B receive a B.

“The next case was Golding’s case, and in that case the present appelant offered this evidence:- previous work under His Honor, evidence of knowledge of the course. This evidence caused His Honor to remark that the Appelant should in all probability, in fact, almost without a doubt, receive an A if examined in the work. Nevertheless, the decision was that the appelant receive a B, and on this ground, that the rule of law covering the appelant’s case is the same as that which covers the case of A and B. This, it is contended, is erroneous. For the rule of the cases of A and B is, that where no evidence is offered which is conclusive, the result of the case shall be a B. Consequently, where the evidence is such that His Honor is forced to admit that it is conclusive, the case does not fall within the above rule, which is based solely on a lack of evidence. Consequently, His Honor applied the wrong rule to the case, or wrongfully extended the rule of cases A and B. Wherefore, the appelant prays, etc.etc.

“In other words, have I caught Mr. Kocourek in the meshes of his favorite rule of law? I should be delighted to hear the opinion of the Court in this matter.”

Mr. T. J. Shaughnessy has joined the Ills. Engineer Regiment, and wears a red cord on his hat and a knife in his belt, and has left for Somewhere. May he have as fine a record in laying down the rails as he did in laying out the line.

Our friend Mr. Mack Wylie, after many efforts to get in various branches of service, has landed at Port Royal with the Marines. Since we have not heard from him since he lef’t us, we presume his arm is still sore.

As for our esteemed friend Harry L. Jones, he writes “Life is just one application after another! Having applied for everything in sight , I feel that I would be guilty of gross negligence if I overlooked the Aviation Corps of the Officers reserve. Their waste basket is yawning for my contribution!” The up-to-date report on this young man is that he is taking examinations for a lieutenancy in the U.S.A. (regulars). His law school friends wish him success he had in Property I. ( A plus and head of the class.)

No word yet from Joseph H. Wright, of the Signal Corps. Why not let us have one, Joe?

Corp. Lodwick expects to start out on the briny deep before long. We hope it will be a coastways cruise, and not overtheseas. He is still teaching the young ideas how to shoot, and to mark time.

Mr. Brewer, formerly the book worm, writes: “Since I last wrote I was transferred to the office of Major Coffin, director of the Ambulance Corps. In this capacity I assisted in picking out the Saddlers, farriers, chauffeurs, cooks, artificiers, etc. for the composition of the companies. I cast my lot in with No.20 unit, motor equipped, I am acting Quartermaster Sergeant in this company. We have in Capt. Milne a commanding officer of whom we are very proud, and this company is starting off with a steady pull in one direction.” ”I hope all the boys will ‘out with their murder’ and send frequent items to the news bulletin.”     Amen!

The Chicago chapter of the Red Croes has received an urgent appeal to supply men to base hospital No.12 , now in service in France. Nine Phycisians, 35 nurses and 42 civilians are needed at once. A recruiting office has been opened by the Red Cross for this purpose. The unit went equipped for caring for 500 beds, and found 1700.

To quote once more from our No. 12 correspondent: “One of the most interesting things we do (although it is no snap) is when a convoy comes in; that is, when a trainload of wounded come from the trenches. This happens about two or three times a week . When word comes every one who is able to leave his work lines up in front of the reception tent. When the train gets into the station, the ambulances (driven by girl drivers) line up, and four litters are loaded on each ambulance. They bring them up to the reception tent and we unload them and carry them into the tent where the doctors give a hasty examination. Then we carry them from one-half to two blocks to the various wards and put them into bed. Some of them have been in field hospitals for three to four days. Others were wounded as they “went over the top” at dawn, and came to us by midnight.”

It seems that the allusion to Diana in the last bulletin fell short of the mark in some quarters. Diana, the huntress, also the goddess of war, is out stalking for game through the forests tributary to the law school. In other words, some of our co-eds, amply fortified by some of our – at present – non-combatent men, feeling that they must also serve who stay at home, have organized a students’ War Relief committee. The object of the Committee is to collect and sand to our boys in service little gifts of cheer and usefulness. We all want those to whom this little news monger goes to realize how closely our interests and sympathies are allied with theirs, and how glad we are to perform any service for them. We all hope that Diana’a ambitions may materialize and be a source of pleasure and comfort to “Our Boys”.

The chief implement – or weapon – of the modern Diana is the knitting needle. Always we knit, though perspiration rolls and summer joys entice. Stitches may drop, and stitches may run, but the needles go on forever. Perhaps that is the answer to query in §§ 1.

Our Major reports that “I have already shed much ink for my country”. He seems to feel that it is hot in Washington, but not so. It was only 96 there on the 30th, and 98 in Chicago!

Don’t forget to write to us, if it is only a line. And be sure to keep us advised of any change in your address.

ALL HAIL until next time.