The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-11-06

hCAL Sdu6C vi tIOuult dIOSt
in this way: An excellent rule had
been made by the authorities that hot
water could be obtained in the official
cookhouse from early morning till late
at night. But the German cooks en-
forced an unwritten law that a penny
must be paid by each person each
time hot water was required. l paid
my penny, like everybody else, and
obtained the hot water at once. I no.
ticed, however. sailor who did not
get any until all had been served
When asked for an explanation, he
frankly told me that he had no money
and therefore was boycotted by the
cooks.
THE next day l asked for water,
but did not pay. On the succeeding
days l was ignored systematically by
the cooks. At my request our section
chief called a general meeting. to
which made my complaint about the
impossibility of procuring hot water
without payment. and explained that
as about three thousand men three
times daily fetched hot water this
meant about f3 to ga (s15 to 500
day for the six cooks. Accordingly,
unanimous resolution was sent to
the governor, who promptly abolished
the abuse.
Regulating Camp Affairs.
"As rule the military officials were
willing to make any alterations sug-
gested by us. For instance, there was
much delay in the delivery of letters
and postal parcels sent to the prison
ers. proposed that a few reliable
prisoners be placed in the censor's Of
flee, open the parcels in his presence.
and, after his inspection. close them
up again. This plan was agreed to,
and it worked splendidly. Also one
hundred parcels, the addresses of
which had been lost under the old
system, were on our suggestion ex-
posed in the camp and speedily re-
claimed by their owners.
According to official instructions
our huts had to be scrubbed twice
we decided to do this every
week, each Of US in. turn. Whether
L was a wealthy banker from the city
DR. a penniless waiter from Soho, each
,ne did his work without grumbling.
Only one elderly merchant offered five
'hillings to anyone willing to do his
share. Not because l do not want
% scrub he explained. but because
or three days after doing so l cannot
move without pain in my back Al
'oung fellow consented to do the Job
or him for sixpence. Some of the
prisoners received neither money nor
PARCELS and therefore had to subsist
entirely on the official rations. which,
II course. did not include Injuries.
When QuarreIs Break Out.
Everything that tends to keep the |
nen busy is welcomed, because a GER
ain amount of nervousness and irrita. |
'ility Is inevitable when thousands OF |
nen are suddenly taken from their |
work. and forced to live together at |
lose quarters. Quarrels break out
asily and may quickly assume dan
'erous proportions.
"One afternoon q German baker |
ommented bitterly on the anti-Ger-
nan riots in London, which had ru.
ned him. Served you right said a
Dung fellow thoughtlessly. The next
noment he was nearly lynched by the
aker's friends. managed to get
i'm surrounded by more peaceable
ersons and proposed to call our own
olice. No. no. the crowd shouted.
Father Ludwig. you 60 and settle the
uarrel.' 1t was not a difficult task,
8 the young man made a complete
pology.
"One fine evening we were standing
Inside our hut, contemplating the
tarry sky, while our doctor friend
ave us some astronomical explana-
ons. Suddenly shot resounded. In
moment there was wild confusion in
ne camp and the combined efforts
I all the more responsible men were
equired to subdue it. We learned
fterward that the sentry had shot at
man who tried to escape. The ele-
tents of a tragedy or of a panic are
ways present, and the only antidote
work.
OF Course There Is Music.
Besides we had music! 1t is said
lat when half a dozen Germans get
'gether some sort of musical society
sure to be formed. so you can imag.
e that music is flourishing in the
mp. Seeing the number of first-rate
usicians interned, wondered how
ondon orchestras could exist at all.
xcellent choirs and bands have been