The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-30
IT'S ALL KANSAS
353rd Regiment Is Unique Unit
at Camp Funston.
Every County in State Has
Representatives in 1t.
BOYS WANT RECREATION HALL
Officers Start Campaign To
Raise $4,000 for Bldg.
Governor Makes First COntri-
button of 500 to Fund.
BOYS WANT RECREATION HALL


appeal both to your patriotism and
your state pride. 1t is an appeal that
should come closer to the heart of ev-
cry Kansan than any other that has
been made for any other purpose con-
nected with the war, and this is be-
cause it affects the moral and physi-
cal welfare of those Kansas boys
now in training at Camp Funston, and
IN particular, the boys in the 35 3rd in
fantry to raise the sum of $4,000 as
a regimental fund for the moral and
physical comfort of the boys of this
command.
This regiment, above all others in
the entire army, is unique in the fact
that it is absolutely representative of
every walk in life and industry that is
TO be found in Kansas, and also in the
fact that every county. bar none, has
a representative in this regiment. This
means a solidarity and homogene ity
that no other regiment Of no other
state possesses. There are other state
regiments. national guards and other
wise, but none that embrace repre-
SentatiVeS from every town and every
county; one can almost say a repre-
sentative from almost every farm. The
record of the 353rd infantry for physi-
cal fitness, for eagerness to learn and
Willingness to serve, surprised even
seasoned army officers, and in return
for the kind of service these boys are
something equally as good.
Need Special Attention.
The government clothes, houses and
feeds it's troops, but there are a mil
lion and a half of them, and one regi-
ment is as another regiment. The
Y. NJ. c. A and the Knights of Column
bus try to remedy this deficiency of
special attention by seeking in every
way to make the life of a soldier hap
Ply and easier and more moral, but
there is a limit to their efforts. There
fore, each regiment seeks in its own
way to safeguard its morals and in
crease the physical and moral eff
cheney of its men; this is most gener-
ally done by the raising and mainte-
nance of regimental fund.
Now, in the east, almost every ma
tional guard regiment that has been
equipped with a substantial regf-
mental fund, in most cases about
$25, 900, administered under the direct
supervision of the mmanding Off
GERS. safeguarded and checked as re-
CARDS it's expenditure by government
regulation This regimenta1 fund fur
nishes recreation hall, equips ath-
letic teams, provides musical enter
tainments, and maintains reajing
rooms for the troops. After ten hours
drill, soldier wants recreation, and
if he cannot get the right kind, he
will get the wrong kind.
The 353rd infantry wants the right
kind. Its war strength is 300 men;
it, therefore. wants the people of Kan
sas to contribute $40 for each man in
the regiment. Each man in the regi-
ment has promised to give So himself
a starter, which will make a total,
if the people of Kansas come across
of almost $4,000.
Want Recreation Hall.
It is proposed to spend this money
first by erecting a recreation hall
wherein will be found reading and
rest rooms a. basketball court, concert
stage, facilities for writing letters and
an old fashioned fireplace. There will
be rest room for ladies; there will
be hooks and corners where the
friends and home folks that come
down to see the boys can see them
with some pleasure and privacy in
stead of having to stand around in the
wind and dust as now There VIII
also be provision to eat Sunday DIM
ner together. Such a recreation hall
will, therefore, serve both Kansas and
the regiment and make for both in
body and spirit. And when the $3.50
infantry goes across, the buildings will
still remain for those subsequent
Kansas troops that will take it's place.
Thus the buildings will always re-
main in the cantonment for the use OF
Kansas men, and as monument TIC
Kansas people and their generosity.
The balance of the $4,000 will be
used always, here and abroad, for
promoting those amuSementS and
pleasures that the government cannot
provide and the boys themselves can
not find.
This is not a charity; this is not
eveTf&a benevolent enterprise that is
to be administered for distant peo-
pie in a distant land. 1t is a necessity
that helps my boy, your boy, and ev-
cry boy from Kansas to serve his
country.
Start Big Campaign.
A campaign will be started in every
county in the state to raise the re-
uuired amount. The cooperation OF
every commercial club, every Kansas
newspaper. women's club, and all 9TH
er civic and commercial organizations
will be enlisted in the campaign to
raise this fund. An officer familiar
with the work will go to any Kansas
town within twenty-four hours ride
from Camp Funston to explain the de-
tails of the plan and answer all ques-
TONS He will have plans and
sketches of the recreational building
with him. Brig. Gen. Frank l. Winn,
177th infantry brigade commander.
has given the plan his most hearty ap-
prevail and support
The regimental fund for the 353d
infantry was started this week by
Governor Arthur Capper. who has
given 500 himself. Can you do like
wise? If not 500. any sum that you
can. Your check may be mailed to
the editor of this paper. in care of
the $3.50 infantry fund. or to the COM
handing officer. Col. James H.
Reeves. 353d infantry. Camp Funston,
Kan. The fund must be- in by No
vember 90. so that on Christmas, the
regiment can hold open house to the
people of the state