The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1917-11-08
APPEAL TO SECOND
JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Kind Friends:

Kind Friends:
Last year u son spent eight
months on the border with the First
North Dakota. This year he spent
three months at the officers training
camp at Fort Smelling, and since the
first of October, he has been at Camp
Greene, North Carolina. He is now at
Camp Mills, Loag Island. During this
time his letters home have been writ
ten on the stationary carry the red
triangle. This is the emblem of the
Young Mems Christian Association.
In almost every one of his letters
there is reference to a comfort or a
kindness received at the hands of this
organization. What is true of him is
now true of hundreds of thousands of
our boys in training camps on this side
Of the ocean, while crossing the ocean,
and in France at the very battle front.
Wherever our soldier boys are found
the RED TRIANGLE and what it
stands for. With every five thousand
nen the Y. M. c. A.. aims to have a
hut"
These "huts" Ere equipped with sta
sionary and writing materials, moving
picture machines, pianos, a stage for
theatricals and lectures, victrolas, ap-
paratus for physician culture, all fur
nished free. Here the boys can buy
at cost, hot coffee, hot chocolate, soft
drinks, and wherever possible, hot
meals. Here they can meet-com-
rides, in friendly equality, with the
rigorous military discipline relaxed,
and talk of home and friends far
away. In every camp the Y. M. G. A.
takes charge of all kinds of sports,
such as base ball, football, volley ball,
cricket, etc. In fact, it becomes the
social center of the camp.
The greatest menace to our boys is
lonesomeness, and the lack of some
thing to occupy their minds during
their leisure time. 1t is during the
leisure hours that temptations and
vice lures so many to their fall. The
Y. M. C. A. centers furnish a whole
some outlet for the social cravings of
the boys and it is the greatest safe
guard against the moral dangers
which are always present in a soldiers
camp. The men in charge are select
ed with the greatest care, and are men
who have volunteered to dedicate their
lives to serve others. The example of
such men is no small factor in getting
results.
The organization is non-sectarian,
but is truly Christian, in fact, its work
may be called "applied Christianity"
While the Y. M. C. A.. is officially rec
ognized by the military authorities, it
is entirely supported by private sub
scriptions.
On the twelfth of this month the Y.
M. C. A. wal work council is opening
a campaign to collect t%hirty-fve mil
lion dollars ($35, OO,OOO) to defray ex-
penses until the end of June, 1918. 1t
is m of the highest Importance that
our boys are kept clean, morally and
physically, and return home clean,
strong, healthy men. I know of moth
iEg that we can do here at home to
bring this about that would be as val
liable as the work of the Y. M. c. A.
May I not appeal to you all to con-
tribute literally to this fund, and more
especially to YOU, whose boys have
already answered their country's call
or are about to do so, and see to it that
your neighbors contribute? The state
has agreed to raise not less than $125,.
900, of which the second judicial dis
trictlhas been apportioned $4,000. Il
should be a privilege to give to this
cause. The boys are fighting for US
over yonder, and we all ought to b
glad to be allowed to contribute *
make the conditions under which thu
fight as endurable as possible.
SIVER SERUMGARD,
Chairman Second Judicial District Y
N. C. A. War Work Committee.