The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-13
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Birmingham has once more been put on her Inettle, and in spite of the fact that she has recently been put through her paces in raising money for Uncle Sam' she Is in fine fettle to add still another record to those already hung up by her.
 The campaign manager for the rais- inr of the ss5,Ooo,OoO fund for the army Y. M. c. A. and Y. W. C. A. work is the well known speed artist, J. Frank Rushton, Jr., who has team of help CTS which he believes lie will be able to drive, victory before the race for the money is over.
 1n America the \. NJ. c. X. is asking se5. .o0o, ,ceo to serve S4,ooo,o0e men for nine months. Just Q little over a dollar apiece Yet the getting of that small amount means much in the way of pleas ure and comfort to the men who are iu the camps and the trenches. Ten dollars goes for the American soldier. and only bit over half dollar 1or the soldiers of our allies.
 Now get it firmly fixed in your mind as the beginning of the campaign, that this money is in the charge of the war work council of the Y. M. c. A., ind that all funds received are entirely sep arate from the regular Y. M c. A. work The money is for the benefit solely of the soldier boys, and not for the ones who remain at home. It is an emer- gency fund.
 I want it to be understood at the outset that of the 35oc0,ooo about s11,- States enlisted men in this country, and Sl2 oOO,000 for the overseas, and s1,o00,Go1 for preservation of war camps. The balance, s7,oOo,oC0, is to go for work in Russia, French and Italian armies, and about sa0e0,00o for expansion. Now this ness men who thoroughly canvassed the situation, and will be wisely spent to maintain the morals and the morale Of the men who must win the war.
 Naturally, you might accuse me or over emphasizing the necessity of look- ing after the morals Of the men, just I set out the needs, but fortunately Secretary of War Baker puts it strong CT than I could possibly do, saying:
 These boys are going to the trenches overseas, and I want them adequately ly armed and clothed by their country, and I want them to have invisible arlnor to take with them, that moral and in- tellectual arrnor, that new soldiers state of mind, for their protection overseas. You are the makers of that armor." This was said by hin to the conference of war camp community workers.
 call as a further witness, President Wilson, who, from the start of hostili- ties, has never failed to ring a clear note for morality and religion in the new American army, which under God, is to be the finest flower of century of democracy. Hear him. The spirit with which our soldiers leave America and their efficiency on the battle fronts of Europe will be vitally affected by the character of the environment sur rounding our military camps" Through the T. M c. A. and '. W. c. A. hnd the Knights of Columbus, Protestant and Catholic, Jew and Gentle are being reached. All of these agencies are striy- ing to make provision at the very out set to turn the soldiers leisure hours and the training camp environment into an asset instead Of a liability
 In every camp there are Y. M. c. A. clubhouses, at least one for brigade and often one for regiment. They are out-and-out clubhouses, open to all sol diers alike. Have you been to any Of the cantonments? Go with me in your imagination as twilight falls. The days work is over. The soldiers are free, but not idle. In one building is a concert il, full swing. In another lecture is being listened to with rapt attention. In another a class in French Is being taught. In one the boys are busy watching the movies. In one a lot Of innocent games like checkers are enter taining a few. In others eager heads are bent over desks drifting home. Bet ter still, the army Y. M. c. A. has fol- lowed the men to the trenches, with dugouts for clubhouses in the trench.
 
 Never before in the history of the world has an army been so guarded: never before has so much been done in the way of protection and comfort. But who grudges the millions being spent to suppress vice, to bring education and study and character building into the camp and trenches? Yes, we are not going to stint. Those of us who are privileged to stay at home feel that the boys drilling and carrying heavy bags, digging trenches, and when called out going over the top for our sakes. de- serve the very best that we can give. To them we owe everything, cverying. Let us see to it that no one withholds anything that can make their task easier or more comfortable.
 Statistics show that we can expect 14 out of 15 soldiers to come back un- wounded. They must come back as |