The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-10-15
BR|GHTENS LIFE
IN ARMY CAMP
Salvation Army is Big Asset to the
American Forces Which Are in
the War Zone over
In France.
HELP Is GIVEN TO ALL
assjes Are Willing to Sew on Sue-
tons and Sammies Are Smiiin9
Their Thanks and At
tend Services.
rBv special permission Chicago Daily
News

rRv special permission Chicago Daiiy
News.1
Shrill strains from cornet play
inc an the Good Old Summer llme'
proceeding from rudely camou,
fiaged tent at the roadside, shattered
the Sunday calm in certain part oi
the American camp YESTERDAY. III
side the tent slim young slri s'ahu,
ing on a little platform in front OF
an audience of soldiers who packeu
the canvas was blowing until her
cheeks stood out like rosy appies.
with a final trill Of liquid notes she
the cornet in her left manu-
and started to sing, her tul youus
voice rising clear above the rusty
chorus when 1t joined in.
But the words were not those OF
the well known popular song aoout
shady lanes and lovers trysts. Inc
first refrain was, He'll wash your
sins away" The enthusiastic leader
would sing a line and then play the
cornet while the audience roareu
steadily ahead. Next came, Brighten
the Corner Where You Are. A Billy
Sunday tabernacle seating 5o,ooo per
sons never heard a lustler or more
whole hearted chorus.
No Drums or Tambourines.
II was the Sunday afternoon song
service of the Salvation army IN one
of the camps of the American expe-
dition in France. 1t was Salvation
army meeting without drum ana
lassie without a tambourine, slght
never seen at home. The men wei
come the organization, as is shown
nv the crowded tents already opened.
Every soldier likes music and every
Salvation army worker plays some
instrument. The tam bourineless las
sizes have comets, banjos and even
slide trombones.
The soldiers may smile at home
when sacred words are sung to the
time 'There Will Be Hot Time In
the Old Town Tonight" but when
they are thousands of miles from
home and in the fields of France, the
old tunes sound good and the sacred
words are not without significance
The lassie furnishes the music,
everybody knows the tune, and
little booklet which Evangeline Booth
has prepared especially for the Amer
;can army gives the words, SO every
body sings.
The Salvation army is working
without the donation of the millions
with which America is supporting
other organizations. No big sub
scriptions were raised. The cost OF
onening a single hut is $4,000 and
this gives an idea of the first eX-
tho nynpnEpS are
light. The worker gets little and
lives at the soldiers mess. OUTSIDE
the tent yesterday stood the organl-
zation's only automobile, brought oy
Colonel William Barker, commanding
the work among the American troops
in Paris. The dusty car was so load
ed with bundles, boxes and supplies
that it was wonder where the
colonel managed to squeeze himself
in.
Sew en- Buttons for Soldiers.
The Salvation Army plans to bring
hundreds of officers from America,
half of them clean cut young men
and half Of them fassies, to work
among the soldiers. Thus far twen-
tv.three have arrived. Every lassle
when not having meetings is busy
soldiers uniforms, writing letters to
soldier sweethearts or listening to
homesiick boys describing their moth
ers' pictures which they carry next
TO their hearts. Later the lassies
bake pies. make real home made
fudge and other morsels distinctly
American that are not included Ill
the army rations. Much work Is
ahead Of them.
1--WE are spreading the spirit or
being good and doing good, said
Colonel Barker today. "The whole
some influence of good women among
the soldiers Is inestfmable. No sol
der is able to do enough for them.
Rough talk is silenced in their pres
ence and profanity has almost ceas-
ed as a habit. I could use a thousand
workers here to good purpose and the
same is true of the British army.
There is no end to the work which
the organization would be able to do
If It could get in touch with all the
men. Salvation must get to the per-
sonaI level of the men. Our officers
eat with the men, march with them
and share their discomforts and
pleasures. The work is entirely sup
ported by our organization in the
United States. we FURNISH readlHS
rooms, games, circulating library,
files of home newspapers and sta
tionery and sell few supplies at cost.
1--WE discourage smoking, but DO
not prohibit It in our tents. We have
organized a club, the members OF
which have promised to abstain from
wines and stronger drinks during
the war. Good results have already
been shown Only few were out OF
bounds on the last pay day in the
camp where the first hut is located.
Aid in Sending Money Home.
1--WE encourage sending money
home. We take mans money here
and notify our secretary in the city
for which it is destined and he calls
for and delivers it"
The hut presided over by Ensign