The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-08
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Great Preparations Under Way
for Great Holiday.
Cooks and Mess Sergeants Con-
test for All Glory.

Shop early" is Camp Funston's
motto. Neither the officers nor the
soldiers here are going to wait until
the last minute te purchase Christmas
supplies. Capt F T. Windle, head OF
the subsistence branch of the camp
quartermaster del artment, opens elds
for $4,000 pounds of turkey for the
soldiers of Funston Christmas day
The proposals provided for an amount
around $4,000 pounds. On Thanks
giving day $4,000 pounds were con
sumed, and it is believed that fully
that quantity will be served on Christ
mas. The turkey IS to be delivered by
December 22-three days before the
Christmas holiday 1t will be kept in
an ideal place. in the new refrigerator
room of the camp ice plant, which
was opened only few days ago. The
turkey will be issu I'd to the mess off
GERS the aft rnoon preceding Christ
mas day.
Turkey is not the only Gel: cacy
which the soldiers will enjoy at Fun
ston Christmas day. Large supplies
of canned fruits, preserves and other
dainties are IL store at the sales CONF
tnissary of the camp quartermaster
| department, and many of these arti-
cles are to be sold for consumption
christmas day.
Soldiers have exchanged reports on
the fare Thanksgiving day, and the
comparisons of various holiday messes
have reached the ears of the serSeantS
and cooks. AS a result, a hot race is
already on for he homo of preparing
the finest Christmas day meals. Some
of the cooks have ~ OmiSed so many
elaborate dishes that it will be hard
for the soldiers they serve to leave
the camp Christmas Day. The sub
sistence branch o: Captain Frank s
mp quartermaster department is
overl 'oking nothing in preparing to
Z Io Frr + lob h a
race between the mess sergeants and
cooks promises TO create.
Many of the cooks and supply Off
GERS had their first experience in pre-
pairing a holiday meal Thanksgiving
Now that they have had good practice
they say they will make many hotels
which prepare elaborate menus en-
, vious of their Christmas day dinner
The general sentiment among the sup
ply officers is that HooYer's appeals
for economy should be forgotten by
/ the soldiers, at least, on Christmas.
Some farmer-soldiers from rura
districts which specialize in orchard
ing have promised boxes of apples
and pears from their orchards for the
meals. 1t is rumored that the father
the regiment to which he belongs q
/ present of $500 pounds of dressed
/ turkey. This will be served in addi-
! ton to the 5000 pounds to which this
/ regiment Is enutIeQt uQder the regu-
! lations of the subsistence branch OF
| the canap, One company of soldier:
in the infantry has decided to put al
/ the candy received for the holiday
from their sweethearts and parent:
into one common supply to be served
at the dinner Christmas day. If the
sweethearts and mothers do not sent
enough candy, Captain Windle's sub
sistence office is ready with a supply
for sale thru the commissary at cos
prices to the government,
| Arrangements are also made fol
music, Some soldiers with gifted
/ sweethearts in nearby districts ar,
arranging to bring their girls down t,
sing for the men at the dinner hour
Soldiers, too. are practfcing on al
sorts of musical instruments for thu
holiday.
Even printed menus will be uset
by a number of mess sergeants.
Camp Funston will be a Cheerful
place Christmas day. said Capt. F. T
Windle today. All the supply Off
GERS are preparing for il. with NOR
enthusiasm than the average house
wife back home manifests even whel
| company is expected