New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-22
Sweaters That WereNeeded
Soldiers and Sailors Who DISAGREED
With Messrs. Baker and Daniel,
n the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: While the controversy is on regard.
ing whether or not the sweaters and oths,
knitted comforts are needed by the boys in
our army and navy, it strikes me that n.
testimony OF the boys themselves should a..
eide the question. Being on the knittn,
committee of very active Red Cross chapt.,
in a New England city, goodly number 81
letters from soldiers and sailors has come 70
my attention, from which | quote few ~.
tracts. Here is one from the soldiers a.
Spartanburg, S. c.:
"Just line to express our appreciation
and thanks for your kindness in sending rnv.
self and other men in my camp sweaters. Yor
cent imagine how handy they have come !,
these chilly autumn mornings. And you nay
take it from US, the fellow who started ire
expression Sunny South either forgot to
make it South Pole or else he never slcp.
in tent and got out in line at or 5.3Oan.
81 have been in Canada and all over New
York State in winter, but / tell you frahky
| have seldom seen such variable climate I,
we have here. We awake during tire nigh,
freezing, and it is very cold until about 10
o'clock most days, and when the sun ccme,
cut it gets very warm-then it gets cold
again. And with the clothes issued By the
government you would freeze here. nearlv
got mobbed when the package was given m.
BY the mail orderly. The fellows thought !,
was something to eat. When thsy found out
what it was they all wanted your address,
which have not given them as yet witho,,
your permission, as, if did, you would %.
about hundred letters asking for sweater,y
In a postscript he adds, "Privates X. Hp
ard C. have asked me TO send you their names
in the hope of being fortunate enough TO get
a sweater" and also inclosed a card OF ora
of these men, which read, Dear Madam: A,
drive the regimental ambulance | find II
pretty cold and would be grateful for
sweater. c."
There is another from an aviation camp.
Kelly Field, San Antonio, Tex: 81 am down
here in this No Mans Land where dust and
heat reign supreme in the daytime and
much coldness at night. A sleeveless sweater
to help keep me warm at night and early in
the morning would be greatly appreciated
Another boy in the same unit, which was
transferred from Texas to Mineoa. wrote
after receiving an outfit: at was like eoing
to the North Pole from Texas. We we're put
into barracks without doors and windows. and
sleep is the last thing we think about. it IL
so cold Since receiving the sweater ami
helmet have not been walked up by the cold
for | sleep in them and do not wake now until
first call in the morning"
A sailor writes: 81 can't express in word,
how much thank you for the jersey helmet
and wristlets. II certainly is treat. We
are exposed great deal to the cold weather
Those articles certainly are a great comfort
to me-" One of the members Of the gun crew
On merchant vessel writes.
"The rest Of the boys and myself thank
you ever so much for your kindness. am
sure those seven helmets will come in HANDY.
as it will be bitter cold on this trip"
There are plenty more of these testimo.
malls. and I am sure the Red Cross chapters
all over the country can produce many like
th"m. ] think the men are benefited and
apprcciative enough for us women 10 keep nm
knitting as long as we can get yarn 70 knit
A NEW ENGLANDER
Hartford, Conn, Nov. 20, 1917.