The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1917-11-22
LETTER FROM
CAMP DODGE
INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF
"" HOME OF LOCAL SOL
DER BOYS.

Division officers are taking over
the entire cantonment from the
construction quartermaster. In
dications are that it will be full
ly two weeks before all buildings
are receipted for. Maj. M. A.
Butler who has been in charge
of construction is detailing the
work of turning the camp over
to officials stated that 1893
buildings had to be receipted
for singly, with all movable and
expendable property. Sheds and
such buildings will be receipted
for combined. The total cost Of
the buildings foot up something
over $5, 100000. Of this amount
SIS, ,420,00 was reported sent on
Oct. 31st. It is estimated that
less than 5000, 900 more will be
needed to complete the army
camp. The original appropria-
tion of the war department was
five and one quarter million dol
lars. This has been increased
from time to time until the total
appropriation now stands at $5,-
$4,000. It is believed the total
cost will be less than this a.
mount. In round numbers A.
100000 feet of lumber have been
used and the expenditure for la
Dor has been $1.05 for every
dollars worth Of material used.
The maximum profit allowed con-
tractors by the government was
$25O,0OO. From this amount ov-
erhead expenses in conducting
the work were to be paid. The
contract called for sliding scale
of profits ranging from Z per
cent down. The Chas. Weitz
Sons Company, Of Des Moines,
had the contract and consider
able of the work was sub-let to
other local contractors. Major
M. A. Butler of st. Paul, con-
structing quartermaster, had
charge Of the work on the part
of the war department. A. o.
Leach, supervising engineer, as
sisted by a group of engineers,
looked after all details and sup
ervision. Practically all of these
men are from Minnesota and
most of them were connected
with the Great Northern rail-
way before assuming their dut-
les at Camp Dodge. Major But
ler was chief engineer Of the
Twin City belt line company and
formerly with the Great North
ern and Mr.. Leach was a valua-
BILE engineer for the Hill road.
The completion of the equipment
at Camp Dodge within the next
few days means that everything
will be readiness for the recep-
tion of the remaining selected
men and it is believed that by
December 1st the $4,000 addi-
tional men will be called to SER
vice. Several cars of clothing
and blankets have been received
in anticipation of their coming.
It must not be overlooked that
the greatest factors in providing
comfort stations, wholesome rec
reatioh and amusements and all
Of the diversion that dispels
inconsistencies and makes for
contentment and happiness are
the religious activities maintain
ed throughout the camp. The
Knights of Columbus have the
largest auditorium and it is prov
ing a popular meeting place.
This Catholic roder is erecting
five other, structures at conven-
lent places about the camp. The
K. Of G. buildings are operated
upon a nonsectarian basis, and
the recreation facilities afforded
are open to all soldiers regard
less Of creed. The religious end
Of the work is confined to The
Catholic soldiers, Of whom there
are several thousand in camp.
As many as 5000 have attend
ed mass in one day at the one
day. Within q short distance;tf
the K. Of G.. structure is they
N. C. A. auditorium just ldIp-
pleted, that will accommod te
4, 900 men. Next to it is tho u.
II. G. "A. headquarters build
Just west Of this on Depot s6d
the Lutheran Brotherhood =
erecting q great building. ID
to be three stories high and WI
Be 81 brick and concrete Il
Nethodists have invested III ~
600 n . structure just out oel
- znN ~ = u