The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-11-03
Headquarters 353rd Infantry.
Camp Funston, Kansas.
9th October. 1917.

9th October, 1917. /
Dear Editor:
The 353rd Infantry is one of the
few regiments ever formed either in
the Regular Army, National Army or
the National Guard, composed ex-
cluSively of Kansas men from every
county in the state. The Regimental
Officers have started a campaign to
raise the sum of $4,000 as a Regi-
mental Fund 20 be used in erecting
Recreational Hall, for promoting ath-
| letic teams and all other uses that
will better the general moral and
! physical welfare and furnish health
full amusements for the boys now sta
/ toned al Camp Funston.
| Remember the 353rd Infantry is
made up of men from every county
/ in the state of Kansas and as might
we'll be expected, this representative
| organization is making a record in
training that even seasoned Army off
/ GERS did not think was possible in such
a short period of time. Kansas has
always been the mother OF stalwart
| infantrymen. The 353rd Infantry Is
no exception. Now, just a word
about what is needed for the boys. At
the present time no adequate place
! is provided for the mothers, sisters,
| wives or other relatives who come
down here to visit the boys. The need
for such a building, for the better
ment of the physical and moral vel
fare of the boys, has been impressed
upon the mind of every mother, sis
ter or wife who has come here during
the last six weeks The need for
quarters of this kind cannot be real
lied TO the fullest extent until you
have made a trip here to see your boy
or some friends boy. When the
Recreational Hall, with its coy fire
place, rest and reading rooms, a
place to eat Sunday diners, with fac
ilities for writing letters and many
other comforts now unknown to the
boys, is completed, then it will be
that the soldier will be happier and
his moral environment will be greatly
improved.
We enclose herewith copy setting
forth the plan of the campaign IN de-
tail and trust that you will be able to
!, feature it completely in your next
coming issues, thereby performing a
very valuable service not only to the
country but to your own soldiers. We
shall mail you each week copy inform
ing you of the progress of the cam
paign. We are also writing the COM
mercial organization in your city ask
ing their cooperation VIII you
please confer with them in forming a
|
: least possible time. We have cuts OF
the plans and sketches of Recreation
, Hall, that we shall be pleased to send
on application
The funds must be in the hand of
the Regimental Commander by No
? vember 20, so that on Christmas the
regiment may hold an open house. 10
the people of the state. All the Ia
Dor from the design and plans to the
/ actual construction will be from the
rank and file of the regiment, itself
We ask you to handle the subscrip-
ton in your locality and remit direct
any funds turned over to you Checks
should made payable to Col. James
H. Reeves, Commanding Officer 353ro
Infantry, Camp Funston, Kansas.
The war strength of the 353rc
Regiment is 300 men. This organi-
cation wants the people of Kansas tC
contribute at least SO for each man
in the regiment Each man IN the
regiment has promised to give 50 him
, self as a starter. This will make Z
total, If the people of Kansas do theil
part of almost $4,000. Our records
show that your county has forty mel
in the AIl-Kansas 353 Infantry Or
e basis Of SO for each man, this vii
make a total for your county to raise
s4OO. Let US have this amount be
fore the closing date, which IS No
vember goth.
We shall appreciate the courtesl
if you will mail copy of your Papei
containing this article, or any par
that is acceptable for your use, 70
gether with your editorial comment
to the undersigned.
Thanking you in advance for CIV
ing this as wide publicity as POSSIBLE
through your valuable publication,
am,
Yours for winning the war,
G. J. Masseck,
= Can't -252rd Infantry.