The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1918-06-13
REST STATIONS FOR
AMERICAN TROOPS
BY RED GRO,

ence of the Associated PressN G
Glimpses into the railroad resist q
tions for American troops in FraIi
established by the Americad Ri
Cross and reflection of some of 1a
happiness of the soldiers served t
those stations are given in letters II t
ceived here from the Red Crd ]
agents in France. liz
Gee, this looks almost like hom} {
is the common expression of i
travel-wearied soldiers as they seH
down and relax in some pretty RI
station where they have obtainedt
hot shower bath and a good mi
after hours Of journeying in crowd
trains. These places seem more he
home to the soldiers because they He
waited upon by American girls. Il e
they often pause to write LEI &r
home to mother or sweetheart as Nll
as to enjoy milk, butter, jams, 4 B.
dings and desserts Gust like tine
mother used to make"
One of the most interesting lett&s
comes to the Red Cross from M
Belmont Tiffany, New York sod u
leader who has been engaged in e
Organization of these railway rft
stations, which is distinct from he
Red Cross work for civilian relieftn
France.
81 started in rest station at b.
which consists of an infrmary 2of
ten beds, a canteen recreation ro~n
restaurant and splendid hot shower
baths and fumagating plant" wrote
Mrs. Tiffany. "The men here were OF
the Signal Corps, the Bell Telephone
man, laying American telephone
wires through France. They were 4:
splendid lot and, though they hav'
dug post=holes till their backs wer
lame, they always come to play th
piano and sing and write their letter.
in the evening. Because they be
lieve rightly that rest-station mus
be homelike, cheerful and restful, tht
Construction Department niu
charming brick building with WEI
plastered walls and ceiling and I waf
allowed to decorate and furnish thea
as thought best.
eff the women at home and the m{
TOO, could see how their boys app1ft
ciate it all, how they love the cleaSn
illness and the color and the gaieNy
how glad they are for every pretty
thing you do for them, if you coult
see their poor, tired faces relax whel
they settle down you would realiz,
what this side of it means. q 1W2r \
such an ual,r--AI.;s ss=--.@,as'
- n.evs:s b. that at least we csa ~
them warmth and cleanliness ta1
color wherever we can. AZ
"Picture to yourself fifty, dhTt
tired men falling out of cattle trR'
where they have been cooped up u"
or three days with detachment
mules, eating and sleeping with thEr
The have a couple of hours to wa
ca thew take hot shower with plenf
Of soap and towels given to them an
then have a good meal, waited upd
by such cheerful, kindly America
girls, play the piano bit, write
letter home and go. Those peopl
who have given us the money 70
this with would be so very glad' ;
very grateful if they only could Sc
"About the letter-writing, by Y
way, the lieutenant of the Sign
Corps came to me and said "Mf
Z Tiffany, have grudge against yq
I have to censor all our mail and q
| mems letters home have more TN
! trebled since you opened the recre
/ tion ROOM" I believe if do nothll
Il else in France l shall be glad OF thl
II YOU see, know what it means wn
II / see my boys writing. :.
II "The whole rest station when ny
IL nished is extremely efficient and m'
Il attractive. The infrmary is so ire
IL and clean with it's white enamel pa
and muslin curtains; the other roo
are as gay and bright and full
color as pain and curtains and pla