The Clio messenger., 1918-05-03
HARRY LA BAR WRITES
INTERESTING LETTER
TELLS OF NOVEL SIGHTS IN ENG.
LAND AND FRANCE
Also Gives Ideas About Trip Across
and Pays Tribute to Work
of Red Cros..
March 80, 1918.
Somewhere in France.
Hq. Co. 1l9 F. A.
A. E. F. via N. Y.
Dear Mr.. Reed

A. II. II. via N. L.
Dear Mr.. Reed:
Too long have delayed, | am sure, in
expressing my appreciation of the Clio
Messenger, which you so generously
commenced sending me at Camp Nc
Arthur. The first two copies to be re-
ceived on this side Of the pond just
came to hand, and l realized as never
before what valuable tie this is that
binds US closer to home. Public spirit
ed. as usual, you have anticipated this
and without thought of recompense
supplied the message from home to the
front. Accept my sincere thanks for
past favors. Am inclosing check to
cover my subscription henceforth
Another word of appreciation for the
magnificent work performed by our
great Red Cross workers at home will
not be amiss am sure. do not know
of any of our army men who cannot
walk their posts. face better the ee-
ments and sleep more comfortably, as
a result of the labor of the many knit
ters at home This is the kind of help
full cooperation that assists greatly in
\ prosecuting our war. Concerning my
trip here have seen and learned much
of interest. Our regiment was FORUM
ate increasing on large and speedy
liner. Besides the troops there were
number of hundred nurses aboard.
Ample precautionary measures were
taken against attack. The spirit Of all
through the danger zone was very
credtable.
If your devil" ever wishes to set
out on an adventure, | can recommend
to him sea voyage, with hammock
about foot too short, for bunk. He
y will likely find he has pains similar to
rheumatism next morning and use the
floor the next night. After all, the
ocean is an endless procession of waves
and we welcomed arrival at an English
port.
England with it's mantle of spring
verdure and striking contrasts to Amer
lean life, made one conscious of an es-
sental difference between the new and
the old worlds. First, near the docks
we noticed the use of single horse We
hicles and absence of motor cars. The
horses are fine big draft animals usually
neatly trimmed from about half way
down the body to the knees. Many of
the vehicles or wagons are but two
wheeled, especially here in France.
Evidently the drivers become quite ex-
pert in balancing the loads which are
often very large. When an extra horse
is required it is hooked ahead rather
than beside the wagon horse, as is the
American custom. Gasoline at 81 a
gallon naturally curtails the use of
motor cars. We saw some very efficient
three ton delivery trucks however; also
at least one using a manufactured gas
for motive power. Everywhere the
fields were small or moderate sized and
so well cultivated as to appear like gar
dens. Generally nice green hedges sep
arate the fields in France. This is ac-
complished by soil being banked two
feet high. In England it is everywhere
scrupuolusly clean. One notices the abb
sence of frame buildings. Brick and
stone are the usual building materials.
The cities all are similar in appearance.
Seemingly a large proportion of the
people live in blocks of two and three
story terrace dwellings. With their
steep slate roofs and many chimneys
(for in England the fireplace is the u.s.
ual method of producing heaD, these
dwellings are distinctive.
The English railway equipment was
at first joke topic among the boys.
Their carriages. as they are termed,
are divided into compartments; each
seating eight persons, on two loug
seats facing each other crosswise of the
car. At either end is a door. Com
partments may be either 1st, End or 3rd
class, the fare varies with the class of
course. The carriages we rode in had
four such compartments and were
lightly constructed compared to the
standard u. S. A. coach. The springs
were about what would be expected
on heavy motor truck. The freight
and fiat cars seemed toys to Us and the
engines in proportion. Our respect in
creased however after half a days
ride for we found they could speed.
We did pass some fine large passenger
carriages, also hospital cars.
Before crossing the English Channel
we spent number of days at an Amer
lean rest camp. Twice we marched