The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-08-22
Judge E. B. Belden Home
from Interesting Work in
Camp Tells of Y. M.
C. A. Results.
BUSY ABOUT THE CAMP
First District Judge Declares That Too
Much Can Not Be Done to Better
tho Living Conditions Of Officers
And Enlisted Men.


consin Circuit who temporarily gave up
his work on the bench that he might
serve as worker for the Y. M. G. A..
at Camp Custer, his work being especi-
ally among the officers in the big army
camp is home for few days. visit.
He tells very interesting story Of
what is being accomplished and what
is TO be accomplished in letter adj
dressed to the Evening News. Judge
Belden says:
You asked me to write to you regard
ing the nature of my work with the
Y. M. G. A. and something Of the can
torment life There is so much to be
said of both that one hardly knows
where to begin or what to omit. I pre-
sumo anything concerning the boys in
the camps interests the folks at home.
My work, or, rather, my privilege, is
to undertake to extend the service
and the influence fthe Y. M. G. A.
among the officers, nearly all of whom
are men under thirty years of age, the
majority of whom are within five years
out Of college or other educational in
situations and to all of whom the "Y"
service and influence is welcome. Very,
very much has been done by the Y. M.
G. A., the X. G. and other organizations
with like purpose, for the enlisted men,
but little, practically nothing, has been
definitely done for the officers In
going about the camp since I have been
here this summer, and upon several for
mer visits, I have asked many soldiers
"How about the X. M. G. A.9' And
the reply invariably was, "Well, sir,
if it wasn't for the "FY" this camp
would be mighty lonesome place.
I have had many like expressions from
Officers. J was telling group Of lieu
tenants, one day, how much would
like to be in the military service, but
that my civil duties and obligations
and what I might be able to do for
the cause seemed to say that might
be of greater service in other ways, and
it seemed that the nearest I could
get to the troops is with the Y. M.
G. A." One of the lieutenants, with
his hand over his heart, said, "Sir,
with the Y. M. G. A. you are very
close indeed to the troops Truly said
and | appreciated the reply.
There are eight Y. M. G. A. buildings
IN tbic ooDoy, onJ 4xrxo - &brao x,y;11 ~
erected this season. 1t is my hope and
I shall press for it, that sufficiently
commodious addition will be erected on
each of the present buildings and in
cluded in the original construction Of
every new building, for the Officers, so
that they may have places to GO for
rest, writing, reading personal or offic-
ial conferences, where they may meet
their friends and where their friends
may likewise come. It is designed that
there shall be entertainment in these
rooms for the officers, such as movies,
monographs, games, billiards, etc.
Three of the buildings now have such
rooms and they are much frequented
by the officers in what little time they
have at their own disposal. Officers
are very busy men, working hard from
early morning until night and very
often during long evening. Anything
that contributes to the comfort, recrea-
ton, rest, amusement of officer or
man, anything that takes him from the
military routine temporarily, is useful
service and appreciated. And the good
influence Of the "Y" pervades the at
mosphere, without obtrusiveness. L say,
as has repeatedly been said by all OBJ
servers, officers and men at home and
abroad, that no single thing that the
folks at home are doing for the troops
is more appreciated than their generous
support of the Y. M. G. A. It goes with
the boys when they leave home and
stays with them, not only until they
come back, but from the time they
leave home thenceforth, always; for
these boys, who are so quickly and
marvelously transformed into men and
trained soldiers, are coming home af-
toI tue IrusS1dn DedSG Is Klled, with
great regard for the 'tY,' and they viii
want the "Y' everywhere and it must
be big and broad to hold them. And
am confident that Y. M. G. A. secre-
taries, with the cosmopolitan experience
gained through army service will rec
ognize this essential and be themselves
bigger and broader than ever before.
With all its terrible sacrifices and bur
dens, the war will bring great bless
ings; practical re-birth of the world
will result; there will be such friendly
consort of nations allied in spirit and