The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-04-05

filling out questionnaires the men
were nonplussed. The secretaries re-
lieyed inconsistencies anc anxiety by
writing letters for the men though
they knew the mems families might
not be able to read them.
A story is told Of colored boy who
asked secretary to write a letter to
his sweetheart. With much pains
taking the boy dictated what he want
ed to say to his Alabama girl.
When it had been finished the boy
asked:
would you-all mind writin' moth
er letter boss ?"
"Not at all Whom shall we write
to this timer"
"Nother gal" said the boy.
"All right" agreed the secretary,
ready for any queer turn. "What
shall | say?"
The colored boy scratched his head
for moment before he said: "Well,
boss, jes' make it same as de first let
tab"
In the midst of the letter-writing
demand in this same cantonment
secretary came upon a number of
English leaflets that had been used to
instruct foreign speaking men in bar
racks which the negroes now occu-
pied. He. eagerly siezed upon these
and organized a class in English, and
as result hundreds are eagerly learn
ing to read and write. Whereby only a
few weeks before there had been only
few hundred letters written daily in
their association hut, thousands now
began to be written.
One day secretary in charge of the
English instruction appealed to the
camp director:
I'VE must have pens and ink for
these men now-1,0 900 of EACH"
"But the men have pencils" said the
director. "Why should they have pen
and ink?"
Because they have to sign the pay
roll IN INK and hundreds OF them can't
use pen to save their lives"
The idea was a new one in Associa-
ton experience. So 1000 pen holders
1000 pen points and 1000 bottles of
ink were provided, and the men set to
work with their new weapon. Today
majority of these troops sign the
payroll and can write well with a
pen.
At Camp Sherman practically all of
the 1000 colored troops have been en-
rolled in one or more phases of Asso-
citation activity. Educational lectures
have attracted large attendance and
english classes fbr illiterates have
been popular. Captains of colored com
panies have insisted that their men
learn to read and write and they 90
even further in their studies and take
up mathematics and French. In a
number of the environments the classes
have included large numbers of color
ed officers. The men are by no means
so lonesome as they were. They are
now in closer touch with their homes
and friends, and as whole are much
more contented lot. Their ambitions
have been whetted.
Other changes are being observed
among the colored troops. The men
are taking a new attitude toward i'm
morality and disease, because of the
recreational or social or religious ac-
tivities promoted by the Association.
In several divisions of colored troops
a distinct falling off in profanity and
gambling is noted as result of the
evening and Sunday afternoon evan
gelistic meetings, and of their provis-
ion of letter paper and envelopes for
them to use in writing home.
From the physical standpoint these
same men are being helped, perhaps,
more than any other in the entire en-
listment. Not many negroes have had
an opportunity to indulge in outdoor
recreation. Their play instinct had
only found expression in the buck-and-
wing, and few other crude and SIM
pie play movements.
'They all have to be taught how to
play" said one of the physical direc-
tors, land they are quick to learn. We
even follow them up into the field OF
in the trench, or wherever they hap
pen to be stationed and set up recre-
ational activities. By volley-ball and
other outdoor activities it has been
possible for US to hep the military
build contented body of colored sol
diers and at the same time help the
soldiers physically."-Henry c. New
ell, Association Men.