The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-08-08

H. w wives, sisters aunts, sweethearts.
M \ The government had made its
\HA plans for the men. but 1t hnd made
i them without thought OF the wom-
Then the women came to Wis.,
1t their soldier relatives. The camp
commanders looked at the stream Of femnnty
coming steadily toward them. and asked what was
to be done. Then the department began
to think of the women and finally 1t asked the
Young Women's Christian association for help
The Hostess house the answer
Eighty-hve of these unique establishments
are now either In operation or are definitely un-
der construction. They are put up only Mt the
direct request Of the camp commandants. Some
of the commanding officers were little doubtful
at first as to the practicability of the scheme.
Now these same officers are asking for second
and third Hostess houses In their cantonments.
Wherever colored troops are stationed. build
ings erected for their and social well
fare work under trained coored leaders is car
ried
These centers of hospitality are under the
supervision of the departments commits
sion on training camp activities. They are
a part of the governments war work. The war
work council Of the Young Women's Christian
association promotes them one phase of the
associations work for the country In this
tional emergency.
Since women are allowed to come to canton
ments to visit their soldier folk, places must be
provided for their recreation. Camp Lewis at
American Lake. Washington state. is seven miles
long, Camp Lee, Virginia. contains 10000 men.
Each camp covers acres Of ground laid out in
the bewildering monotony Of company streets
lined with barracks.
The discomfort of the camps for visitors Is
often extreme. The thermometer went down
to 81 degrees below Mt Camp Devens. Mass.
last winter. The Kansas mud nt Camp
Funston could be put in mucilage bottle and
used for glue. Camp Doniphun. Okla. some
times hides itself in dust. And for
heat in summer. visitor has been able to
decide where the thermometer goes the high
est The Hostess houses are refugees for the
elderly parents. worried wives and admiring
friends, whose love Of the soldiers draws them
to the camps.
One phase alone of the Hostess house work
would justify their existence. Each house Is
a directory. n street guide a map, n telephone
exchange. finding bureau. and a writing room
for visitors. When soldier is under orders
for France" his family come to bid him good-by
II 1t is within coming distance. At one canton
ment a father mother and three sisters came
hurrying. Their particular soldier not at
the entrance where they were to meet him. Like
sensible people they went straight to the Host
ess house. There they learned that the camp
had three entrances.
The hostess by the aid of telephone and mes
senger pnged each of these stations The man
was found at of them and brought to the
Hostess house.
This is surely great improvement the
game of ''cross tag often played by excited
families with their impatient soldier sons among
the barracks. At Balboa Park. Cal. they call
the hostess "the lady who finds your friends"
An Interesting feature of the Hostess house
is that the architects In charge of the construc-
ton are women Miss Jun Morgan is on the
Pacific coast Miss Fay Kellogg has charge OF
the Southern field Miss Katherine Budd builds
In the middle West.
The general plan of construction Is the same
adapted to local conditions large room Is
usually divided into two parts by huge Chin
ney with freplaces both sides. In winter
leaning fire gives cheer and warmth. In sum-
mer evergreen branches fll the big stone OPEN