Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-04

0p02Al 0ttentlO0 ~ 00an4 given Oh
the medical department Of the army
tA9all camps to cleaning up spots
where mosquitoes and files breed. In
some cases 1t has been necessary to
dig channels In streams, drain swamps,
and put in elaborate ditching systems
to clean up stagnant pools and streams.
In cases where it has been impossible
or impracticable to drain swamps end
do similar work, there has been In
stalled system for keeping slow-mov-
ing streams and still bodies Of water
covered with oil. At all points within
the camp where there is the slightest
possibility ofsmosquitoes or flies breed
ing daily spraying Of oil is done.
Arrangements have been completed
with the federal public health service
to carry out a similar program in the
territories adjacent to the camps. The
health service has agreed to fill boys,
open streams, and drain swamps, and
continue the oil spraying for a dis
lance of mile around each camp.
Special precautions have been taken
to prevent the spread Of disease by
flies. Instructions were given on the
disposal Of materials that were likely
to become breeding spots. Arrange
ments were made to protect all food
from flies. With this end in view, all
buildings in which food Is prepared or
stored were screened. Entrances to
the buildings have been vestibuled.
A. evorouo ~ q OOn Ax,<ropo howe hoon
placed in each camp. More than o.,
100000 square feet Of screening has
been placed in all camps.
To assist in meeting the present
shortage in unskilled labor restrictions
have been temporarily removed on the
importation of Mexican labor to be
used in certain occupations. This step
supplements the order by which the
department of labor has arranged to
bring Porto Rican laborers into this
country for work on government con-
tracts. 1t is estimated that 10000 is
landers can be brought in while trans
portation Is available.
New regulations on the subject of
Mexican labor contain rigid provisions
to prevent any attempt at exploitation
on the part Of prospective employers.
Wage rates current for similar labor
In the localities in which the admitted
alien is to be employed are assured
as we'll as good housing and sanitation
conditions.
The Quartermaster's department is
now supplying gas-proof food contain
ers to the soldiers in the zone of op-
erations In France. These containers
prevent seepage Of gas into the con-
tanners and guard against contamina-
ton of the food. The men carry their
emergency rations in the containers
and all food brought up to the
trenches is carried in the new tins.
g After the food is packed In the con-
tanners they are Theoretically sealed.
1t Is planned to use paraffin for seal
ing. as 1t settles in the crevices in
such way that it must be cut before
the lids can be taken off. 1t can be
applied by running the containers
through parafin bath.
Because the supply of tin is limited
and there may not be enough to sup
ply the needs of the army the quarter
masters department Is experimenting
with the wax paper box. Tests made
show that these boxes meet all condi-
lions satisfactorily. The tins and
boxes both are yermin and water
proof.
There are now AZ theaters, which
cost over 100000. in operation in
camps and environments throughout
the country. Nearly 100 vaudeville
acts have been brought from the large
circuits to play in these theaters only;
about 50 acts have been secured from
| Chautauqua and lyceum bureaus; So
comedy companies are playing in these
theaters exclusively. Some of these.
are original New York companies.
| playing the summer season only, with
expenses reduced about two-thirds.
The camps have been divided into
| two circuits. In one the Liberty the
4 aters seat 5000. in the other the
houses are smaller, having capacity
| Of about 1000 each. 1t takes from IL
to. rs weeks for production to be
staged in each house of either circuit.
"Smileage" books. sold throughout
the country under the direction of the
commission on training camp activi-
ties. contain coupons good for adj
mission to all attractions in camp the
aters.
Forty-six societies representing %
nationalities of foreign-born citizens
are planning monster celebrations, pa
geants, parades and speech-making in
the principal cities of the United
States for July 4. Represented in the
groups are Armenians, Assyrians, Bel
gians, Chinese, Czecho-Slavs, Danes
Dutch. Firms. French, French-C anadi-
ans, Germans, Greeks, Hungarians,
Italians, japanese, Lithuanians,. Nor
wegians, Poles, Portuguese, Russians,
Roumanians, South Slavs, Swedes and
Swiss. In May these societies APP
pealed to President Wilson to issue
proclamation calling upon all native
Americans to unite with the foreign.
born In observing the national holi-
day, and plans for the many celebra
lions developed after the proclamation
was issued.
|