The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1918-01-12
Proportion Of .-
Catholics in Service

CathollcS IN Service
AS has been repeatedly pointed out
the proportion of Catholics in the
Army and Navy service far exceeds
their ratio to the entire population of
the country, which is about 20 per
cent. 1t is conservatively estimated
that 40 per cent of the entire Army is
Catholic, and at least so per cent of the
Navy. This is a sufficient answer to
those who might be inclined to offer
any criticism of a distinctly Catholic
movement intended to provide for the
moral and spiritual welfare of Catho-
lies in the service. Happily little has
been heard of this nature, and as the
movement is more thoroughly under
stood, it will commend itself to Prot
estants and Catholics alike; for it is
charge of Catholic priests and laymen
will be more effective in safeguarding
the youthful soldiers and sailors who
are Of that faith, than if it were under
control of non-Catholics. Experience
has proved that the two great move
ments organized for the same purpose
the y. NJ. c. a. and the X of c.
have worked tremendously to achieve
the desired results There is no vast
age OF effort or duplication of facil-
ties. Both groups of workers are
needed, and each OF them will be COM
PEELED TO extend itself to full capacity
to meet the mighty needs OF the situa-
ton. Both recreation centers are open
to all regardless of creed. SO that no
hesitation need be taken in appealing
to all classes, Catholic and non Catho-
lie
Splendid Gift of the Rockefeller
Foundation.
The Rockefeller foundation has lust
siven 100000 TO the Knights of Col
,lmbus war fund, says a letter received
by John II. Reddin, supreme master
OF the Fourth Degree, Denver. The
executive committee, in making the
appropriation, let it be understood that
more may be given later. The fact
that this foundation has made the gil
gantic gift is one of the most potent
tributes yet paid from a non-Catholic
source to the type of work the knights
are doing in the name of all American
Catholics. The Standard Oil Com
pany, Mr.. Reddin has been informed,
has given $4,000 to the fund.-
A Stupendous Task.
When the Knights of Columbus, rep
resenting the Catholic people of this
country, first planned to render SER
vice of this kind, even the most far
seeing did not realize the stupendous
task that lay before them. Recreation
buildings were planned of course, and |
the general work was outlined in much !
the same way that it has been con-
Quoted. But who ever dreamed that
scores of these buildings would be
necessary. that the mobilization camps
would become large cities, and that
unless there were facilities for the
celebration of Mass at several points
in every camp. many of the men would
be in the same position as those peo-
pie who live in sparsely populated dis
them to travel miles in order to at
tend divine services?
Yet this is the condition that did
arise, and the Knights of Columbus.
undaunted by the size of the project.
have made Herculean efforts to meet
it. That they have succeeded in large
measure may be judged from the tes-
timonials which have been paid the
work by enlisted men and officers
alike, by the clergy and by all those
who have visited the camps and who
have investigated for themselves.
The entertainment feature, too, has
attained staggering proportions. In
stead of an entertainment now and
again, it has become necessary to have
something doing all the time. The
men are not unreasonable in this re-
gard, they do not expect the impos
there are so many of them that they
cannot all be accommodated at one
time, and if each man in camp is to
be entertained once week, it is nee
essary to have about seven entertain
ments to accommodate those who de-
sire to frequent the knights of Colum
bus buildings.
Men Write Many Letters.
It seems impossible that one sec
rotary may be kept busy during a
long day and evening, handing out
stationery and selling postage stamps.
Yet, this is true, for the men have
caught the spirit suggested in the
signs, Write a Letter to Mother"
which are conspicuously displayed
above the long writing tables in every