The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-08-09

ing. Interior decorators make the houses beau
tful with the dignity of simple lines and har-
monous colors. Gay curtains at the windows
give brightness In stormy weather. The
chintz cushions In the chairs good to look
at well comfortable to lean against.
Half OF the big room is used for reception
hall and the other half forms the cafeteria.
There is always a rest room for tired travel
ers. nursery with bright quilts and curtains
Is waiting for the babies who come to visit their
fathers. Not unusually the house contains
sleeping rooms for the hostesses. One or two
spare cots are frequently provided for very ex-
ceptional where 1t Is impossible for women
to leave camp that night. Sometimes a bad
storm effectualy holds them prisoners Or the
mother of n sick boy waits anxiousy for crisis
In the Illness.
Hostess house Is manned by five women,
the hostess director having general charge Of
everything. The social hostess is chiefly re-
sponsible for the reception OF visitors. The
emergency hostess looks after outside cases
which to the attention Of the workers.
The cafeteria hostess Is concerned with the food
The business hostess keeps the accounts and
looks after the buying. Certain qualifications
are essential for these Offices OF course the cafe
terra director must be trained dietitian.
graduate Of a recognized domestic science In
stitute and experienced domestic economist
The business hostess Is one who Is accustomed
to running a large establishment on an econom-
ical and efficient basis. The emergency secre-
tary is somewhat like the social worker. Ex-
per1ence In settlement work some other form
of welfare work affords n good training. She
must know and utilize all the government agen-
cies charitable institutions and philanthropic or.
ganzations.
The term social hostess" sounds somewhat
vague, but more than shaking hands is involved
in her position. She must have had experience
In dealing with large numbers Of people. Tact
which takes her to a desired goal without fric-
ton Is necessary. Endless patience, a kind
heart. and a shrewd brain are fundamental.
The director Of Hostess house must be all
the four others rolled into one. Poise is a pre-
requisite. When a tornado rolled the roof back
from the house at Camp Taylor. Louisville and
then returned 1t to its place with bang. the
work went right on as II nothing had happened
Every sort of a demand is made upon the wom-
en- employed In Hostess houses. They made
1900 sandwiches for ex-Presdent Taft at Camp
Funston. The number not too many for
him-and his admiring audience worker at
Camp Cody, Tex. was taken aback for mo
ment when a woman inquired "Can you tell me
where I can get babyr But she recovered
her breath in time to find one for adoption.
Wandering mothers. lost In company streets,
are returned to anxious sons. Homesick soldier
boys accompanied to movie shows Room
ing and boarding places In the neighborhood are
found for soldiers relatives Mothers are chap
eroned, babies fed letters written and informa-
ton given on every subject from the future life to
fountain pens.
The Hostess house does not shut up shop
when visiting hours over. Not only for
guests does 1t exist but for the soldiers them
selves In one house 1t has been discovered that
as soon the boys have seen their friends on on
the train they came pell-mell back to seek con-
fort and food. Then the cafeteria which has
worked hard all day. hands out pie and coffee
to the disconsolate ones.
The cook at Camp Meade forgot her pass one
morning. She told soldier at the gate who
she was.
Are you the cook who makes that tomato
soupr' asked the sentry.
II am" she replied.
Pass" decrsed the soldier, saluting II want
some Of that soup this nOon."
The cost Of building and equipping Hostess
houses has increased during the past year just