The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-23
MRS. BELMONT TELLS HOW LIKE ID SEE THE CONF FORTS OF HOME
Rest Stations in France Are Marvels of Comfort and Convenience for the
 Troops

New York. June 22.-Glimpses into the railroad rest stations for Ameri- can troops in France established by the American Red Cross and reflection of some of the happiness of the sol- diers served in those stations are given in letters received here from the Rcd Cross agents in France.
 Gee, this looks almost like home 2 is the common expression of the travel wearied soldiers as they settle down and relax in some pretty rest station where they have obtained hot shower bath, a good meal after hours of jour neying in crowded trains. These places seem more like home to the soldiers because they are waited upon by American girls. Here they often pause to write a letter home to mothee or sweetheart as well as to enjoy milk, butter. jams, buildings and deserts. just like those mother use to make''
 One of the most interesting letters comes to the Red Cross from Mrs Bell mont Tiffany, New York social lead er who has been engaged in the or ganization of these railway rest sta- tions, which is distinct from the Red cross work for civilian relief iii France.
 T started a rest staton at B.. which consists of an infirmary of ten beds. canteen recreation room res- taurant and splendid hot shower baths and fumigating plant" wrote Mrs. Tif- fany The men here were of the sig nal corps, the Bell Telephone men, lay ing American telephone wires throug h France. They were a splendid lot and, though they have dug post -holes till their backs were lame, they always come to play the piano and sing and write their letters in the evenings. "Because they believe rightly that a rest station must be homelike, cheerful and restful. the construction depart : ment built charming brick buiIdinps With well plastered walls and ceilings ana was allowed to decorate ard furnish them as I thought best
 If the women at home and the men. too. could see how their boys appre- ciafe it all. how they love the clean llness and the color and the gaiety how glad they are for every spretty' thing you do for them. if you cou.d q see their poor. tired faces relax when they settle down you would realize what this side of 1t means War is such an ugly thing. such a dirty, sor- did thing: at best there are so many hateful. unaccustomed things our men here have to do that at least we can give them warmth and cleanliness and color wherever we can.
 Picture to yourself 50 dirty. tired men talling out of cattle train. where thev nave been cooped up two or three days with detachment of mules, eating and 'leeping with them. They have couple or hours to wait so they take a hot shower with plenty of soap and towels gwen to them, and then have a good neal, waited upon by such cheerful Nlndly American girls, play the piano n oit. write letter home and go Those people who have given US the money to to this with would be so very glad. so very grateful if they only could see
 About the letter-writing, by the way. the lieutenant of the signal corps came to me and said: Mrs. Tiffany have grudge against you. have to censor all our mail and the mems letters home have more than trebled since you opened The recreation room I believe if I do nothing else in France, shall be glad of that You see, know what it means when 1 see my boys writing.
 The whole rest station, when fur rished. is extremely efficient and most attractive. The infirmary is so fresh and rlean, with its white enamel paint and muslin curtain: the other rooms are as gay and bright and full of color as paint and curtains and plants and flowers can make them. There are such good beds and mattresses in the dormitory, such warm fires on cold days such quantities of electric lights and tables for writing, with unlimited stationary. games. play ing cards and newspapers and magazines of all kinds
 In the canteen proper the girls n their blue and white uniforms look so nice and the food is so good. You can't think what it means to them. When they have money they pay nominal price: simply to keep them out of mis- chief really, cents for a huge cup of coffee or cocoa and corresponding prices for everything else.
 I have arranged for an unlimited SUD- ply of the best fresh milk. butter. jams, svrups and buildings and desserts and I must say they are more than popular One btg fair boy at B. drank four cups