The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-05-06
NEWSY LETTER
 RECEIVED FROM
 FAIRBANKS BOY

he speaks in glowing terms of his work in the naval training school at Lake Washington, Seattle.
 Contrary to previous reports, the enlistment rolls there are open. and young men can enroll in almost any department of the United States navy. The pay is the best of any, being $35.90 per month. The food for the enlisted men is excellent, and a sample bill of fare shows: Two pieces of bread with butter, roast mutton, asparagus. mashed potatoes, apple sauce, dressing, pumpkin pie, and tea with sugar and milk. Every meal has meat or fish and vege. tables with spuds, and invariably dessert
 The daily routine Is as follows: Reveille, 5:30 A. M.; roll call, 6; breakfast, z; school to 11:30; dinner. 12 M; drill, l to 2; school 2 to 4:15, which closes the working day. Liberty days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 till 8 P. M. next day and Saturday night till Monday A. M.
 Of the service, he says: This is absolutely the best branch. Most of the men are young fellows, many under twenty. There are lots of chances of promotions; 40 men were sent east yesterday for ensigns. could have gone if I were of age The spirit is the greatest thing here The boys all stick together for their fellows and the navy. There is ab- solutely no roughness or loudness, but when our boys go down the street the people turn round and look at them. The city compliments the camp on its cleanliness, and the character of it's men, and it is SUD- posed to be the best training camp in the United States. think my branch-the radio-is the pick of them all, although this is a matter of personal opinion. We will go to school here from four to six months and then are either sent east for further instruction or assigned to active service.
 q am writing this letter in our Y. M. c. A., big, fine building with many tables and almost every book, magazine or paper; pool hall, piano, photograph and various other things to make one comfort able are on hand. I tell you the Y. M. c. A. is a grand institution, and never miss an opportunity at home to boost for it. They do everything they can for the men in service.
 "It certainly means something to be in uniform on the streets. The people look at you as though they envied you. On the street cars they find room for you even though crowd ed. The citizens pick you up in their cars and take you around and treat you like honored guests. As an example of this, last Sunday was going ashore about 2 P. M. (leaving training school for the city) and before I had reached the car a swell limousine pulled up and gentleman asked me if I would like to ride down town with his wife and himself. sure did, and he intro- duced me to his wife. They took me for long ride and then out to my aunt's. When she came to the door and saw my benefactor she was astonished, for the gentleman is the vice president of one of Sc. attle's largest banks. This episode illustrates how the men in service are looked upon now.
 q would tell you something of my three weeks work at Bremerton navy yard and of what is going on. but I cannot, as am forbidden by law. tell you never realized what this spy business is, and you can say for me that the Fairbanks officials, whom some thought too se- were in their ideas, are dead right. You cannot be too careful. How ever, I can say that we are engaged in a task of tremendous magnitude, thousands of men working at their various trades, and great things are being and will be accomplished. As I said before, it makes you realize that our part in this war is the most wonderful and the biggest thing we have ever been confronted with, and I am very thankful I am able to play my small part. feel better, look better and am better than I ever was in my life, and it is going to be a big thing for me.
 "Tell all or any of the boys that they can get into this branch of our work in various lines even though they have been registered. We want 1,500 more men right now, and if any Alaskans come out have them look me up. might be of some service in showing them the ropes. My address is Naval Training Camp, I>-