The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-30

were on the verge of inserting their
shovels into the hard earth. Snatching
the tools from the horny handed sons
of toll, with such politeness as the oc-
casion permitted, the girls protested
that the ceremonial of turning the
first earth on the site must be in their
hands. Their united feminine efforts
resulted in the removal of about four
six-inch clods of dirt. raised success
sively by Mrs. w. G. Dickie, a cap
tain; Mrs. F. T. Parr, a lieutenant, Miss
Iary Clark and Miss Fayben Williams,
two girls of the ranks.
Picture of Workers.
Further sacred rites in the initial
work of erecting the longed-for build
ing, were conducted in the afternoon.
Mrs. Charles Mitchell, who is chair
man of the canteen committee for the
local chapter of the Red Cross, was
with a group of her workers at the
Union Pacific station, meeting incom-
ing trains. After the passing of the
troops, the workers and some of the
Red Cross officers looked over the site
of the building and planned for the
time of service when it should be
completed. A soldier, who had gotten
off one of the troop trains. was COM
Wandered to join the group for a
photograph, to lend the desirable mill
itary atmosphere. The man in khaki
was w. P. Brooks of Medford. Oregon.
OF the IlrSI air SERVICE, SldllOHcu dl
Kelly field. He was on his way to
Onaga to spend Thanksgiving with his
family.
The canteen committee was organ
ized about year ago in Topeka, as
one of the Red Cross departments.
Rooms above the Union Pacific hotel
were arranged for the supplies and
storehouse of the committee. Later.
the canteen committee asked for a hut.
in order that their work might be con-
Quoted more conveniently from the
ground floor. AS Topeka was not a
terminal point, and only two haurs
from Camp Funston, the application
for a hut was turned down. The COM
mittee then resigned itself to conduct
ing its operation from its former quar-
tiers, with a promise from the Red
Cross to enclose the outdoor stairway
leading to the canteen rooms.
Railroad to Rescue.
At this point in the history of the
committee, the Union Pacific Railway
company made the generous offer to
erect a hut for the use of the workers
Practically all troop trains pass thru
their yards. and the faithfulness of the
women and girls of the committee, who
day by day, contributed to the COM
fort and happiness of the soldiers, ap-
pealed to the officers of the road and
won their enthusiastic support to the
extent of prompting them to furnish
the new building. 1t was partly, also
thru the influence of l.. T. Hussey
state fire marshal, that the project was
taken up by the Union Pacific. He
first suggested to n. P. Loomis. attor-
ney for the road, and some the Off.
GERS, that 1t would be a handsome
thing to do for the Topeka women who
were engaged in the canteen work
The h 1t is to be large, providing much
more commodious quarters than those
already in use by the committee. Wide
shelves are to be provided and the hut
made warm and comfortable.
Much Work Ahead
The committee has received WORD
from headquarters that its work will
continue for long while, and that the
victory in France and the surrender Of
the German army. means no diminish
ing of their efforts. II is the privi
lege of the bureau of canteen service
to perform for thousands of soldiers
sailors and marines. and returned
wounc.d men. the last Red Cross ser
vice on the homeward journey priol
to their re-entering civilian life. It Il
the canteen committees privilege t.
send the soldier home inspired will
the knowledge of the service of tn,
American Red Cross.
There are at present approximate.
two. million men in France, a million
and a half in environments and camp
pitfalls. Many of these men will b,
routed thru this city on their way t,
their homes. and the canteen commit
tee can make them feel the joy of TIL
homeland at their safe return. TIL
headuarters of the Red Cross hos ser
out to every canteen committee, Wort