The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-08-22

ing. Interior decorators make the houses beau
tful with the dignity of simple lines and har-
moniOus cOlOrs. Gay curtains at the windows
give brightness even in stormy weather. The
chintz cushions in the chairs are good to look
at we'll comfortable to lean against.
Half of the big room is used for a reception
hall and the other half forms the cafeteria
There is always a rest room for tired travel
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
ceptional cases where it is impossible for women
to leave camp that night Sometimes a bad
storm effectually holds them prisoners. Or the
mother of a sick boy waits anxiously for a crisis
in the illness.
A Hostess house is manned by five women
the hostess director having general charge Of
everything. The social hostess is chiefly
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
essential for these offices. OF course the cafe
terra director must be a trained dietitian a
graduate of a recognized domestic science in
Stitute and experienced domestic economist.
The business hostess is who is accustomed
to running large establishment on an econom-
ical and efficient basis The emergency secre-
tary is somewhat like the social worker. Elk
perience in settlement work other form
OF welfare work affords good training She
must know and utilize all the government agen-
ces charitable institutions and philanthropic or
CARNATIONS.
The term social hostess" sounds somewhat
vague, but 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 a Hostess house must be all
no lIodf 0fO P0iS is
requisite. When a tornado rolled the roof back
from the house at Camp Taylor, Louisville and
then returned it to its place with a bang, the
work went right on as if nothing had happened.
Every sort of demand is made upon the
employed in Hostess houses. They made
1000 sandwiches for ex-President Taft at Camp
Funston. The number not too many for
him-and his admiring audience. A worker at
Camp Cody, Tex. taken aback for
ment when a woman inquired "Can you tell me
where 1 get babyF" But she recovered
her breath in time to find for adoption.
Wandering mothers, lost in company streets
are returned to anxious HomeSick soldier
boys are accompanied to movie shows. Room
ing and boarding places in the neghborhood
found for soldiers relatives. Mothers chap
eroned. babies fed letters written, and informa-
ton given every subject from the future life to
fountain pens.
The Hostess house does not shut up shop
when visiting hours are over. Not only for
guests does it exist, but for the soldiers them
selves In house it has been discovered that
as as the boys have seen their friends OF on
the train they pellInen back to seek COM
fort and food. Then the cafeteria, which has
worked so hard all day, hands out pie and coffee
to the disconsolate ones.
The cook at Camp Meade forgot her pass one
morning. She told a soldier at the gate who
she was.
"Are you the cook who makes that tomato
sOup?" asked the sentry.
st am" she replied
Pass decreed the soldier, sa1uting st want
some Of that soup this noon
The cost OF building and equipping Hostess
houses has increased during the past year just