The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-06
TO HELP SOLDIERS
Organization Formed To Help
Recruits.
Meet Them With Words of
Cheer.

At a meeting OIL representative sec
retaries Of the knights of Columbus,
the Young's Mems Christian Associa-
ton and the Jewish Welfare Board,
called by Lieut.. j. E. Reese, chaplain,
held in the knights of Columbus
building on Tuesday evening, an or
ganization was effected for the pur-
pose of doing everything the workers
of these organizations, in cooperation
with the military authorities, know
to do for the comfort and welfare OF
the recruits who come to Camp Fun
ston.
Lieutenant Reese was made chair
man of the executive committee, as
ISOLATED with him being Secretary
James r. Ryan of the Knights of CO.
lumbus, vice chairman; T. I. Baer,
executive secretary of Z. M Z. A
Building No. 5, secretary; Mr.. II. M
Gelfand, representing the Jewish Wei
fare Board: Coach A. R. Kennedy
camp athletic director of the Y. M c:
A.; Titus N. Alexander. secretary of
the knights of Columbus with the ne
gro troops: and Mr.. Clarke, secretary
of the Y. NJ. C. A. with the negro
troops.
1. A. Mccormack. camp general sec
rotary of the Y. NJ C. A. and Mr.. Lam
nan. carp general secretary of the
Knights of Column us, and number OF
the other secretaries of the organiza-
lions represented were present and
helped formulate plans for the work
to be undertaken.
Work With Soldiers.
In general it Is the purpose of these
organizations to meet every incoming
troop train. with a word of welcome
and good cheer, if nothing more than
that seems to be needed, accompany
the men to their temporary barracks.
see that the questions that naturally
arise in their minds are answered, give
them some helpful information sup
! ply them with stationery, mail their
letters and send heir kilograms home,
provide them with reading matter. tell
them the latest war and sporting news.
organize them TO- mass games, boxing
bouts and other sports, and discover
the men WHO have musical talent or
are otherwise qualified to entertain
their fellow soldiers.
Furnish Entertainment.
Later. at No. 433, the receiving sta
ton waiting room, continuous per-
Torrance of entertainment will be
maintained for the benefit of the men
who are just about to go to the re-
ceiving station for examination. This
entertainment will be varied so as not
to become monotonous to the soldiers
in this building whose duty 1t is to
handle the recruits.
The organizations represented in
this welfare work have learned by ex-
perience to meet the pressing needs of
the men who are just from home. and
have been congratulated by the mill
tary authorities upon the efficient
manner in which the work was done
among the men of the last draft, these
authorities having stated that the pre-
liminary work done had made a no.
ticeable difference in their own work.
The folks at home will be glad to
learn that everything that can be done
Is being done by the military authori-
ties and these welfare orga nizations to
make the transition from civil to mill
tary life as easy and agreeable as may
be, and as free from possible danger to
the younger recruits as careful plan
ming Tor their welfare can insure.