The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1918-04-20
NEW ARRIVALS At
CAMPS GIVEN
WELCOME
Y. NJ. c. A. SECRETARIES MEET
RECRUITS AND MAKE THEM
COMFORTABLE

-
CAMP LEWIS, Wash, April 12.-
NO matter at what time of the
pjPht or day the newly drafted man
arrives at camp, a Young Mems
Christian Association man is there
to geet the newcomer, make him
welcome and SHOW him the ropes"
He isn't part of the army but he is
representing the pu~blic-spirited per-
sons of the northwest who have
placed him there to make the way
easier for the soldier.
Scores of the men in the latest
draft contingent have been unfor-
tunate enough to arrive at Camp
Lewis in the dead of night. There
is no brass band to welcome the
There are no brilliantly light
ed streets and all-night cafes where
the new arrival can find a little
cheer for his loneliness.
When the drafted man steps from
the train he beholds a vast stretch
of inky darkness, broken here and
there by an occasional light in one
of the camp buildings where the
lights out at $3.50" order doesn't
apply. There is nothing else, ex-
cept a soldier in uniform who well
comes them with a this way,
men"
The first view of camp is dis
couraging. 1t takes an experienced
hand to find his way about camp at
night. There is not a light to guide
the way along the road. And there
is a long tramp from the railway
station, down past the Liberty thea
ter the Y. M. c.. A. buildings, the
barracks of the 361st infantry, nu-
merous warehouses and the depot
prigade's quarters to the receiving
station of the casual office where
the civilian life is left behind.
1t is depressing enough to a
stranger trying to find his way
dUout CdhIp dt hl6hS. ouI thO
tramp, tramp down the paved street
through the oppressive darkness, to
these men who are leaving behind
them all they hold dear to enter
something-they know not what ex.
cept it is for their country-this
brings them into the receiving sta
SAion with long faces and discour-
aged step which are not lightened
when the examining officer orders
tongues out and chests bare so that
contagious diseases may be kept
out.
And when the man steps forth
from the long runway, again into
the darkness, expecting anything
and wishing he were anywhere but
acre, a hand is thrust before him
into his. A cheerful voice greets
him and bids him welcome to the
building across the way any time
he has a little leisure. A little card
is left in his hand and he goes on
with the knowledge that he has at
least one friend among those pre-
sent.
1t is TIE Y. M. C. A. secretary,
one of the men from Building No.
b, which is located within a few
PAGES of the receiving station.
During the two weeks of quar-
antine and drill, when the new ar
rival is not allowed the freedom of
the cantonment, the. Y. M. c. A.
secretary is keeping in touch with
the men, supplying them with read
ing matter, writing materials and
games for leasure moments. And
occasionally ar entertainment is
given for the men to make the time
pass more quickly.
The knights of Columbus secre-
taries, the representative Of the
Jewish Welfare Board, and other
religious organizations also are do
ing their part in caring for the new
arrivals and soon the first impress
sion of camp life, received in the
darkness, is but a memory, for the
men soon learn that army life is'i't
half bad and they thrive On it.