The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-11-09
Weld SEVEN WAR
WORK AGENCIES
into RELIEF ARMY
Great Organizations Which Are
Helping to Keep Up the Morale
Of Fighting Millions Unite in
Campaign for $17o,5OO,0O0.

war fronts, in training camps and on,
the seas and with thousands of Ameri-
can women on foreign soil, all engaged
in the stupendous task of making the
world safe for democracy, great duty
devolves upon those who remain in
the United States,-the duty of send
ing Home to those who have put Home
behind them for the period of the war.
The agencies through which this can
be accomplished are Joined In the
United War Work Campaign.
From being given the cigarette or
chocolate bar with which he stays his
hunger in the fury Of battle, to the
theatrical entertainment or the ath-
letic games, which relax him into nor
NAL comfort after weeks of terrific
combat, the American fighter is de-
pendent upon the continued efforts of
the Y. M. c. A., the Y. w. G. A., the
National Catholic War Council and X.
of c., the War Camp Community Serv-
ice, the Jewish Welfare Board, the
American Library Association and the
Salvation Army. To carry on this
work the combined welfare organiza
lions are seeking a fund of $170, $780,
600.
The Y. M. G. A. provides 53S huts in
American training camps and more
than 800 in the war zone as centres
which the fighters can use as clubs,
schools, theatres, stores, churches, Ii
braries and writing rooms. More than
1000 men and women had been sent
overseas or approved for overseas
work by early autumn and 1892 were
serving in American camps at home.
I'm. G. A. huts are the canteens of
the American Expeditionary Force and
are the theatres where the American
entertainers sent over by the "Y," ap-
pear. Noted American public men and
clergymen speak in the huts Classes
are conducted there. Millions Of letters
are written there on paper provided
free by the "Y." Physical directors of
the ''Y" teach and spread mass ath-
letics, using material furnished free
by the organization.
The Y. w. O. A. does similar work
for the thousands Of American women
in war work overseas signal corps
telephone operators, nurses and
French munition workers. 1t provides
cafeterlas, rest and recreation centres,
entertainment and reading for these
women and girls.
The Y. w. G. AS outstanding con-
tribution to soldier welfare work in
training camps was the establishment
of Hostess Houses, where the soldier
or sailor may receive his mother, wife,
sister or sweetheart in the surround
lngs and atmosphere Of the best
homes.
The National Catholic War Council
co-ordinates all Catholic welfare work
in support of the government and
through the X. of G. provides club
houses for our fighters in all Ameri-
IAN training camps, as we'll as having
twenty-five centres in France and
three in England. In their huts the
K of G.. provides entertainingment,
movies, boxing bouts, educational
work, religious services, free station
cry, reading matter and writing rooms.
In France their rolling canteen ac-
companies the American army, their
secretaries march with the troops, CIV
ing away cigarettes, cookies, choco"
lates. soap and towels.
The X. of G. had 300 workers in
France at the beginning Of autumn,
with $50 more passed by the govern
ment and 200 others signed up. At
the same date they had 46S secretaries
in American training camps, $50 build
ings, fifty-six more in the course of
more.
War Camp Community Service
functions exclusively In America, its
special mission being to surround the
camps with hospitality" In place of
leaving the soldier or sailor to the
promiscuous companions and diver
sions formerly his lot, the organiza-
ton obtains for him the best to be had
In communities adjoining camps or
through which he passes.
w. G. G. s. obtains for him invita-
lions to dine, battle or spend the day
In the best homes. 1t introduces him
to the best women and girls at social
gatherings, church entertainments,
theatre parties. 1t arouses commune
ties to provide concerts, athletic con-
tests and other wholesome diversions
for the soldier, and to drive out or
discourage the vicious elements which
have been historic camp followers.
The Jewish Welfare Board is CORE
lating the strength and purposes of
100000 Jewish soldiers, sailors and
marines with that of the Gentle sol
Hers. The board teaches the English
language, American civics and ideals
to thousands of young Jewish men
VINO were indicted into service after
only few years residence in this
country. While safeguarding his re-
ligious rites, the board assists in the
process of welding the Jewish soldier
into the solid American unit and in
bridging over the differences between
him and the others.