Newark post., 1918-08-21
HOSTESS HOUSES
AT ARMY CAMPS
Must Supply Many Demands

m the camps of the country. II
brought the women, too-mothefS'
wives. sisters, aunts, sWeetheaftS'
The government had made ltS
n1ans for the men, but it had maze
Them without thought Of the Wo-
men. Then the women came to WISH
their soldier relatives. The camp
commanders looked at the stream
of femininity coming steadily TO-
ward them. and asked what was TO
ha done, Then the war department
begain to think Of the women, ana
finally it asked the Young Women
christian Association for help
The Hostess House was the an
swer.
F.ghtv-five of these unique eS-
tah1ishmcuLs are now either IN OPP
ora+fon or are definitely under con-
s+rurtion, They are put up only at
the direct request OF the camp
commandments. Some Of the com
handing officers were IlttIe
doubtfuI at first as to the practlc-
ability of the scheme. Now THESE
same officers are asking for second
and third Hostess houses IN the.f
can+onments. Wherever coiored
troons are stationed, buildings are
erected for their use and socla!
welfare work under trained coIored
leaders is carried on:
These centers of hospitality are
under the supervision of the war
danartment's commission on tram
inc camp activities. They are a
part of the governments war work
The war work council of the Young
Women's Christian Association
promotes them as one phase OF the
associations work for the country
in this national emergency.
A Hostess house is manned by
five women, the hostess director
having general charge OF every
thing. The social hostess is chiefly
responsible for the reception OF
visitors. The emergency hostess
looks after outside cases which
come to the attention OF the work
ars The cafeteria hostess is con
certed with the food. The business
hostess keeps the accounts an(
looks after the buying. Certain
qualifications are essential to-
these offices. Of course the cafe
terra director must be a tralneC
dietitian, a graduate Of a recognlz
ed domestic science institute AM
an experienced domestic econom
ist. The business hostess is on
who is accustomed to running
large establishment on an econon
ical and efficient basis. The emel
gency secretary is somewhat hk
the social worker. Experience l
settlement work or some othe
form of welfare work affords
good training. She must know an
utilize all the government agencle
charitable institutions and phllal
thrope organizations.
The term social hostess" sounC
somewhat vague, but more tina
shaking hands is involved in he
position. She must have had e:
perience in dealing with lars
numbers of people. Tact Whic
takes her to a desired goal Withol
friction is necessary. Endless p
tience. a kind heart, and shreN
brain are fundamental.
The director of a Hostess hou!
must be all the four others role
into one. Poise is prerequisit
When a tornado rolled the ro
back from the house at Camp Ia
lor, Louisville, and then returnt
it to it's place with a bang, tt
work went right on as if nOthil
had happened.
Every sort of q demand IS MAJ
upon the women employed in Hos
ess houses. They made 1000 san
wiches for ex-President Taft
Camp Funston. The number w
not too many for hini-and his a
mtring audience. a worker
Camp Cody, Texas, was tax
aback for a moment when wom
inquired Can you tell me whe
| can get a baby?" But she ]
covered her breath in time to Fl
one for adoption. Wanderi
mothers, lost in company stree
are returned to anxious sol
Homesick soldier boys are acco
panied to movie shows. Roomi
and boarding places in the neiG
borhood are found for soldie
relatives. Mothers are chaperon
babies fed, letters written, and
formation given on every subj
from the future life to fount;
pens.