The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-16
WINE RANCE OF
WAR RELIEF WORK
N. E. A. Specially.

N. r.. A. SpeciaIJ.
Paris, Nov. 15.-On two organiza-
lions, the Y. NJ C. A. and the Knights
OF Columbus, falls the greater part OF
the work Of supplying American SOL
diers in Europe and in training camps
at home with the little luxuries and
comforts a government program does
not include. Reading matter, sweets,
correspondence supplies and a place to
write and read, entertainment and
athletics come under the regular work
OF both organizations.
Other organizations which share In
the task of handling the funds OF the
National War Work campaign, the
Jewish Welfare Board, the War WolA
| Community Service, the Y. NJ. c. A.,
| the National Catholic War Work
| Council, Salvation AarIny and Ameri-
can Library Association round out the
work of the first two organizations
and fill in with special attention to
| needs On which the others do not
| Specialize.
| The larger organization. the Y M.
| C. A, has been chosen by the govern
| Enent to carry out a portion of the
! government program-the conducting
Of the canteens.
The Knights of Columbus has taken
| it upon itself to specialize in comforts
| less considered by other war relief
organizations.
Shower Baths Appreciated.
Nothing gives greater satisfaction or
relaxation to the fighting man, com
ing from the trenches, or the battle
line caked with mud and blood and
weary with long hours than a shower
bath, and generous facilities are pro-
vided close to the fighting front.
Back of the lines in the rest billets
and concentration camps, provisions
Were less generous than at the front
until the Knights of Columbus took
up the task of seeing that the men
who are temporarily away from the
active fighting have these facilities for
bathing. 1t is but one of the many
activities of the Knights of Columbus,
but one Of the most appreciated.
One of the first lreuuisitions made |!
by Rev. John B. De Wales, one of the
first chanlains sent over by the !
Knights Of Columbus, was for show /
er bath and he set it Up in connec-
ton with his headquarters in a little |
French town and 1t was overworked |
tibii tiC III FIOlti tllfS Spftau Liz |
movement for establishing shower |
baths in club houses being opened be-
hind the lines and in villages.
Plenty of Soap.
And the soap shortage In the United |
States may be attributed somewhat to |
the generosity Of the Knights OF Co
iumbus with the good old dirt remov-
ing brands-nene of the fancy toilet |
article. ~
There is no preaching in a. X. of c.
hall or club room, but there is clean
moral environment and healthy re-
creation and amusement for this has
been proven the thing to keep up
morale OF fighting men.
The Y. NJ C. A. has built 1900 huts
in Europe costing from $4,000 to 500
900 each, equipped with canteen, read
ing and writing and recreatonaI IA
cilities to soldiers.
1t soon will be operating % differ
ent leave areas With hotels that have
a total of $4,000 beds. In addition, in
Paris, port towns, and several big
centers in the war zone there are ''Y'
hotels for transient soldiers where one |,
can get a clean bed and good meal |
at about half the price charged by /
French hotels.
1t has 400 movie outfits giving in
the neighborhoo God Of 5000 shows a |
week. All shows are free.
More than 100000 worth Of athletic
equipment has been distributed free
among the various military units.
Corps of Educators.
hundred of the best known edu
Gators from America are here direct
ing educational work. The staff con-
sists of Professor Erskine. OF Colum-
bia University; Professor Daily, Of
Harvard; Professor Coleman, of Chi
eago University; Professor Appleton,
of the University of Kansas, and Frank
Spaulding, superintendent of the
Cleveland public schools.
More than 10000 boys were enrolled
in the classes at last accounts.
Three hundred vaudevillians. must
clans and actors have been brought
over from America at the expense of
tile "Y," and they've been giving more
than one hundreds shows day in the .
war zone. A doughboy will walk five