The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-08-09
BY ROBERT n. MouLToN.

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AR brought the men Of America to
the camps OF the country. It
A brought the women, tOO-mothers,
wives, sisters, aunts. sweethearts.
The government had made its
plans for the men. but 1t had made
them without thought of the WON
en-. Then the women came to WIS.,
1t their soldier relatives. The camp
commanders looked at the stream Of femininity
coming steadily toward them. and asked what was
Go be done. Then the war department began
TO think of the women. and finally 1t asked the
Young Womens Christian association for help.
The Hostess house was the answer.
Eighty-fve of these unique establishments
are now either in operation or are definitely un-
der construction. They are put up only at the
direct request Of the camp commandments. Some
OF the commanding officers were q little doubtful
at first as to the practicability Of the scheme.
Now these same officers are asking for second
and third Hostess houses in their environments.
Wherever colored troops are stationed. build
Hngs are erected for their use and social well
fare work under trained colored leaders Is car
Ried on.
These centers OF hospitality are under the
supervision OF the war departments commits
sion on training camp activities. They are
a part Of the governments war work. Tho war
work council OF the Young Women's Christian
association promotes them as one phase OF the
associations work for the country In this ma
td0nal emergency.
Since women are allowed to come to canton
ments to visit their soldier folk. places must be
provided for their recreation Camp Lewis at
American Lake. Washington state, Is seven miles
long. Camp Lee, Virginia. contains 10000 men.
Each camp covers acres Of ground laid out In
the bewildering m0nOtony OF company streets
lined with barracks.
The discomfort Of the camps for visitors il
often extreme. The thermometer went down
to q degrees below sero at Camp Devens, Mass,
last winter. The Kansas mud at Camp
Funston could be put In q muclage bottle and
used for glue Camp Doniphan, Okla, some
times hides itself In dust And as for
heat In summer, no visitor has been able to
decide where the thermometer goes the high
est. The Hostess houses are refugees Tor the
elderly parents, worried wives. and admiring
friends, whose love OF the soldiers draws them
to the camps.
One phdse alone Of the Hostess house work
would justify their existence Each house II
. directory. a street guide. a map, a telephone
exchange, q finding bureau. and q writing room
Tor visitors. When q soldier is under orders
Tor France" his family come to bid him good-by
II It II within coming distance. At one canton
ment a father. mother and three sisters came
Aurrytng. Their particular soldier was not at
the entrance where they were to meet him. Like
sensible people. they went straight to the Host
ess house. There they learned that the camp
had three entrances.
The hostess by the aid Of telephone and mes
eenger PACED each Of these stations. The man
was found at one of them and brought 10 the
Hostess house.
This is surely . great improvement on the
game Of "cross tag 30 often played by excited
Families with their impatient soldier sons among
the barracks. At Balboa Park. Cal, they call
the hostess "the lady who finds your friends.s
An interesting feature Of the Hostess house
10 that the architects N charge Of the ~construc-
tion are women. Miss Juiin Morgan IL on the
Pacific coast. Miss Fay Kellogg has charge of
the Southern field. Miss Katherine Budd builds
In the middle West.
The general plan Of construction II the same,
adapted 10 local conditions. A large room II
usually divided into two parts by q huge chin
ney with f~replaces on both sides. In winter 4
ieaping nre gives cheer and warmth. In sum-
liner evergreen branches nlf the big stone open