The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-24
THE NEXT CALL,

THE NEXT CALL.
Topeka having just oversubscribed
her quota, of the most gigantic war
loan ever f1oated. will be called upon
next month to give her share of the
largest sum ever asked of any people
in the history of the world, this mon
ey to be used in welfare work among
the soldiers at home and overseas.
The united war work fund of $170,-
500 900 is the amount which the war
department has fixed as necessary to
carry on the activities of the seven
recognized welfare agencies working
among the soldiers and sailors, and
the sum has been approved by the
president. The fund is to be divided
according to their several needs
among the Y. NJ. C. A, the Y. W. c.
A, the National Catholic war council
or knights of Columbus, the Jewish
welfare board, the war camp COM
munity service, the American Library
association and the Salvation Army.
The sum fixed is estimated as abso-
lute1y necessary to conduct the work
Of these organizations for a period of
one year.
In other wars the influence of the
American home has stopped at the
soldiers own front gate All that
made life comfortable and happy for
him deserted him there when he
kissed his family goodbye In this
war the home follows the flag up to
the front line trenches That, in one
word, is the story of these seven great
cooperating war work agencies.
Let US follow one single soldier on
the long road that leads from his
front door to far-away France, and
see how these seven organizations toin
hands to form a great chain of help
fulness all the way.
He steps aboard troop train that is
to carry him to the cantonment. A
long, lonesome ride, full of homesick
thoughts. but, perhaps, there is a band
furnished by the Jewish Welfare
league or the war camp community
service to speed him on his way. and
on the train are friends whom he had
not expected Y. NJ. c, A. or a K
OF c. secretary-a big, friendly fellow.
other boys just like him, and knows
how to help.
AT the cantcnment the evidence that
the folks back home are thinking of
him lies thick on every side. Here are
the $50 great honey huts of the K. of
c., the Jewish welfare board, the
Salvation Army and the Y-as the SOL
diers speak OF it--places where he
can write letters home. play games at
| night, witness motion picture shows,
hear helpful lectures, attend church
service, and keep up with his studies
under the direction of the best college
professors and teachers in the coun-
try. Here also are the IS hostess
houses of the Y. w. c. A., Where
mother and sister and sweetheart may
make their headquarters when they
visit.
In all these buildings are branch
libraries provided by the America n
Library association, and filled with
books and magazines. In forty-three
Of the large camps and several hun
dred smaller ones are library buildings
besides. with trained librarians and
comfortable reading-rooms.
| In the larger camps and canton
ments the soldier will find houses of
all five of the camp agencies-the Y.
M. C. A, K. of c., Y. w. c. A, Jew
ish Welfare board and Salvation Army
and all full at every hour of the
day and evening. In the smaller
camps and naval stations, the organi-
zatiens have working agreements
which prevent duplication. In such
camp there will frequently be only
one hut, it's doors open to all the
boys alike.
No man who has heard from his
boy in France will ever regret one
penny of the money given to these
great organizations.