The sun., 1918-09-18
SAYS y. 5. TROOPS
FEEL SMOKES NEED
Corporal Writes That Trench
Strain Makes Men Crave
Tobacco.
THEIR ONLY PLEASURE
Other Soldiers Testify to Ap-
probation of Gifts Of "Sun"
Fund Donors.

you have no doubt read In the maga-
zines and newspapers how short We are
Of good old American tobacco. and per-
haps doubted soma OF the statements,
AZ I did before coming over here" writes
corporal G. L. Stepberg OF Company c,
issth Infantry, who Is somewhere In
France. His card II addressed to SUN
Tobacco Fund contributor.
81 assure YOU" he continues. that
have found those statements absolutely
true. While in the trenches not long
ago l offered flve francs U1) for q fve
cent bag Of American tobacco and
couldn't buy 1t.
THE strain and nervousness which ID
Of course felt by every one to certain
extent while in the trenches causes
man 10 craSe tobacco more than usual.
I wish to thank you for my share of the
tobacco which you hav6 80 generously
contributed and which our company was
% fortunate as to receive"
Fund Passes S3e0,0OO Mark.
IN this card Corporal Stepberg gives
first hand, expert testimony on two
points: Our soldiers who are fighting
in France and Lorraine need tobacco
they can't get 1t unless the folks at
home send 1t to them. Moreover, the
home folks can't send smokes to their
loved ones abroad, save in very rare
cases, except through the medium Of
some such enterprise as THE SUN To-
bacco Fund.
It's a glorious thing therefore, that
Che fund has passed 100000 in It's up
ward climb and 10 ascending steadily
and persistently. New contributors are
adding their names TO the lis. daily and
the number Of old subscribers who de-
eide to enrol as repoaters-that IL. regu-
lar givers-also Is increasing. But the
need Is growing constantly greater. and
the pace set by the funds supporters up
10 date in their really magnificent re-
sponse to the demand must become still
greater II We are to do for the gallant
fellows all that they deserve to have
done for them.
We need tobacco" says Corporal
Stepberg in substance. The contribu-
tons to THE SUN fund not only meet
that need. they do more. Tor as another
soldier. Frank Boufford. says in his note
to a donor:
Your tobacco was received and was
glad to get 1t. We were in the trenches
when it was passed to US and 1t sure
did seem good to get 1t as the only
pleasure We have is in smoking
Smokes are something the boys must
have and, according to this fighter, It
wonderful amount Of good the con-
tributors perform! Yet Sergeant Charles
G. Kirk Of one of the companies Of the
l39th Infantry doubts even now. after
hundreds of cards OF appreciation have
been sent back, II Americans at home
have any adequate appreciation OF the
value Of their giving. Hear what he has
10 say:
Not being in our. situation you will
never realize how much good il done by
such subscriptions and how much good
Il does the soldiers over here to receive
such remembrances from those who can
not be with u.s.
This paragraph followed one In which
acknowledgment was made Of the receipt
Of tobacco. In this Sergeant Kirk said:
Just line to let you know that the
money you SO kindly contributed to such
good cause reached its final destina-
ton o. K. and to-day United States
soldiers. somewhere in the trenches.
somewhere in France, are smoking
cigarettes purchased by money donated
BY you"
Helps Morale OF Troops.
Harry Purkable of Headquarters
Troop. Thirty-ffth Division. sheds a
Light on the moral effect of the smoke
offerings in these lines:
Your tobacco reached US all o. X.
and we are very much pleased to re-
ceIve such generous gifts from the folks
in the States. 1t shows that the people
are back of the boys in khaki. SO many
thanks FOR your favors."
CORPORAL Albert Mckenzie, Company
X, l+oth Infantry, tells Of disturbance
which was not of the kind which the
press disturbances describe. but which
makes good reading nevertheless. His In q
short but interesting story:
Was just writing letter home when
heard a great disturbance outside. I
went out to investigate and discovered
that your welcome donation had been
received. You have no idea how think
fu we are for this tobacco"
And here's something about the sort
OF disturbances that take place when
the fellows are out Of tobacco for long
time. Sergeant w. II. Junken, Machine
Gun Company. I40th Infantry. writes:
Your tobacco received to-day and
came at q very opportune moment /
am In the front line trenches and II Is
very hard for US to get tobacco at all,
80 You will understand how / appreciate
your Gift. We can go when necessary
without water, food. newspapers. &C.
but take away a mans tobacco and
Boche artillery sounds like soft music In
comparison to the roar mat goes up
from US all. We wish you the best OF
luck and again thank you for your In
teFest shown In u.s.
Private F. B. Ashby. of the l40th
Infantry. writing to contributor un-
known 10 him, says:
Il know not what you are. but. be-
l!eve me, you have sent little sacks OF
cheer TO us, of so far. Heaven or Ho-
boken b. Christmas! So here's hoping
we will meet around the tree"
Sergeant J. Cusick Of a machine gun
battalion has penned only a few words
but they form a heartfelt message, the
lucky recipient of which Ia the Rubber
Association of America:
blessings on you for your favor. and
may your days be long and happy
WoudnI you like TO receive Just such
blessing as that? Perhaps you will II
you send a contribution to THE Sun To-
oaceo Fund. The wording may be lit
lie different. but what Sergeant Cusieh
has said expresses just what Is In the
hearts Of scores OF his comrades. AZ In
dicated by their messages.
4 financial success which upholds thu
reputation OF Columbus Park---a reputa'
ZION extending further back than the
parks present name-was achieved by