The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-09-14


tful with the dignity of simple lines and har-
mOniouS coOrs. Gay curtains at the windows
give brightness even in stormy weather. The
chlntZ cushions In the chairs good to look
at as we'll as comfortable to lean against.
Half of the big room is used for reception
hall and the other half forms the cafeteria.
There is always Il rest room for tired travel
ers. A nursery with bright quilts and curtains
is waiting for the babies who come to visit their
fathers. Not unusually the house contains
sleeping rooms for the hostesses One or two
spare cots are frequently provided for very ex-
ceptfonal cases where it is impossible for women
to leave camp that night. Sometimes q bad
storm effectually holds them prisoners. Or the
mother of sick boy waits anxously for a crisis
in the illness.
A Hostess house is manned by five women,
the hostess director having general charge of
everything. The social hostess is chiefly re-
Sponsible for the reception of visitors. The
emergency hostess looks after outside cases
which come to the attention of the workers.
The cafeteria hostess is concerned with the food.
The business hostess keeps the accounts and
looks after the buying Certain qualifications
are essential for these offices. OF the cafe
terra director must be trained dettian, a
graduate Of a recognized domestic science in
stitute and an experienced domestic economist
The business hostess is who is accustomed
to running large establishment on an econom-
tary is somewhat like the social worker Ex-
perience in settlement work some other form
of welfare work affords good training She
must know and utilize all the government agen-
cies charitable institutions and philanthrOpc or
ganizations.
The term social hostess" sounds somewhat
vague, but more than shaking hands is involved
in her position. She must have had experience
in dealing with large numbers of people Tact
which takes her to desired goal without fric-
ton is necessary. Endless patience, a kind
heart and shrewd brain are fundamental
The director of Hostess house must be all
the four others rolled into one. Poise is a pre-
requisite. When tornado rolled the roof back
from the house at Camp Taylor, Louisville and
then returned it to its place with bang the
work went right on az if nothing had happened
Every sort of demand is made upon the wom-
en- employed in Hostess houses. They made
1900 sandwiches for ex-President Taft ut Camp
Funston The number not too many for
him-and his admiring audience. A worker at
Camp Cody, Tex, was taken aback for a mo-
ment when a woman inquired Can you tell me
where / can get q baby?' But she recovered
her breath In time to find one for adoption
Wandering mothers, lost in company streets,
are returned to anxious Sons. Homesick soldier
boys are accompanied to movie shows. Room
Ing and boarding places in the neighborhood are
found for soldiers relatives. Mothers are chap
eroned babies fed letters written, and informa-
ton given on every subject from the future life to
fountain pens.
The Hostess house does not shut up shop
when visiting hours are over. Not only for
guests does it exist. but for the soldiers them.
selves. In one house 1t has been discovered that
Is soon as the boys have seen their friends off on
the train they came pell-mell back to seek COM
ort and food. Then the cafeteria, which has
worked so hard all day, hands out pie and coffee
o the disconsolats ones.
The cook at Camp Meade forgot her pass one
morning. She told soldier at the gate who
he was.
Are you the cook who makes that tomato
oup? asked the sentry.
81 am" she replied
"Pass," decreed the soldier, saluting ~ want
ONE of that soup this noon"
The cost of building and equipping Hostess
ouses has Increased during the past year tust