The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-09-02

How the American welfare or.
quotations overseas kept the home.
coming Nanks In good spirits and
the morale OF the army high. was
explained Monday by Frank McDcr.
mott. president and general manager
OF the Bon Marche. who returned
last week after nine months In
France ~ a knights OF Columbus
secretary.
1T In quite true welfare work was
needed during the war. but IL was
equally ms necessary. IL not more 10.
after the armistice, After Novem
Der IL. 1918. the outlook was entirely
changed. The paramount though,
then was getting hone.
The troops were billeted. for the
most part. In little French villages.
none too good during the finest OF
weather. and during the winter
months. with constant downpour
OF rain. they became one big sea OF
mud. IL was while the boys were
lying In such cold. damp quarters
that welfare workers were afforded
an opportunity to perform real ser.
vice. by keeping them In the proper
frame OF mind
Troops Entertained
with the exception OF two months
spent In Paris, helping TO reorganize
the transportation department OF the
knights OF Columbus. I spent all my
time in the American embrakntion
center, OF which the city OF lie Mans
tabout $50 miles southwest OF Pnrlsl.
was headquarters. Thru this area
passed practically all the troops Of
the American expeditionary forces
on their way home. IL was here
they were finally prepared for en-.
harkation. As many as 900 900 men
were In this area at one time. and
more than i.5o0.ooo officers and men
passed thru. To this immense army
Il was our duty TO play the host
When l came TO lie Mans
tFrancel during the latter part OF
last February. the government had
plans for the early and rapid return
% the American soldiers 80 well per.
fectod IL could be seen that tho wei.
fare organizations would have 10
work quickly and efficiently and In
the closest harmony. II We were to
fulfili our mission.
Having had an opportunity 10
help collect tho funds with which TO
finance tho welfare work. felt that
Il was not the wish OF the people
nj home that any one organization
should eater TO any creed or class.
but rather 90 serve the American
soldier only. regardless Of what his
personal religious or political beliefs
might be. At my suggestion. accord.
lngiy. all the welfare organizations
In the American embarkauon center
formed themselves into a cooperat.
Ing association under tho name OF
the United Welfare Board. operating
under the direct supervision OF an
ARMY officer, appointed by the army
authorities.
"it worked out like this Al
Knights OF Columbus dances. the
Y. NJ. &. A.. Jewish welfare board
and Red Cross furnished partners
for tho boys. aa the X. Of C.'s had no
women in their overseas welfare
work. In a X. Of c. hut. In one OF
our camps. the Jewish welfare board
Installed a wet can;een: at many
large athletic meets. when the nol
diers wrr. served with refreshments.
the Red Cross supplied us all with
huge quantities OF doughnuiA. There
were many other Instances OF Co
operation which | might name.
Americsnism fost~roi
with the ever Increasing influx
OF soldiers in the American embarka.
ton center. II was necessary for
each organization TO Increase their
facilities for operation. In the erec.
ton Of now huta In tho various
camps. tho sites were 40 selected
that each hut would serve the largest
number OF mcn-axain eliminating
the duplication OF activities.
The Knights OF Columbus erected
In new huts after March 1 In the
American embarkation center. all OF
these hu,s being equipped with
tables. chairs, writing material.
stages. etc. and the other orEnniza-
tons increased their facilities 10 n
corresponding degree. In short. n
beautiful spirit OF harmony prevail.
ed. and we were able 10 furnish In
"a tisfying quantities. good. clean.
wholesome surroundings and enter.
tainment for our men. II would
have made the heart Of every Ameri-
can mother and father glad to have
seen these huts and clubs packed
every night with singing. roilicking
happy soldiers. and during the day
almost ms packed with boys writing
home IL was nm atmosphere con
ducive 20 the making of better men.
10 the creation Of a better under.
standing among themselves. to the
growth OF a greater fraternai spirit;
In short, n place where the spirit OF
true Amcricanisn was fostered.
"Our boys were 40 appreviative OF
everything done for them. they were
20 gentlcmanly. and exhibited such
wonderful spirit OF sacrifice. that
daily ywellcd with pride because Of
the knowledge that these were OF
my people. and OF my country. Let
me say. too. that the officers OF
the u. =. army were the finest lbt
Of men II has ever been my privilege
to associate with. There were none
That knew better than they that "A
good soldier must be a happy soldier
and they stood ready Mt all times 10
lend every assistance and co-opera.
ton 10 the welfare organization.
Men Made Happy
while in the main our activities
were OF a social character. they were
not confined to that alone. We were
able 10 locate many boy In response
10 an anxious inquiry from mother
father. or some other relative or
friend. who. for some reason. had not
heard from him for many months
Many homesick. dlsheartened boy
was made happy IN that way by re.