Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-02-23
EDITORIAL PAGE
.HASKIN LETTER
WHAT NEW YORK DOES FOR SOLDIERS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN

soldiers had to seek cheap lodging
houses. Many a night hundreds of khaki
figures could be seer huddled together
on park benches. The only amusement
these men could afford was OF doubtful
| character. Now the war camp commu-
nifty service has more than 10,OOO BEDS
at its disposal and. particularly on week
ends. every bed is occupied. The w. T.
c. s. Headquarters unit alone holds over
900 men every night At this hotel sol
diers or sailors may obtain bed. lnciud-
ing bath, soap and towel, for ID cents
| This unit is one Of the most popular. 1t
is centrally located. at Twenty seventh.
near Broadway and comfortable; but the
thing which seems to tickle the men
most of all is the fact that spacious par
lors and rest rooms are all Furnished
with furniture taken from the interned
German vessels. They take delight in
lying back in the luxurious velvet chairs.
with their feet on the table, lust ike
the Herr Captain used to take his beer.
they say; though certainly the Mein Herr
had the best of them when 1t came to
beer. Men in this unit are also given
free dental and medical attention, as
we'll as free legal aid.
Mothers Of men now arriving from
France will be interested to learn about
the "debarkation hostess house which
| has recently been opened by the Young
Women's Christian association. This
means that they will find a comfortable
home TO stay in while in New York. This
hostess house is located near the stations
and near the base hospitals. SO that it
will be convenient for those relatives and
friends who come to visit men in near
by camps or the wounded. The base
ment floor is given over to soldiers and
takes up the ground floor. 1t is equipped
with every comfort and is an ideal place
to have good visit The entire second
floor is cafeteria run on the usual cost
price basis. The three top floors are
just for the women. There are rest
rooms for transiants. nurseries where
the baby can be left for the day. and
bedrooms for those who are spending
several days in town.
The Salvation Army has just taken
over a large notel on West Forty sew
enth street. which will he used exclusive
ly for men in the service. 1t will also
be open to families of men in the service
VINO are in town for few days. Seven
hundred and fifty men can be aceommo-
dated The price charged will be a little
higher than in other soldiers hotels. but.
in consideration of the accommodations.
it will be very cheap. The whole build
ing will he re papered. painted and deco
| rated Immediately the Salvation Army
took charge the bar was closed. The
brass rail is still doing business. though.
for Il Temperance bar" has been in5
stalled
Among the unusual recreation places
are the eagle hut Of the Y. NJ. c. A.
back of the public library: the new X. OF
c. hut. at Broadway and Forty fifth,
and the Salvation Army hut. down at the
Battery. This last named is the nearest
thing to a real honest-to- goodness firing
| line dugout to BE- found on this side.
Here the famous pies and doughnuts are
| handed out in true Salvation Army style.
| 1t has special appeal to the man who
| has seen active service. Gee, said one
man with bis mouth full OF doughnuts.
sthis is almost like France"