Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-05
Thy G. s,

: Paris, teD. As t1e IlOopS " 1!S
American expeditionary force In
France and Germany are in that un-
settled state between active duty at
the front and departure for home and
Rehabilitation, Nthe problems con-
fronting all of the seven authorized
war service organizations have been
multiplied until now. as never before,
the need of concerted effort to main
tain the morale of h American
army is taxing to the utmost every
at the command OF these
overseas workers.
In this final effort to keep the sol
diers contented and comfortable, the
Knights Of Columbus are playing a.
most important part. Since the sign
ing Of the arrnistice their clubs n
huts have been scattered broadcast
wherever units have been relocated.
Mobile kitchens follow all lssge de.
~retaries keeps in constant touch with
all base hospitals and ever at the very
outposts of American occupation. men
Of the overseas force are rendering
the service for which American gen.
erosity has so amply provided. In
the VAN of the forces occupying Ger
man territory there have been estab-
|lished many huts where all sorts OF
comforts are being dispensed at alb
solutely no cost to the soldier. The
first war worker to enter Germany
was a X. Of c. secretary. who also re-
ceived the first military pass out OF
the Rhineland district back to Paris
on his return for more supplies.
The magnitude of the activity OF
this organization may be judged by
the volume of business of the past
25 days. In figures, this big under-
taking now in progress would be In
the nature of a burdensome report
but in it's great Importance a sum-
mary will be convincing. For instance,
during the period mentioned. the item
OF cigarettes alone is an evidence that
the new conditions have been met
with eficien&. No less than 1897
cartons Or approximately 10,00O,o 900
cigarettes have ben given away at the
huts of the organization or along the
route of troop movement. One hum
dred and ten thousand packages of to-
bacco and 105,192 pipes have been
dispensed and there has been a CORE
spending distribution of chewing to-
bacco. e
Much difficulty has been expert
enced by the commissary of the
of chocolate for the troops. This
shortage hasabeen greatly relieved by
the X. of c. secretaries who during
the 25-day period have distributed
1870 pounds of this necessity in the
form of sweetened bars. Other sweets
have not been admitted. Five hun
dred and sixteen cartons of assorted
candies, 1866 pounds of gum drops
and LAYS pounds of mixed confec-
tionery aided in keeping the sweet
tooth of the army supplied.
Substantial n~Qurishment on the
long hikes that have been the. rule
since the armies have entered the
mobile stage has been given great>im.
portance in the service program OF
the X. of C. Bouillon has been served
without stint along the m~ud-soaked
roads Of France and at all, huts at
camps Of bivouac. To satisfy this de-
mand tabloid cubes ave been used
to 1888 big cartons. !.
One item in the distribution of
which there has been no stint is thai
Of stationery. The soldier is urged to
write home as often as possible n
material for this duty is supplied at
NO cost and with no iimit upon tne
Quantity. That the men SShave been
eager to avail themselves OF this most
important privilege is proven by the
fact that during. h rs days covered
by the present report over six million
sheets of writing paper have been
used. over two million and a half en-
velopes and n and q. half million
CapOS nave peeH W
the secretaries throughout the wal
area.
while this distribution Of material
supplies has gone or with vigor the
religious welfare Of the men has re-
ceived equally diligent attention.
In the matter OF entertainment,
which enters largely into the prob-
lem Of maintenance of morale, the
knights have made a laraA and sue
fcessfuk effort. Companies OF COM
|petent singers, comedians, musicians
and general entertainers have been
sent throughout France and on Into
lGermany. Other organizations Will
visit Italy and southern Francs. The
army officers have e~verywhere CO.
toperated in this movement, both IN
dramatic and musical affairs and In
athletics. In the latter field special
lactivity is being shown Incorporation
flor the sunshine and warmth OF early
lspring, when the present rainy seaso
will have ended. In conjunction with
1.-THE athletic department, OF the army.
X. OF G. instructors and sporting ex-
perts' are now planning a:saertss So1
boxing bouts and field events which
will I'LL the dull days OF waiting with
Wholesome Amusement until the lRs1
unit shall have debarked for home
lin this feature OF the~-WOrk Jake
Carey, Of Rochester, N. Y, and Alec
Mclean. OF Boston. r associated
which fact will convince sporting fam
at home that the men, of the arm1
ihave many interesting meets In store