The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-08-04
K. (. EXTENDING
 ACTIVITIES TO
 ALASKAN POSTS
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ERECT ING $1O,OOO BUILDING AT FORT GIBBON TO BE OF SERVICE TO SOLDIERS STATIONED AT THAT POST.

"The ending of the war has not ended the connection of the Knights of Columbus with the soldiers" said Thomas D. Ferguson, general secre tary of Alaska for the above Orga nization, who arrived here on the steamer Yukon Monday afternoon. Il is MT. Ferguson's mission to estab fish three recreation huts" in Al aska army posts.
 One has already been opened up a, Ft. William H. Seward, at Haines Alaska, one is about to be begun al Fort GibbOn and the third will be built at Nome, or Fort Davis. Each of these buildings, complete, will cost $1O,O0O.
 The experience of the organization in the war convinced it that there was need for its services during peace times. While it is Catholic or ganizatiOn, according to MT. Fergu son, it's purpose in establishing these huts is not religious. It does nc proselytizing and the huts are to helI entertain, train and educate the sol diers.
 The hut to be erected at Fort Gib bon will be completed about Septem Der 25. It will have a gymnasium and be equipped for all kinds of ath letics. It will also have movie show, reading and writing rooms. Ii brary, player piano, grafanolas and other features to offer the soldiers and all of them are free of charge The hut will be under the direction of Patrick Gildea, himself an old timer of Alaska, having formerly re sided at Ruby.
 MT. Ferguson will start the work on the Fort GibbOn station and then go down river to begin work on the Nome station. From there he will go to Juneau which will be the head office of the Alaska service and his own headquarters.
 All of the huts being built in Al aska are being equipped with a Del co lighting plant of the largest size which will not only furnish lights fOl the entire building but will be used for operating the moving picture ma chine.
 The services performed by the Knights of Columbus during the wal have been highly praised by all who saw their huts in operation. In speak ing to two of the head officials of the organization during visit made Dy them to France, General Pershine commented on the organizations work as follows:
 q wish to express thru you to the Knights of Columbus my appreciation and that of the officers and men un der my command for the valuable ser vices rendered by your organization to the American Expeditionary Force
 "The active work of your organ ization in France, begun early ir 1918, was well under way by the spring of that year, and has beer increasing in scope ever since. Be fore the cessation of hostilities it: workers were attached to many o the combat divisions and recreation huts had been opened in the prin cipal American concentration centers Numerous commanding officers have commended the devotion to duty O. your personnel, and have testified t( their popularity and helpfulnesl among the troops whom they served
 During the armistice, it has beer particularly active in the promotion of athletics, a most valuable factol for health and contentment. It ha, also contributed to the success of thu army entertainment program by gen erous appropriations for musical in struments and equipment of soldie shows; has increased its genera recreational activities, helping materi ally to maintain the morale of thu army during the inevitable period o waiting to go home."