The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-18
BROlDSlDE At HOBBS
Sanford darrell Answers Preachers
Cigaret Charges.

The following letter on the cigaret
controversy that has been conducted
by a Topeka minister and an ex-serv-
ice man has been received from San
ford farrell. formerly with The To-
peka State Journal, who saw service
overseas with the 35th division:
Chicago, August II.
Editor Topeka State Journal
/ have been reading with a great deal
of interest the assertions of the Rev. Mr..
Hobbs pertaining to the demoralizing eff
fects of the cigarettes consumed in France
by the American soldiers. and his state
ment that those who contributed money to
furnish the YanksN with smokes" did a
great deal to undermine the health and
morals of the men in olive drab and he'll
NETS
1 will venture TO say that % per cent
Of the combat troops in the American
army smoked cigarettes, either those Of a
tailored variety, or the 'makins." To say
that their health was injured is rather n
pie and as an. army smoke far less than
Americans. And yet they gave way TO the
impetuous attacks of the cigarette smoking
hurt morally thru cigarettes is also a
rather dangerous statement to make, par
ticulnrly In the presence Of an ex-seryice
man. or his relatives and friends.
Before making such rash statements, Doc
tor Hobbs should have done two things.
He should have talked with army chap
lains and learned their opinion of the
cigarette in the trenches. Then he should
smoke one himself. and decide if the
cerebrum become sordid and immoral. Tn
fortunately Doctor Hobbs was not over
seas himself to understand. either in the
capacity of an army chaplain or as a
worker for the Red Cross or kindred organ
izatiOn. and should not be regarded by
the public authority on such mat
tiers. His business is to guide the way
ward out Of the primrose path and on
to the straight and narrow way, but when
he begins to cast aspersions upon the men
at the front, and the good people who
backed them with funds. Including to
bacco money. he is treading upon very
dangerous grounds. He is not making a
hit with. the men who faced German artil-
lery and machine guns in order to make
this country safe for Democracy and free
speech for such estimable ministers of the
gospel as Doctor Hobbs.
The citizens of Topeka saw parts of two
great combat divisions parade in Topeka.
The personnel of these units. according to
everyone, was very high. They were In
fighting trim in France and were still in
the prime of physical condition on the day
of their rehabilitation. And these men, or
practically all of them, had been consist
ent consumers of Lady Nicotine for a
year or more. Were there any pale faces
and tottering strides among the men of
the 35th division on May when they
marched up Kansas avenue? Did the men
of the Sgfh division n month or so later
show any traces of lung and heart trouble
when they paraded here?
If such statement had come from Mai
Gen. William NJ Wright. who commanded
two divisions and four corps at different
times in France, or the Rev. Earl A. Black
man. the fighting parson Of the A. F. F.,
or Captain Mills, or General Martin, or Bob
Mctiiffert or any number Of others, they
could be accorded the respect always given
to men who know what they are talking
about. But Doctor Hobbs, brilliant preach
er that he is. is talking thru his hat, to use
colloquialism. He did not see wounded
doughbOys. their nerves shattered. their
features twitching from pain and loss Of
blood, cry for cigarettes, aud getting them.