Arizona republican., 1921-02-21
ARMY HOSTESS HAS REAL INFLUENCE IN
 LIFE OF SOLDIERS

Few persons are awarer that the doughboy since early ih the war zhas had an official ehaperon who oversees and promotes eis aetivities in society, zkaast so far as the lsdy visitors who cslle se the cahnps to visit or to attend s5laiacs' dances and parties are con cerned. His highress. the doughboy, has been provided officially with
 hostess who acts in his behalf when mother, sister or lady friend comes to see him and suppliesEthe conventional ity needful for the presence of ladies military camp.
 When the seven welfare organiza- tions that were active during the war in army camps turned over their prop erty and part of their funds at the end of the war for the benefit of enlisted men, it was with the understanding that the war department would use them for welfare among soldiers. In compliance with this agreement, the secretary of war directed that woman be employed in the United States army and that her duties would be to organ iZe and supervise a force of women under the military establishment who would act as army hostesses in military camps. Mrs. J. B. CaSserly was se- lected to be director of women's rela- tions. and placed at the head of the army's hostesses. The activities Of this organization were to include recreation for soldiers and service clubs, welfare work among the families of enlisted men, welfare work among civilian em- ployes, many of whom have been women and girls, and community CO., operation.
 Results during the past year have been the establishment of social rela- tions between the men in the army and the women of the country. This has been done by using the hostesses in camps as a proper chaperon for all women visitors and under her direction numbers of very fine young women have been invited to the camp dances and all forms of social gatherings which are customary in civilian life This has given the soldier an acquain- l tance among nice women In the towns
 near the camps and in hundreds oi proved instantes has been a positive 1 factor in improving the morale of the soldiers and providing him with the
 society of decent women and home in 1 fluences. The hostess or hostesses d each camp form link between the sol dier and the women of the world out side.
 A questionnaire recently sent tt commanding generals in the army
 asked the question, Does the presence
 of women as hostesses in army camps contribute to the military efficiency O i the arrny?" The answers have beer 1 invariably, yes.
 General Wood said. T consider wom' 1 en's work in connection with the host ] ess houses to be of the greatest i'm portance and value to the army, I would be disastrous to abandon it. 1 Gen. James G. Harbord in command a Camp Travis, Texas, said, "The hostes house at this camp under care of al authorized hostess is rendering val uable service to 14,000 soldiers Socia relations between soldiers and the ci' lillian population have been establishe' through the work of the camp hostes
 which are most desirable to maintain General Summerall in command a Camp Dix, N. J., said, T am now ask ing for additional hostesses at thi i camp, they are absolutely essential | morale and well being of thousands o l young boys who now constitute
 larger part of the army"
 The army clearly sees it's duty i the education, moral training and char acter building of the soldier and tn success of the hostess plan indicate that his social advancement also is matter of concern to military author
 ities. Whether or not the hostess wor will continue depends upon the appH
 priation of funds, but the army evs dently recognizes it's responsibility an
 if given funds the doughboy will con tinue to be very promptly chaperone , and mothered by the army hostess.