Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-26
CAMP HOSTESS
HELPS MORALE
OF DOUGHBOYS
Influence of Women Brought
to Army Social Events
Praised.
COMMANDERS LIKE PLAN

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2o.-Few persons
are aware that the doughboy, since early
In the war. has had an official chaperon
who oversees and promotes his sctivl-
ties In society, at least so far as the
lady visitors who come TO the camps to
visit or to attend soldiers dances and
parties are concerned. His highness has
been provided officially with a "hOstess"
who acts in his behalf when mother,
sister or lady friend" comes TO see him
and supplies the conventonality needful
for the presence Of ladies amid the mas
cuiina surroundings Of q military camp
When the seven welfare organizations
that were active during the war in army
camps turned over their property 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 be to organize and
supervise a force OF women under the
military establishment who would act as
Army hostesses in military camps.
MRS. }. b. CASsERLY
DIRECTS WORK.
Mrs. J. B. Casserly was selected TO be
director Of womep's relations and placed
at the head Of the Army's hos,esses. The
activities of this organization were to
include recreation for soldiers and serv-
ice clubs, welfare work among the fami-
lies OF enlisted men, welfare work among
civilian employees, many of whom have
been women and girls, and community
cooperation.
Results during the last year have been
the establishment of social relations be-
tween the men In the Army and the wom-
en- Of the country. This has been done
by using the hostess in a camp as
proper chaperOn for all women visitors
and under her direction numbers of fine
young women have been invited to the
camp dances and all forms Of social
gatherings which are customary I'm ci-
william life. This has given the soldier
an acquaintance among women in the
towns near the camps and has been a
factor In improving the morale of th9
soldiers and providing him with the So
ciety of decent women and home infiu-
enCes. The hostesses at each camp form
q link between the soldier and the women
of the world outside.
COMMANDERS
PRAISE RESULTS.
Questiounaire recently sent to COM
handing generals in the Army asked,
Does the presence of women as hostesses
IN camps contribute to the military eff
aciency OF the Army?" The answers
have been invariably yes.
General Wood said:
II consider women's work in connec-
ton with the hostess houses to be OF
the greatest Importance and value to tho
Army. 1t would be disastrous to aban>
don it."
General James G. Hartford, in command
at Camp Travis, Texas, said:
THE hostess house at this camp, under
care Of an authorized hostess, Is render
Ing valuable service to 1900 soldiers.
Social relations between soldiers and the
civilian population have been established
through the work of the camp hostess
which are most desirable to maintain"
General Summerall in command at
Camp Dix. n. J., said:
"I am row asking for additional hos
tesses at this camp. They are abso-
Iutely essential to morals and well being
of thousands of young boys who now
constitute larger part OF the Army"
Whether the hostess work Will con-
tinue depends on the appropriation OF
funds, but the Army evidently recognizes
It's responsibility