OCR Text |
Show I Helping Soldiers Over Rough Spots on 7ay to fronl m WENTY THOUSAND women In I Missouri, Kansas, Texas, 'Arkan-1 'Arkan-1 sas and Oklahoma 'have enrolled I in the canteen service of the American Red Cross to carry on an endless "cheer-up" campaign. These women i meet all troop trains and arc on hand when the drafted men are called to , camp. I And when the war is over and tho soldiers and sailors who have conquered the lcaiscr arc homeward bound, these I same women and thousands of others ' will bo at the railway stations of the country to cheer and comfort and aid Hj the returning lieroes. At present these women have de-1 de-1 clarcd a ceaseless war on gloom, on dissatisfaction and discontent. They j have pledged themselves to show the world that the Southwest appreciates the sacrifices the incr. of the nation I aro making in going to the front, and the soldiers who already have passed M, from the far West to the Atlantic Coast , have found tho Southwest with them and have given the story of their grcet- Ing to strangers cn the llrlng line in Franco. The canteen service of the American Red Cross Is one of the most important and probably tho least understood of any of the sections of that Institution. It is confused with the army canteen, I which In tho last fifty years has itself undergono a great change. Pilling in the Gap. Hj The canteen service of the American Red Cross supplies meals for tho troops when such is ordered by the troop com-mandcr. com-mandcr. This request is only made when tho supply on a train is not sum j clcnt or in case the train has been de- layed and will not reach a certain place in time to provide meals for tho men. The commander of the troops is then J permitted by the government to call upon the Red Cross for food. The real work of the canteen is to H maintain the morale of the men and this sometimes Is accomplished by scrvlug H them light foods at various stops of B the trains on tho long Journey across 1 the continent. .But the light food Ls H The trocp train pulls Into the station H with ita load of weary humanlty-sol- H diers who have ottered to give up their B lives for the honor of Old Glory. Tho ' H I cnglncor drops to tho platform and vC H little woman, with a child or two cllng- H ing to her skirts, embraces him and H both thank God another trip has been H I made Jn safety. H The conductor stops to chat with the H station master and the flagmen and the brakemen walk to the platform and H exchango greetings and the quiet llltlo H town takes on the appearance of tho H usual before-tho-war village. H ' But tho soldiers? H, They lean from the windows and gaze H upon the strangers, tho clrango houses ' and tho Strang? people. 'No ono observes them cvsn the toti who came to tho btation with mother aro too busy, or moro probably they do not know. And these aro tho people the soldlora Hh alc fighting for. Hl Theso aro tho peopls they will die for, H suffer for, come homo crippled for. H I "Ah, what's tho use of lighting for H theso people." H Many a soldier had expressed himself H thus and twice as many have thought t ns much. But never again. Hl The Ever-Heady Tin Cup. H When tho big trains loaded with sol- Hl filers and sailors pull Into tho depots H now it's a different -sight Thcro are H score? of persons on hand to greet them H and cheer them and show appreciation. B 'J.'hu lltlc woman who couldn't And H tirco nas managed to do so. She can get down to tho depot In record tlmo anti the never complains of feeling tired. Hi Those soldiers aro "her boys" and she is going to glvo them a mother's grcet- H A hundred heads appear In tho win- Hl dows of the coaches and a hundred tin H cups with hot coffee ere offered and H- accepted. Ask any canteen worker tho Hi joy of handing tlirtt cup of coffee to a H real American boy. Hl And pic! One .slice, sometim.es two H1 slices: a big red apple and some cako H and .then tho smokes. "Why even in H Kansas wherotho law mado It a crime H to smoko a cigarette, tho very women 1 who brought about the enactment of 1 the law, give smokes to the soldiers. "Aye havo the prettiest city-In Araer- lea," said ono worker. "Whon you come back from tho trenches you want to como hero to live. Here's a picture post card of one of tho big sights of our town. Write a word to your mother, your brother or your maybo your sweothcart. We'll mall them for you." And tho post cards aro distributed and a hundred busy Americans glvo thanks that they llvo in a great, good country, filled with real people strangers stran-gers only, becauso tho country is too , large for all to bo neighbors. And a hundred homes reccivo a hundred hun-dred messages from the little town that yesterday was nowhere, but which today to-day ls on the, tongues of bravo men who will sing its praise oven in Uio capital cap-ital of Germany. "Work in Southwest. George W. Simmons of St. Louis, man-' man-' agcr of the Southwestern Division of the American Red Cross, which comprises com-prises the five states, ls determined that no other Red Cross Division in America will have a larger or better canteen service than in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Ar-kansas, Oklahoma and Tcxa3. Ho has appointed Char!c3 P. Pcttus, a civic ' worker of St. Louis, as director of this service. Pcttus will devote his entire time to making it the greatest in Amer-' Amer-' ica. There arc now about 500 canteens in operation in the five states. The women workers promise to respond to call3 at all hours and not to leave their city unless they notify the canteen captain. Thl3 captain appoints lieutenants and I other aides and theso ofllccrs aro re-1 re-1 sponsible for the success or failure of tho service. ' When trains stop in tho sparsely sct-' sct-' tied sections or Texas tho manner of the service Is-just the same as If the train had stopped In tho more populous region reg-ion of Missouri. On tho rolling plains of Kansas, tho soldiers from tho Paclllo coast find a welcome, while in Arkansas Arkan-sas and Oklahoma they are not denied a greeting. Mrs. Harold Baxter, national field seq-rotary seq-rotary for the Bureau of Canteen Service, Serv-ice, who has headquarters in Washlnc- ,y ton, D. C, recently mado an inspection trip through tho Southwestern Division. "It's a revelation. Tho go6d being dono cannot bo measured," was her comment when questioned. Here in her own words is her story of the canteen sorvlco In ho Southwestern Division: Aviation Canteen in Texas. "Tho women of tho Great Southwest are marvelous. Thoy know what to do and they do It In that Southwestern manner which has advertised this section sec-tion of the country In a way that no other action could. "It doesn't matter what part of tho Southwestern Division you consider. The work of the women is just as great sin Texas as It Is in Kansas. IJach canteen can-teen is trying to outdo tho other, but it's anybody's raco to date. "Probably ono of tho most unusual canteens In the world ls at Austin, Tex. It might bo called tho first strictly aviation avia-tion canteen in tho world. Used exclusively ex-clusively by aviators and only those who land while en route. A few months ago the world would have scoffed at tho idea of a refreshment stand for aviators exclusively. "When tho student aviator climbs Into hie airplane to make his first trip alono through tho clouds he undoubtedly has a thrilling experience. But how much moro thrilling It must bo when ho makes his first cross-country flight. A word of encouragement when he land3 makes him a great and better aviator and maintains his morale and that of 'his comrades. (' "When ho lands at Austin after completing com-pleting the flight from Kelly Field, near San. Antonio, Tex, comrades assist him out of his machlno and he ls satisfied with himself. But soon ho finds others than military men' Jubilant. A can-i can-i teen worker walk.s to his side and offers of-fers him a hot drink and then Invites hlm to the canteen, where ho can rest and smoko and partake of other refreshments. re-freshments. Ho finds ho has a recop- tlon committee on hand to greet him. , "When tho aviator in tho making rc-turnu rc-turnu to Kelly Field he tells tho other student fiyera of tho reception ho re- eclvod and they, becomo more deter-' mined to qualify as aviators. One army officer told mo that ho mado the trip to Austin especially to find out tho attraction at-traction and now ho doesn't wonder why tho students have moro 'pep.' "In a little town In Oklahoma thcra 13 a canteen tho famo of which has penetrated pene-trated 'England. The workers at 'his -Oklahoma canteen havo pledged nevjr to miss a train and tho citizens of that town aro behind the woman workers to tho last trench. Oklahoma Fame in England. "Ono of tho workers at this Oklano-mri canteen recently received a letter telling tell-ing of tho arrival of certain troops in England. Thoro wero other American soldiers thoro and they gatherc4 about to wolcomo tho arrivals. This icf.er tells how tho soldiers exchanged greetings greet-ings and how they found a common conversation con-versation In speaking of tho work dono by this little canteen down In Oklahoma. "Somo of tho men were from Colorado and others from Missouri. It didn't mako much dlffercnco about what oec-tlon oec-tlon of America they came from, all had a word for the Oklahoma canteen. Thoy had passed through that town and nad been given a royal welcome" At tho SL Louis Union Station, where the local chapter of tho Red Cro's.- -maintains a canteen, tho scenes cacn day aro those that instill patriotism in tho hearts of persons unable to go to tho front. t You seo tho boy from tho farm standing stand-ing In the midway and looking about in amazement. Never before has ho been fn a large city and the rustic and bustle has bewildered him. And there 13 tlio cnap from tho Northwest, who had been told years ago that on the big Mississippi Missis-sippi River wa3 a largo city- It might bo a truo story, but he had doubted Jt Now ho stands In that city and a new life Ijs born in hlm. Every day or so soldiers passing through St. Louis miss their trains. Tho incidents that follow are in somo c.130.3 striking. Somo weep when they seo tho long lino of coaches pulling out of t.no station and the station employe at tho gate refuses them tho right to run through the train shed to leap aboard. Others aro ready to fight and not a iow times have real wild scenes been enacted. en-acted. Thoro Is onjy ono placo for tho do-presscd do-presscd soldlcr'.to turn and that is tha Red Cross. He enters .the canteen and asks for tho canteen captain or one or his ald3 and ho tells his trouble. "I've missed my train and it was on tho way to the coast where the boys will take ship for France. What can IdoV" he says. "Maybe they will not let mo go to Europe and kill my sharo of the Germans because I have been so careless." care-less." The Red Cross worker takes charge of tho soldier. He wires the commander , and the commander wires back Instructions. Instruc-tions. Transportation.' is furnished and the "lost" soldier ls placed on another train and sent on to Join his company. And, in addition, a letter or telegram of explanation is sent to the commander asking him to be lenient with tho offender. of-fender. Tho real amusing kind of soldTer ls the serious ono who fears oven death for a violation of any rule. Scores of these fellows have becomo hysterical on missing trains. Thoy havo outlined :o the Red Cross workers that an Infraction Infrac-tion of the army, codo in war time means death. Red Cross workers sometimes find it difficult to convince theso men that although al-though they havo committed a gravo offonso that Undo Sam is tho big, kind, generous father. Once convinced they obey tho instructions of the Red Cross worker and again aro back with tho regiment with 'as good fighting qualities as ever. . Caring for Sick En Route. Sometimes a soldier is taken seriously ill on a train. The Bed Cross is informed in-formed and an ambulance Is waiting at Union Station to tako the soldier to tho hospital. On arrival of tho train tho first through tho station gales or to meet the train. In the yards is the Red Cross squad assigned to care for the stricken soldier. Whllo in the hospital ho ls visited daily by tho Red Cross and lettors aro written for him to his relatives and 1 friends, and advice and encouragement offered. When he Is well tho lied Cross acts as a committee to see that ho gets aboard his train and that he is safely on his way to join his comrades. Somo of tho men cannot wrlto tho kind of letter they o'cslrc. Probably tho train. will remain nt Union Station for twenty minutes. Tho Red Cross workers aro ready and willing to assist tho soldier sol-dier and hundreds of them take advan-tago advan-tago of tho offer. "Geo, this Is like having a private secretary," sec-retary," is tho waymany soldiers havo expressed themselves after Rod Cross corkers havo written letters for them. Then thcro Is tho boy who ls not enthusiastic. en-thusiastic. Ho was drafted and ho still foel3 that there is something wrong. These are tho men tho caijtcen workers are always on tho alert for. Tho Jig, brave, willing soldiers know this, and many a secret conference takes place in tho canteen. '.'That's tho fellow, ther. He's heart broken. Can't you cheer him up?" says tho informant. This Information Is followed by tho atrango task undertaken by tho American Ameri-can Red Croas to make all soldiers happy, hap-py, content and satisfied. "What's tho matter, young man? You seem worried," begins me Red Cross worker. '"No. I'm not worried. I'm just'fcol-ing just'fcol-ing bad," comes the response. t t " ' -I'K-1" ""I U 1 "Well, come on over to the stand and get a real big glass of circus lemonade and I'll bet you'll feel happy. 1'vo got a boy In Franco and he-3 tho happiest man in tho world. He said he wouldn't havo missed the opportunity of going across for tho world. And this Is some littlo world to have. Whcro do you como from?" Tells His Story. ' Tho worried boy tells his story, tho story of that flno Job no had out In Denver, and tho friends, and tho nlco home, and the girl that he was going to marry. And tho Red Cross worker tells him of his opportunity to savo that home, that job, thoso friends and that little-1 girl by driving tho Germans back to tholr own land. He points out tho glory cf fighting and tho reason. Ho pictures to him the ruin and wreck America if tho German Is not halted. "Say, I'll tako another of those colored col-ored drinks and you have to tako ono with mo, I'm not feeling half as bad as when I came into this place. Who told you I was sick? Gee! I could lick tho guy that tipped you, but I gues3 you won't snitch on him, anyway." Simple, was it not? I Well, tho Red Cross Is doing that -sort of work evory mlnuto' of tho day somo placo along the rights of way of tho great railroads. But there's a kick to tho thing. It'3 like a big mirror, when the sun hits It. Tho reflection lights up the civilian and shows hlm also waiting for a kind word. What Is truo of tho soldier Is true of this individual. Ho or she wants encouragement, en-couragement, and tho Red Cross knows that morale in case of tho men at homo is as much needed as moralo on tho firing line. The Good-By of Mothers. Thcro Isn't a man or woman In tho United States who has not witnessed tho sad scenes when, troop trains pull out. Thero ls tho crowd of happy and cheering individuals and tho big gathering gath-ering of friends "Just to see them off." But mother la there, too. So Is littlo sister and, young John, who becomes "man of tho house" as that train departs. de-parts. And probably thero Is a "littlo girl next door" in that crowd who is Just as much interested In Private Brown as I1I3 relatives. It's a' mother's privilege to weep when her son leaves to fight for her and his country, and tho others cannot bo condemned con-demned for expressing grief. But grief and sorrow and tears stand ready to strike at an army with more force than tho deadly enemy tho army sets 'out to vanquish, ' 1 Tho next time you aro at Union 6U tlon'or at'any station whera tho troo?i are leaving, watch. Tho Red Crois canteen can-teen workers havo taken on a no burden to comfort tho ones maWnj a greater sacrifice. Tho canteen servico is not to end with tho end of the war. It will con- , ) tlnuo Its work until the last of the soldiers sol-diers have returned . Tho trains will bo met by them &l words of pralso and refrprhments fun , nished. It will not be liko in the of the Spanish-American war, when the trains carrying back tho soldiers fftrt unnoticed. Tho soldiers who were disabled 1 bo placed In institutions where they . may again fit themselves for plcasa work which will win them an incoa and prevent them from being throwa j upon the mercies of others. . Tho boy who wants a fresh start N not find a lukewarm response to "W11 j you help me?" ; Incident of Spanish War. t The lasting good of tho work of tta canteen Is told in this fashion by i veteran of the Spanish-American war: i "When we wero en routo to the front largo crowds gathered at many of tM j stations and In somo Instances the ( gavp us refreshments. It was not great big organized affair like the B J Crosa canteen service, but a great c of good was accomplished. "I often think of those days, and w j thing that stands out roost vividly my mind Is an Incident at a rallroao 1 station In a small town in Kentucw whllo wo were being rushed south. "Half -, a hundred persons wero , hand' to greet and cheer us. Tho woo carried baskets of cakes and some us tobacco. An aged woman was ; the crowd. She was poorly dressed . that she had few comforts of this wo was apparent. She carried In her ar ( a largo bundle of grass, bluo grass , Kentucky, and to each soldier sho ; several" blades. ; , "Of all tho "things that bolstered w our spirits It was that womnn"'toJ,Pa to give, but giving more than all ; others. What tho soldier wants cheering word, a smllo and a wave : tho hand to show the peoplo aro , him. Let him know that you PPree J his efTorts and you havo created ; greatest . fighter in tho world.'' 1 Tho work that )sbcing earned by tho American Red Cross In , Southwestern Division Is ao wJt '. dono lnall sections of tho countr). has been estimated by Kcd Cross clals that moro than a mllll"" will be engaged In this work befon end of tho present year, . - i |