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*** SB 11 i rW 1 L * V Cl Vv Xl’ \ e ■ aJ T » § » i I ’<' I ’•i< •?’ SAYS WORK HAS BEEN A GOD-SEND Scranton Soldier Writes to Friend Back Home, Telling of Association’s Activities. Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga. November 8, 1917. Dear Mr. Jackson: I have been at Camp Hancock- for almost two months. Because of the merger of the regiments, I am now a member of the 109th Infantry. The 109th is at the extreme end of camp and about 100 yards from the company street is Army Y. M. C. Building No. 79. If the Scranton people could be in camp and see the work being done by the Army Y. M. C. A. there would be no difficulty raising Scranton's part of the $35,000,000. Before we were moved t othe 109th, we had a Y. M. C. A. in a mess shack near the old Thirteenth — the building had not been finished —■ and here we gathered night after night and during the day, when we were not on duty. Now we have a finished building, 40x120, with many conveniences for our comfort and pleasure. At one end is a long counter, behind which the secre taries give us free writing paper, en velopes, pens, blotters, wrapping pape: and twine, besides selling us stamp. l postcards and express money orders These men are kept on the jiyup every night from 7 o'clock until about 16 when the building is closed. Along each side are writing tables where the soldier boys write to the folks at home. About 100 men can be accommodated at one time. In the cen ter of the floor are low benches on which the men sit while a nentertaln ment or religious service is o.i. A long table holds newspapers from Pennsyl vania, including the Times and Repub lican, and magazines of all kinds. At the entrance is a large bookcase, filled with some of the latest fiction and standard works. At the other end of the building is a good-sized stage, with dressing rooms on either side. A piano stands on tin platform and here the speakers and singers, instrumentalists, religion workers and others stand while ap pearing before the audience. The build ing holds about 800 to 1,000 men and I have seen it crowded frequently. Here is where I am having the time of my life when not on duty. Every night, there is some kind of a program and the fellows don’t have to go out of camp for diversion. We have all we want right near our tents —and it does not cost us one cent. Everything the Y. M. C. A. does is free anti 1 have often wbndered who paid for it all. Page 14 THE MERCHANTS BANK Extends a Most Cordial Wel come to Soldiers, Visitors and New Citizens. Our ample capital, favorable connections, conve nient location and large corps of efficient assistants who are trained to courtesy and the transaction of business in the simplest, most direct manner enable us to offer a most satisfactory service to those desiring to transact banking business, large or small. Accounts, subject to check, large or small, are invited. We conduct a Savings Department in which we pay interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum, compounded. Deposits are accepted in any amount from SI.OO up. We have a large number of safe deposit boxes which we offer for rent for storage of valuables and other papers, at very low prices, ranging from $3.00 to $25.00 per Please remember our bank is located at No. 821 Broad street, in the center of the city. MERCHANTS BANK AUGUSTA, GA. CAPITAL AND SURPLUS $500,000.00. ALBERT S. HATCH, E. E. ROSBOROUGH, President. Cashier. Wm. H. BARRETT, B. H. ELLISON, Vice President. Assistant Cashier. TRENCH AND CAMP Since the $35,000,000 campaign was launched, I know now that the money comes from the folks back home. I have heard man after man say he wouldn’t know what to do witho- t the “Y,” as the boys call-it. It is our only home in camp. A fellow needn’t get lonesome in camp if he’ll take advan tage of the Y. M. C. A., for it is always full of good cheer, and the secretaries are always ready with a smile and the glad hand. The programs are full of surprises. One night we may hear a professional quartet, or Mel Trotter, or Dr. Trawick, on “Sex Hygiene,” or some folks from Augusta, who come up every' week to entertain the men in the Y. M. C. A. buildings. Every Monday' and Thursday nights we have free-movies. I.'ntti- two weeks ago, we saw them outside, but since the cold spell they' are shown inside the building. Arfd they’re great—as good as any movies ever shown in the Strand at home. All the pictures are censored carefully before being shown, so there is nothing oensive in them. And the fellows enjoy’ them immensely. Movie night always draws a packed house. Tomorrow night we are to have a minstrel show in the Y. M. C. A. build ing, given by the boys of Co. C, 109th Infantry. The secretaries use soldier talent as much as possible, and every Saturxlhv night, at. the sing-songs, we Mess Sergeants If you would be popu lar with your troop, get them Kenny’s High Grade Coffee and Kenny’s Che-on Tea. C.O. Kenny Co. 976 Broad St. Phone 601. hear singers, reciters and whistlers, male quartets, etc., from the soldiers themselves. The Y. M. C. A. certainly drives the blites away and I cannot praise it too highly. When Mel Trotter was at Building No. 79, more than 80 men made de cisions for Christ. Every Sunday af ternoon a Bible class is taught by one of the secretaries. This morning, one of the secretaries has a class of twenty Italians and Polnaders in the infirmary next to the Y. M. C. A., teaching them Peter Roberts’ method of simplified English. These men do not understand the commands of the officers on the field and cause a lot of trouble. They’ are among a bunch of 65 drafted men who live in the infirmary temporarily and have not been attached to any’ regi ment. These men make the Y. M. C. A their home and use the footballs, baseballs and basket balls provided by’ the “Y.” I don’t know that I can tell you any thing more about the work, except to say that it has been, a God-send to us, and we expect a lot of the Camp Han cock secretaries to go to France when we cross the pond. Anything you or The House of Dorr is for those who wish the better grades of things to wear. Trench Coats, Rain Coats, Jaeger Underwear, Sweaters, Hosiery, Etc. Officers’ Uniforms Made in Our Own Shop, $65.00 and $75.00. August Dorr’s Sons 724 Broad Street Have You Written MOTHER SOLDIER BOY —or have you failed to send your weekly “chat” for lack of Attention Our ,ine Army Men Wriling Paper> WE SPECIALIZE Novelties,Gifts, Kodaks, on Films, Flash Lights, Army Printed Post Cards and Athletic Forms Goods (A. G. Spalding) —Ruling Famous Line —Binding Is Complete. —Printing. -WE- TO WITT’S DO DEVELOPING J w » t a a a Send Us The Handsomest and YOUR FILMS Largest Stationery Store in the city. WHEN SHALL WE EXPECT A CALL FROM YOU, SOLDIER BOY ? You’re Welcome. JOWITT’SI 864 Broad Street. Augusta, Ga. Nov. 14, 1917. the Scranton people may de to boost the $35,000,000 will be for the welfare, of the boys, for the Y. M. C. A. is the* greatest agency in the camp to help, the fellows. ’ With kindest regards, I am, DAVID PEARCE, } Company D, 109th Infantry. , Germany Reaching Her Man Power ] Cable reports from Switzerland say ■ that Germany has reached the crisis so far as her manpower is concerned. For three years, according to these dis patches. Germany’ has lost on an aver- I age of 1,200,000 men annually, and this number will at least be equalled in 1918. It is contended that to continue the war on the same scale for another year the Germans must have at their com- • mand a reserve of at least two million men, whereas they actually will have a reserve of only’ one and one-half mil lion, including youths of the class of 1920.