1164 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



some time, pocket money to start them on the trip home. 

 This fund has always meant that men and worthy objects 

 could find financial assistance. 



"The balance of the fund used distinctively for the 

 20th Engineers, after initial expenses for entertainment 

 equipment had been provided, was divided among the 

 different battalions on a per capita basis and used by the 

 company commanders as they deemed best in supplying 

 the various needs of their companies. These battalion 

 funds have always been at the disposal of the battalion 

 chaplain and have proven a great blessing. 



"The thirty-eight phonographs bought from this fund 

 and forwarded from the States to each one of the orig- 

 inal engineer companies have found continual use, send- 

 ing forth their melodious sounds from tents, barracks, 

 old barns, dugouts, and often used in the open air. These 

 phonographs have proven the opportunity for many a 

 friend in the States to express his interest in us by 

 forwarding phonograph records. I shall never forget 

 standing in front of a dugout in Puvenelle Wood, in the 

 midst of devastation, when suddenly there came upon 

 my ear the voice of John McCormack as played on one 

 of these machines. The contrast between this evidence 

 of civilization and the absolute lack of it around me was 

 tremendously striking. 



"Warm clothing is always a necessity in the ever- 

 present humidity of France. The sweaters made from 

 the wool purchased by this fund are a daily comfort 

 to these men, who often have labored all day long 

 in torrents of rain, returning to their tents to find a good 

 warm sweater waiting. 



"During these days of waiting to come home, we are 

 bending all our efforts to provide entertainment, parties, 

 educational classes that will occupy the minds of the 

 men and that shall prepare them for larger services in 

 the future. We shall use this fund in every way to pro- 

 vide these events. 



"Twenty thousand soldiers united with me in express- 

 ing gratitude to those who have made all these things 

 a reality and a daily reminder of your interest." 



The list of donations received by the Welfare Fund is 

 published on pages 1168, 11 73, 1175, 11 77 and 11 78. 



HOW THE FOREST SERVICE HELPED 



From the day that the loth Engineers was organized 

 the members of the Forest Service took a deep inter- 

 est in the regiment and were anxious to find ways 

 in which they might forward the comfort and hap- 

 piness of the men. The Service had co-operated with the 

 War Department in recruiting the regiment, and a great 

 many of its men were on the regimental rolls. A sug- 

 gestion that an ambulance would be of great value was 

 seized upon with eagerness, and during the summer of 

 1917 contributions poured in from the members of the 

 Forest Service in all parts of the country. A fund of 

 $4,274.68 was raised, more than enough to purchase two 

 motor ambulances and two kitchen trailers. One of these 

 ambulances and its trailer was paid for entirely by the 

 Northwestern District. The remainder of the fund was 

 used to buy a photographic developing outfit for the loth 

 Engineers and wool to be made into knitted garments. 



In September, 1917, when the loth was ready to leave 



.M,\RITIME PINE LOGS OX THE WAY INTO 20 M AMERICAN SAWMILL IN FOREST OF THE DUNE COUNTRY IN SOUTHWESTERN 



FRANCE 



