KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus erected their first building for Negro soldiers at Camp Funston, Kan. This was opened on December 1, 1917, with Clarence Guillot as executive secretary and two assistants. Religious services were conducted every Sunday for the four hundred Catholics in the camp, with communion every Sunday morning. One of the two chaplains was always available for consultation, there were excellent library facilities, and also special effort for recreation. In Camps Taylor, Dodge, Meade, and Beauregard (at Alexandria, La.) buildings were also provided. At Camps Dodge and Beauregard white secretaries were in charge, while at Taylor and Meade Negro secretaries conducted the work. The building at Dodge was visited by both white and colored soldiers, and the kindliest feeling was maintained. At Beauregard a mess hall was renovated and attractively furnished for the large Catholic element there. The building at Camp Taylor, which was beautifully furnished and adequately equipped, was first used by white soldiers, but when they left the camp and Negro soldiers were moved into the area, it was turned over to them. At Meade there was a small but attractive portable building. The work was similar to that at Camp Funston. Not all secretaries were in sympathy with the liberal policy that seemed to be intended by the organization, but those who were not were sometimes transferred.
The Knights of Columbus had a small building for Negro soldiers at Tours, and there was also special provision at Romagne, where the soldiers were reburying the dead. After a tent was erected and supplied with tobacco, chocolate, gum, packages of cakes, stationery, and other such things, the secretary came to the Y. M. C. A. hut and addressed the soldiers, informing them that the K. C. tent had been erected and that to it they were very welcome. The next morning a hundred white and colored soldiers were in line at it receiving supplies. When the camp commander instituted a policy of segregation, the K. C. was compelled to adopt it or leave camp. It chose the former course and put up signs accordingly. When these signs appeared some of the soldiers pulled them off and pulled down the tent, and there was a riot.
The Knights of Columbus were criticised for the procedure at Romagne, which was contrary to the general belief as to the policy of the organization. As has been shown, however, while only a small number of Negro secretaries were employed and in only a few camps was there any special effort to serve Negro soldiers, they were generally admitted to K. C. buildings and in general the organization impressed them by its catholicity of spirit.