Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 216, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1917 — To Make 30,000 Pounds of Bread Daily at Camp Shelby. [ARTICLE]

To Make 30,000 Pounds of Bread Daily at Camp Shelby.

Uncle Sam figures each of his soldiers needs one pound of bread each day, that is, “good bread.” Someone said ages ago that if you want a thing done right do it yourself. Uncle Sam wants good bread for his soldiers, so he bakes it himself. Camp Shelby’s “staff of life” plant is one of its most interesting institutions, for there every pound of bread consumed by the soldiers at Camp Shelby is baked, and is baked right. Baking Company No. 15, U. S. regulars, an organization of more than 100 men, “kneads the ( dough” at Camp Shelby. This organization is composed, for the most part, of experienced bakers, while the rest of the men are being taught this important feature of army life. Twelve big ovens, each having space enough to hold 18 pans, are used in the bakery. Each of the pans holds six loaves and each loaf weighs two pounds. So each loaf takes care of one soldier and his bunkie for a day. The baking is done in “runs” and as each is finished the bread is carried to the storehouse and placed on racks. The mess sergeants of each company make requisition each day for the amount of bread needed by his company. These acquisitions must go through the quartermaster corps department before they are sent to the first sergeant of the baking company. When all these requisitions are sent to the baking company, the first sergeant tells his bakers just how many pounds of bread are needed for that day. The baking has been figured down to such a fine point that there is little or no wastage. Each day before a baker is permitted to work he is required to bathe and dress in clean clothing, inside and out. The ovens and storehouses are cleansed with the greatest care. With conditions as they are now, Uncle Sam’s soldiers- are getting plenty of fresh meat, vegetables and dainties, and their pound of bread each day is really not needed,, but when they get in the trenches and vegetables and dainties are not to be had, then is when the baking will be the most important part of the soldier life.