write a poem which follows:

THE STEVEDORES

We are the Army Stevedores, lusty and virile and strong.
We are given the hardest work of the war, and the hours are long.
We handle the heavy boxes and shovel the dirty coal;
While soldiers and sailors work in the light, we burrow below like a mole.
But somebody has to do this work or the soldiers could not fight!
And whatever work is given a man is good if he does it right.
We are the Army Stevedores, and we are volunteers.
We did not wait for the draft to come, and put aside our fears.
We flung them away to the winds of fate at the very first call of our land.
And each of us offered a willing heart, and the strength of a brawny hand.
We are the Army Stevedores, and work we must and may,
The cross of honor will never be ours to proudly wear and sway.
But the men at the front could not be there, and the battles could not be won.
If the stevedores stopped in their dull routine and left their work undone.
Somebody has to do this work; be glad that it isn't you.
We are the Army Stevedores--give us our due.

CHAPTER XXVI.

UNSELFISH WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD

MITIGATED THE HORRORS OF WAR--AT THE FRONT, BEHIND THE LINES, AT
HOME--CIRCLE FOR NEGRO WAR RELIEF--ADDRESSED AND PRAISED BY ROOSEVELT--A
NOTABLE GATHERING--COLORED Y.M.C.A. WORK--UNSULLIED RECORD OF
ACHIEVEMENT--HOW THE "Y" CONDUCTED BUSINESS--SECRETARIES ALL
SPECIALISTS--NEGRO WOMEN IN "Y" WORK--VALOR OF A NON-COMBATANT.

Negroes in America are justly proud of their contributions to war relief
agencies and to the financial and moral side of the war. The millions of
dollars worth of Liberty Bonds and War Savings stamps which they
purchased were not only a great aid to the government in prosecuting the
war, but have been of distinct benefit to the race in the establishing
of savings funds among many who never were thrifty before. Thousands
have been started on the road to prosperity by the business ideas
inculcated in that manner. Their donations to the Red Cross, the
Y.M.C.A. and kindred groups were exceptionally generous.

An organization which did an immense amount of good and which was
conducted almost entirely by Negro patriots, although they had a number
of white people as officers and advisers, was the "Circle for Negro War
Relief," which had its headquarters in New York City.

At a great mee