The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-23
RECREATION TENT
NEEDED IN CAMPS
Chaplain Hall Shows How Sys-
tenn Will Benefit State
Militia.

a strong plea TO tho State Military
board for permanent provisions fol
recreation tents and equipment" tC
We part OF future State encanpments.
was incorporated in the report recent.
ny rendered to Colonel William j
Ferry, OF the First Infantry Regiment
oy Chaplain J. Cleveland Hall, who
! was In charge of this feature of tho
ehcampment last year ut Culpepcr. AL
thouSh the experiment OF a recreation
tent at tha Cuipeper encampment was
made under difficulties, there seems IL
be no doubt that 1t wus a most bon ell /.
clai adjunct to the discipline and com
Tort OF the enlisted men.
The report contained the following
suggestions which have been CLEANED
| from the experiment ut Culpepers
tlrst-The experiment at Culpep .r
In spite of the handlcaps. was "a dem
onstration OF the value of the recrea-
ton tent 10 the State and regimen Ia
encampm ents.
Secohd--A permanent provision OF
thsi feature for all future encampiuents
Is important
Third-A tent should be provided,
con cal (double hospital tents will not
serve). OF size TO seat at least 100
men. tables tfour TO six, foldin., camp
stools u0O), u half dozen folding
chairs Cor sick call men not in hos
pltep. lock box or camp desk for
chapiain's use az camp postmaster.
fourth-EventuGiiy this should be Ii
part OF every reglmental equipment,
but for summer encampments as now
| hcld. one such outfit will do for the
use OF all.
Fifth-The location should be at a
prominent point on the main camp
street. The lighting OF the recreation
tent should be of such practical char
acter as TO permit OF reading in every
part
Sixth-For current magazines and
newspa pers for the reading tables. an
advance supply of stamps and post
CARDS. etc. sum OF not less than S25
per week to be available TO be exp and
td as needed, under orders OF the chap
IAN, VINO snail report the same to reg
mental headquarters ut the end Of the
cncampmcnt. to be included as a part
of such regimentaI report under reg
.uiar encampment expense.
Seventh--A detail OF an intelligent.
non commissioned officer 10 act during
the entire encampment as assistant TO
the regimentHl chaplain. and under his
orders. with such other detailed help
as may be from time TO time required
To support tho nesd for such pro.
vision on the part OF the State Military
Board, Chaplain Hail offers the follow
Ing list OF BENEFITS. which will be i'm
mediataly felt from the recreation tent
Id IA:
4 One OF the objections to camp lifo
VIII be removed.
. Discipline within the camp will be
fostercd and conserved
3 On stormy days comfortable place
for the oiiicers' lectures on hygiene.
manoeuvres. etc. VIII be furnished.
4. The chaplain will be brought in
closer touch with the men,
o. Acquaintance between men OF dif-
fersnt portions OF the State Will be ex-
tended, 10 the beneht OF the eBprit de
corps and tho sense of duty.
The chief difficulty under which tho
experiment of the recreation tent was
conducted last summer at Culpcper was
tho fact that there was no established
precedent The regular United States
Army authorities. and the militia along
with them. have always left to the
Young Mems Christian Associa lions and
the churches the provision Of harmless
amusement for the men.