Norwich bulletin., 1916-07-28
Y. M. c. A. WORK
 ALONG THE BORDER Army and Navy Department Plans 25 Branches at Militia Camp.

New York, July 27.-The Army and | Navy Department of the Young Mems 1 Christian Association, dealing with i the first general mobilization of the National Guard of the United States | since the organization was officially recognized by general orders of the War Department, announces some in teresting features of it's plan for work among the troops on the Mexican border. The Association plans to es- tablish at leatst twenty-five fully equipped branches at camps where there are brigades or single regiments strate the efficiency Of the Ass0cIa- tions work in soldier life.
 Officers of the War Department, from the Secretary of War and the members of the general staff down, recognize the danger of brea akdOwn in the moral and social ideals of tFe men in their new environment and they are not only welcoming the AssOcia- tion work but urging that it be es- tablished wherever possible and of fering cooperation to the fullest eE- tent under military rules and regula- ttOns Every step that has been talk en has been after consultation with the higher officers of the War Depart ment and the army and all plans for work at the camps are put into exc CullOIl dliCE cons UIJdLICll WlIu the commanders in the field, who are Of fering every possible assistance and cooperation.
 Of the twenty five Association branches or units to be established, several already have their outfits in operation and report encOuTa ging in terest and support rom the troops. Other branches are being organized as rapidly as material, equipment and men can be assembled. At nearly all of the permanent stations on the border, especially where there are no chapiains, the Association has had it's work in operations for some time past
 The outfit for an Association branch at a brigade camp comprises Q frame building with full equipment, in charge of 2. secretary and four assistants Should more than one brigade be in the same camp, additional brigade branches are required. The regiment al camps, which are likely to be permanent, will have a, smaller build ing, in charge of a secretary and one or more assistants. After the work is established among the brlgades and regimental units of troops, plans are to be developed for battalion branches and for work in smaller troops units as far as conditions will permit,
 More than one hundred secretaries will be employed in the work already planned and under way. The Army and Navy Department is sending all secretaries with army experience to the border as fast as they can be re- leased from other work. Under the direction of the Department there are number of men of the finest type who conducted Association work among the troops in the war with Spain. Most of these are being en- trusted with the work of organization and supervision in the field.
 It Is the business of. the secretaries in charge to make the Association branch a chear-up spot in the InonOt- ony of camp life on the border, in the extreme heat of a Texas summer with the rigors Of military service,
 It Is believed that nearly all enter tainmenta, lectures, concerts, gospel services and large assen1blages Of any kind can be held outdoors, as the Tex as border is an outdoor country, The secretaries in charge will be provided with living tents by the government, or in some cases, if preferable, a cor nev Of the building can be fitted up for their accommodation,
 The standard equipment includes Q first class talking machine With enc hundred up-to-date records and good motion picture machine with films. There Is usually an informal ton bureau and a safe deposit de- paFtment for the safe keeping of money, Vellfables and anything the men want to leave ln the care of the -ASGpGIt4JlDH, ANYWAYS 44eIuteQ III tle equipment is q folding orEHn for re- ligtous services and to accompany the singing of popular songs,
 The Association bFacnhes usually provide the social leadership of the camp. There are lectures and con- e@rtn, both professional and amateur, and addresses by prominent men, When any man eenea to the camp to lecture to the officers or men on any technical subject the Association building is offered ea tha center at which the men may gather, At the larger branches there will be a n1e- ton picture show practically every aight, Films will be sent on a circuit ffeIa one camp 10 anethaf 9eaae of the entertainments will be of q eafn- petitive- amateur character in which talent from various companies win eemRete against each other,
 The average cost of an array bfandh building, including equipment Is about Sa,h66. At least 6pe man who has a sen in the militia has given aay600 far the sdUBTaent ef 8 branch unit and 1t ia preneged to name the branch after the aBnep. A aft of s6,066 provi1es the Building and FUHning expenses Of a branch fer EiE months.
 Most ef the geeFetaFies/ are trained Eaa leaders iR FeeFeative sports and eaanetftlVe games. Basket and Vef=s Hey ball will De organized. if eendi= .Haas are favorable. there VIII ha teTlz tnis and .aueit tournaments. Where the routine ef fhe camp will permit. baBbaII hines win be faqgnea and 8 lsagge started, using the teams eut of various companies CT regiments, and Starting 6 series, Of games;
 < The SFeiigdau5s feature Of thas- waFlSs s'BEzll- HeSngaYIaed&9aF hy 8 HFagFaIa efs