Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-01
MUST MAKE CITIES SAFE
FOR VISITS OF SOLDIERS
Definite Plans for Vice Suppression
to BE Discussed This
Afternoon.
CONFERENCE IN SENATE HALL
Plans to BE Laid to Provide Health
fui Recreation and Social Attrac-
tions for Men Mt Cantonments.
Letter From DIR. Beverly Tucker.

Definite plans for such action as may
be necessary to eliminate tho moral
evils expected to develop at the varl-
Gus army camps in Virginia will be
outlined this afternoon by social work
crs at special meeting called for 5
o'clock in the Senate Chamber of the
Capitol Building. The meeting, which
was called by DR.. j. T. Mastin, secre-
tary of the State Board of Charities
and Corrections. will deal especially
with conditions at Petersburg. and the
activities of the special committees
recently appointed by Governor Stuart
will be along the lines to be suggested
to day.
Not only have the social workers to
overcome influences detrimental to the
welfare and efficiency of the soldiers
to be placed in training at these
camps, but they must also decide upon
some means of amusement since 1t is
recognized that some entertainment
must be furnished the soldiers. The
State Council of Defense is co-operat-
ing in every possible way with the
civilian organization, and to this end
General L. w. Nichols, the chairman
has just appointed three special COM
mittees for work in various sections
of the State.
CAMP MAY BE REMOVED IF
CONDITIONS NOT SATISFACTORY
Civilian workers are to labor in CO.
operation with representatives of the
War Department who have been espec-
tally detailed to cope with these
conditions Fully 10000 men will be
trained at Petersburg. and the War
Department has emphatically stated
unless health and moral conditions are
of the best. the camp will not be al
lowed to remain in that city.
DR.. Mastin is sending out with in
vitations TO attend the meeting. a let
ter from DIT. Beverly r. Tucker of
this city The letter is as follows:
AT meeting held in the governors
office in Richmond, representatives of
the leading organizations for social
progress in the State formed them
selves into n committee TO co-operate
with the Council of National Defense
for the prevention of diseases in the
soldiers camped on Virginia soil In
European camps disease attacked one
fourth of the enrolment. thus inca
pacitating hundreds of thousands of
the finest fighting men. The council
of defense is determined that such
shall not be the case in America.
NEARBY CITIES MUST
MEET RESPONSIBILITY
Cities and towns nearest the train
ing camps must meet the grave re-
sponsibility that is theirs. Action must
begin at once towards suppressinE VI
cious resorts where diseases are ac-
quired. steps should be taken to sup
ply healthful and wholesome amuse-
ments; places must be provided where
decent young men can meet decent
young women amid proper surround
ings. Systematic and constructive eff
fort. participated in by all the social
forces available. will be necessary IL
the scandal of Europe is not to be
repeated at our doors
There is practical reason, also.
for meeting the great need as well as
the patriotic one Of conserving the
young men. In the New York Times
OF May 20 Raymond b. Fosdick. chair
man OF the Commission of the National
Council of Defense, which will deal
with camp morals, makes the follow
ing significant statement:
IT is known that there was much
rivalry in different parts OF the coun-
Try Tor the location of the camps. The
communities that won are proud, both
for the honor and the profit. But their
victory is not necessarily permanent.
SO important, primary, does the
Secretary of War regard the work for
which the new commission was created
that If community near which a camp
is now situated persistently refuses to
cooperate in the control Of vice the
camp will be moved
No comment is needed. Real ac-
ton should begin at once Your State
and city's good name before the coun-
try Is involved. and the health and
morals of the nations best is at stake
Shall lack of organized effort on the
part of your city bring reproach on
Virginia? Our committee is ready to
cooperate with your community in any
way II can and will gladly answer any
inquiries as to ways and means"