Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-02
DISCUSS PLANS FOR
PREVENTION OF VICE
improvement Of Moral Conditions
Among Soldiers Is Subject
OF Conference.
COMMITTEES ARE TO BE NAMED
Dr. j. T. Mastin, Secretary OF State
Board Of Charities and Correc-
tons, Presides ut Meeting Held in
state Capitol.

Comprehensive plans for tho i'm
provement Of all moral conditions in
ana adjacent to the army training
camps now being established in vir-
Binia were discussed at length ycster-
day afternoon a: special meeting
| In the Senate chamber in the Capitol
Building ofjmany social workers. Dr.
- L. Mastin. secretary Of the State
board Of Charities and Corrections.
presided at the meeting. at which it
was decided to nominate a committee
4 Tor the selection Of an executive. com
'ihittee to direct the work and for the
ei"cticn or officers. This matter will
nc taken Up later this week, that the
work may be undertaken at once.
In opening. DIR. Mastm told OF 4 con-
terence several days ago with Federal
authoii tiles. during which the organi-
cation effected recently in Governor
Stuarts Office was thoroughly discuss
ed Washington officials. he said de-
clared that Virginia was the first State
seriously to take UP this work. and
these men requested that general
outline OF this States organization and
us plans for work be sent them. that
they could be forwarded to other States
10 guide them in similar efforts.
EXPECTS 100000 MEN TO he IN
VIRGINIA WITHIN THIRTY DAYS
Within thirty days. DIR. Mastin de-
clared. there will be at least coo. 900
men In military camps within the con-
hnes OF Virginia. These men w!ll be
located at Norfolk. Hampton. Newport
news Petersburg, Quant!co and Fort
Myer, and 1t was absolutely necessary
mat steps be taken at once to combat
the various evils that nav. existed in
the past at army camps. He said that
$4,000 men would be stationed at Pc
tersburg. and that at least 1000 to
1890 nigh, be expected to visit iS!ch-
mond any day. To meet this situation.
unusual efforts On the part OF ths
city authorities and citizens would be
necessary TO cope with the various
evils.
he general organiZa ton. VIII he
composed OF representatives from every
social and religious. Iraternal and com
mercial organization in Richmond and
T.. vicinity. IL will he from these rcrire-
'fertatives that the executive commit
tee and officers Will be selected: but tho
general membership will be required
to notify every member OF the various
organizations OF the work 10 be under
taken. ard every association must give
all the cooperation possible Orgari-
cations similar TO that outlined ye,-
terday afternoon will be also formed
nj every other camp in the State.
NEED FOR EFFORT AMONG
woRkMEN AT CASTONoIENT
Several speakers declared that there
was the utmost need al this time for
socia! work among the workmen now
engaged in constructing the canton
ment at Petersburg. and the meeting
. went on record favorng any stems
Hnt
sible to make. The statement was made
that about 5000 men were now at the
petersburg camp. and that within
few days there would be at least 1000
more. The social evil is not the single
question. speakers said. but some ct-
forts should be made to reduce other
vice that exists. Conditions at the
cantonment were said TO be good. yet
there were great opportunities for
much social work
1t was the general impression that
these workmen would remain at the
camp until late in October and many
OF them until December. and that the
organization would do great work II IL
started at once. Such action would
also give II a more general under
standing OF what would be necessary
when the camp is opened for the train
ing Of soldiers. The camp will be I'M
der strict discipline and the War De-
partment VIII enforce stringent laws
within the reservation. but the organi-
cation must improve the adjoining
country.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
p TO BE NAMED SHORTLY
For this reason there Will be or
ganized by the executive committee a
special committee composed OF all Of
fcers and city authorities to secure
the greatest cooperation for the en-
forcement Of laws. Ministers and
Young Mems Christian Association sec
retaries will also be organized into n
committee. well as the physicians.
and by means Of these various COM
mittees. It is believed that the situation
can be handled without great difficulty
The nominating committee is ex-
pected TO announce the names OF the
executive committee within the next
few days. and another meeting will be
called to begin active work at once.