New Britain herald., 1917-11-06

umbus, the work of these organiza- tions is not competitive in any sense. All three look after the welfare of Uncle Sam's soldiers and sailors and aim to provide healthful and whole some recreation for him in the hours that he can devote to play, but the Y. M. c. A. and the Knights of Columbus confine their attention to the soldiers within the camp or can tonment while the Playground and Re- creation association of America, which is doing the work for which the com munity recreation fund is being raised, looks after the soldier during his hours off duty when he is allowed to leave camp and seek amusement un- restrained by camp regulations.
 It has been found that many sol diers when left to their own devices seek amusement that is not wholesome and is apt to weaken them both moral ly and physically. In addition to the harm done to the men as individuals the loss to the nation through the physical breakdown of men whose full strength is needed for fighting is apt to become a serious factor in the war. Officials at Washington who first saw the danger, however, do not blame the soldiers, but have come to the conclusion that they seek harm full amusements because few if any wholesome amuseent places are &C., cessible. It is to- supply this lack that the recreation fund has been in augurated.
 In brief the aim Is to perfect or gnnizations around the various mill tary and naval camps such that when ever soldier or sailor is allowed a few hours of liberty he will have at hand opportunities for wholesome recrea- ton that will appeal strongly to his tastes. If his hobby is athletics, he will be given an opportunity to in- ds.lge in his favorite sport; if he wants to see Q show or a motion picture. a theater run at cost will be open to him; if homesickness or his social in stincts make him crave the society of such people as he has left behind, he will be invited to dances and socials and the churches, lodges and other social centers of the community near his camp will try to make him feel at home.
 To do all this the commission on training camp activities is endeavor- ing to mobilize the existing resources of the communities near the camps ana IS Tn aQOlLlOn plann1ng to eSCaD- fish social .centers near the camps Besides theaters, billiard rooms. swim ming pools and such establishments it is planned to erect several soldier clubhouses near each camp.
 At Camp Devens, Aver, Mass, for instance, present plans call for three cluhhouses equipped with everything that will attract the men in their hours of liberty. The clubhouses will also meet an urgent need in providing places where the soldiers can greet relatives and friends who come. to visit them. The only places where isitors at Aver can be received now are street corners, a few small hotels and railroad station.
 The state committee in charge of the campaign has invited the various Chambers of Commerce, Rotary clubs and other associations of business mon and the members of the Connecticut Home Guard to cooperate in raising the fund. Contributions can be made these bodies or can be sent direct to the Connecticut treasurer, William F. Whitmore, at the state ca pitOl in Hartford