The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-09-27
Why $l,O0O,OOO for
Library War Fund?

Delng made ready to go to France. In
a few weeks our new army will be
quartered in twirty-two environments
and numerous training camps. Hun
dreds of thousands of vigorous, active,
earnest Americans have been suddenly
snatched from life of civil liberty,
and as suddenly plunged into a new
life OF military restraint without any OF
the pleasures or diversions of their
former surroundings.
The cantonments and training
camps are to great extent isolated,
and in nearly every instance they are
lar removed from the home states of
the troops to be assembled. The gov
eminent will see that nothing is lack
ing in equipment and material to make
the new soldiers efficient fighting men.
But all of their time will not be re.
qulred for training and drill. Some
provision must be made for their
hours of leisure.
In establishing these environments
and training camps, the war depart
ment has taken careful precaution to
remove every dangerous influence
common to military camps of the past
But this is not enough. The war de-
partment recognized the danger which
would arise from suddenly denying
these young men practically every
pleasure that had entered into their
civil lives, and thus leaving them with
nothing to fill in their leisure hours.
Therefore, the United States govern.
ment asks those who stay at home to
help make the life of these boys a lit
tie brighter by supplying the means to
furnish them good books for their
dull and lonesome periods.
According to the plans of the war
department, each camp or cantonment
is to be real city, the average popu.
lation being 100000 to $4,000 men. Pro-
vision has been made for pOstofices,
churches, Office buildings, and even
banks. Only libraries are needed, and
these the relatives and other. friends
OF the soldiers are asked to provide.
Every Soldier and Sailor to Have
Books
The field to be covered by the libra
ries embraces the widest range, in
Guiding service for recruits, for men
in training, for men being modified,
for men in garrisons, for men in their
rest periods while on the march, and
even for the men at the front The
libraries will serve the crippled and
manned men returned from service,
wounded soldiers, interned groups and
prisoners Of war, men awaiting the
muster-out, sailors in shipboard, and
sailors at the various naval stations.
Not a man in any branch of Uncle
Sans war service must be neglected
A careful survey of the entire field
has determined that one dollar is the
amount necessary for the purchase,
maintenance and circulation of one
book. One dollar, it is figured, will
furnish a book, keep it in circulation
until it is worn out, replace it when re.
tired for physical disability, AMI all the
time pay share of the expense of
properly housing and caring for these
libraries in the various camps. One
dollar apiece from the stay-at-homes
will give to those who are fighting our
battles mite of the pleasure they
crave, relieve the pangs of homesick.
ness and lonesomeness, keep them in
touch with the life they have vacated,
and bring to them inspiration and en-.
couragement. ..
1t will be of interest to know that
every person who gives to the library
war fund will have his or her name in.
scribed upon d book plate in the front
Of one of the books which goes to the
environments, each contribution of 81
emitting the donor to book plate.
This fund is to be raised during the
week beginning Sept. "a. A local
committee is in charge of the cam
paign in Valley City. You can assist
greatly. by sending your check direct
ly to Miss Helen M. Crane, librarian
of the Normal library, rather than
waiting to be seen by members of the
committee. Lodges, clubs, and church
organizations are asked to contribute
as we'll as individuals. e.. ..
1t amt the guns nor armament, nor
fund that they can pay, r.
But the close cooperation that makes
them win the day.
1t amt the individual nor the army as
whole,
But the everlastin' teamwork of every
blOOmin' soul.
-Rudyard Kipling.