The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-05-09
GIVE BOYS
FAIR PLAY
This is the Well-Defined
Mission of the Army
Y. NJ. C. A.
WORK AT CHICKAMAUGA
Prof. Drucker Tells of the Evils that
Beset the Young Volunteers
There

Prof. A. P. Drucker of the University
of Idaho, who was on the ground at
Chicakmaugua during the Spanish
American war and is therefore in po-
sition to speak from close personal
observation has this to say in favor
of the work of the army Y. M. c. A.
''The army Y. M. c. A. has made an
appeal to the people of the state of
Idaho to contribute $4,000 for its work
in the camps of the American army.
This appeal deserves our most whole
hearted response and invokes our
profoundest solicitude. 1t is made by
an organization tried and true, which
has already demonstrated its ability
and its efficiency in this kind of work.
We are all familiar with the fine
work done by the Y M. c. A. at home
in time of peace. Comparatively few,
however, are aware of the even more
significant work it has done and is
doing in the army camps in war times.
A few brief illustrations will make
this clear.
In War With Spain
when the Spanish-American war
was declared the greater portion of
the soldiers were placed in camps in
the South, in order to accustom them
to the warm climate of Cuba, Porto
Rico, and the Philippines. In Chicka-
mauga alone most of us still remem-
ber, the feelings of mitigation that |
swept over this country on account |
Of the tremendous death rate that
prevailed among the boys" in the (
army camps. Yet little or nothing
vas said very few cared or dared
,ay) that a large number of those who
lied at Chickamauga for instance,
we're the victims of the power of dark
less that were let loose upon the
;oung, careless, and reckless young
nen there. Chickamauga park was
on every side by the most
nsidious immortality. Places were
,pened in Lytle and around Chatta-
looga which for shameless, unspeak-
BILE viciousness outdid all we read
# similar Japanese neighborhoods.
Blocks the InrOads of Evil
And these places were the only {
Des where a tired, homesick young /;
elbow could go for rest and recrea-
ion. 1t was not until the Y. NJ. C. A.
uts were established in the park, that
he destructive agencies met with SER
;us competition. The Y. NJ c. A.
ut did everything it could possibly
0 to attract the soldiers to place
here they could spend a few hours
the day in decent rest and recrea-
on. The rooms were inviting, provid-
lg the almost forgotten home luxury
chairs and tables; there were
ames, daily and weekly papers, books,
nd magazines; concerts. lectures,
Id religious exercises took place eve r
ngs. In the short time that these ;,
NJ c. A. huts stood they rendered
e soldiers more service than all the
'otests and INDICATION at home in q
ssening the dangers physical and
iritual which menaced the young I
en- of the nation. I
Can Do Great Work !
Similar service, only with wider ex- +
rience and more practised efficiency !.
e army Y. NJ. c. A. rendered our I
ldiers during their recent sojourn on +
e Mexican border. And other in ].
ances might be cited where amid the +
structive forces of war the Y. NJ. I,
A., by doing among the soldiery !.
,rk too long neglected has been as a !.
hit in the darkness to those who have
zen themselves to their country. !.
H. - |