Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-29

quartered in 80 cantonments and
numerous training camps.
Hundreds Of thousands of vigorous,
active, earnest Americans have been
suddenly snatched from a life of civil
liberty and as suddenly plunged into a
new life OF military restraint without
any Of the pleasures. or entertainment
of their former surroundings.
The cantonments and training
camps are to great extent isolated,
and in nearly every instance they are
far removed from the home states OF
the troops to be assembled.
The government will see that moth
ing is lacking in equipment and ma
terial to make the new soldiers ef-
ficlent fighting men.
But all of their time will not be re-
quired 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 Depart
ment recognized the danger that might
arise Il the lives of these young men
were suddenly changed to a point
where they were denied practically
every pleasure :nat had entered into
their civil life.
Therefore, the United States gov
erameut Though the Library wa,
council asks those who stay at home
to help make tho life OF these bows g.
little 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 10 be a real city, the average popu.
iation being 10000 to $4,000 mo-.
Provision has been made for most a..
fices, churches. Office buildings an.
even banks. Only libraries are need.
ed' and these the relatives and othe,
friends Of the soldiers are asked pv the
Library War Council to provide
The Library War Council, after a.
care1ul survey of the entire field into
which its efforts must be directed tn
make Tor complete success of the I'M
oerfaklng. has determined that one
ooliar is the amount necessary for the
purchase. maintenance and circulation
OF one book, and that at least one
million dollars will be needed to give
every American soldier everywhere the
companionship of books. One dollar
~ Is Inquired, will furnish book. keen
II IN circulation until it is worn out
ana replace it when retired for phvsi.
cal disability. One dollar apiece from,
the stay-at-home will give to those
VINO are fighting our battles a mite Of
'ne pleasure they crave, relieve the
pangs Of inconsistencies and lonesome
ness keep them in touch with the life
'ncy nave vacated, and bring to them
inspiration and encouragement.
| The field to be covered hv Tho u
orarles embraces the widest range. IN
Guiding service for recruits. for ma,
IN training, for men In mobilization
sarrlsons, outposts, for the mon !,
their rest periods, while on the march
and even for the men at the front
| Inc libraries will serve the crinn,ed
ana manned men returned from, ser,,
ice wounded soldiers and prisoners Of
war men awaiting the muster-o
sailors on shipboard, and sailors At the
various naval stations-not q ma, :,
any branch of Uncle Sans service :.
to be neglected.
snail we not take as much care n
provide our soldiers with the right sort
OF books as with the right sort of foos,
we cannot depend entirely upon con.
trlputions of books from the private
hprafies OF our people. Experience
mas SHOWN that the selection of such
DOCKS is too often carelessly made and
Is apt to contain an undue proportion
OF books which have outlived +,e,r
usefulness.
Inc soldier in camp needs fresh. en-.
pertaining and attractive books even
more than those who stay at HON.
Good books are one of the few com
forts of home which we can send to
MIN. Therefore they must be care
fully selected to appeal to every mind
They must include books which are
amusing and entertaining. books
which are instructive and educational,
and books which will give help and
comfort.
Who will deny these soldiers who
are going to fight our fight the great
good and the great pleasure these
books Will bring?
million dollars is needed for this
great worthless than a dollar for each
soldier in the service. Will YOU not
make one soldier happy by giving a
dollar to this Library War Fund?
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