Arizona republican., 1917-10-10
(By A. A. Fisk, Representing War Department Commission on Train
 ing Camp Activities)

For the first time in our history we are sending our soldiers to the battle fields of Europe They are going to represent America's type of democracy. For years America has been teaching the principles of democracy to the world We are now called upon to defend it.
 This war is not going to be won by the wringing of hands nor the waving of flags. This great ideal of human liberty is not going to be called into being by mere magic. The cost is going to be tremendous. We are send ing our best young men to the front and they have responded in true Amer ican style. But what about the envi- ronment of these men while still in this country of the many training camps which the government has es- tablished? What obligation to the home and friends of these men did our government assume when they called these men to the front? This question can be best answered perhaps in the words of Newton D. Baker, secretary of war:
 "Our responsibility in this matter is not open to question. We cannot all low these young men, most of whom will have been drafted to service, to be surrounded by a vicious and demor- aliZing environment, nor can we leave anything undone which will protect them from unhealthy influences and crude forms of temptation. Not only have we an unacceptable responsibility in this matter to the families and con- munities from which these young men are selected but, from the standpoint of our duty and our determination tC create an efficient army, we are bound as a military necessity, to do every thing in our power to promote the health and conserve the vitality of tho l men in the training camps.
 T am determined that our new train l ing camps. as we'll as the surrounding zones within an effective radius, shal not be places of temptation and peril To this end the army and navy have | both appointed commissions on train. | ing camp activities. It is the purpose 1 of these commissions to carry out | constructive social and recreationa i program. The civilian must share il 1 this responsibility. His brother or sor may have been called to the front. Tn, | government has asked for his coop eration. You may be called upon tt | give little of your time and a littl' I of your means. Yes, we know you hay, been called upon before. In every case too. you got more than you paid for You are being asked now to join hand | with those men who are going to tn, l front, so help make their sacrifice 1 worth while. This is not the time fo l argument and procrastination. This i
 the time for action and decision
 The work of the war departmen
 commission is divided into thre divisions.
 1. The Y. M. c. A. has been aske,
 to assume charge of certain activitie
 within the camps. They have erecte
 buildings, have placed these building
 in charge of trained men, The Knight
 of Columbus and the Young Men
 Hebrew association have also been as
 signed to a similar work within tn
 camps. They are all doing excellen
 work
 2. To another department of thi
 commission is assigned the task (
 vice suppression. This work is bein
 carried on in very efficient manner
 It has in some cases been necessar