Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-10-31

religious poundSJ operating IN the
armies of every nation now at war
with the exception of the Turkish,
the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation is one of the few organiza-
tions offering the soldier gratut-
Gus services. Its work is limited
only by the bounds Ct the possible,
and its value to the men in the field
in inestimabls, both in its direct
and in its psychological effects to
the men in khaki.
Roughly speaking. the Y M. c. AS
activities may be divided INTO three
classes. recreationaL educational and
religious. Just which of the three is
of the most benefit to the men of the
army is difficult to ascertain, but a
popular vote among the soldiers would
undoubtedly decide unanimously in ia
for of the first mentioned, as recrea-
ton is as essential to the soldiers well
fare as is sleep.
1t is especially vital need in the
training camp, more so, in fact, than
in any other part of the army life where
the work is limited to the daily grind,
with none of the excitement of the bat
tie to alleviate the monotony of the
routine.
Work on the Border.
During the nine months of last year,
while the national guard of the country
was encamped at the Mexican border,
the Y. M. G. A. spent more than $780,
600 for the maintenance of places Of
amusement and writing rooms for the
citiz soldiers, approximately three
dollars for every man under the colors.
The present program calls for stu
pendous expenditure. A whirlwind
campaign for thirty five millions of
dollars will be opened on Nvember II.
to last a week. the entire proceeds of
which will be spent on the soldiers of
the United States and her allies.
Call for Needed Funds.
Pennsylvania's quota has been fixed
at three and a half millions. OF the
thirty five, eleven million will be spent
on the soldiers of the United States
in this. country, twelve on our soldiers
in France, three and a half on the sol
diers of the Russian ~rmy, two and
half of those of the French one ON the
italian, aid one on the prisoners in the
various war camps.
Five millions have already been sub
gcribed and will be included with the
total of the Y M. C. AS November
drive.
Spending $4,000 a Month at Camp
Hancock.
Upon the soldiers of the Keystone
state alone, encamped at the Georgia
Gantonment, the expenditures of the as
ISOLATION last month amounted to $4,000
not including the movies, entertain
ments, or supplies, which are paid for
by the New York office.
At present there are five Y M. c, A.
shacks at Camp Hancock, costing $4,000
apiece. and one large tent. Plans for
the erection of several additional
shacks are being rushed, and they will
4 As
it possible. Each is supplied with
piano, talking machine, stereopticon,
moving picture machine, and a COM
plete athletic outfit, basketball, foot
ball and baseball sets, costing $3.50
apiece.
Each week there are at least four
teen moving picture shows given at the
camp free, in addition to entertain
ments and lectures. The secretaries
endeavor to furnish some kind of en-
tertainment every night for the boys in
khaki, and the crowds that attend fur
nish an unanswerable indication of
their appreciation.
Six expert physical instructors have
been detailed to the camp to look after
the men of the 18th division, and al
though the strong, straight forms of
Pennsylvania fighting sons make their
POSITIONS almost Superfluous, they find
piSuiy " OCS0PS tlASit Ll11lS do dlIIIct4C
directors.
A comprehensive educational system
has been put into effect at the camp.
There are now more than tW~lve hun /
bred men studying French, under COM
petent instructors, and it is planned to
increase the range of the classes until
every man in the division may study
the course. Glasses for pronotional
examinations are also being held, so
that the ambitious enlisted man may
prepare himself for the responsibilities
of the shoulder bars, and be prepared
to step into the commissioned ranks
when the opportunity presents itself.
A great deal of trouble has been ex-
perienced in some of the upstate reg
iments with the foreign elements whose
grasp of English is so slight that they
are unable to understand the com
mands of their superior officers. For
these an English course has been insti
tuted, and already the benefits are
making themselves shown. I
A Chautauqua Circuit.