Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-16
CRONKH|TE APPROVES
Of WAR LIBRARY FUND
Commandant of Camp Lee Writes
Letter to State Librarian
McIlwnine.
MEN IN CAMP WANT TO READ
Have Many Idle Hours After Drill
When Books and Magazines. Are
in Great Demand-Virginia Be-
hind in Sum Assigned This State.

Indorsing the project Of the Amcri-
can Library Association to raise ST.
100000 for libraries at the different
army camps and environments. Major
General Adclbert Cronkhite. command
ant CT Camp Lee. writes DR. II. r. Nc
ilwainc. State librarian. that your ac-
tivitics meet with my earnest ap-
prevail. and ! can likewise assure you
that l know of no other means OF
entertainment which will be moro ben
ciicial to the earnest minded men who
predominant" in the various camps
throughout the United States"
General Cronkhite's letter came in
answer to DIR. McIlwaincs inquiry as
20 his opinion OF the worth OF the
project undertaken by the association.
OF the 100000 TO be raised. s25.0CO
has been apportioncd TO Virginia. This
amount was TO have bean raised before
october l. DIR. McIlwaine yesterday
stated that only about $4,000 had been
pledged to his office. Consequently
the time has been extended. y strong
effort will be made during the next
few weeks to arouse NirE inians to the
need OF liberal response TO the assoc
cations appeal
GENERAL CRoNKIIITE
WRITES HIS ENDORSEMENT
General Cronkh:te's letter reads:
Any question as to the value OF the
activities which constitute the object
OF your association can only prove Sc
riouSlT detrimental TO the welfare OF
the men who arc now being assembled
IN all parts OF TIE United States Not
only will opposition to your project
interfere with their welfare IN this
country. but Il will likewise deprive
them OF the recreation which will prove
so beneficial during their service with
out the limits OF the United States.
However intensive the training de-
mandcd Of these men. there must nee
cSSarily be certain periods of relax
alton, certain periods when. IL there
be not attractions within the cam
tn" men Will seek other amusemcnts
not necessarily beneficial in their char
actcr 1t is, and has been. the effort
of all societies involved in uplIft work
TO provide healthy. sane amusement for
our ren. 50 that the necessity TO 70
without the limits OF the comman,.
FOR entertainment OF any kind may not
exist. You will please note that in al,
cases, II has proven necessary, and las
possibly been the desire of the gen.
,rti government. TO remove these
cairps from the vicinity OF large cities
to provide for better control Of the
men, when relieved from direct mill.
iary authority. This necessity has
caused the location OF the camps in the
vicinity OF the smaller cities and
towns. and generally we'll removed
from them. Under any circumstance,
these smaller towns provide very lin
tied amusement and entertainment for
sucl: large bouies of men. IN fact. there
are very few cit'cs within tho United
states where healthy amusement could
be provided for such vast numbers. and
we must therefore, as far as possible,
he Sclf-contained
Il can assure you that your activi-
ties meet with my earnest approval
and | can like wise assure you that !
know of no other means Of entertain
ment which w!ll he more beneficial TO
the earnest minded men who predomi-
nate in the various camps through
out the United States Any man who
is avcrse TO the accomplishment Of
your purpose. whatever his function in
life. has not the welfare of young
American manhood honestly at heart
Il hope that your efforts may meet
with every success. and ] can assure
YOU that the results Of your efforts
VIII be most warmly welcomed at
canp Lee