Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-06
MAJOR RICHARD BLAcKMoRE

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 mission as captain on April 23rd. and | was ordered to Fort Benjamin Harri- Sept. 18th he received his commis- sion as major.
 During the latter part of his few Major Blackmore was appointed sani- tary inspector for the part of the camp occupied by the sanitary troops. About Aug. 18th he was appointed Camp, near Rantoul, Illinois. Here he has a hospital under his care and is also commanding officer of the medi cal corps at this post.
 In letter written to a friend Major Blackmore urges such medical men as can to offer their services to the government. Writing of the splendid work the Y. M. c. A. is doing in war camps, Major Blackmore says:
 In order to the more thoroughly ap- preciate the magnitude of the work and the executive ability demanded, let it be remembered that some six weeks or so ago the military establishment doned army post, whereas today there are some 1S,Oo0 or 10000 troops in barracks, cantonments or tents.
 The Y M. c. A. began its work in tents, being assigned a location on the edge of a grove of trees contiguous to the proposed training camp for officers and to the space where the medical reserve corps was to ne. with it's ann bulance companies of enlisted men, in- firmaries and field hospital.
 Today there are two well built wooden buildings Ga third one about half finished), the main halls in which are 115 feet by 40 feet, with apprOpri- ate working offices for the working staff, the purpose being to provide one such building for each 6,00o men. No membership fee is charged. the uni form being the open sesame to what privileges there are.
 These privileges are many. Tables are provided with stationary inl<wells, and abundance of writing paper and envelopes, the only restriction being that unused material be returned and rot left to be wasted or to litter up the room. All the good magazines and current literature are there for the use of the boys, and there is piano. which is much used, as is phonograph, the majority of the records for which be- ing of high class of music.
 Also along this line the circulating library of Indianapolis has placed a number of books at the disposal of the association.
 Athletics are not forgotten, and bas- ketball, baseball, etc, are indulged in in off duty hours, the implements being loaned without charge.
 As a necessary adjunct to the writ ing facilities there is an efficient post office service in an outward direction,
  and the convenience of the parcel post.
 The attendance a week ago was 1,200 and increasing daily, and is now proba bly, more since the institution becomes daily more popular. This at tendance is much augmented on Satur days and Sundays, at which time the walls bulge because of the crowd.
 As to entertainment, every evening there are songs hymns, etc, in which the whole crowd joins, and on Satur- day nights some special form of pro- gram is given, often by very excellent performers. Motion pictures are to be installed very socn.
 On Sunday mornings at S.30 o'clock discussion groups meet, at which every thing under the sun is brought up for comment, including the phychology of this war, and the participation of the United States therein. At 10.30 o'clock there is a regular church service which l is absolutely undenominational: no creeds obtain. no dogma is promulgat- ed. Only clean living. with the ob- servance of the Golden Rule, the Fa- therhood of God and the brotherhood of l man being insisted upon. Much stress | is laid upon the elimination of hate | from the conduct of this war and from 1 the hearts of those who are partici | rating therein.
 At 1 o'clock D. m. more discussion | groups meet, at which the address | given al the morning service is very | freely commented upol and when one l considers the mental development of the majority of those in attendance at | this camp, one very readily appreci- i ates the fact that these discussions are l not exactly perfunctory. At 7.30 p. m | a song service is held at which the | capacity of the building is severely l taxed.
 Besides all the above, 8 committee | has charged itself with the duty of l visiting such men IS may be sick in l hospitals, of which, fortunately, there | are not many. and this visiting is a | daily program.
 In view of the not impossible de- | parture for France of many of those | here being trained, classes in French l have been organized at which the at- | tendance is large and the interest | keen.
 Beyond all else there exists a place l where one may go and be quiee, and in ! the turmoil and multidtudinous activi | ties devolving upon one and all this is | no small matter!