The Tupelo journal., 1917-10-19
WAR CAMP COMMUNITY RECRE.
ALTON WORK.

AL the SUGGESTION OI IIeSluSlI
Wilson the directors of the Young
Mems Business Club of Tupelo have
been called on to get their orgaiza-
ton behind a campaign to raise a ma
tional fund for War Camp Commune
ty Recreation work. The purpose of
this is to inspire the men, increase
the efficiency and help develop the
fighting spirit of the American armed
forces. Features Of this big work in
clude the providing of wholesome,
healthy environment in the commu-
mites surrounding the ninety or more
training camps and posts.
John N. WHY'S, of Toledo, auto
mobile and aeroplane manufacturer,
appointed jointly by Secretary of
War Baker and Secretary of the Ma
Wy Daniels as chairman of the ma
tional committee on the War Camp
Community Recreation Fund, has
written a letter to each of the follow
ing, asking their assistance in this
vitality important war work: l.. G.
Milan, Dave Harkey, M. M. Foster,
Rex Reed and w. E. Ballard.
The public, it is pointed out, must
be made to realize that they must
help to win the war. The sfirst VIC
tories" will be won in America, and
will depend on the way in which those
who stay at home receive, welcome
and hearten the men who are ready
to bleed and die that democracy may
live. The work for the soldiers and
sailors in the communities outside
the camps, should not be confused
with what is being done for their en-
~tertainment and recreation by the Y.
M. C. A, the Knights of Columbus,
the Y. NJ. H. A., and in other ways
during their leisure hours in camp.
Mr.. WHY'S summarizes the big
purpose of the War Camp Community
Recreation Fund when he says
1.-THE spirit of the new American
army is to be made in the next few
months. Mere numbers do not make
an army; millions. of soldiers who
lack the fighting spirit can retreat
without a struggle. The American
boys must know that the finest ideals
of civilization are in their hands;
that the folks at home are living and
fighting in their hearts.
Imagine your boy at a training
camp" he says. "Where shall he go
and what shall he do when off duty?
The cities, big and little, adjacent
to the camps will do their best; but
without the aid of a national fund
it will be impossible to supply the
equipment and the trained personal
service necessary to make a recrea-
ton system a thorough success.
at is planned to furnish enlisted
men hospitality in local social circles,
to promote wholesome amusement in
public places, to supply buildings,
swimming pools, ETC., and to prevent
the exploitation of the boys by COM
m~ercialized attractions of an unde-
sirable sort"
President Wilson, in a letter which
Mr.. WHY'S enclosed with each of his
communications, says of the commu-
nifty service:
'The spirit with which our SOL
diers leave America, and their eff
cheney on the battle fronts of Eu-
rope, will be vitality affected by the
character of the environment sur
rounding u military training
camps"
Commenting on the acceptance by
Mr.. WHY'S of the national chairman
ship of the War Camp Community
Recreation Fund, President Wilson
said:
Mr.. Fosdick tells me that you
have agreed to accept the chairman
ship of the War Camp Community
Recreation Fund, and | am writing to
express my appreciation of your will
ingness to serve, as well as my hopes
that the work of you and your col
leagues will meet with every success"
Prominent members serving on the
committee with Mr.. WHY'S are:
Samuel B. Botsford, Buffalo, N.
Y, chairman War Service Commit
tee, International Association of Ro-
tary Clubs.
Mrs. Josiah Evans Cowles, Los
Angeles, Cal, president, General
Federation of Women's Clubs.
Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Philadelphia,
Pa, publisher Saturday Evening Post,
Ladies Home Journal and Country
Gentleman.
VIM. Darcy, st. Louis, Mo-, presi-
dent Associated AdvartiSino Cluhs of