The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-05
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
GNFORMATION BUREAU
By FREDERIC J. HAsKIN, Director.
Washington, D. @.
AFTER DRILL IN THE TRAINING
CAMPS.
H-"Smileage."


chosen for the books of admission
coupons to the sixteen Liberty thea
ters'' that he is building in the can
ltonments of the national army. Each
coupon will represent 5 cents worth
of amusement at these theaters, and
the smileage books will be on sale not
only at the sixteen environments but
at stores thruout the country, SO that
every American may present his or
her soldier friends with the oppor-
tunity to smile.
This provision of theatrical amuse-
ment for the soldiers is another ele-
ment in the well laid plans of the
commission on training camp activi-
ties, which has the great response
bility of providing for the soldiers
welfare after his day of drill and
study is over. The work of this COM
mission is not merely to amuse the
soldiers and provide them with exer-
else. The big military purpose for
which it was created is to protect the
fighting men from the disease and
decentralization which necessarily
threaten every army-for that matter
every great body of men cut off sud
denly from the ties and associations
of their usual lives In Europe many
Regiments have suffered more from
Venereal disease than from shell fire.
The commission has taken very
positive steps to prevent any such cal
amity in this country. The legal and
medical aspects of the problem, its
bearing on civilian life, will be taken
up in future articles. But the athletic
teams and theaters, the picture shows
and concerts are the constructive
Implement of this legal and medical
work. Not only is the American SOL
der to be safeguarded against dis
ease; but he is to be given healthy and
worth while diversions to take the
place of those that might lead him in
to exposure. By meaQs of the system
of athletics described in the last arti-
Gle, his afternoons will be filled with
healthful play, and by means of Mare
Klaw and his liberty theaters and
srnileage books, the soldier is going to
have first class show before him
every week.
In addition to the liberty theaters
there is in every one of the great
camps an, auditorium provided by the
Young Mems Christian association,
where moving picture shows of the
highest class will be given every other
evening. Alternate evenings are pur-
posely left open in order that the men
may organize amusements for them
selves. Soldier glee clubs and soldier
dramatic troupes are expected to take
over the auditoriumS on many OF these
evenings. George NJ. Conan, Irving
Berlin and a famous minstrel show
man, whose name has not yet been
divulged, have promised their aid in
promoting these amateur theatr1calS
They will not only write scenarios and
songs for the soldiers, but will visit
the cantonments and give of their SER
vices as managers and producers
The event of every week at every
cantonment, however, will be the pro-
duction at the Liberty theater. 1t is
assured that the recruits of the ma
tional army will have chance TO see
the best actors and actresses and the
| best productions in America Inc
names of the stage folk VINO Will ap-
near at the cantonments have not yet
been announced; but 1t is known that
among them will be Maude Adams
who will devote her Sunday evenings
to playing Twelfth Night" before the
soldiers, and Harry Lauder, VINO VIII
sing for them.
All in all, the soldiers will see every
thing from grand opera to vaudeville
and moving pictures. Each show VIII
run one week in each cantonment, so
that every man will have chance 10
attend. The admission prices will
break all records. In the face or
rising price of amusement, the best
seats will cost only a quarter, or i've
smileage coupons, and Will scale Gown
in price to ten cents. The seats will be
wooden benches, and every seat will
be reserved. A special section will be
set aside for officers in each theater,
provided the demand for tickets
makes this possible. but the enlisted
man will always be given first call
on the space.
All of the sixteen Liberty Theaters
will be exactly alike, and they are de-
signed in every way to make the pro-
duction of the shows inexpensive, yet
complete. Each theater will have its
own complete set of stocks, drops,
wings and scenery, so that the COM
panies playing for the soldiers will not
have to carry a heavy baggage of
properties about with them.
The principal performance will be
given by four vaudeville companies
and four dramatic companies, which
alone will insure at least one show
every week in every cantonment. The
vaudeville companies are being organ
lied by Mr.. E. F. AIbee of the Keith
Circuit, and will include many of the
best known vaudeville stars. Each of
these companies as well as the
dramatic companies will be in charge
of a special civilian manager repre-
senting the commission; and there will
also be a civilian manager for each
of the theaters. Mr.. Klaw will be
further aided in his work by a Citi-
zens Committee and an Advisory
Committee of Theatrical Managers.
In a word a large part of the the
atrical and managerial talent of
America is going to have a hand in
this gigantic plan to help the soldier
pass his evenings.
Incidentally, he will be allowed to
| help himself just as much as he is
able. Not only will amateur theatri-
! Gals be encouraged by expert aid, but
the personnel of every cantonment
will be canvassed for men with ex-
perience in any branch of the theatre
cal business. It is believed that many
stage hands, electricians and probably
some actors will be found among the
| the soldiers. and the services of these
will expedite the productions and low
/ er their cost.
a special problem is presented by
Camp Lewis. which, being on the Pa
ciffc coast, is out of reach of the reg
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