New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
Reading ROOM Canteen French Classes Music and
Dancing Provided by Patriotic Ne70 York
Women for Our Sea Protectors

grateful that mother was for the letter which
reached her on Monday morning?
FRENCH CLASSES WELL ATTENDED
Besides these Saturday and Sunday recep-
tions, the National League for Women's Ser
vice has started French class, which meets
every evening, and which is largely attended.
The great desire of all these boys is to be able
to converse in French, and the quickness with
which they learn is remarkable.
A short time ago | received note from one
of the officers of the Vacation Association.
Wont you come in on Wednesday night"
it read, "and help us entertain our bluejackets?
It's our weekly dance, and great fun"
1t was great fun" and fun of the incest,
most wholesome sort. Here l saw the Jolly
Jack Tar" at his best. At the other places he
was a comparatively quiet member of society,
but here at the Vacation Association he was in
his merriest mood. Surrounded by pretty girls
in fluffy summer frocks, he danced and sang
and made merry to his hearts content 1t
was JOY to see him.
went in late, when the party was at its
height. A pianist of untiring strength and a
intermission, the most inspiring dance music
and the rooms were crowded with dancers,
every man in uniform.
A WELCOME FOR OUR ALLIES, TOO
There were a half-dozen or more French
sailors, who Miss Robinson Smith, the presi-
dent of the association, had met on the street
as she was on her way to the party, and who
she had invited to come. One could see that
it was red letter day for them; they fairly
beamed with joy as they chartered gayly in
their own language with some of the girls
who understood and who they pivoted through
a waltz in the real French way.
There was a wonderfully wholesome atmos-
phere about the party, no "twOsing" or spoon
ing in corners, but every one joining in the
fun. There was nothing of that depressing
social settlement" feeling which would kill
any party. Miss Robinson Smith in happy
little speech welcomed the boys and extended
the hospitality of the club.
This is the girls club" she said, "and every
girl is hostess. They are bully girls and we
are glad to have them know such bully boys
as you are" She mentioned an excursion TO
Coney Island which had been planned for the
following Sunday, and which was to start from
the club.
IF you want to call on any of our girls, or
if you want to take them out in the evening"
don't meet them around the corner or at the
drug store. Come here and get them" she con-
cluded, amid wild applause.
Besides the dancing there were games and
refreshments, iced drinks and cigarettes, and,
last but by no means least fortune teller,
whose success was epoch-making. Yes, it was
indeed good party!
HOPE FOR A PERMANENT SAILORS
CLUB
Brooklyn, as one might imagine, is perfect
hotbed of entertainments for the navy boys.
Mrs. Maude Garfield, chairman of the Brook
Ign Committee Of the Women's Branch of the
Navy League, is untiring in her efforts to help
and entertain the boys.
There has been series of theatre parties,
the local manager giving the seats and the
Navy League women furnishing transporta-
tion in their own cars and giving chewing gum
and cigarettes to their guests. A committee
visits the boys in the Naval Hospital and an
automobile committee takes the convaescents
out for drives.
The great ambition Of these women, how
ever, is to establish permanent Sailors Club
near the navy yard. A house has been Sc
ected for this purpose and the first 81 900 has
been given. So. if you have boy in the navy
or your friend has boy in the navy, step up
and help in securing for him a comfortable,
cheerful club home where he can rest or play
after the hardships of his training.
And please don't forget that whatever you
do for the boys of our navy is merely part pay
ment for what they are doing for you!