Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-21

smilers to go around 1t is not wise to give
than three thousand leave at time. But
there are numerous ways of entertaining those WI"
have to stay at home. The Liberty theaters, which
going to open Christmas, and the Y. NJ
c. A. auditoriums, and the two large Chautauqua
tents in every camp will accommodate about all or
the men that stay home.
And the entertainments at these places
planned with full understanding of the soldier
psychology They not designed primarily to
improve the mind--although they may do that, too.
They are intended primarily to divert, to make a
man laugh, thrill and forget himself. They offer
such plays as Cheating Cheaters," such operas as
80, Boy lecturer who wanted to discourse to
these young disciples of the arts of destruction
Kindness to Birds did not get a chance. And
the refusal was reflexion upon the desirability
of being kind to birds, either.
The experience of those who are concerned
with entertaining the soldiers seems to show that
the modern warrior is good deal like the warriors
of all other ages. Singing, dancing, feasting and
good fellowship whatehe Graves. For that mat
ter, who doesn't Sem? They for all of
the natural reactions from the serious and dull
things in fe and the soldiers reaction is greater
because what he faces Is serious and his daily
routine is more dull than in most civilian occupa-
tions.
Lots of interesting experiments in promoting
good fellowship being tried at the camps At
of them a college night held Standards
were erected bearing the names of alma matters"
for the men to rally round. Old friendships were
renewed-friendships that might otherwise have y
been forgotten-and the evening ended in an ear
splitting burst of competitive yelling of college yes
and singing of college songs.
Not all the good fellowship is between men who
have come of similar environments and social ira
ditions either. For example the captain of a
pany wanted chauffeur. young enlisted
who had followed that calling applied for the place.
and with him came friend and boon companion.
anxious for his success.
How do I know you are a good chauffeur" the
captain demanded '"Can you give any recommen-
dations?'
at can testify to the fact that he is a darn good
chauffeur" put in the friend. "He drove my car
for three years"
This aggregation of unassorted humanity In
khaki-this gigantic shufflng of the nations man
hoods bringing forth a good deal of such proof
that neither in ability, in taste and manner
people as different as they pretend to be-
Perhaps the greatest stimulus to good fellow
ship of all is the practice of community singing.
The men are enthusiastic about it First officers
are trained, and then they train their men. For
the big "song tests" as many as four thousand
voices are sometimes brought together, and the
resultant music has something of the volume and
quality of a great organ. So contagious Is the
spell of this singing that people Of nearby communt
ties have asked to be allowed to take part in it;
and there have been held some great gatherings at
which soldiers sailors and marines merged their
voices in the old songs that anyone can sing.