New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
THF CHAPERONING OF SOLDIERS SAILORS AND GIRLS

The question is, What are you going to do
about it? We don't want to take away from
these girls altogether their one peep into the
land of dreams and romance; we don't want to
take away the one bright spot in the gray dull
ness of their lives.
There is only one answer. Let's give them
clubs, where they can meet these wonderful
beings in MILDLY blouses and khaki and hear
their stories and songs; where they can dance
if they wish, and where light refreshments can
be had for a nominal sum, so that they will
not be obliged to go to a so-called 'ice cream
parlor" or chop suey restaurant.
There are few clubs of this kind which are
crowded to overlooking every afternoon and
evening, the most popular being those at the
Vacation Headquarters, 80 West Thirty-ninth
Street, and at the National League for Wom-
ems Service, 257 Madison Avenue. But these
are frequented by different class of girls
from that to which our little friend Sadie for
instance, belongs. These girls are mostly the
better class of business girls well educated
and prosperous, among whom girl like Sadie
would be as out of place as if she were at a
Junior League party.
The settlements try to look after the needs
of these girls, but there are not enough set
Elements to go around. Girl after girl with
whom we talked the other evening made the
same reply:
"Tell US somewhere to go to mset these
boys, and we'd be glad to go. We don't like
to stay out in the parks these cold nights, but
where can we go?"
TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
But, after all, the girl problem is one that
We have always with US, although it has grown
vastly in Importance since the advent Of the
army and navy in our midst. There are
score of associations and societies who under
take to cope with this. But the protection and
the entertainment of our soldiers and sailors
is new problem, and one which not only from
the personal standpoint but from a patriotic
point Of view we cannot afford to ignore.
Please don't think for a minute that I'M
derestimate what is being done for these men
already. / know of number of homes right
here in this city whose libraries are thrown
open every evening to any uniformed man who
cares to go there. There is a big wood fire,
comfortable easy chairs, books and periodicals,
bowl filled with cigarettes, and during the
evening hot coffee and sandwiches are served
by the butler.
| could also tell you Of hundreds Of homes
which are to be thrown open on Thanksgiving
and Christmas to the boys of our army and
navy. ! could tell you Of parties taken TO the
Hippodrome and the other theatres, Of mo-
tor rides into the country and "rubber-neck
the sights of the ci.::'.
There are clubs, too, four in different parts
of the city, known as National Service Clubs.
The Navy Club, on Fifth Avenue, is filled to
capacity every evening, these for any man in
uniform. Then there are the nightly parties
at Vacation Headquarters, and at the National
League for Women's Service, where the girls
of skirts" But there must be more and still
more of these.
England has what are known as Comrade
Clubs, which have been a great success. These
are working girls clubs, organized and run by
the girls themselves. with consulting board
composed Of older women. Here the uniform
is the open sesame, and all sorts of entertain
ments are given to the fighting men,
Why not start the same sort of scheme
here? We must provide places where these
lonesome souls can meet skirts" (the right
kind of skirts) and be given clean, wholesome
entertainment if we are to send these boys
away in fighting trim, clean of mind, clean Of
hddv nd rlaap If prorals