The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-12
LOCAL COMMISSION
ASSISTS SOLDIERS
! Shortly for Benefit Of Visitors
From Camp Ice.

A striking illustration of the eff
cient work that is being performed By
the Richmond commission on train
ing camp activities came to light last
night in a case involving boy ir
khaki ar Camp Lee and an anxious
mother at Uniontown. Pa.
G. II. winfrey, secretary OF the
Richmond commission, recently caus-
ed the publication in several Pennsyi-
vania papers, among them one ir
Uniontown. of an article telling Of the
service that the commission expected
to render enlisted men at Camp Lee
THE article was read by the mother tn
question, who Immediately wrote the
secretary. Stating that her son was in
the hosritai and that she was desirious
OF obtaining some personal news OF
him.
| Secretary Winfrey at once communi-
Gated with Mrs. G.. r. w Kern. presi-
dent OF The Godmothers' league, who
went to Camp Lee to make inquiries.
News of the young soldiers condition
was obtained and Mrs. Kern reported
back tn the secretary. This informa-
ton was forwarded to the Pennsyl-
van:a city without delay. Yesterday
Secretary Winfrey received a call at
the commissions headquarters, at 607
East Grace street. from a feminine
lrelattve OF the young man, who in
formed him that she had come on to
Richmond in responae to his letter.
Secretary Winfrey placed the young
woman aboard train for Petersburg,
with definite Instructions regarding
the proper officer to see at the camp.
He gave her the address of r. W. c.
\. association. In case she was COM
PEELED to spend the night, and arrang-
cd that sho was TO return to the Y.
w, c. A in this city in case she was
unable to secure accommodations.
Spacious cluhrooms viii be opened
shortly by the local commission for
the benefit of weekend visitors from
Camp Lee. or for those who come at
anv time. In anticipation OF the open
ing of the club the association was
anxious to ascertain as definitely as
possible how many soldiers come here
for the weekend. Through an ar
ngement with Scout Executive weav-
err. Secretary Winfrey posted Boy
Scouts at the various railroad stations
to count the number OF men in khaki
who arrived and departed Saturday
be known until the reports made by
the Scouts have been checked up
1T II surprising" said Secretary
Winfrey. how many calls we receive
from mothers who are anxious to en-
terrain soldiers from Camp Lee over
Sunday. In many cases these women
have sons with the Blues at Admission.
I hey tell us that the rooms which their
boys used to occupy present such ar
empty appearance and that their
homes are so deserted without their
sons tFat the, are always glad to en-
seTtain visitor from camp.
In this way we ar g able TO prompt
r. out tire so'tterg anxf0Cs FOR Il roucr-
OF home life in communication with
people ready to entertain them. The
calls for service If this character
are becoming more and moro fire.
qur'ut."
II. d. c, McLachian IN chairman of
this Richmond commission and IT. A.
Cary and w. r. Meredith are vice.
chairmen. Walter Holiday Is treas
orfr. Ex-offscio members are Major
General Cronkhite. Mayor Ainslic and
T. 6. Settle. rerreser tative OF the war
department commission on training
camp activities