El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-06-27
FOR
TROOPS HERE
Chamber of Commerce Di-
rectors Make Plans in
Event Troops Come.

Recreation for the soldiers in the
event that large number are sta
toned here. was the main subject dis
cussed by the board of directors of the
FL Paso chamber of Commerce. at its
regular meeting Tuesday evening.
Cecil c. North. representing the
Playground Association of America,
appeared before the directors and as
serted that he was not asking for
anything more than had been done
here unless some considerable number
of troops should be located here. He
said when he started for Ell Paso. it
was with the idea thai a canJonmeRI
would be located here. but since ar
irving he had been assured definitely
that this would not be the case. How
ever, in the event of the concentca-
here for training units of the regular
army, he thought some provision
should be made to take care of the
men down town
What Is Needed.
He thought for a division Of men,
much space as the roof and the two
top floors Of the new Aronstein-Stev |
ems building, on the corner of San 4
Francisco and Santa Fe streets. He
lulS SAtOAAQ De FURNISHED Win
reading rooms, pool and billiard ia
bles. bowling alleys, baths ard, per 1
haps, some dormitories. Such a rec
reation center, he said, would act as
deterrent against the vicious at /
fractions to the soldiers in the city. He 1
said he would remain here indefi-
niteIy to give his services TO the citi-
zens if they were needed. The Play
ground Association of America is
paying his expenses. he said. this as
ISOLATION having been asked by the
war department to take over all rec
reation plans in cities near training
camps. just as the Y. NJ c a has been
asked to take over the work in the
camps.
motion. which was adopted, that the
board Of directors go on record sup
porting anything that shall be decided
upon in the way of securing recrea-
ton halls for the troops stationed in
FL Paso-
Meeting at AY- Today,
Mr.. North invited the directors TO be
at the Y. NJ C A this afternoon at a
he has called OF certain
FL Pasoans, TO further discuss the Sit
uation
for FL Paso OF the state white zone
committee, addressed the directors
and urged that something be done
now for the soldiers already here. She
said the soldiers wanted to be made
welcome: to feel that people had an
interest in them, and that, regardless
Of whether a large number of troops
zane here or not. something should
be done to provide a recreation center
Tor them downtown. The temptations
are still here. she asserted. and, by
healthy entertainment, the
influence Of evil can be largely coun-
eracted.
Books In Good shape.
The report Of the Thurston Audit
company on the books of the chamber
II commerce found the books in good
shape and complimented Mrs. Hazel
u Birdsley for her careful and con-
cientiOus bookkeeping. The report
hOWed a number of subScri bers to h
he budget fund delinquent in their
layments OF the first and second in
talments and. after discussion, En-
nett Hines was appointed chairman
/ a committee to make plans TO coll
act these delinquent pledges
A number of bills were audited and
rdered paid, including one for $50
or the hire of trucks for transport
ne bands about the city on registra-
ion day and one for $1S3 for meals
or the Dandsmen that day
Want Zone Extended.
Petitions from South FL Paso street
Merchants asking Gen. George Bell to-
xtend the zone for soldiers south of
overland street. particularly on FL
'aso street, were read and referred TO
committee headed by G. B Ryan. to
e taken up personally with Gen. Bell
Informally reporting on moving pic
ure matters, director J. ". Hirkpat-
lex said he did not believe the Ince
ompany, of Los Angeles. would comet
0 FL Paso, but he believed the ZieG-
ED company would locate here
Vice president B. L. Farrar presided
: the meeting and the directors pres
Mt were J W. Kirkpatrick. Otis c.
oles, E II. Hurd, Maurice Schwartz.
!. B. Ryan, G. a Martin. Emmett
limos EfT7c " D.