Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-05
WINE AND WOMEN TO
 BE KEPT FROM SOLDIERS
Connecticut Plans to Protect Morals
 Of Youths.

Decision to spare no effort to CO., operate with the war department in plans for safeguarding the morals of the young men soon to be called to army training camps was made by the Connecticut State Council of De- fense at recent meeting. Copies of the following letter from Secretary of War Newton D. Baker will be for warded to the mayors, first selectmen and wardens of communities:
 Honorable R. NJ BisseH. Chairman
 State Council of Defense, Hart
 ford. onnecticut:
 bring to the attention of the state councils of defense matter in which they cah be of great service to the war department. In the training be established. large numbers of men. selected primarily from the youth of the country, will be gathered together for d period of intensive discipline ton of this force probably will be made up of young men who have not yet became accustomet to contact with either the saloon or the prostitute, generous period of life when their service to their country should be surrounded by safeguards against temptations to which they are not ac- Custorned.
 Our responsibility in this matter is not open to question. We cannot all low these young men, most of whom have been drafted to service, to be surrounded by vicious and demor- alfzing environment. nor can we leave anything undone which will protect them from unhealthy influences and crude forms of temptation. Not only have we an unacceptable responsibility in this matter to the families and the men are selected, but from the stand point of our duty and our determina ton to create an efficient army, we are bound, as a. military necessity. to do everything in our power to pro- mote the health and conserve the vii talitv of the men in the training camps.
 I am determined that our new rounding zones within effective radius, shall not be places of teuapta- ton and peril. The amendments to the army bill. recently passed agive this matter than we previously pos sessed- On the other hand. not going to be able to obtain the conditions necessary to the health and vitality of our soldiers, without the full cooperation of the local authori- ties in the cities and towns near which our camps are located. or through which our soldiers will be passing in transit to other points.
 Will you give earnest consideration to this matter in your particular state? I am confident that much can be done to arouse the cities and the towns to an appreciation of their re- sponsibility for clean conditions: and wouH suggest that. through such channels IS may present themselves to you, you impress upon these com munites their patriotic opportunity in this matter. I would further suggest chat as an integral part of the war machinery, your council make itself responsible for seeing that the laws Of your state and of congress in respect to these matters are strictly en- forced
 This relates not only to the camps established under federal authoritE both inc present officers training camps and the divisional training camps soon to be opened, but to the more or less temporary mobilization points of the national guard units. IL relates, too. as I have indicated, to the large center through which sol diers will constantly be passing in transit to other points.
 As l say. the war department in tends to do it's full part in these mat ters, but we expect the cooperation and support Of the local committees. If the desired end cannot otherwise be achieved. l propose to move the camps from those neishborhoods in which clean conditions cannot be se- cured
 Tn this connection, let me call your attention to the commission on train ing camp activities, which I have or sanized to advise with me on auee- tions relating to the moral hazards in our training centers, as well as to the promotion of rational recreation facilities within and without the camps. The mem bers Of this com mission are as follows: Raymond B. I'osdick, chairman: Lee r. Hammer. Thomas J. Towels. Joseph Lee. Mall colm l.. McBride. John R. Mott, Chas P. Neili, Major Palmer F. Pierce, L. $. A, Joseph E. Raycroft.
 It is possible that the chairman of this commission or some of it's mem fers will consult with you in regard to the activities which they have in hand. I bespeak for them your ut most support and cooperation.
 Very truly yours
 NEWTON D. BAKER Secretary of War and Chairman of
 the Council of National Defense.