The Arizona copper camp., 1917-05-26

soldier So many get the idea that in
order to be good soldier one must be
tough; must drink, gamble, swear,
etc. There never was a greater mis-
take. AS a rule our boys are morally
clean, but, of course, tough will slip
in occasionally and make his influence
felt for a while but few months
military discipline usually works won
ders in him.
Army Builds Character
A great many people think that the
army is detrimental to mans char
acter. l can, honestly, say that if
had dozen sons / would urge them to
take military training. OF course he
is exposed to many evils, but if he has
been properly trained in the home he
will not yield to them any quicker than
he would in civil life. In fact the only
way to develop character is to come in
contact with evil and overcome it.
The principle must be taught and de-
veloped in childhood but if boy has
not had this training in the home, then
military discipline will be Of great
benefit to him.
Military training is not all. These boys
and place where they can read, write,
play games, etc., and am glad to say
that we have such a place in our
camp. The hall was built last July and
dedicated to the men of the First Ari-
zona Infantry, and for the past nine
months has been in use night and day.
1t is well seated and lighted and
equipped with games, books, stationery,
Victrola, etc.; also stage for amateur
plays, postoffice, canteen barber
shop and laundry.
For Clean Amusement
Last July when / contemplated this
building for the boys I found that the
government did not furnish anything
of the kind in the field. Therefor I
was up against it for funds, so 1 took
the matter up with the chambers of
commerce over the state of Arizona,
but to my great surprise did not re-
ceive a cent from any of them.
OF course 1 naturally thought that
Arizona was not interested in the well
fare of our regiment, but after thinking
the matter over / finally gave her the
~ =
she just didn't understand the circum-
stances and the necessity of the hall.
Well, l might have given up the pro-
ject then anRthere, but not being used
to defeat walked braveely into the city
of Douglas one morning and walked
out that evening with nearly $40O and
all kinds of games, writing material,
and hundred dollar Victrola But my
cash was not yet sufficient for the hall,
SO I made trip to Bisbee, where I
raised $40 in forty minutes and with a
big donation from the Cochise Lumber
Co., of Warren 1 was able to build my
hall and dedicate it to the men.
A Worthy Cause
Through the efforts of Mr. Seller Of
Phoenix, several hundred books were
collected from the citizens and sent to
us. We also received some magazines
from Tucson, some Victrola records
from Morenci, and smoking tobacco
from the Red Cross at Phoenix. But
nine months service has practically ex-
hausted our equipment and now that
we will soon have 1000 men in the regi-
ment, we will need to enlarge our hall
and put in moving picture machine
and other things in order to furnish
the men amusement and keep them in
camp when they are off duty. We have
organized school of instruction on
military subjects and three evenings
each week are devoted to lectures by
officers who have specialized in their
lines, also medical officers t~ leotuye
on the body and it's care. The other
three nights of the week are taken up