The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-11-14
GIVE WITH A SMILE.

The spirit manifested by those who DO things in the cities OF the Cau
metz region with regard to the Y. NJ. c. A wal work fund is absolutely in
spring. Il is magnificent If the people respond n kind the money will
be raised easily. When you are solicited by these men and women who are
sacrificing their time n energy. look upon it as pleasure TO give. Give
willingly and give cheerfuny and be proud of the privilege Give up some
pleasure o luxury that you cal give. Give up ome necessity if YOU have no
luxuries 10 give up so that the day may never com when you have to give
up nearly everything you have to give. For if Germany wins the war that
is what % Will have tic do. Remember that only thing stands between
YOU and the Germans now, and that is or boys at the front This money
is for him. that he may fight the better 1t viii LET him know that the folks
at home are behind him.
Remember that Indiana troops o at the various training camps in
the United States are lot getting lonesome. according to what scores OF
them write back TO their parents and the Y NJ c A headquarters
A young soldier from Gibson county, who had nt beef away from home
very much wrote TO his mother that for a wonder he was OF homesick nor
drilling for the day. and had nothing to do but think Of you at home But
had not thought Of the Red Triangle huts. which the Y NJ G A main
good as he car see in most vaudeville houses or movies. Believe me l don't
know what we would do without them"
This letter shows how much the soldier appreciates what Is being done
for him, III it doe not tell what sort # a Job the y" workers have in get
ting the right kind of talent for the various kind of entertainments.
For purposes of administration the task Of providing entertainment for
the men in the United States armed forces is divided in two parts. the work
in the large National Guard and National Army camps and cantonments be
ing handled separately from that the smaller camps and posts The
thdrtythree large camps Gncudtng n embarkaton camp receive what
are called Red Triangle programs These are concert companies stock
companies, lecturers and readers Of proven merit and long experience o the
stage Of in chautauqua and yceum work. These attractions play from three
to six nights a week in each camp or cantonment In the sixteen National
Army camps their .theater" is the huge Y N. c A auditorium which is a
part of the Y. VI c A equipment in each Of these cantonments and which
seats three thousand mn and car accommodate FIVE hundred more In the
National Guard mn autsuou tent Of slightly smaller capacifv are
used for staging the entertainments
In every instance only hghclass features are Used. This lis 40 only
advisable. but also necessary. Soldiers are a critical audience The ham"
a thorough preliminary tryout They have 70 make good before n audience
of enlisted men before they are hired Moreover. reports from the secretary
in charge of entertainments in each camp are made of every performance
These reports include a statement as 20 the reaction Of the enlisted men and
the evidence of merit IT demert hat a troupe shows Repeated adverse
reports would. of course result n companys withdrawal
And the work Of the Y NJ c. A in the United States will be bur hall
gram is to be duplicated overseas There every phase of the work takes on
added significance and importance Especially is this true Of the entertain