Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-15
| DISTRICT MEETINGS ARE
CUT TO SAVE RAILROADS
Unpatriotc to Travel Unless Or
gently Necessary, Says Training
Camp Commission.
BIG FUND IS BEING RAISED
Will Support Various Activities for
Entertainment and Care OF Sol.
diers In Cities and Towns Near
Various Training Camps.

A plan to hold district conferences
in several parts OF tho State for the
purpose OF promoting the success, OF
the 100000 campaign for tho War
Camp Community Service was aban-
doncd yesterday afternoon because Il
was regarded as unpatriotic. owing to
the conCcstcd railway trsfT1c, 10 re.
quire campaign workers to travel 10
and from their homes to attend meet
ings at centralized points.
I'VE had intended to hold 4 numbe.
OF such conferences in order TO meet
with the people from the different sec
lions of the state who are working with
us in this drive" said Campaign Di-
rector J. r. H. Radckcr But at the
last minute we decided that it would
be unwise and unpatriotic to attempt
the conferences. Any travelling that is
not absolutely necessary at time like
this is incScusaolc in our opinion. AL
though the abandonment OF our con-
fcrcnccs Will delay US somewhat in
carrying on our campaign. we arc more
than willing to make this trihing sac
rihce OF our time In view Of the exist
Ing conditions. Our Organization is en-
gagged IN working for the welfare OF
enlisted men in Uncle Sans service
when tho boys are In tho cities and
towns on absent leaves. and judging
from tho ready response with which
our appeal for funds Is being met
every ono In Virginia Is anxious and
willing to do his or her bit
Yesterday Mr.. Radeker was In Pc.
tersburE to confer with the campaign
committee In that city regarding the
$4,000 drive there To-day he Will visit
Newport News to confer with the cam.
paign workers In that city. Ex-Gov.
ernor William Hodges Mann heads the
executive committee OF the Petersburs
commission on War Camp Community
Service. and Homer L. Ferguson, head
OF the Newport News Sh!pbuilding and
Dry Dock Company. is chairman Of the
Newport News committee. The quota
for Newport News is $4,000. Colonc
L. G. Massic is chairman OF the state
wide campaign. and John 81. Miller, Jr.
Is treasurer. No campaign is bcing
carried on in Richmond, as this city:
allotment already has been furnished
From eight counties. having com
bincd allotment OF $500. word was re.
ceivcd at campaign headquarters yes.
terday that the respective quotas woulC
be forthcoming when needed. En-
couraging reports werc received from
number Of localities. according to Di
rector Eadcker. who is satisfied no diff,
aculty will be experienced in raising
the sum allotted TO this State before thu
end OF the short drive January 81.
Inquiries that have been made dur.
ing the last day or two indicate to rep.
rescntatives OF tho War Camp Com
munity Service that some confusion ex.
lists as 10 the distinction between the
work Of this organization and that o
organizations which work inside the
army and navy camps. Our orsani
cation is concerned chiefly" said Mr.
Radeker. with stimulating and aid
ing communities in the ncighborhood o
training camps to develop and organ
ze their social and recreational re
sources in such way as to be OF tn,
greatest possible value to tho officer:
and soldiers in the camp. This work
Of course. is quite distinct from tn,
work inside the camp lines, where the
social and rccrcational activities we.,
assigned 10 other organizations"
In Richmond there is welI-dcvel
opcd local organization, which offer.
among its chief attractions 10 visiting
enlisted men tho free use OF spacious
and wel,-appointed clubrooms at Scv-
cnth and Franklin Streets, known as
the Army and Navy Club.