Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-01
HAvENFOR NEGRO
TROOPS AT CAMP
DODGE LAID OUT
plans Are Completed for Opening New
~" Building In Des MOines
for Their Use.
TAFT TALKS TO SOLDIER BOYS
Farmer President Delivers Addresses
TO Nations Defenders ut the
Iowa CantOnment.
fSpecial to The Argus =.

Camp Dodge, Ia, Jan. l.--At
meeting held yesterday afternoon at
Union Congregational church. plans
we're completed and program ar
ranged for the opening OF the down.
town Young Mems Christian associa-
,,ou for Negro soldiers now stationed
at Camp Dodge.
The main auditorium and base
ment of Union Congregational church,
jocated at Tenth and Park streets,
nave been turned over to the state
Young Mems Christian association Of
6cials. who have redecorated parts
of the interior and are having all
necessary equipment installed for use
hy the colored boys. An experienced
secretary has been employed and will
he here this week TO take charge OF
the building and work.
program this afternoon marked
The beginning of the winters act1vl-
ties at the Park street branch and
was featured by addresses by Chaplain
Allen 0, Newman of Los Angeles, Cal.
who last week assumed his duties
with the Three Hundred Sixty-sixth
infantry. ". NJ. Parsons, state secre-
tary Of the Young Mems Christian as
4 ISOLATION, and Captain George A. Hol-
land of Company A, Three Hundred
Sixty-sixth infantry. who also is pres
jdent Of the Negro officers club.
1 A quartet from Camp Dodge rem
dered selections and other numbers
we're contributed by local musicians.
Refreshments were served free Of
charge to all soldiers.
Former President William II. Taft
will address all Of the soldiers of the
E,ghty-eighth division of the national
army and others at Camp Dodge at
q series OF meetings to be held under
the auspices Of the Young Mems Chris
tan association at Camp Dodge to-
day and tomorrow.
Mr.. Taft came to Camp Dodge I'M
der the auspices Of the war council
of the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton and all arrangements were in
charge Of the Y. NJ. c. A authorities
at Camp Dodge.
He arrived in camp about noon and
addressed his first meeting at 2:30
O'Clock in the afternoon at the main
Young Mems Christian association
auditorium.
Another meeting will be held al
730 p m, and two more meetings will
be held at the same hours on We'd
nesday.
Il is probable that a meeting will
also be held tomorrow morning, in
order 10 insure an opportunity for all
troops in camp to hear him speak
The auditorium will seat 5000 men
and the soldiers are to be marched
10 the hall by regiment and company
1t is planned, to hear the former CHIEF
executive
Former President Taft is making
tour of all cantonments Under the
auspices of the war council of The
Young Mems Christian association. H.
comes here from Camp Grant, anC
will not leave until Thursday morn
ing.
Mr.. Taft is vitality interested in thu
work OF the camps, both as either
and because Of the fact that his sol
is an officer in the American army
Mr. Taft is also head Of the League
to Enforce Peace, an International or
ganization, which is working for ;
permanent union of nations to pre-
vent war in the future.
In his talks he explains the causes
OF the present war, and will also tel
why the United States is taking part
A number of soldiers of the divi
sion had an opportunity to hear for
lner President Taft when he was il
Des Moines several weeks ago, whel
Camp Dodge soldiers acted as hi