Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-02-05
BACK OF THE LINES.
Things Necessary to Be Done by the
People at Homo.

Things Necessary to Be Done by the
People at Homn.
Every one knows what the lighting
man has ahead His business. IN the
main. is TO fight.
Iut how about tn" work OF those
back OF the lines?
| have in mind. as II prelude. two
major league ball clubs. The first
team had the leadership and the ma
tcriaI tu win with. There WAS no
question of this. But t1e fan sup
port at home WAS lacking--hoth IN
the way Of attendance and direct en-
couragcmcnt. The home fans appar-
emily took it for granted their club
would win the pennant and Tor TINS
or other reasons. were lukcwarm IN
their support. and ovcrcritical of any
managerial or playing mistakes.
The result Was Il purely human
turn. The club finally became dis
couraged to wonder just what the use
was in playing for that type OF sup
port. Needless TO say il lost the ilas'
The second team had GOOD average
material, but nothing bordering upon
the invinciblC. lsut il carried the fuli
and complete support of its nome
fans who paid their money 1T the
box office and who stood back or their
club on the field. as loyal in defeat
as in victory. Back il the grand
stand and the bleachers they helped
to fight for their club. This team,
With it's morale Timely nodded by
such support. fought its way to the
front, and held the peal; against bet
ter looking clubs.
These are not hypothetical cases
They are not what might have hap
pcned They are what actually took
place.
War is only Il game upon mighty
scale. Like any other game II re-
Uuires leadership. material. team play
training, sacriiicc--;nd support back
of the lines.
What are the concrete, definite
ways of giving this support back OF
the lines"
This war;. remarked Ian Hay
tMaj. Beith) recently. will be won
by the allies to II certainty. If the
nerve and nerves of the people back
of the lines only hold out
Nerve and the control OF nerves l.
needed back of the lines fully as
much as in the field.
What other ways are there"
There is an old golf maxim which
advises. Keep your eye on the ball.
This maxim is incorrectly arranged
IL should read. Keep your mind on
the ball"
There are too many who keep their
eye on certain injunciions To "h"ll
Hoover" "cut down the meat supply.
economic" buy Liberty bonds.
help the Red Cross" etc.
Their eye is focused properly. but
their mind is not yet rightly adjust
ed.
Those back of the lines. who are
not in position to serve at the front
can help immeasurabls to win this
war and end it with greater speed
il they will only keep their minds up
on the injunctions of the day-if they
will keep their minds upon economic
ing, upon sacrificing. upon swinging
into line with the most effective team
play the world has ever known.
The entry who does his bit on the
ball field never wins penant. II Is
the one who does his all
There isn't an American who does
not wish down through the depths OF
his soul for swift and proper end
ins Of this war. This goal can only
be reached by united team play back
of the lines. by united sacrifice. unit
ell economy. united aid. united loyal
~. united concentration upon the
main object ahead. the winning and
ending of the war. The longer cit-
zens put off their day OF complete
sacrifice, of needed economy, OF COM
goes on and the greater the sacri-
flee that waits ahead.
Many pennant has been lost
many a football game has gone wrong
because each man thought the 9TH
er fellow would make the play or dc
the work. Team play is built OF no
such thought. 1t is made UP OF OPP
posite Ingredients, is made up OF
each man taking upon himself the
Job OF doing his full and complete
share, leaving nothing to fate. luck
or destiny. taking nothing for grant
ed but the accompi ishment Of the
job at hand.
United for team play back Of the
lines, as It will have the impetus to
carry 1t to the greatest goal the
world has ever dreamed of-a swift
and proper peace.-Gratland Rice.