Evening journal., 1918-03-07
PICK Soldier ACTORS
FORPARTSOVERT there
lanes K. Hackett Visits
Camp Dix to Arrange for
Diversions
THESPIANS PROVE
GOOD FIGHTERS

CAMP DIX, Wrightstown. n. j., March .
THAT there may be no lack Of en-
tertainment for the American soldiers /
"Over There" James X. Hackett, re-
gently appointed director general Of the /
dramatic and musical activities Of the
knights OF Columbus. arrived at Camp
Dix yesterday to aid in the campaign
TO develop the latent thesplan talent
among the men in the ranks He ex-
poets to find several former actors
among the 1000 rockies reporting here
FOR service within the last fortnight
and will seek TO get amateurs and pro-
fessionals as we'll in line for brief plays
that can be produced when the Yankee
soldiers are OF duty near the western
front. Il find the average actor is in
the army not 10 act, but TO lght," said
Director Hackett, speaking Of his plan
for the work here and at Camp Meade
next week. II want TO encourage them
10 do this extra bit to help brighten
the army life for their fellow-soldiers.
At the same time, in connection with
our w5rk In this country and abroad,
we want TO make 1t possible for as
many professional actors as possible
10 appear at entertainments for the sol
diers in order to give them varied pro
grams"
During the afternoon Hackett held a
conference with Lieutenant Colonel
Walt C. Johnson, assistant chief Of
staff. and later met Leopold Lane, camp
dramatic director OF the Army Y NJ
c. A. Director Lane has developed a
score Of dramatic clubs in regiments
here, and the two actors found they
had ideas for the work that could be
used 10 mutual advantage. Hacketi
later met an old friend OF his stage
days and a fellow-member Of The
Lambs in W. Stanley Hawkins, the
camp singing director.
Before the weekend Hackett hopei
TO get e line on al least hundred sol
diers who have had experience. aithe
es professionals or amateurs. in the
strical work to form the basis Of hi
dramatic organization here.
Training schedule adopted for tn
1000 Jerseymen who came 10 Camp Di'
last week will permit no grass TO grow
under the feet Of these rockies, VIII
will literally double-quick it into tn
units in which they will be IN servic
"over there" Under plans announce
the first OF a series Of transfers for III
new men will BEGIN as soon as thei
two weeks quarantine ends, when the
will be shifted from their present quar-
ters in various regiments about th
camp into the depot brigade. Ne
skilled for work In special units wi
be sent to such organization, bu
the main body Of rockies will be tran:
ferred into the line regiments, whicl
barring more unforeseen transfers. the
are likely TO accompany TO Europe.
News from James Banelis, an Il
year-old Greek. who was the younge
recruit in Camp Dix prior to his tran
fer for overseas duty, reached frien'
IN camp Yesterday and indicated IN
Banelis is already in the Yankee lin
up against the Huns. His father al
brother were killed by the Turks a.
Germans. and he volunteered for Sc
vice in the American army when neS
OF their deaths reached him and "
accented for the cooks and baker
school.
Under the leadership Of Bandmast
Brin. the famous Negro sons write
who wrote please CO Way and Let
Sleep" and other popular ditties, Z
s5th negro Field Artillery is organizi
military band that aspires 10
come one Of the best colored music
units in the American army. Brin "a
up a successful business to volunte
his services as an Hmy band lead
His hand will probably make It's
nearaoce in the first singing review
colored artillerymen later in the wee
Whether OF not the way to MAJ
heart is really through his stoma'
hundreds Of Camp Dix boys are in Ia
with Mother" Laughlin, hostess OF
Suffrage CO in Wrightstown, W
has arranged for the serving Of r
homemade pies and cakes TO her Wis
ing boys" with the result that
clubhouse has become as popular
the "iieeer shop" in a college toy
Suffrage organizations Throughout y
Jersey are sending the best cooks
their ranks to help prepare the culinl
dainties in the club kitchen. OIL
associations are sending culinary pr
uois baked at the homes OF member
kH Hm HnH n