Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-07-11

CARNATIONS were called upon to lend their CO.
operation. The Young Womens Christian associ-
alton came into the camps later with that unique
institution, the Hostess House. This house was
designed primarily to take care Of women visi-
tors to the camps and furnish place of meeting
between them and the men.
The commissions were determined to cover the
whole ground In furnishing amusement, recrea-
ton and educational facilities for the soldiers
and sailors. Wherever there seemed to be a gap
that no existing agency was particularly prepared
to I'LL the commission supplied the need direct,
meeting the problem of, place to go to and be
entertained in the evenings. The post exchange,
or soldiers cooperative Stores were similarly
started in the 16 National army camps. and fur
nish place where the men may spend their mon
ey. Everything is on sale there from q shoe
shine to a pink valentine and from an ice cream
soda to song book of the kind that the men
use when they gather together by the thousands
for mass singing.
Club life in the camps is furnished through the
7. NJ. O. A. and the K. of G., and In few camps
the Jewish Welfare buildings. Men may read.
write loaf and smoke, listen to music and write
letters home In these buildings. Also In the
auditorium of each building. entertainments Of
all sorts or held Camp talent musicales athletic
stunts. and imported entertainment programs all
take place here, in addition to those given In the
larger 7. N. O. "A. auditorium in each camp, and
IN the Liberty theaters. The Hostess House fur
'nishes the home life Of the camp and has come
TO be popular. with the men In the evenings all
during the week. With the library to furnish him
with plenty Of good reading matter and quiet
place to read In; with the post exchange playing
the role of country store corner drug store not
only in supplying his needs. but in furnishing
place to meet his friends and swap stories-the
mems needs are pretty thoroughly taken care of.
Thirty-six library buildings have already been
completed in the military camps Of the country,
and others are under way. These buildings are
made possible by special grant from the Car
negie corporation Of $4,000, and other funds.
The type of building chosen is new in the II
brary world They are wooden structures Of
rather plain design, similar to the usual type of
buildings found in modern camps. Most Of the
buildings in the environments are 120 by 40 feet
while those In smaller camps are SO by 40 feet
Special attention has been given to adequate fa-
cilities for heating, ventilation and light and
many features are now being added to make
these quiet, restful buildings more attractive and
inviting than would be expected In the usual camp
equipment. Some Of the buildings have spacious
open freplaces built into inviting nooks Others
have closed porches, and all are equipped with
fire extinguishers drinking fountains and running
water.
The interior is one large reading room, with
two bedrooms located at one end for housing the
library staff. Trained librarians are In charge
Of each building. All Of the shelves are open
for inspection and contain from 10000 to 10000
volumes Each building has comfortable seat
Ing capacity for about 200 readers. In the library
building is housed the main supply Of books for
the camp and from it branches are maintained In
the barracks, the mess halls, hospitals, z NJ. G.
A. and K. Of G. buildings
Each of the sixteen National army camps has
been provided by the commissions training
camp activities with Liberty theater building,
having seating capacity of 5000 and stage ac-
commodating the scenery for broadway" produc-
Itions. These buildings are furnished with real
'footlights, dressing rooms and scenery for any
ordinary production. There is also an orchestra
pit where regimental bands play at every per-
fcrfnenae.
IA Nine theaters Of a smaller type have been COM
pleted in the National Guard camps and others
are in course Of construction. The entire sixteen