The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-07-16
To lnaugurate Big Sunday
Afternoon Sine

/. <AAtSl AOOn 0lD6
The soldiers from Camp Dix ar
coming in increasing numbers to Nj
Holly They are also going to BuI
lington and other centres beyond il
increasing numbers. Mount Holl!
comes within the zone of protective in
fiuence established by the government
!, but this is not true at the present time
OF some of the other places within easy
reach of the Camp.
The life at camp, with its intensive
training, is extremely trying to the
nerves of the men. The boys are de
prlved of every condition to which
they have been accustomed They
have left home, business, amusement
and the religious and social relation
ship of normal life. Camp with its
rigid discipline and training, always
with the same hours, same surround
ings, and same conditions, soon be-
comes a monotony from which the
boys must break away occasionally or
else lose their spirit and fitness. That is
why camp leaves are granted. That is
why the boys tear loose when given a
chance,
If they go into communities where
there are no suppressive regulations, a
large number of men will accept the
opportunities offered them for the free
play of their coarser tendencies
Liquor often is obtained, immoral
social relations are contracted, the
men 60 back to camp untitled for SER
vice, and general decentralization is the
result.
Unfortunately Mount Holly is stu
ated as gateway to camp from GER
tain of these unprotected centres. 1t
thus becomes the dumping ground for
many abuses and receives undeserved
discredit when the result is discovered.
Until the Government is in position
to stretch it's protective forces further
from the Camp, Mount Holly must
double its energy to protect the men
passing this way and preserve her own
good name.
The boys like Mount Holly but
there is not enough ''going on" to sat
isfy their craving for a change. That
is why SO many go elsewhere where
things are more lively. The problem
of Mount Holly and the War Camp
Community Services at this time is to
keep the men here. To do this we
must bring about the something do
ing" that will satisfy the boys when
off duty.
A comprehensive program for inn
mediate fulfilment has been outlined
by the War Camp Community Service
and the churches and various organi-
cations and the people of the town are
asked their fullest cooperation in
it out.
Sunday is particularly dull day for
boys who come here. The committee
on War Camp Community Services
has realized this and endorsed as one
feature of the corrective program big
outdoor Sunday afternoon Commun-
ity Sing and sociali hour to take place
starting next Sunday, either at the
court house or fair ground. The pro-
gram will begin with band concert
by one of the leading bands from
Camp Dix, .interspersed with special
solos and entertainment features, fol
lowing which the citizens will be Join
ed by the soldiers in big sing, con-
Quoted by Mr.. Stetsen HUMPHREYS,
official camp song leader. The old
home songs, present day popular songs
and songs of the trenches will predomi-
nate. These will be printed in sheet
form and distributed to the audience.
After the sing, opportunity may be
had for developing the natural social
and relationship between
the town folk and the soldier. Those
having cars may offer rides about town
to the men. Others may invite them
into their homes for the evening
luncheon or social hour.
The first Sunday Sing should be at
tended by at least 1000 people.
Special publicity will be given the
event in town, in camp and in nearby
Philadelphia papers
will carry announcements before and
of the event afterward.
Every person should consider it not
only their duty privilege to be present
but see that the event is made the
matter of common talk during the
coming week. Friends in the coun-
try and nearby towns should be COM
nunicated with and extended an in
Vitation to attend. Every social
phone conversation should be conclud-
ID with comment and discussion of the
event.
Not only is this an opportunity to
give expression to the finest spirit in
'ur community life but it will be a
tod-send to the boys, all of whom like
% sing, and singing has proved one of
,he finest normal exhausts for pent up
'estlessness.
"They marched singing as they
vent into the front line trenches, is
'he report of the way our boys in front
vent lover the top"
Our boys must learn to sing here be-
cause the singing boys" are going to
De the winning boys" for all singing
soldiers are fighting soldiers. If they
cannot sing they cannot fight. If they
cannot fight they cannot sing. The
Singfest will strengthen, in
spire and steady the boys.
We want Mount Holly's first Sun
day Slug to be one of the long remem-
bered events in our community life.
Everyone should be booster of this
move ment.