Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-02-02
mileage What Il Is, What
1t Should Accomplish, What
1t Means to the Soldiers
sy HARRY p. HARRISON

chairman Of the Executive Commi
The Military Entertainment Coun-
ci, is a special commission appointed
bv the Secretary Of War as branch
of the War Department Commission
on Training Camp Activities
It's work is to provide programs OF
entertainment for the off hours OF
she men in the uniform of the United
states now in National .Eusrl, camps
and National army csntonments on
tbis side of the Atlantic. For tho
present the work does not reach to
the smaller army camps or to any
of the navy camps.
Fir the entertainment under It's d.
rection the Council will use the new
Liberty Theatres ibuilded by the Gov
eminent, the large auditoriums OF
the Y. NJ. c. A., and = where the
weather pernits--the tents which have
been provided 10y the Chautauqua
Managers.
An army recruited by draft includes
the best young men of the nation. The
off hours of these young men are Il
oneliest hours of their camp life II
hose hours are to be pleasantly and
ihealthfully filed there must be pro-
vided, not only places to write and
read, but performances of the grade
TO which the men are accustomed at
home and opportunities for them to
develop and exhibit their own skill.
What Soldiers viii See.
Accordingly. the Council viii pre-
sent at the camp theatres
Broadway companies in the best
/ Theatrical successes OF the season.
4 The best musical and vaudeville
4 programs obtainabie. Lecturers, en-
i tertainers and concert companies OF
L the highest excellence. Amateur per-
Il formances by the men themselves.
! Ordinarily the cost of booking such
q attractions would be prohibitive. But
the performers and managers of the
United States have met the Council
with such patriotic cooperation as to
put these productions within the reach
II every soldier in the United States.
Operating expense mas been reduced
to bedrock.
AS result, the money cost OF these
performances viii range from ten
cents to twenty-five cents a seat,
Yet many soldiers will not be able
to attend many performances even at
these prices Thousands OF them are
sending home practically all their
pay.
On the other hand, practically ey
cry soldier has those at home who
strongly desire to contribute into his
camp life something of wholesome and
cheerful entertainment.
Use of Tickets.
Therefore, this Council has origi-
mated type of book of tickets that
members of the soldiers family ard
his friends may send to him at the
front They are to be called Smile
age Books" and will be made up of
coupons somewhat like the mileage
books of the railroads.
In books of one size, 20 coupons
will be sold for dollar. In books
Of another size, 100 will be sold for
ave collars. These coupons will be
good for payment for seats AT any
performances in any camp theatre.
As gifts these Smile4ge Books will
have rather a distinctive character
Each time the soldier tears coupons
from his book, he will renew his
sense of attention from the sender
Every book will constitute a current
Of interest between the man at the
front and the folks back home. Often
OF course, one soldier. will receive
many books; and then he will do the
thing which is characteristic of the
American soldier throughout our his
tory-he vii. share his abundance
with his mates.
The result will be to change a dan
ger period in the life of the soldier
into period of healthful relaxation
and refreshment
The Need.
aymond B. Fosdick, Chairman Q.
80 war Department Commission on
DR.. klEFFER A CAPTAIN.