Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-31
BUSINESSMEN /.
INSPECT CAMP
Commercial Chamber Pleased
at Progress Made at the
Aviation Depot

The invitation from Andrew s.
Patterson. retiring president OF the
Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce,
to the memb bers of that body to go
TO Middletown and inspect the avia-
ton depot and Y. NJ. c. A. there,
did not mention anything about the
good fellowship and sociability that
would prevail during the trip, Dut
those in charge saw that there was
plenty of both just the same.
The businessmen. who met in
Market Square and boarded special
cars at 7.24, had their eyes opened
when they got to Middletown. For
many of them the vast warehouses,
the orderly army camp, the Y. M.
C. A. and the great stores of aVia-
tion supplies and airplanes found
there were n revelation. Almost un-
known to them, they perceived
great factor in the local community
had sprung UP at HarrisDurgs very
doors.
The first thing of interest, of
course, was the men themselves.
There are $50 of them, 25O quar-
tered in tents and the remainder in
four commodious barracks. Their
esprit de corps is fine notwithstand-
ing the natural anxiety of many or
them to get back into civil life. me
businessmen were amazed at the
splendid spirit of these mon, many
hurdreds of mi es from home, in
lnany cases, who still are carrying
on" despite the apparent desultory
life they must lead.
Here are a few of the other things
that the Chamber members saw:
The depot covers AZ II acres or
ground, and has 100000 square feet
of vn rehOuRa flOOr-Space.
There are six officers quarters,
four barracks and one of the finest
Y. M. G. A.. buildings in the United
States.
There are more than 1000 air.
planes, many of which were returned
from ports of embarkation when the
armistice was signed.
Besides these, there are great
stores Of hardware and airplane re-
pair parts needed for every branch
of the service.
The depot has its own hospital
fire department and garage.
The trip was made at the invita-
ton of Colonel d. M. Chdston Jr. and
Stanley V. Bergen, Y. Nj. G. A. sec
retary. A special program was ar
ranged in the ~" building, where
Chamber members got acquainted
with about 200 lads III khaki, who
were availing themselves of the priv
ileges of the hospitable buildings
The soldiers acted as guides through
the warehouses !ater.
In the first place, the members
were tagged, and had to be identified
TO get into the camp at all. Mercer
B. Tate acted as officer of the day,
and identified a number of promi-
nent citizens when the sentrles
thought they looked suspicious. The
committee in charge, composed OF
Arthur III. Bal ey. chairman; arthur
ID. Bacon and Carl Deem, also saw
that no one was left out for lack OF
identification.
The men were escorted by the Mu-
nicipal Band, under the leadership
of Director Blumenstine, who donat-
ed the bands services. The band
furnished music at the nut
where Retiring President Andrew ,.
Patterson presided. Mr.. Patterson
made a short address i'll which he
outlined the war work of the Cham
!, Der durjMg the past year He assured
the SO diers that they held the same
estimable position in the regard or
their fellow -COuntrymen as those
soldiers who had been fortunate
enough 10 get INTO the fight.
This same view was expressed by
@. j. StaCkpole. who addressed the
gathering. Mr. Stackpole declared
the soldiers wou u lead the business,
political and civic affairs of the ma
tion for The next twenty-five years,
and that, IN the hands of such lead
hrs, the people OF the nation had
nothing to fear He declared the
ads In the ARMY are this country
best guarantee against disruption In
he social and governmental system.
MI. Bergen, who welcomed the
nen to the station. outlined the work
If the "Yr hut and told of the pro
gram which is given each night for
The benefit Of the soldiers. sColonei
Cheston was introduced to the com
oany and a general get-acquainted
movement took p ace. after which
.he inspection was made. Robert
3. Reeves, secretary OF the Central
Y. NJ. c. A., invited the men to make
ase Of the building here.