Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-20
BAND CONCERT GIVEN
At STATE FAIR GROUNDS
Camp Lee Musicians Entertain 800
West Virginians Taking
Special Training.
WILL BEGIN CLASSES TO-DAY
Large Number OF Visitors Make Trip
to Fair Grounds, and Are Greatly
Surprised at Rapid Changes Made
by Soldiers There.

Hundreds of Richmondc-s turned OH;
at the State Fair Grounds yesterday
afternoon at the concert given by the
Three Hundred and Fourteenth Field
Artillery band. OF Camp Lee, for the
entertainment OF the 500 West Nir-
Einia soldiers now taking instruction
in automobile mechanics in the War
Department training school. Many Of
those participating in the Red Cross
pageant. unable 10 gain admi.tance to
the City Auditorium for the speaking
and large number attending the
sing" at Monroe Park. where the same
musicians performed after the parade,
were also at the Fair Grounds
Many patriotic airs were played and
thoroughly enjoyed by the soldiers
who have been at the camp barely a
week. and were feeling the first panGs
of Inconsistencies. The music was
heartily responded to by applause after
applause after the last strains had
died away.
BY an order OF Captain Mason. of
the school of instruction. the grounds
were open yesterday from o'clock
in the afternoon until c o'clock to
give Richmond citizens an opportunity
to see the work that has been going
on for the past two or three weeks
Despite the activities OF other war o.
CARNATIONS in Richmond in progress
the same time, a steady stream of
visitors was constantly pouring into
the grounds.
WONDERFUL TRANSPORTATION
MADE At FAIR GROUNDS
The wonderful transformation that
has taken place within the last week
or two was a source of intense sur
prise TO those familiar with the fair
buildings. The Administration Build
| ing had been converted into sleeping
and dining quarters. with newly
constructed Office for the school di-
rectors at one end. The cots were
spacious building and some were in
side of the manufacturers exhibition
booths used during the fair. The
tables were covered with oilcloth and
provided ample room for each one.
there being room for nifty more than
the number now in the school.
Other buildings formerly used for
the exhibition of poultry and agricul-
tural products have been made into
workshops for fine woodwork and car
pentry of the roughcr sort Two former
cattle and sheep pens have been con-
vcrtcd to shops for automobile re-
pair. All of them were equipped with
benches. tools and machinery necessary
for carrying on the work.
Division of the 500 men into classes
to take dicerent courses of instruction
| has been occupying officers of the
school and instructors for several
days. All OF the students have had
some mechanical knowledge and dis
play the keenest enthusiasm and de-
sire to put forth only their best eff
forts. During the past week, little
beyond organization of classes and
completion of preliminary steps to-
ward adjustment of new surroundings,
has been accomplished.
Practically the whole Of Saturday
was occupied with tho formation of
military companies. Four companies
were made up of 200 men each. and
! designated as Companies y, Is, G. and
| d.. Hours for the work Of mechanical
! training have been decided upon and
| as the schedule now stands, as an
| nounced by Director w. ii. Magee last
! night. classes will report at o'clock
! this morning. y recess will be had 1T
noon and at l work will be resumed
and continued until 4. After this hour
some time Will be taken up with mill
tary training; just how much or how
often has not yet been arranged by
| the commanding officer. All of the
men will be put TO work this morning
according to Mr.. Magee. although,
eighty OF them will take instruction
at the John Marshall High School. and
the Mechanics Institute.