The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-06
ENTERTAINING THE SOLDIERS.

ENTERTAINING THE SOLDIERS.
Saturday noon Mr.. MacLennan was
asked to speak before the Rota club
on his personal observations in New
York a few days ago, on the War
Camp Community Service-an organ
lied. entertainment for soldiers and
sailors. in camp or fort near by, spend
ing their week-ends and furlos in New
York City. While the speaker used no
manuscript or notes a stenographer
took down what he said. Here below
is what the stenographer says the
speaker said. The stenographer him
talk printed
We bow to the stenographer. Which
one, you say? Well, to the good look
ing one. of course. The other one is
a man and his looks do not count,
favorably or otherwise. Both, of
course. are engaged-by the editor.
for their ability.
The oienographer's Notes.
Madam President, Ladies and Gentle
men:
When they closed those folding doors
so carefully L was somewhat in doubt
whether they were trying to keep
those within here or prevent those
without from coming in.
About a week ago 1 came near go
ing out on the floor and taking part
in dance in which there were 900
soldiers and sailors. There were two
little matters that prevented me from
Joining the gay throng: one was that
only those males in the uniform of
soldiers or sailors were permitted to
dance; the other factor was that
neither my wife nor daughter was
there; but there were about 900 other
charming ladies available.
In reference to the uniform, perhaps
ally known: 1 am entitled to wear a
uniform, not quite so handsome nor
gorgeous as the uniform your guest
today, Charley Elliott, wears when
on duty, on the governors staff in
his colonePs regimentals, but a, modest
State Journals publication for Camp
Funston, Trench and Camp, the SOL
diers' paper, l am entitled to wear a
uniform as prescribed in certain regu-
lations for that purpose. 1 am also
permitted to wear a uniform in con-
nection with some duties as chairman
of the Military Training Camps asso-
citation. But I really didn't come here
to talk to these ladies about my
wardrobe; that will be for another
occasion. Then, too. my tailor has
not yet completed, or even begun
either of these uniforms.
My going to the Fourteenth street
armory in New York last Saturday
night was accidental. 1 had been in
vited to a dinner by three formerly of
Kansas people who are now living in
New York City. Frances Garside,
formerly of the Atchison Globe; Miss
NJ. E. Dolphin. teacher in the public
schools some years ago at Emporia,
and later superintendent of city
Homer A. Dunn, whose husband was
engaged at the Santa Fe offices here
about eighteen years ago. For the
past ten years two of these ladies have
been living in New York City, and Mrs.
Dunn has lived there for sixteen years.
After dinner they suggested that we
go down to the war camp community
dance. We were at 143d street, out
near Harlem. Mrs. Dunn called her
automobile and< we went down to
Fourteenth street, a distance of several
miles. We arrived about $3.50. The
immense floor was filled with soldiers
and sailors from nearby camps and
forts and young women from the good
families of New York.
At the door was Mrs. James Madison
Bass. woman who, until the war
broke at our doors, devoted herself
" SOClcly, Dul Ol ldle months
she is giving all of her time to the
social activities of the New York war
camp community service. This organ
ization is part of the Fosdick commits
sion; is under the direction of the army
and navy departments. Mrs. Bass is
president and in direct charge of the
social department. She has assisting
her $50 hostesses, each hostess has
two chaperons and each chaperon is
permitted to invite at various times as
many as ten young women. Each of
these young ladies the chaperon must
know personally. Only those known
to the chaperons may attend, and they
only upon specific invitation. This
makes available under the 500 chap
erons ten eac'i-5,ooO young women.
At these dances there are generally
from 500 to 1000 soldiers and sailors
and as many young women.
] talked at length with Mrs. Bass
about her work as I had opportunity
between times. She greeted every one
who came in. She said she was Civ
ing her whole time to this work Her
whole time. The ESQ hostesses and
workers give from two to three days
each week of their time.
Each young woman who is invited
to attend a particular dance is given
a ticket; that ticket is issued in dupH-
cate. She can only be admitted by
ticket, not by badge.
Around this immense floor, which
would think to be probably 200 or
ESQ feet square, were booths for each
state. In large letters 1 saw the
names, Kansas" New York, Rhode
Island and of the other states. AT
these booths any state visitor who may
be there, or any New York people with
state connections who may be in at
tendance, occupy chairs there in read
mess to entertain any soldiers from
the respective states who may call.
The duty of the chaperons and host
esses is to introduce the young women
and the soldiers and the sailors.
The idea of War Camp Community
Service is to provide entertainment for
the soldiers and sailors who are sta
toned within a radius of fifty or
seventy-five miles from New York
City and give them wholesome even
ings apart from temptations. If the
young men are not provided with good