Evening journal., 1918-07-08
CAMP DIX SOCIAL
B[.RRIER IS BROKEN
Dance at Camp Dix at
Which Rank Was " holly
Obliterated
TENDS TO BETTER
MORALE OF FIGHTERS

CAMP DIX, Wrightstown. n. j., suly
s.-Camp Dix has made another stride
toward a finer democracy OF the Ma
tlonsl Army by recognizing the elimi-
nation OF the social distinctions that in
the old army formed a barrier like
barbed wire between the enlisted per-
sonnel and commissioned officers. Time
was when the private or nOn-commis-
stoned officer who essayed to attend an
officers function was practically guilty
OF les majeste. The thing simply was
not done. In the new citizen army
there has always been a better fellow
ship between rank and file than was
ever found in former American milf
tary organizations, but it has remained
for the headquarters detachment Of the
camp TO go a step further and arrange
a dance In which officers and enlisted
men appeared on equal social ground.
The affair, held in Engineers Hall, is
described as a brilliant success.
The old idea that any officer partici-
pating in such an event would lose
caste in the eyes Of his men has appar-
emily been Knocked into a cooked hat,
along with a lot Of other old army ira
dltions. If the social mlngllng has
made any change in the attitude OF en-
listed men toward their superior Ofic-
ers II has created q finer respect, for
back on duty there Is an even more
studious attention to recognition OF
rank that military decorum demands; ;
but with it goes a finer spirit OF CO
operation all along the line.
The Protestant Episcopal Church is
giving practical demonstration that
. cleanliness Is next to Goodness" In
their soldiers club, adjoining st.
Georges Church, at Pointville. they
have built series OF fine shower baths.
With thousands OF soldiers now living
IN nearby tents and temporarily de-
prived Of the d1ily baths that were
their privilege in their former barracks
the st. Georges showers have become
one OF the most popular spots In that
section OF the cantonment.
A romance that began years ago
when they were childhood sweethesrts
in Greece, eliminated in a military
wedding here. Private Paul Michael.
assigned as cpok at the official resi-
dence Of General Scott. married Miss
Mary G. Karr, OF New York city. From
his home in Lavalier, Greece, Michael
came to America 1--WE years ago and
later opened a restaurant In New
York. He had promised 10 send for his
boyhood sweetheart and Miss Karr
came TO America, but about the time
OF her arrival, Michael, who bad his
residence in North Jersey, was called
into the army at this post. His expert
ence in the restaurant business won
him appointment OF an army cook
through the personnel department and
his skill later got him the. coveted hon
or at the residence of the camp com
mander. The lovers decided that al
though NilchseI had been compelled 10
close out his successful business. their
wedding should not be postponed and
Miss Ksrr came to Camp Dix. Lieuten-
ant Howard Davis, chaplain OF the 59th
Pioneers, tied the knot.
A few months iago Rene LsCoste.
well known In opera circles and as a
"movie Star" was riding unbr0ken
bronchos and doing ther daring eques-
trisn stunts before the camera, all OF
which he now finds was excellent prep
sration to the duty TO which he has
been assigned as a member OF the
headquarters troop Of the S7th Divi-
sion. This troop-is one Of the best
mounted details in the National Army,
and will participate with details from
Camp Dix Remount Depot, in the <ld
West show to be staged in Philadelphia
this month. General Secretary Frank
Wandle OF the Knights OF Columbus,
when ne learned Private LaCoste's iden-
tlty, made arrangements for him to
sing "'The Marseillaise," at celebra-
tlon in the K. OF C. hall, next Sunday,
July IS, in honor Of the founding Of
the French Republic.
Stay-at-home preachers out Of touch
with real training camp conditions and
with a tendency, born OF ignorance, to
lament over the spiritual welfare OF
men in the army, would have had
new vision Of what the army means in |
the development Of a real religion |
among the soldiers could they have
attended a service conducted in "Y"
hut No. 1, by Chaplain Davis, Of the |
59th Pioneers, when nearly 1000 men /
rededcated themselves TO the ideals OF
Christian living during their army life. |
The remarkable scene followed brief |
sermon by the Chaplain TO an audience
made up OF men from nearly every Or
ganization in camp.
zone Of the greatest problems. OF the
home church is that II shall keep step |
with the religious fervor and sincerity /
Of the army" said the Chaplain later
in discussion the service.