The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-03-05
Club House Formally Opened

e The exercises incident to the form
opening of the Soldiers Club Hous
Mount Holly, on Saturday afternoo
and night, were successfully carried OIL
in the presence of large number {
citizens and visiting soldiers. So lare
was the crowd surrounding the hous
at the afternoon exercises that stree
traffic had difficulty in getting pas
this point.
The 311th regimental band from
Camp Dix opened the afternoon pre-
gramme by making a short stree
parade and then rendering number G
selections in front of the club house.
The building was so crowded will
spectators that hundreds of peopl
could not gain entrance and had t.
stand on the sidewalks and street. On
this account it was decided to have th,
speechmaking take place at the en-
trance to the building, in order tina
persons inside and outside could hav,
an opportunity to hear the speakers.
Lorenzo l.. Sapp, chairman of tn,
community organization on soldiers
! recreation, presided, and introduced
| the speakers. The first was Rev
Luther Nj. Bicknell, who on behalf
of the town, formally presented the
building for the nse of the soldiers who
visit Mount Holly. He stated that the
residents, realizing that the commu-
nifty had duty to perform in offering
hospitality and place of recreation
for visiting men in uniform, had pro-
vided and outfitted this building for
those purposes.
The acceptance of the house, on be-
half of Gen. Scott and the soldiers,
was made by Col. Waite C. Johnson,
assistant chief of staff at Camp Dix.
He stated that this was another evil
dence of the spirit of generosity that is
being shown by the citizens of the en-
tire country.
There is real need, he said, for this
kind of work and activity in communi
tiles adjacent to military environments,
and the supplying of this necessity is
appreciated by the government. The
military profession, which teaches
soldiers the most efficient method of
killing men, is not pleasant occupa
ton and it is important that at times
recreation and entertainment be pro-
vided to divert the mems minds to
other channels.
The men at camp, Col Johnson stat
ed, feel that this military work is their
duty, as the country is threatened by
the most hellish autocracy the world
has ever seen.
The people'of the country desire to
do something for the soldiers, as is
evidenced by the opening of club
houses, churches and homes for their
entertainment in adjacent towns.
This cooperation in furnishing recrea-
ton is wise and patriotic,
Remember that the soldier is
human and wants to be entertained,
said the speaker, land that he should
have good environment. Let the fair
ones be present at the club house and
as the soldiers crave femi-
nine association The camp author
tiles and men appreciate the opening
of this well-equipped house.
The next speaker was w. P. jack
son, who is in charge of soldiers recre-
ational work in the Wrightstown dis
trict. He said these club houses are
desirable in communities, but they
should be conducted according to the
soldiers ideas, with certain amount
of iberality. The men know where to
go to be preached to, namely, the
churches. They do not desire to be
given religious teaching all the time.
II they want to play game of check
ers, for example, on Sunday, let them
do it, or indulge in any other form of
innocent and harmless amusement.
Meet the men half way and the club
house and town will be popular with
the men in uniform. Mount Holly
thus far has made fairly good name
with the soldiers at Camp Dix.
At the conclusion OF the speechmak-
ing there was more music by the band,
and a number of excellent selections
by a quartette of soldiers from the
31Oth infantry. Unfortunately the
1uartette could not remain for the
evening exercises, having another en-
gagement at Hamilton Square, but
they expressed a desire to return at
some future date to give concert at
the club house in Mount Holly.
Vocal solos also were given by Misses
Edith Archer and Elsie Milnen, of
which were much appre-
ciated.
The club house was inspected by
hundreds of residents of the town dur
ing the afternoon. The building con-
tains two recreational rooms supplied
with suitable furniture, piano, phon
ograph, games of various kinds, read
ing and writing materials, etc; din
ing room, sleeping apartments, and
bathing and toilet facilities. Mrs
Gottlieb Everline is the matron in
charge.
Beginning at seven o'clock in the
evening the building was open to sol
diers, large number of whom visited
the place, and were received, enter
tanned and supplied with refreshments
by ladies of the town. The 311th band
gave another concert that greatly en-
livened the affair. The willingness of
these musicians to play lots of selec-
tions, and the excellent manner in
which the numbers were executed,
made the band very popular institu-
ton with the people of Mount Holly.
The days exercises were in charge of
P. o. Osterhus, district representativ e
of war recreational work, and the local
organization on soldiers hospitality
activities. The days programme and
attendance were quite satisfactory.
The club house was decorated with
flags, flowers and potted plants, and
presented cheerful and attractive APP
pearance.
Eastman's kodaks and supplies. L.
S. Boyce, stationer. &C
Comedy and Music For Red
Cross