The sun., 1918-11-10
Evils Arising From
the Mobilization
of Millions ofMen
Promptly Met and.
Eradicated by
BringingH omeIn-
fluences toCanps
N the summer Of 1916 Secretary
Baker sent Raymond B. Fosdick

TN the summer Of 1916 Secretary
/ Baker sent Raymond B. Fosdick
= a. a special agent Of the War De-
partment to investigate conditions in
communities on the Mexican border
where our troops were stationed. Mr..
Fosdiok found Ave thousand soldiers
encamped at Columbus. N. NJ, with
absolutely nothing in tho town that
could in any way arnuse them. There
were no moving picture shows; no
places where they could write letters;
no library facilities of any kind: no
hume to which they could go--nothing
absolutely at all except a very well
run red light district and few
saloons.'
This investigation officially con-
vtnced the Government that there
were war camp community problems.
When the United States launched her
war programme against Germany
War Camp Community Service became
the official answer 10 that problem.
Tho War Department Commission
on Training Camp Activities was ap-
pointed by Secretary Newton d. Baker
in April, 1917. The Navy Department
Commission on Training Camp Activi-
ties was established by Secretary Jo-
sephus Daniels three months later.
Raymond B. Fosdick became chairman
OF both.
BY the end Of May. 1917. War Camp
Community Service was a vital organi-
Zation. Military and naval policy per-
Cnita enlisted men to leave camp now
ana then in order that they may ease
the strain and relax from the rigors OF
military routine and discipline. It
recognizes the desirability OF permit
ting friends and relatives to visit these
men when adequate facilities are
available for their accommodation in
near camp communities.
On leave the fighter seeks contact
with the human side OF life. He goes
~ town. Whether his visits are an
asset or a liability in his training de-
ponds largely on what he does while
there. And what he does is limited by
what there is to do.
Need of Organized Effort.
The Governments hurried establish
EIent Of army camps and naval train
ing stations over the country threw
many American communities into tur-
mol. Some towns saw their transient
populations increase as much as 1000
per cent. over night. Frequently they
lacked the power OF controlling unde-
sirabls conditions and the means to
provide enough desirable ones.
Low grade entertainment and open
vice lost no time gaining q foothold
where communities were unorganized
and inattentivs. Many towns had no
public rest rooms or information bu-
reaus, comfort stations or drinking
fountains The street corner provided
tho only place where a lonesome SOL
der could meet companion. Some
localities faced critical problems or
sanitation, OF transportation and OF
feeding and housing thetr greatly in
creased floating populations. And
funds were not sufficient to remedy
these conditions.
War Camp Community Service went
10 the assistance of these towns. This
organization is now operating in some
600 communities adjacent TO training
camps and stations. helping them to
extend hospitality to n transient popu-
lation OF soldiers, sailors, marines and
visiting civilians the total Of which
would run we'll into the millions.
War Camp Community Service Mt
taciis the problem Of serving the SOL
der and sailor and their guests from
i've angles. II gives to the aim d.
vulged in It's title. namely community
service. the widest possible interpreta-
ton. First II extends community ser
vice IN the strict sense of the word.
Further It fosters community hospi-
taiity ana community recreation. It's
administrative tool is community or