The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-07-11

ull Sucn llTenuy existing Or
ganzattOns called upon to lend their CO.
operation. The Young WOmen's Christian associ-
ntion came into the camps later with that unique
institution. the Hostess House. This house was
designed primarily to take of visi-
tors to the camps and furnish place of meeting
between them and the men,
The commissions were determined to cover the
whole ground I'm furnishing amusement. recrea
ton and educational facilities for the soldiers
and sailors. Wherever there seemed TO be gap
that no existing agency was particularly prepared
ia fill the commission supplied the need direct
meeting the problem of place to go to and be
entertained In the evenings. The post exchange
or soldiers cooperative stores. were similarly
started in the l6 National army camps. and fur
nish q place where the men may spend their mon
ey Everything is on sale there from shoe
shine to pink valentine and from an ice cream
soda to a song book Of the kind that the men
when they gather together by the Thousands
for mass slntlng
Club life In the camps Is furnished through the
Y. N. C. A. and the X. of c.. and In few camps
the Jewish Welfare buildings. Men may read.
write. loaf and smoke. listen to music and write
letters home in these buildings Also. In the
auditorium of each building entertainments Of
all sorts held. Camp talent musicales, athletic
STUNTS and Imported entertainment programs all
take place here in addition to those given In the
larger T. NJ. C. A. auditorium in each camp. and
in the Liberty theaters. The Hostess House fur
nishes the home life Of the camp and has come
be popular with the men In the evenings all
during the week. With the library to furnish him
with plenty of good reading matter. and quiet
place to read in: with the post exchange playing
the role of country store corner drug store not
only In supplying his needs, but in furnishing
place to meet his friends and swap stories-the
mems needs are pretty thoroughly taken care of.
Thirty six library buildings have already been
completed In the military camps of the country,
and others under way These buildings are
made possible by special grant from the Car
negle corporation of $4,000, and other funds.
The type of building chosen is new In the IL
brary world. They are wooden structures OF
rather plain design. similar to the usual type of
buildings found in modern camps. Most Of the
buildings in the cantonments are 12O by 40 feet,
while those In smaller camps are 93 by 40 feet.
Special attention has been given to adequate IA
cilties for heating. ventilation and light. and
many features now being added to make
these Quiet. restful buildings more attractive and
inviting than would be expected In the usual camp
equipment Some q the buildings have spacious
open frepaces built into inviting hooks. Others
have closed pOrches. and all are equipped with
nre extinguishers drinking fountains and running
water.
The Interior is large reading room. with
two bedrooms located at end for housing the
library staff. Trained librarians in charge
Of each building. All of the shelves are open
for Inspection and contain from 10000 to 2OOOO
volumes. Each building has comfortable seat
ing capacity for about 200 readers. In the library
building Is housed the main supply of books for
the camp. and from 1t branches are maintained In
the barracks, the mess halls. hospitals. Y. NJ. G.
A. and X. of G. buildings.
Each of the sixteen National army camps has
been pFovidei, by the commissions trimming
camp activities with Liberty theater building.
having seating capacity of 5000 and stage ae-
commodating the scenery for broadway" prOduc-
TONS These buildings furnished with real
footlights. dressing rooms and scenery for any
ordinary production. There Is also an orchestra
nit where regimental bands play at every per
f0rmance.
Nine theAters Of smaller type have been COM
nleted in the National Guard camps and others
are in course Of eaea1saation. The entire sixteen