The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-07-25

CARNATIONS were called upon to lend their CO.
operation. The Young WOmen's Christian associ-
alton came into the camps later with that unique
institution, the Hostess House This house was
designed primarily to take of women visi-
tors to the camps and furnish place of meeting
between them and the
The commissions were determined to cover the
whole ground in 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
to fill the commission supplied the need direct
meeting the problem of q place to go to and be
entertained in the evenings. The post exchange
or soldiers cooperative stores, similarly
started in the 16 National army camps, and fur
nish place where the may spend their mon
ey. Everything is on sale there from shoe
shine TO q pink valentine and from an ice cream
soda to song book of the kind that the men
when they gather together by the thousands
for singing.
Club life in the camps is furnished through the
Y. NJ. c. a. and the K. 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 Y. NJ. G. A. auditorium in eaciI camp, and
in the Liberty theaters The Hostess House fur
nisheS the home life of the camp and has come
TO be popular with the men in the evenings all
during the week. With the library to furnish him
WITH pIoIIy OF SOOO FodOInS matter, ana q 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 a
place to meet his friends and swap stories-the
mems needs pretty thoroughly taken 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 Il special rant from the Car
negie corporation of 100000, and other funds
The type of building chosen is in the IL
hroVV ThnXy cfrI1
rather plain design similar to the usual type OF
buildings found in modern camps. Most of the
buildings in the environments 120 by 20 feet,
while those in smaller camps % by 40 feet.
Special attention has been given to adequate IA
ciitieS for heating, ventilation and light, and
many features being added to make
these quiet, reStfuI buildings attractive and
inviting than would be expected in the usual camp
equipment. Some of the buildings have spacious
open freplaces built into inviting hooks. Others
have closed porches, and all are equipped with
fire extinguishers, drinking fountains and running
water
The interior is large reading room, with
two bedrooms located at one end for housing the
library staff. Trained librarians are in charge
of each building. All of the shelves are open
for inspection and contain from 10000 to 10000
volumes Each building has comfortable seat
ing capacity about 200 readers. In the library
building is housed the main supply of books for
the camp and from it branches maintained in
the barracks, the mess halls hospitals, Y. NJ. c.
A. and K. of c. buildings.
Each of the sixteen National army camps has
been provided by the commissions training
camp activities with Liberty theater building.
having seating capacity of 5000 and stage ac
commodating the scenery for broadway" produc
lions. These buildings are furnished with real
footlights, dressing and scenery for any
ordinary production. There is also an orchestra
Dit where regimentaI bands play at every per-
Torrance.
Nine theaters of 4 smaller type have been COM
pleted in the National Guard camps and others
are in course of construction. The entire sixteen