Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-15
WAR CAMP SERVICE
TO CONTINUE HERE
Local Branch Of National Or
ganization Not to Disband
After October 81
WILL ACT INDEPENDENTLY

During the past two years Philadel-
try in the scope. efficiency and distinc- =
tive character Of its War Camp Coin
munity Service.
The local branch of this national or
ganization which has been operating all
over the country under semi govern
mental direction will close its work on
the last day of this month. but its nc
tivities have been Of such civic and
social value that they will be continued
under practically the same personnel
and under the name Of the Community
Service of Philadelphia.
The main purpose of tho War Camp
Community Service in this AS well as
in other cities has been to CO. ordinate
the work of all the civilian welfare or
ganizations which were operating for
the benefit Of the soldiers. sailors mud
marines.
The execution Of plan of this sort
in a city the size of Philadelphia called
for an immense amount of executive
ability, untiriug work and a personnel
of thousands of workers Its scope in
Cluded the supervision of forty two
service clubs. canteens all over the city,
an entertainment booking agency of
professional proportions. welfare work
at the Navy Yard and in camps an in
formation and service department work
among the women war workers of the
city, community singing throughout the
city, special work for negro soldiers and
sailors, transportation and extension
work among the sailors of the merchant
marine.
Not only was the work as a whole
hiatt cd In, oit ,,,
any other, but the new and constructive
work done in so many of the depart
ments makes the record of the local or
ganization even higher.
Four Million Good Deeds
The Philadelphia organization minis
tered to the needs of men in uniform
more than 1000. 900 times 1t pro
vided more than $50. 900 worth of pro
fessional vaudeville, in addition to thou
sands Of other entertainments, socials
and dances. In its canteens food was
served at low prices. These are some
of the features that made Philadelphia
most hCspitable city to men in uni
form.
The welfare work of the merchant
marine division was unique in char
acter, and will be continued on broader
lines in the future.
The man who is at present head of the
Philadelphia branch, and who is re
sponsible for much of the success of
the organization is o. +. Mccormick,
of Overbrook. Mr.. Mccormick gave up
n lucrative position to come with the
organization. first ms head of the enter
ment and service departments and later
as general director, to succeed Calvin
l.. Lewis. who is now representing the
National War Camp Community Service
in the field. On Mr.. McCormick's ex-
ccutive staff are Miss Helen H. Porter
field. H. G. Welch, ]. f. Corneal and
Il. f. Ammons.
Miss Porterfeld is head of the
woman's division, and has done un-
usual social work among the women war
workers of the city. This division has
provided clubrooms, entertainments and
better living conditions for large num-
her of women and girls. Their results
in the Frankford district are pointed
to everywhere with pride.
Community Singing Popular
One Of the best known innovations of
the Philadelphia branch has been the
community singing, which had great
popularity throughout the city and was
copied in many other places. Mr..