The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-05-02
y Build Up Character ior
Betterment Of Community

AN epoch marking event IN Tho
history OF Virginia" was the state.
ment by Or. J. p, Mcconnell, rresiden,
OF the State Normal school at Eas,
Radford. Virginia, regarding the Az
t1a War Work program institute held
In Lynchburg last week under this
auspices Of the Natiohal War Work
council OF the Young Mems Christian
association.
One hundred and fifteen men
representative OF the best citizenship
In every county in Virginia. including
ministers, college presidents lawyers
HUhers and business men, gathered
is>Ahe Hill City last week. TO discuss
the relationship Of the returning sol
dier to the religious, civic. economic
and recreational life Of the county and
community in which he lives.
While the discussion pp each OF the
-FOUR days concerned the subject for
the day; that OF recreation. civics,
thought OF the institute was that OF
strengthening and developing Christ
ism character, all other objects and
Plans OF work being a means to that
end. Experts in the above named
lffes lead the various groups in the
discussion of the several subjects
named, but no set addresses were
made, the object being the Virginia
70 set UP It's own program in It's own
why: to name its own problems and
tina delegates together thresh out a
proposed solution and try 10 carry oft
a Program.
This Is not an organization ora
movement to furnish the soldier and
sailor something In the way of
material things On tho contrary 1t
is designed to use The valuable things
he has learned while in the service
TO make his own community better
Dr. Howerton of Washington. and
Lee University in his address at the
I-ynehburg institute. stated that the
morals of the soldier were far better
safe guarded in camp than they were
III many places in Virginia. and that
many men. would come home cleaner
In mind and practice than when they
went into The service. This is true
mot only OF the morals. hut in other
ASPECTS Of life Sc soldier has come
back a c'ss1nscd man in many cases
WIN CHER ideals OF community life
&rd we mus, endeavor TO raise the
ideals.
These institutes and training schools
arr being put In every state Ia the
union, The leaders from New York
stated last week that tbs Lynchburg
intfitute was the largest In point
of'attendance and best in its personnel
or ANY that had been held In the
Eastern Military department. which
rssnsfrrises the states of New FORK.
pennss ivania. New Jersey, Delaware.
Maryland. West Virginia. virginia and
the District of Columbia. Virginia
ihfF been divided into eight districts.
each under the supervision Of "A dis
sfsct secretary. 1t Is the intention Of
A., under whom these secretaries
work. to arrange for Suh-conferenees
IN about thirty different SECTIONS o.
tAA- stale and pvt on practically the
eafse program as a. I4ynckburg for
the. training of volunteer workers in
the several counties of Virginia
s. A. Acktey who has been executive
secretary OF the South Eastern depart
ment of the National War Work coun
cil of the Y. NJ. e. A. in Atlanta for
the past two years has just returned
10 hts former post as state secretary
Of Virginia ard will have direct charge
of the after war work program in
Virginia, assisted by J r.. Peasants
who has been acting secretary in Mr.
Ackley's absence, and 10 whnrn the
credit belongs for the setting up of
the very successful state institute
Just held In Lynchburg
The counties In the Richmond dis