Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1919-06-26

: authorities were anxious to keep them
engaged. Every emergency of this
sort was filled. IL 1T were possible
for the ''Y' to do so.
IS. =. o. Almost Nightly.
u The stars that. made, the "movieso
famous were seen In first-release pic
lures, and there were not many nights
when standing room was not at a
premium. The entertainment fea-
lures included performances by lead
ing actors and grand opera stars and
persons OF such distinction as Miss
Margaret Wilson, daughter OF the
President. and Mrs. Newton d. Baker,
wife of the Secretary OF War. Sol
der actors. dancers and humorists
were employed in many shows given
under "Y" auspices.
Some idea Of the number of men
reached by the entertainment depart
ment each week in busy times (even
in dull times1 may be had by the
report for May, 1918, which showed
an attendance in all buildings of
Z $4,000 each week This was q fair
average for the entire time.
1t was the work OF the educational
department which was said by some
military authorities to be the means
of keeping contented and useful many
men who would otherwise have been
restless and of little value to the
Army. This was especially true In
relation to the training OF foreign
born men in English, so that they
might at least understand commands.
The camp commander was intrusted
with the training OF the foreigners
In the development battalions and ne
engaged the "Y' to put this pro-
gram over. for him. A secretary
who had been doing this kind Of work
the task Of teaching English to ap-
proximately 5000 men.
Best Speakers Brought Here.
= large portion OF the educational
work was given over to talks by
prominent persons from the most
semlnsnt sources. These talks covered
Mlee range OF subjects, but were
IAicNiatel 70 Eive the eoldier q chance
-. learn Lnlngs ne had never had an
se.!szRs2rtnnity 20 near before and to
p4lIG up MS patriCtism.
1hciuaed IN the list OF speakers that
'~ere prcu&nt here were former
rresl0ent William II. Taft, depart
menL neaas OF the government in
y asnihgton, couege professors. United
STATES senators and specialists OF
many kinds. notably In agriculture,
SUBJECT IN which the War Department
Wae much interested.
{. Men served IN the ~ uniform from
ire stations OF high and low degree.
n TWO instances millionaires worked
size Dy SIDE with men from modest
homes ana their wealth never made
lng except perhaps to spur them on
g e reateh en0rte. MINISTER'S from
1aanlNNante churcheS and the best
eemAnATaee preached in like manner
~; ns .s,. menxM we're the garh Of more
Teacherss coliese presidents bank
ers: lawyets, business men, athletic
lnstructora and champions, riewspa-
peEmens pAy91ciane, artietes musicians
Ana cnauMeura comqined to make the
sta9 well balanced and efficient or
1 npx Z g; 49,. ...,,, :, ..,,,, 8.
II systematic way was the vista
ton q the barracks. especially when
quarantines wereg In ERECT and the
I.aautrIss about soldiers, from reis-
manner giving due weight to accuracy
and care. work among colored soi-
diers was carried on by colored sec
retafies who put ON the same sort of
service program as was Afforded the
white soldiers
out the namp and an idea of the ex-
tent OF tNie work may be gathered by
the number of soldiers who took part
in an evenings 'tsing" in &C open air
theater. when 1000 voices were di-
rected in unison by ''Y'' leader.
Much of the work was carried on
IN tents to meet the needs of the
shifting population. On many oc-
casions troops coming into Camp
Meade from long distances were
given food and drink, In camp by sY"
secretaries who met them at the
station.
The military authorities gave the