Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-17
WATCH CHESTER

cipalities. Chester, during the war
period, found itself doubled in popu-
lation almost over night and con-
fronted with problems of the graV-
est kind. due in large measure TO
its inability to absorb in a moment
all the varied and diverse elements
that had flocked to it in response
to the urgent call of the swollen
OF the war indus
tries. The signing of the armistice
took some of these away, but many
remained and Chester can never go
back to its pre-war way of DONG
things, nor does it so desire. Its
people have caught the vision OF
new day and are striving to make
their dream of a better community
come true.
From war service Chester has
turned to the cultivation of COM
munity music, in the form OF great
choruses under capable leadership
the organization of a League OIL
Nations" in which the foreign-oorn
residents are made to feel that
they are welcome and their presence
desired and are given work to do
in the community; the formation
of a colored contingent for the bet
terment of the colored residents
with the cooperation
and assistance of their white neigh
bors wherever necessary; the use
of the schoolhouses as neighborhood
centers for evening gatherings; the
creation of a Hospitality Depart
ment. the purpose of which is TO
bring people together on an nu-
mate and friendly basis; the en-
of outdoor games
during the evening hours;
the forming of community ciuoS'
and the bringing of all these actiV-
tiles through one directing office are
some of the things Chester is doing
at an expense of some $4,000
year.
Will the movement succeed!
Charles Frederick Weller, executive
secretary in charge, believes it Will.
In the course of an address recently
he defined its purpose and pros
poets in these words:
To put Unity" into Com
munity7 is the slogan of community
service for Chester and vicinity.
To some conservatives II seems
impossible that about forty thou-
sand dollars annually shal De
secured in such a town as Chester,
from State, municipal, educational
and industrial authorities and
private organizations and lndl-
I,iduals. for the permanent loca!
maintenance of such recreatlohal
social service. To many radical re-
formers, on the other hand' com
munity service must appear super
fetal and unimportant. But mil
lions OF average Americans are
hoping that reconstruction ana IN
dustrial advance may be accom-
plished without revolution; that es-
progress until desperation and dis
order are enkindled; that steady
rapid social evolution may realize
those larger measures of democ-
racy and brotherhood for which
human folks are longing.
ent size and very modest powers
of community service in Chester,
is the fact that 1t has proven TO
be responsive in new ways. ac-
ceptably. 10 fundamental impulses
in the hearts of common people.
There is a democratic and fraternal
sirrifcance in all the depart
ments simi..tr to that new spirit
of better Americanism which many
observers felt in Chester's League
of Nations. ,,,.oso
which has been applied. truer
summary is this; that commuhitE
service is uncovering rlcn hluueh
streams of human power discover
ing and co-ordinating great groups
of worthwhile people VINO nave
nreviously been unregarded and
nnenlisted organizing into Joyous
helnful community relationships
large, numbers of men ana women
whom their neighbors are surprised
but glad to recognize as rortbv
comrades.
Cbester's experiment is young,
Perhaps its sponsor is over enthu-
siastic. Maybe it will have to be
changed to meet conditions not now
apparent. But this much stands
proved-that there lies in the heart
of the true American the willing
ness if not the actual desire, for pub
lie service if the way is but shown,
and it is also beyond question that
there is in this country vast urban
population that requires help and
guidance, if help and guidance can
be given after the manner of one
equal to another, and without the
patronizing attitude that goes too
often with what we have came to
call welfare" work. Tt is here
that Chester's program commands
attention and gives promise of sue
cess, for it is intended to help the
individual to help himself, and so
make of him a happier stronger
man and a better citizen.
It will pay us to keep our eyes on
Chester.
CARI F'S FOURTH