The citizen., 1919-06-05
LETTER FROM
SECRETARY VAUGHN
American Embarkation Center
Educational Department
Ic Mans. France,
May TO- 1919


France participating in an emer-
gcncy task
/ have desired to write you a
letter for publication more fire.
qucntly but the movements OF the
troops are 50 rapid that we have TO
work night and day TO put over our
program before they leave France.
NY first two weeks in France
were spent in the American Sol
diers University at Beaunc, Cote
Dor. assisting in the registration ~
students. II brought 10 mind my
work at Berea. a. il was principally
| that of directing students To the
| different colleges Of the University.
/ when this work was finished. was
| invited by Dr. Kenyon W. Butter
/ field. President Of Massachusetts,
[ Agricultural College. to join his col
lcge as one Of the travelling Exien-
sion workers to carry the message
Of the farm and country life to the
soldiers.
n | had been asked to take my
choice Of all the work in France.
/ I know Of nothing that | would
have chosen in preference to what
was offered by the College oi Agri-
| culture. | accepted with fear and
/ trembling. for | was keeping com
pany with College Presidents and
| others like DR.. Warren II. Wilson.
But as nerve has always been one
Of my most precious possessions, ].
dismissed my fear and stepped out
into the field as an authority upon
NY subject. And right here let mo
say that my experience in Bcrea
and my country life experience
have placed me in such a position
that University men have submitted
propositions for my approval be
cause certain methods they were
using did not reach the soldier.
] was sent TO Le Mans. the grea'
emharkation center. where 5000
men known as the permanent per-
sonnel are stationed all the time, and
also where more than 10000 combat
troops pass through every month.
NV orders commanded me 10 stav
here two weeks and return but A.
the field was so large and had
enrolled more than one thousand
men in Agricultural Glasses and
Clubs. they continued my stay for
two weeks longer.
In the meantime two important
things happened: conceived the
idea Of launching an Agricultural
Fair and Horse Show. 10 be held in
the large Classification Camp in Le
Mans. and. 20 my surprise the
Colonel took 90 10 at once and ap-
pointed two army officers to push
il through military channels; and
the second happening was the tax
ing over Of the Y. NJ c. A. Of all the |
army educational work by the army |
and the signing Of contracts with |
us as army men. Il donned an /
officers Uniform and went out be-
hind my barracks and practiced sa-
luting).
when | announced the fair pro-
iect to Or Buiterfeld he pronoun
eG il one of the most daring Al
tempts in the educational work and |
had me appointed Agricultural Adj
wiser for the American Embarka-
tion Area TO make plans and direct
the work that must be headed mp /
by an army Office The plans ha' =
grown TO such proportions that IT |
requires the full time Of five army /
officers besides myself b. keep The |
different phases Of the fair moving /
My first move was 10 call upon
the prefect Of this Department
comparable TO Governor Of a state
in L. s. and get his endorsement. |
then the Director Of Agriculture Of
the Department and through him
work the producers Of animals and
crops in order TO have something TO
show besides army horses. The
fair is developing into an allied fair
or the French, and Americans and
French are cooperating with fine
spirit.
An important feature of the fair
will be an Oratorical contest that
takes place on the second night
There will be six twelve minute
speeches on Agricultural subjects
and medals will be given the win
ncrs, first, second and third. Pri-
vate VIM. Porter, a member of the
Academy two years ago, is TO be
one Of the speakers and he has a
good chance TO win.
Besides the fair we are engaged
in Agricultural meetings every
night in the camps located around
LIE Mans. There are i'm all about |