Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-02
A Lesson of War Applied in pcucc

EVEN war is not an unmiNcd evil. Out of
IL 1t come many things that lend them
selves to the rational and healthful develop
ment of humanity. Lessons of right living
learned In the midst Of conflict are not un-
learned Immediately that conflict is termi-
mated Properly applied they conduce to
the welfare and happiness Of the peaco-tme
citizen and mako possible the upbuilding Of
q stronger more efficient and u moro con-
tented people.
A case in point, as il is being applied here
in Richmond. The world war taught the
paramount necessity of physical prepared
ness clean living and wholesome recreation
Prior to that the public attitude toward this
trinity OF good ctizenship's essentials had
been one Of lazy Indifference or. of slipshod
attention. They were all too often set down
and dismissed from mind the fads Of the
physical culturist. The war changed all that.
When the American army, called from peace
full pursuits was modified, and after its ar
rival in France il was realized that u youth,
to be as efficient as nature intended that he
should be. must care for his physical ma
chinery. lead a Clearly life and be supplied
with wholesome recreation for mind and
body. That realization led to the formation
OF the War Camp Community Service, and
to its scientific work along these modern
lines may be attributed the morale which
made the American army the finest body Of
lighting men the world had seen.
The same necessities that apply to the
making of efficient soldiers apply to the MAX
ing Of efficient citizens The young citizens,
boys and girls, must be kept physically and
mentally prepared for the problems of their
citizenship. The lesson taught by war must
not be forgotten as soon as wars alarums are
stllled. With this in mind, the Community
Recreation Association or Richmond was
formed. Already its work has been more
than appreciable. but as yet only the foun-
dation has been laiG ana much remains to
be done. Listing some 81 the things that it
has accomplished, one finds that the asso-
citation has aroused public sentiment "to such
an extent that the city budget carries
s3.,174.5O fer Fairgrounds and recreational
facilities as against $500 last year." the
opening of Shields Lake for bathing with
properly prepared bottom and suitable
bathhouse, permanently assured band con-
certS in the parks aud open-air movies,
equipment of four community clubs, and the
conducting Of community Sings
No one can fail TO understand what this
sort CT community activity means to Rich
mond. Its benefits cannot be valued in dol
lars; they must he counted in increased
health, Increased happiness increased con-
tentment, and the safeguarding OF the city
against those elements Of unrest, political
and industrial, which threaten every com
munity harboring dissatisfied people. To
carry out its program the association must
have funds. 1t is estimated that u monthly
budget OF $4,000 must be provided through
private subscription if the naturalization
Of its plans for 1920 is 10 be made possible
If the SUM needed were many times tho
amount named. it still would be a sound in
vestment for Richmond. 1t will pay divi-
dcnds i'll happiness and in tho making of a
better. brighter and moro cheerful city in
which to live, and it will assure citizenry
sound i'll body and mind, strong to throw off
til. noxous evils that are sapping the vitality
from civilization.