The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-07-14
EX-SOLDIERS
OPEN HOUSE
FOR ORPHANS
Institution Is Living Me-
mortal to Men Who Lost
Their Lives,
BY LOUIS c. CRAMTON,
U. S. Representative From
Michigan.


Michigan.
EU1 ASHINGTON, July IA. Il
N/I think it is proper to call at
0 tention of the Nation to what
ex-service men are doing in behalf
of disabled ex-service men and their
dependents.
Already this program of practical
aid is under way. At Otter Lake,
one of Michigan's myriad inland
lakes, there has been opened the
first unit of the Children's Billet
a home, not an institution" 1t is
to be a truly and sure-enough home
for those boys and girls whose dad
dies are dead or incapacitated be
cause of what they did in Americas
greatest var The site was orgi-
nally chosen by the Michigan de-
partment of the American Legion,
which started the work and for a
time had it under operation. Then
the outstanding merit of this work
caught the attention of the National
Legion, and it asked Michigan to
turn the unit over as the first step in
a countrywide program. This has
been done, and all the work is now
officially under the direction of the
national children's welfare commit
tee of the American Legion.
Living Memorial
The ideal back of this movement
is that the home shall be erected as
a living memorial to the men who
gave their lives or their soundness
of body to their country.
Instead of useless marble or
bronze this memorial is to be built
Of the future hopes and careers Of
war-orphaned children. It is the OBJ
legation of the American people to
the men who died or were MANNED
for them. 1t is the salute Of legion
naires TO their comrades who have
gone west.
Fortunately for the physical vel
fare of the children. otter Lake fur
nishes every opportunity for happy
outdoor play Food is fresh from the
countryside and so economical that
the most plentiful and scientific diet
is costing not to exceed So cents a
day. The sleeping accommodations
are on an especially designed and
I constructed porch overlooking the
waters and wooded shores of the
lake. In these conditions the train
ing of the child in right habits Of
health is simplicity itself.
Farm Is Important
The ninety-six.acre farm which
surrounds the home has It's impor-
tant economic function. Large parts
of it are available for cultivation,
and these activities Will have an i'm
portant educational influence. on
the farm are cows. horses. pigs.
chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.
On the farm itself a diversity Of
crops can be raised which will train
those children who are interested in
farming in a great variety of ways,
The home at otter Lake is situated
on the brow Of hill which directly
overloo' S the lake itself Around
about ale about even portions Of
arabic fields and open woods. About
halfmiie away are two more
/ spring lakes 1 ne country Is All
rolling in character and is the high.
est altitude in this part of the State.
With the n!nety-six- acre site now
owned IN fee there is every oppor-
tun.t3 f1r future expansion.
the present development has been
blo1Sht about partly by the actiYi-
ties he legionnaires Of Michigan,
partis by a substantial appropria-
ton of the Michigan Legislature.
and lastly and probably most inn
portant by the national sponsor.
ship and efforts of the national
American Legion.
The future Of the otter Lake
home must be based on a realization
Of the greatness of the task The
number Of eligible children is very
large. Already the existence Of the
home has become known and the de
mand for its benevolent aid is grow
ing far, far beyond the possibilities
of the present facilities.
Because Of the plan Of building
small cottages. the expansion can be
made gradually and economically
without the danger of overbuilding
or unWise expenditure.