Evening star., 1936-07-12

Mai. Eugene N. Frskes. q square
jawed, square-shouldered World War
officer looks coldly competent. Our
first question is addressed to him:
Major, what is the average physical
condition, age and outlook for boys
entering your camps?"
The major pauses, choosing his
words carefully, precisely. The aver
age boy arriving here considers himself
social outcast. He has failed to find
work or justify his existence; is desti-
tute and depressed. He is here be-
cause his mother, father or some other
dependent must have the $25 monthly
which he earns.
NONE Of us can escape the tragic
import Of the majors next words:
These young American boys have
never had . chance. They are I'M
trained for any occupation, some can
neither read nor write and our average
boy has only q fourth-grade public
school education. They arrive here IL
to Is pounds underweight sick In
body, mind and spirit. They have
lost faith in themselves, our country
and the future, yet despite the want.
privation and suffering at home, these
youngsters are often homesick.
There Is complete silence at the
table until We ask quietly. And what
do you do for them here?"
This major, this man who under
stands the real needs of underprivi-
legged boys, answers. We give them the
chance to find themselves. to regain
self-respect and courage through
worth while work You see. these boys
are more than physically hungry, they
need more than just food, a few
clothes and roof overhead. Those
are simple needs easy to furnish.
Their real need and our great task is
to bring them new understanding, new
courage and new hope. And we sue
ceed because friendly words of en-
couragement are the priceless tools
which reshape the psychology Of these
underprivileged young men. These
AOyss aAtCA dAly dlC AlOt TIC uIckS Oh
humanity. they are it's casualties.
Maj. Frakes. subdistrict comman-
dant Of l3 C. c. c. camps is matter
of-fact again as he concludes:
Understand. We do not coddle the
boys here. Self-hygiene, self-disci-
pline. self-help are the Three C keys
to self-respect. When a boy Is morally
and physically sound, education for
specific jobs speed the rehabilitation
process. but our work is not complete
until each boy has a paying job and
Is honorably discharged from service.
Talk turns to the humorous side of
camp life as the dinner consisting Of
roast beef, boiled potatoes, lima bears,
corn bread, coffee and dessert pro-
crosses. The food is good, there is
plenty Of 1t.
A 3 WE finish dinner the camp doc
= tor is describing some of his
problem cases.
DO you keep records on the weights
and general health Of the boys?" We
ask.
The doctor Is enthusiastic. Eyes,
sir. and the boys gain from to 30
pounds during six months service.
f1abby muscles tighten. their eyes take
on q new sparkle and all their all
ments. most of them due. to poor food,
improper sleep and other home con-
ditions, disappear"
Educational Leader Zirkle now ex-
plains that corps regulations require
that all c. c. c. boys take q course in
American citizenship. He describes
how they teach personal hygiene, en-
courage pride in personal appearance
and improve the boys manners, their
seif-respect through education. Lead
er Zirkle explains how the morals Of
the boys are safeguarded. This corps
leaders work is probably the most i'm
portant in camp and his last state
ment Is significant:
Despite the fact that these boys
must take vocational courses during
their recreation hours. more than 95
per cent have enrolled for one or
more"
Maj. Frakes comments: THAT
proves our boys are worth while, that
they deserve a chance and are willing
to work and study for It,"
Dinner Is over, the picture Of the
c. c. c. average boy Is complete, but
before we 60 home I must find Carl,
for he is the typical rookie Maj. Frakes
has been describing. We find him
alone. waiting in the barracks.
well. Carl, did you enjoy lunch?"
The boy mods as We add, rs the
grub better than homer" He an
swers:
"Yes. sir, all except the pies"
Leader Stipes brings Yates regis
tration card and health record. The
food must agree with him, for he has
gained . pounds In six weeks. We
chance another question:
Before lunch you said the work
wasn't too hard, Carl, If you were At.
Do you think you can make the
grader"
Member Yates, the 17-year-old boy
with one dependent, looks toward the
hills where his old home lies. The
narrow shoulders square back as he
answers:
Yes, sir. I'm all right now"
Tomorrow Carl will answer reveille
at 10 minutes after 5. stand assembly
at $50, police camp until o'clock.
then have breakfast. At minutes
to he will answer the call to work,
be driven UP into the hills where the
concrete construction gang works.
Until noon he will be hard at work.
And after Is minutes for q kit lunch,
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