Evening star., 1942-02-15
BY JACQUES FUTRELLE, Jr
Tyaval KAifAy

Resorts tucked away in the noun
tains and woodlands. claiming little
or no military strategic value and
built up along pleasure and recrea-
tional lines-possessing no essential
war industries, may play life
saving role in war quite apart from
that Of bolStering morale through
offering relaxation. Indications are
that inland play spots are preparing
to serve Americans Of all ages In
the dual capacity as q haven for
fortifying health and nerves in the
victory task and for escaping bomb
ings which civilian defense oficers
have argued Is more than q posi-
bility in large cities.
Among the more notable resorts
that have taken steps to become
civilian retreats is Lake Placid,
nesting against Mirror Lake In q
tiny valley amid the peaks Of New
York's Adirondack Mountains. Sur
veys have been conducted to deter.
mine housing facilities, exclusive Of
hotels. guest houses and clubs,
which themselves accommodate
from 10 to 1900 persons each. Va
cancies in schools have been checked,
disclosing educational facilities for
some 400 students. The arrival OF
this number of school-age children.
with their parents, would about
absorb the number Of home units
available.
Recreational facilities In summer
and winter, which have been grow
ing since Lake Placid became FASH
ionable as health resort in the 18th
century, are weighted on the plenti-
full side, with 10000 acres of public
lands in the North Elba Park dis
trict: eight golf courses, 300 miles of
ski trails, ski slopes equipped with
tows, ice skating both summer and
winter, 100 miles Of riding trails,
swimming and organizations pro-
noting horse shows, skiing skill, dog
shows. softball and bowling.
Washingtonians, especially those
not engaged in the more vital phases
Of war work. already have learned
Of the invitation Of Miami, Fla, to
make Southern Florida their home.
for the duration and release living
quarters in the Nations Capital to
strictly war workers Other cities
that owe their popularity and de-
velopment to the tourist trade. pos
sessing excellent school and recrea-
tional facilities, and with a surplus
In housing. are expected to extend
similar invitations. A number of
do-your- pursuits Of the out-and-
out civilians can be accomplished
in one part Of the country as we'll
as another. 1t Is being pointed out,
and the patriotism of giving over
the seat Of the Government to an
all-out victory effort is pictured as
paying dividends in comfort, pleas
ure and, in number Of cases,
economy.
Another phase Of civilian safety
in wartime. at the same time offer
ing a planned instead OF a hap
hazard vacation. is being stressed by
Names summer camps for boys and
girls.
The Maine Development Commits
sion and railroad officials already
are working on plans for the June
influx of young America, with cities
geared to the war effort expected to
add thousands to the $1,000 children
who ordinarily enroll in the States
225 recognized camps. In the past,
the army Of youth descended on the
camp facilities in a three-day period.
Camp opening will be stepped" this
year to relieve the strain on trans
portation.
Explaining the safety factor of
camps over cities. Everett F. Creation,
the commissions executive secretary,
said: Maine summer camps are
located for the most part on tree
lined shores hundreds of miles from
danger. This has caused many per-
sons to enroll their youngsters
earlier than u-ual" He added that
camp directors plan to explain their
facilities to take care of the in
creased number Of children expected
from metropolitan areas that are
shadowed with strategic value.
The war may convince a number