The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-02-06
RACE CHAPLAIN
FROM ALASKA
VISITS FAMILY.
Took Part In H is t DRY
Making Episode In
Northwest


Northwest
ALASKA-One OF the most in
,erestlng officers in the Northwest
Service Command is Capt Edward
c.. Carroll, chaplain OF one OF the
Negro Engineer regiments who
have been making history on the
Alcan Highway. Now on leave,
he is home visiting his wife and
four. year-old son in Washington,
D. c, for TIE first time since he
went north with his troops in
May.
Born In West Virginia
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia.
he completed his elementary and
secondary education in schools in
Washington. D c. and his college
training at Morgan State college.
Baltimore, Md He took his theo-
logical training at Yale University
Divinity school and subsequently
held pastorates in Salem. Va, and
Grafton w. Va.
In 1885 he was one OF four selec-
tees chosen 10 visit the college and
university centers OF India, Burma
and Ceylon. The delegation, called
the Plgrimage OF Friendship, spent
4l2 months in those countries and
Chaplain Carroll recollects that al
that time the two most renowned
IDOLS OF the student centers we're
George Washington who freed the
United States from foreign domin-
alton and our present president
who TO them is further symbol
OF freedom In 1897 Chaplain Car
roll was called to teach philosophy
and religious education al Morgan
college where he remained until
his induction into the army in
l94l. and his assignment 10 the En-
sineer troops in Alaska.
Developed Soldiers Morally
MY idea is TO develop recrea-
tIonal programs and show the men
how TO be good in their every day
life. not just preach lot OF SER
mons and hold church services on
Sunday" says he. when l first
arrived. there was little to work
with. Reglmental headquarters had
recreation hall but no furniture.
no recreation facilities and worst
~ .
had 10 use birchbark for letter pa
per. ! got things as well as
could from people and organiza-
IONS ! knew about and that knew
me back home. Il takes about one
month TO receive second class mail
up there and so deliveries were
slow and far between. When !
arrived | had one film with me. a
religious film called the Power OF
God, which had been lent 10 me
by the Lutheran Missouri Synod
With this film / travelled over 800
miles, showing II sometimes twice
a day. 1t was the first movie TO be
seen up there and in the case Of
one Canadian civilian, IT, was the
first movie ke'd ever seen.
Provided Entertainment
Nov the entertainment problem
is much improved. Special serv-
.ces' has sent out their recreation
kits OF games, amateur theatrical
short wave radio programs. The
equipment, monograph records and
recreation hall-a double tent
now has furniture and writing IA
CITIES and library OF 500 vol
umes collected by me- And so
with games 10 keep the men occu-
pied when they have leisure time.
and Wnh more records and movies
the long winter nights will pass"
Had 20 Piece Band
Tie chaplain has also organized
a 20 piece band from which a
smaller swing band has been
formed. He has bought sound
system with two speakers which
ne hangs up in the trees at camp
clearin2s on his tours and with his
generator and photograph, he
gives camp concerts. At first he
had only swing records but now
re has recordings OF one opera
Carmen, besides other classical
pieces. He reads the story OF the
opera 20 the men and explains il
and then plays the score. 1t is
extremely popular. =-=----
The chaplain makes regular
circuit with stops and il takes
him about one week 10 complete
The rounds. Now. Of course, travel
Is difficult owing 10 weather con-
oitons. He and his assistant travel
N Il ton pick up trailer truck
Which carries all his recreational
and religious equipment besides his
musical support. The Brass Gum
tct." He usually arrives during
duty hours and sets up his equip
ment for the evenings entertain
ment. II IL is week day he
holds a brief religious service after
which he brings news from other
parts OF the regiment and interprets