Evening star., 1947-04-28

fThe author Of this report, anstlacte9 aIom
is on duty with the Assistant Chief ei ss.n,
Gsn na Yoash Hsh lesTsss aSTaas S'h 'h'
The American soldiers response to
the bambini In Italy, les petites enfants
in France, and the wistful appeal for
"any gum, chum," has its natural
counterpart in the Army of Occupation.
Even the toughest soldier cannot deny
the universal appeal Of children. In
Germany today, this spontaneous spirit
Is being put to work to bring modicum
of happiness to. youngsters in their
formative years, and, for the defeated
nation, the hope of regaining = place
In the family Of nations.
It started in Bremen in the fall OF
1945. The German youth program in
augurated informally by the 18th In
fantry Division, was publicized by an
Army public relations officer, and soon
became theater policy. It's greatest
impetus came when, in June, 1946, q
group Of soldiers, in a bull session with
Sergt. Patrick Moriarity, agreed that
something constructive ought to be
done for the children they saw begging
In the streets. The notice which they
inserted in a Bremen newSpaper-"Ten
American soldiers willing to spend free
time organizing club for German boys
ages 10 to II. No politics allowed
brought 1000 replies. The soldier spon-
sors met with a selected cross-section
of 100 youths, and explained the prin-
ciples of elf-government. At the youths
request, they instructed them on how
the secret ballot system works, and said,
Nov that you know how, do it your
selves"
Boys Club Formed.
This was the beginning of the Bremen
Boys Club, nucleus for informal train
ing in democratic principles. Temporary
officers were elected to draw up a code
of rules: no political party domination,
good conduct, no taking of food out Of
the club, no begging or picking up butts
in the street. A constitutional COM
mittee- began to function. After two
months of heated campaigning, with
slogans and speeches. an election was
held and a constitution adopted -
Committees of two to four boys were
elected to manage each of the clubs
activities. The agenda was rapidly ex-
panded to include round-table con-
ference, English classes woodworking,
handicraft. painting, drawing, sculpture,
clay modelling, sailing, hiking, athletics,
photography, dramatics, and movie ap-
probation. Plans were launched for 4
basket ball team, boxing show, and
a gala New Years Eve party. At the
symphony concert sponsored by the
club, most of the 400 German youths
who were selected~by their teachers to
attend, had never before entered the
exclusive Glocke Concert House.
The purpose Of the club isn't all rec
reation, the sergeant emphasizes. He
considers an information and education
room, where the boys can get world
news every day. and a library of Ger
man books indispensable to the pro-
gram. Another important phase, he
believes, is the correspondence between
German boys and American youth that
was initiated by his father, Judge
Joseph j. Moriarity. "The boys have
can students" he says.
The most encouraging result already
apparent, says Sergt. Moriarity, is the
overcoming of fear. The boys are now
accepting responsibilities that they
would not have dared to assume a few
months ago. He adds, I'm not claim
- ing they are thoroughly conversant
with democracy, but originally there
was a survival of the f1ttest attitude
Now the big boys are looking after the
little ones.
What was happening in Sergt. Mori-
Arity's youth group in Bremen was a
prototype of similar projects sanctioned