.85 What New York Did for Fighting Men through New York War Camp Community Service in the World-War of 1917-I919 NEW YORK: 15 EAST 40™ STREET FOREWORD To the People of New York City We have practically finished our job — the World War is dead — or dying ! — and the "clean-up" period is finished. During the two-and-a-half years of its work, you extended your hos- pitality and rendered service to more than two million men in uniform through New York War Camp Community Service. You depended on this agency to help you do this. It is now time to show you whether or not the organization was worthy of your trust — whether it "did the job." In the following series of short articles, account to you is rendered. When you have weighed the story in the balance, you will assuredly find that neither the people of New York as a community, nor New York War Camp Community Service, the agency through which they worked, have been found wanting. If then, you judge that the work was "a good job well done," you may want to throw the weight of your effort and influence into the balance to help make New York a per- manently friendly city and a better place for all of us to live in. Such being your well considered decision, the way to its effect- ual fulfilment may be found in New York Community Service. TKANSFERnHD FROM ?17:.ZZXM DIVl?!0:i ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 3 H 5-no General Summary By Rowland Haynes, Director <■ X TEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY ^ . X^ SERVICE has been the New York City branch ^ ^ of the War Camp Community Service, organized ^ under the War and Navy Department Commissions on *" Training Camp Activities. The task assigned to it has been the looking out for the off-duty time of soldiers, sailors and marines, while they have been in New York City. The chief points which have sent men to the city have been Camp Upton, Camp Mills, Camp Merritt, the great Embarkation and Debarkation station at Hoboken, the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and the battleships and trans- ports constantly in the harbor. It has been estimated that about 200,000 men have been constantly in the ter- ritory tributary to New York City, and that the average number of men coming to this city has varied from 20,000 to 50,000 per day, according to the movements of the troops. The Organizer was appointed August 1, 1917, but the work did not get fairly under way until November, 1917. With the large percentage of returning troops coming through this port, the work kept up, with little abate- ment, until the close of the summer of 1919. The work then rapidly fell off, and as a war job was practically completed by October, 1919. The general principle on which War Camp Com- munity Service has worked is that it would organize act- ivities to meet the needs of the soldiers, sailors, and mar- ines. Where existing organizations could handle the work, nothing new was attempted by the War Camp Com- munity Service. Where it was impossible to have existing organizations handle all of the work, the War Camp Com- munity Service, on its own funds, took up the task, and saw that the needs of the men were met. The major part of the work has fallen under the fol- lowing five heads: 1. Information. 2. Clubs. 3. Entertainment. 4. Provision of sleeping accommodations. 5. Girls' Work. Information In a city like New York, rich in opportunities for wholesome recreation, one of the chief tasks has been to let the men know what there is for them. A Weekly Calendar was issued showing the opportunities offered throughout the city. Other pieces of miscellaneous ad- vertising to point the men to special occasions for their benefit made a total of 12,718,912 pieces of advertising distributed for the benefit of the men. Information Booths, manned by loyal women volun- teers, have been placed throughout the city and have answered a total of over a million inquiries. Clubs There have been a few more than sixty clubs render- ing service to the men. These clubs have furnished reading and writing rooms, checking places for parcels, in most cases a canteen, and special forms of entertainment. The clubs have been of two chief kinds: those which have been managed by or operated for War Camp Community Service, and those which have been affiliated with W. C. C. S. In managed clubs. War Camp Community Service has borne the entire expense. In operated clubs. War Camp Community Service has borne part of the expense, and the clubs have been operated for it by various groups. The largest group of clubs has been the affiliated group. These clubs have been financed by other agencies and War Camp Community Service has turned the enlisted men to them, and has assisted the management in various ways. Over 3,067,957 men took advantage of the club facilities of the managed, operated and affiliated clubs while they were in operation. One of the most interesting clubs has been that for the colored men in Harlem. It has rendered service to more than 40,000 colored men. This club not only has had canteen and sleeping accommodations but has been the centre of the entertainment work for colored troops. Entertainment One of the chief desires of the men has been for a chance to dance under wholesome conditions. War Camp Community Service has operated large Saturday night dances with an attendance of from one thousand to four thousand people at each dance. In addition there have been numerous small dances in connection with the clubs and various organizations. Over 266,000 men at- tended dances given by the Social Department. Sunday afternoon has been a vacant time in the life of many of the visiting soldiers and sailors. Free Sunday afternoon theatrical entertainments were held with an attendance of over 300,000. The theatrical people have been generous in volunteering their services, so that the very highest class of entertainment has been provided. During the summer of 1919, these entertainments were PAGE 4 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE transferred from indoors to the roof of the Madison Square Garden and were held Saturday and Sunday evenings. One of the great desires of the men on week day even- ings has been to see regular Broadway theatrical attrac- tions. To meet this need, War Camp Community Serv- ice has distributed 93,051 passes and tickets to the men. During the summers of 1918 and 1919, a special club run for the men at Coney Island distributed, through an arrangement with the entertainment proprietors of that popular resort, 113,379 entrance tickets, either free or at half rate. One of the most helpful developments in the enter- tainment field has been the Volunteer Entertainment Department. There have been more soldiers and sailors requiring amusement than could be entertained by talent secured from professional sources. To meet this, volun- teer entertainers have been assembled, tried out and trained, and the entertainments presented in various clubs and forts. Many of the men welcomed an opportunity while in the city to drop into some friendly home and have dinner. It was especially true on Thanksgiving oc- casions or at Christmas and New Years. On Thanks- giving Day, 1918, 10,365 dinners were provided. Closely allied to the home dinners has been the work at the Hall of States. The fundamental idea here has been to bring the men from each state in contact with people from their own state, living in New York. Vol- unteer Committees from the various states have given this home touch to the visiting men, talking with them, telling them of conditions in their home state, and getting up special entertainments by representatives of their own state. The total attendance at the Hall of States has been 202,500. As one man remarked, "the biggest thing in New York, is New York itself." Many of the men have been anxious to see the town. 'Bus rides have been arranged with volunteer guides and printed information about the points of interest. In all 39,578 men were shown the town in this way. New York City has taken its part in the movement to put a singing nation behind a singing army, and with the advent of the demobilization period to have a singing city to meet a returning army. This work has been particularly helpful in making the people at home feel that they had an active part in welcoming the returning men. Over 1,284,817 people participated in these sings. Lodging Accommodations Since thousands of the men had leaves of 24 or 48 hours in the city, the demand for clean, cheap sleeping accommodations has been very great. Especially has this been true at week-ends or at the time of special occasions like the visit of the Atlantic Fleet. In the twenty months or more in which the War Camp Com- munity Service was working on this problem, there have been only two nights when it was not able to meet all the demands put upon it. Altogether there have been 715,298 sleeping accommodations issued for the men, either through our own units or through units affiliated with us. The most usual price of these accom- modations has been twenty-five cents a night. Girls' Division It has been said that this has not been a war of armies, but a war of peoples. The social work which has been done primarily for the enlisted men would have been absolutely incomplete without work for and by the girls and young women of the city of New York. During the first experimental months the chief thought in the work for girls seemed to be to keep them busy and away from the men. As experience and common sense dominated, it came to be seen that the chief task was to give the girls opportunity of work in various forms of war service, and also give them wholesome opportunities for expressing the comradeship which they were sure to have with the men. As a result of these first experimental months, the work during the last half of our service has sought by rallies to help the girls appreciate that they too had a part in the great war, and they were enlisted in various forms of service in connection with agencies who have been working for the benefit of the men. The most important part of the work has been the comrade parties that have developed under their leader- ship, where the girls have met the enlisted men in a so- cial way in wholesome surroundings. With the signing of the armistice and the demobiliza- tion period, the impetus has been in this comrade work to have the girls help in welcoming the men back into the social life of their own neighborhood. Officers' Service Department and Club At first, attention was given entirely to the enlisted men. Later it was found that thousands of officers coming through and to New York City had many wants that War Camp Community Service could meet. In the summer of 1918, the Officers' Service Depart- ment was developed. Through the co-operation of the Hotel Managers, hotel accommodations were secured at half rates for the officers. In the great transportation service, there were found to be hundreds of officers coming here with their families. This led to the development of a service which helped these officers to find boarding houses or apartments at rates which they could afford on the salary paid by the government. A "Red Circle" Informatton Booth Pretty "Bally-Hoo" Girls Announce Points of InteresI ON Sightseeing Bus Trips Rally of Gikls' Division at Aeolian Hall, with Refresentatives from Twenty- one Districts in Greater New \ oku The Gheat "Welcome H(»me" Sign that Greeted Trans- ports Entering New York Harbor Training Class in Song Leaders' School, under Direction OF THE Sing Department Thousands OF Home Letters Have Been Written at Unit No. 5 Around this Great Tablb "Over the Top " to Health — One of the Beautiful Estates Thrown Open to Convalescent Officers Bea. h Pleasures Near the W. C. C. S. Coney Island Unit One of Several Country Homes Ofe.n to Convalescent Officers through the Officers' Department ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 5 It was then found that a large number of the officers needed help in making their purchases. A Shopping Bureau was developed which has procured discounts for officers in all lines where they desired to purchase. Over 18,972 men have been helped by this Shopping Bureau. Special Demobilization Activities With the development of the demobilization period, it was found that three special needs developed: first, em- ployment ; second, convalescent work ; third, welcome home clubs. At first, the War Camp Community Service, with the other welfare agencies, worked under the direction of the U. S. Employment Service in finding jobs for the men, securing jobs and turning them over to the U. S. Employ- ment Service, which handled the placing of the men. Later, under the direction of the Merchants Associa- tion and a large number of employers' associations, the welfare organizations joined in the formation of the Re- Employment Committee for New York City. War Camp Community Service has contributed its proportion of funds to this committee. At the request of this committee. War Camp Community Service con- tinued in Brooklyn its special employment service, as well as special work for the colored men at the colored unit. In the Brooklyn office of the War Camp Community Service, 6,134 men have been placed in jobs to date. 45,486 jobs have been made available for the men. All of the jobs that were not needed by the men coming to the Brooklyn Bureau were made available for other agencies. One of the most necessary problems of the demobiliza- tion period has been the work for the convalescent men. The work in the hospitals has been done by and through the Red Cross. All of the men, however, have wel- comed the opportunity to get away from the hospitals for a few hours to break the hospital routine. These men have been taken to various clubs and given special entertainment. Thousands of them have been given 'bus rides and special trips around the city. Pershing Hospitality House in Gramercy Park has been particularly active in this regard. Over 31,136 convalescent men have been entertained at this one club under the auspices of War Camp Community Service. Many of the men after they have been discharged from the hospital have required a few days in the coun- try to bring back the strength they needed in order to meet the battle of life again. War Camp Community Service, cooperating with the War Risk Insurance Bureau, has found places in the country where these men could be taken care of and get the recuperation which they needed. In various neighborhoods, the returning soldiers have wanted to get together. The policy in getting them together has been not to separate them from the neighbor- hood in which they were to live, but to draw them closer to these neighborhoods. To meet this need, "Welcome Home Clubs" have been developed, where the returned men have had dances and other social occasions in con- nection with their own home people. These Home Clubs were simply started by War Camp Community Service, and helped during their initial stages. By the end of October, all of them were either self- supporting or chiefly supported by some local agency. Conclusion One of the happiest results of the war has been the changed attitude which thousands of these men who have passed through this great metropolis have taken to this city because of this hospitality. Many of the men thought New York hard and cold, inhospitable. They have gone away with the feeling that this city is a city of friendliness. This work has not been done by the War Camp Com- munity Service. It has been done by the people of New York City. War Camp Community Service has simply given direction and the channels of expression through which this happy result has been accomplished. As War Camp Community Service develops into the Community Service of peace time, its fundamental task will be to see that this habit of hospitality, and this habit of working together which has been developed through the work for the soldiers, sailors and marines, may be pre- served in meeting the great problems of the coming years. /(\ST ns War Camp Community Service helped to maintain the tnorale of the enlisted forces of the war by organizing facilities for the pleasant and profit- able use of their off-duty time, so Community Sertnce aims to assist in maintaining the morale of us all at highest level by the promotion of spare time opportunities for recreation and improvement. PAGE 6 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE Advertising Department Even hospitality had to be "sold" to the soldiers, sailors and marines stationed near New York. It took over 12,000,000 pieces of advertising matter to keep the Red Circle constantly before the men, telling them of the good times awaiting in The Big Town. THE Advertising Department came into being in September, 1917, and had in hand both the news- paper publicity and the advertising and printing of the organization, then known as National Service Com- mission. The work was done on the basis of half-time of the incumbent in charge; this arrangement remaining in effect until March, 1918, when the work was placed on a whole-time basis. In the beginning the work was considerably hampered by lack of staff aid. This was remedied in the summer of 1918 by the assignment from National Headquarters of a number of able men. With their assistance in mak- ing contacts with military and naval points to ascertam advertising needs, and to secure military and naval co- operation, the work was at once placed on a progressive and efficient basis, from which it is believed it has not since fallen short. The Press Department, which in the beginning was a part of the Advertising Department, was separated in June, 1918. The activity of the Department is well shown by the fact that roughly speaking, some 1,300 points were reached with literature each week, and some 12,000,000 pieces in all have been printed in these two years. The work of the Booth Department was later taken over as a part of the Advertising Department, and the Press Department was again co-ordinated with the latter under what was known as the Division of Advertising and Information. The function of the Advertising Department proper has been to plan, purchase, and place all printed matter used by the organization, whether the printing be done upon ribbons, badges, and banners, or upon booklets, folders, dodgers, show cards, etc. The actual "advertis- ing" matter has, of course, been of two types: that in- tended to enlist the aid of the public in serving men in uniform, and that designed to inform men in uniform of the hospitality at their disposal. The Advertising Department has served not only as purchasing agent for all printed matter, but as a means of standardizing the same. It has also acted wherever possible in an advisory capacity to assist various depart- ment heads in preparing literature best designed to ac- complish their purpose. The most important single publication has been the Weekly News Calendar. Begun as a weekly broadside to be posted on company bulletin boards, the first edition being 6,000 copies, it was soon transformed into a pocket size. The regular weekly issue when mobilization and demobilization were at maximum was about, or even in excess of, 100,000. The second most important, and hardly less interest- ing regular publication of the Department was the so- called "Bulletin" published at intervals of a few months and containing all the information about New York, its sights and wonders, its ways and its hospitality that would interest the city's uniformed guests. Five such "Bul- letins" have been issued, each of them written colloquially and illustrated humorously with a view to making the city's uninformed guests feel at home among "Home Folks." An interesting bit of advertising was the distribution of a million and a half Welcome Home stickers approxi- mately 8j^"-xH", which were placed on the wind-shields of most of the cars in New York City, and which were also placed in the homes of almost a million school chil- dren through the co-operation of the Board of Educa- tion. This was, without doubt, the most outstanding bit of "Welcome Home" propaganda carried out by any welfare organization during the return of the war veterans. The good offices of the Fifth Avenue Coach Com- pany made it possible to carry an advertising card sign on the outside of the company's busses almost continu- ously. Car cards on the railway throughout Long Island and Westchester County have also had their part in the advertising program. In addition, some eight or ten lantern slides have been produced in large quantities, and have been placed in moving pictures theatres throughout New York City, and in all the camps and military points adjacent to New York, as well as upon the transports which brought the men home. The outdoor advertising of the department has brought considerable attention also. It included (1) painted signboards in the city and camps, and roads from camps, (2) large display nets across the streets in downtown New York, and (3) 200 bulletin boards, distributed at strategic points throughout the metropolitan district, on which special activities were set forth. The largest of the signboards was the huge "Welcome" sign placed on a barge anchored near the Statue of Liberty, greeting every man who came home through this port. ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 7 Another feature of the advertising program has been the 500 gilt and brown frames, each holding a quarter sheet show-card, placed in the most prominent store windows on Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and all the promi- nent streets of New York City. The department has from time to time gotten out a number of posters, show-cards, badges, tickets and an almost countless number of small so-called throw-away cards for use by various units, to be handed out wherever possible to men in uniform, either in the city or at camps and on board ship. Of these, the total number printed and scattered has been approximately 7,500,000. In the way of special literature might be mentioned the fleet bulletin which recorded the combined hospitality of the seven War Work agencies in welcoming the Victory Fleet ; also the folder printed to welcome the 5th Division, the first regulars to come home from France. However, the outstanding "special" program has been that organ- ized for the Hall of States in which special advertising in all its branches has been carefully worked out and ex- tensively distributed. The activity of the department may be best gauged by the number and kind of certain units of advertising indi- cated in the following: Record of Production from December 21, 1917, to September 1, 1919: Cards 3,203,150 Folders and Booklets 1,507,235 Tickets 997,700 Posters 283,187 Circulars 561,550 Calendars 5,017,025 Badges, etc 42,065 Labels and Stickers 1,107,000 miS^:B ' - 12,718,912 This does not include stationery printed for ourselves or any of our units. Distribution Prompt and effective distribution of advertising matter when issued was throughout an essential which the Dis- tribution Bureau of the department made possible. The personnel of the bureau, since its inception in June, 1918, have been devotedly loyal and untiringly "on the job," without which the work of reaching the man in uniform with information of "What's doing in New York" must have fallen flat. The bureau finally reached a point of functioning practically one hundred per cent, of efficiency. The service of this bureau may be seen in the following: The total number of military points at which contact has been made numbers 1,350. The Distribution Bureau has been responsible not only for the distributing of literature to these points, but constant investigation of new literature needed to be prepared in order best to serve their needs. "" The Weekly Calendars have been distributed to all of the above contact points regularly, by mail as well as by bicycle, auto, motorcycle, and on foot. This distribution in addition to covering every military point in the City of New York and reaching the navy ships in the harbor, has extended from the eastern tip of Long Island to the Pennsylvania border, and from the New Jersey coast as far north as West Point. The effectiveness of the work of the Advertising De- partment may be observed from the way in which War Camp Community Service publicity dominated New York City. There is no doubt but that this name has become the most prominently advertised and the most generally propagated name of any war-work agency in the city. That it has served its primary result — namely, ac- quainting men in uniform with "What is Doing" in New York for them, may be seen from the one instance of the Hall of States program in which the attendance at this institution was trebled within four weeks after the be- ginning of the advertising campaign. Publicity Department Stories about War Camp Community Service reached nearly three hundred million readers. The Publicity Department did it/ THE first publicity sent out by this department was published in September, 1917. From that date until September, 1919, a total of more than 1,630 stories were published in the metropolitan news- papers and periodicals. These stories have a circu- lation of 270,837,427, thus showing that the name of the New York War Camp Community Service was brought before the public in a favorable light that many times. The above figures are conservative, as it is impossible to obtain all the clippings of stories published. During its existence this department stimulated and maintained public interest and obtained co-operation from the citizens of New York in the necessary work of the PAGE 8 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE New York War Camp Community Service. It has given much-needed information to hundreds of thousands of service men and has been able to give proof to the sup- porters of the New York War Camp Community Ser vice that the organization was properly caring for the men in uniform. The standing of this department was attested dur- ing the reception to the Atlantic Fleet when it was authorized by the seven other War-Work agencies to conduct the publicity necessary to make that function a success. In addition to its separate function in the N. Y. W. C. C. S., this department has been active in planning and advising on the work of the organization. Volunteer Department Parents often get out of patience with their children for asking too many questions. The Information Booth Bureau answered over 1,000,000 inquiries and did not find them too many. ORGANIZED during the summer of 1918, this department was the pioneer in many lines of service to soldiers and sailors, several of which were later organized into separate bureaus to meet in- creased needs. In addition to giving a large amount of miscellaneous service, the department originated the idea and organized the information service through the Information Booths, conducted the "Have-a-Lift" campaign in the Wall Street district, organized the Speakers' Bureau, designed the uniform worn by the women workers of the War Camp Community Service; induced a large number of artists to paint signs, thereby saving much expense to W. C. C. S.; performed a large amount of clerical work; handled checkroom for night functions at the Pershing Club; organized the Volunteer Entertainment Bureau; gave assistance through its Speakers' Bureau during the United Wark Work Campaign ; furnished the American Red Cross with much-needed volunteers on emergency calls and took entire charge of many thousands of "Christ- mas Stockings" during the Christmas holidays of 1918. The Personnel Bureau of this department interviewed and classified over 2,000 volunteer workers since the beginning. The Work Shop Bureau of the Depart- ment successfully accomplished much onerous work, averaging more than 300 odd jobs each month. The Entertainment Bureau, previous to becoming a separate unit, organized and successfully carried out a campaign whereby many thousand "Have-a-Lift" signs were sold and as many automobiles enrolled for carrying service men without charge. The Scrap-Book Bureau of the Department was organized shortly before the end of the war, November 11, 1918, but supplied more than 100 scrap-books for the amusement of convalescents in hospitals both here and abroad. Information Booth Bureau The Information Booth Bureau, organized by this de- partment, operated nineteen booths in Manhattan at the end of the war and now has ten. To these must be added two in Brooklyn and the complete information centres in Newark, Hoboken, Englewood, Jersey City and Pater- son, N. J., where the New York bureau co-operate'^. The Information Booth Bureau is now a part of the Division of Advertising and Information. All informa- sion of every kind needed is on file in the booths and centres, and is constantly kept up-to-date. From August 15, 1918, to January 25, 1919, the booths gave a total of 266,013 services, the number increasing until the be- ginning of demobilization. The more recent period from May 3 until August 23, 1919, shows that the Booth Bureau gave 370,167 services, of which 84,627 were to civilians. During this period the number of volunteers varied from 217 to 293 weekly, the high figure being the last week in August, 1919, thus showing a steady growth in spite of the fact that the war-service spirit was waning. Throughout all its existence the Volunteer Department has responded to all calls of every kind and has always held itself ready to serve men in uniform. This was possible through the unselfish devotion of its thousands of volunteers, all of whom gave their time without question when called upon. Volunteer Entertainment Bureau Operating as a separate department the Volunteer En- tertainment Bureau dates its beginning from its separa- tion from the Volunteer Department in November, 1918. Starting with three entertainments during the first month of its existence, it has grown until more than one hun- dred were given during July and August, 1919. These entertainments were staged upon request, in places of every description, from military camps to the greatest hotels in the city. ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 9 During the period from April 26, to August 23, 1919, have enrolled for service with the Bureau, giving their 427 entertainments were given at which 2,301 enter- time and talent free of charge. tainers appeared before more than 90,000 persons. Practically all persons entertained by the Bureau have More than 900 artists, many of them nationally known, been either soldiers or sailors. Club Department // took a lot of clubs to keep the men in uniform from walking the streets when they came to town. They had to be fed, too. War Camp Community Service had a department to do just that thing. ' THE growth of this department as a separate unit came about gradually and may be said to date from the middle of July, 1918. When at its largest scope its work included more than sixty canteens, service clubs and other units. No two of them were started on the same date, their work commencing when its need was shown. The service clubs and canteens were divided into three groups, those managed by W. C. G. S., those operated for W. C. C. S. and lastly, those affiliated with it. The total number of service men who accepted the hospitality of these units up to September, 1919, was more than 1,469,134. Meals were served to 594,455 men; beds provided for 101,568, and those using the units for other purposes numbered 759,507. The Hayward Unit for colored soldiers and sailors was one of the most successfully managed clubs of this Department. Opened on August 1, 1918, the Unit cared for more than 40,000 colored service men up to September, 1919. In its work, the Unit provided 5,- 015 meals; accommodated 11,527 men in its sleeping quarters, and held thirty-seven dances and entertain- ments, which were attended by 6,464 men. In addition, 16,503 men used the Unit for various purposes. Employment work for colored service men has been centered at the HavAvard Unit and the record of this ac- tivity shows that 740 men registered for positions, 522 were sent to positions and 316 were placed in positions which promised to afford permanent employment. Social Department Hobnailed shoes were never designed for dancing, yet some 3,000 young women risked their toes every Saturday night at the Khaki and Blue dances without a casualty. STARTING in November, 1917, to meet the urgent demand for proper social activities for service men, the Social Department up to September, 1919, entertained a total of 585,741 soldiers, sailors, marines and convalescents. A total of 983 dances were given for enlisted men and were attended by 266,524 of both services; home hos- pitality was given to 233,903 men; 1,196 entertainments were given 14,322 men; 126 dances and other entertain- ments were given for officers and were attended by 12,975; 675 officers were given home hospitality; 31,136 convalescents were given dances and other entertainments. E.xtraordinary success attended the great Khaki and Blue dances given first at the Grand Central Palace and later in the Seventy-first Regiment Armory. An ave- rage of nearly 2,000 uniformed men attended each of these weekly functions, and it is pleasing to note that although more than 3,000 dance partners were provided for these men, they were so carefully selected that the moral issue has never been raised. On September 1, 1919, the list of workers enrolled in the Department numbered 150 hostesses, 300 chaperons, 50 floor men, and 3,000 young women who acted as dance partners and en- tertainers. A number of special dances and other functions have been given by the Department, which was always called to the front in cases where welcome-home festivities or special celebrations were needed. Among these may be mentioned a dance for the men of the French Foreign Legion, then guests of New York ; welcome-home dance for men of the Atlantic Fleet, then returned from their PAGE 10 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE war service abroad ; special Thanksgiving and New Year's dances. Another feature of the work was a num- ber of dances given on the dreadnoughts and flagships of the navy. Pershing House in Gramercy Park, started during Oc- tober, 1918, has entertained 6,173 convalescents and has given 19,933 free meals to wounded soldiers and sailors. Its work has been highly commended by the Government Hospital authorities. It is significant that the success of Pershing House was assured by the co-operation of what is probably New York's last exclusively residence district. The signal success of the Social Department is largely due to the unselfish devotion of its thousands of volun- teers. Free Theatre Ticket Bureau When a man in uniform wanted to see a Broadway show, he had to go, even though he didn't have the price of the war tax. Thousands of men were sent to the best shows through the Free Theatre Ticket Bureau of War Camp Community Service. FROM the very beginning of its work, the New York War Camp Community Service realized the need of good entertainment for the enlisted man and planned entertainments, shows, parties, dances, and multitudes of things to "keep 'em smiling." Still a need was felt for more amusement. Broadway shows filled this need. About September 1, 1918, a visit was made to theatri- cal managers. An arrangement was made whereby tickets left at the box offices after 8 o'clock would be turned over without charge to the W. C. C. S. Theatre Ticket Bureau for distribution to men in uniform. Al- though the managers could not enter into a hard and fast agreement to do this, their generosity and whole- hearted co-operation made the plan a huge success. Between September 7 and December 16, 1918, the Bureau sent 22,334 uniformed visitors to the theatre. About this time New York was getting rid of some of its war worries and the theatres were crowded with civilians. Still, Buddy and Gob couldn't be left out of it, and the demands upon the Free Ticket Booth became so great that a weekly appropriation was made to buy extra tickets. Special holidays, the arrival of Army divisions, fleet reviews, yoemen and Army nurse parties, parties of wounded men, and special events made it necessary for the Theatre Ticket Bureau to buy seats, and some- times the entire seating capacity, in popular theatres. When the 27th Division arrived, part of its "Welcome Home" was two matinees given in their honor through W. C. C. S. by Thomas Dixon, Jr., Messrs. Broadhurst and Shubert and the members of their companies. Excluding all special entertainments, from September 7, 1918, to August 16, 1919, the Theatre Ticket Bureau sent 63,395 soldiers, sailors and marines to the theatres on passes, and 29,656 tickets were bought and distributed free. Did Buddy and Gob like to go to shows? And did Buddy and Gob know where to get the tickets free? If one had stood on the southwest corner of Forty-Second Street and Fifth Avenue any night about seven-thirty, and watched the long line that strung out from the Free Ticket Booth on Forty-second Street around the corner to the main entrance of the Library, the answer would have been a decided "Yes!" Amusement Department A theatre without a box-office would start a stampede on Broadway. There was no need of a box-office at any of the free shows given by the Amusement Department. WITH the apparently simple slogan of "To pro- vide amusement," the Amusement Department started activities December, 1917. The first work included providing the best professional and volunteer entertainers for shipboard parties on U. S. battleships, entertainments at hospitals, entertainments in War Camp Community Service Clubs, and at other points where men in uniform congregated or were in service. The many calls made upon the Department soon after its inauguration for this form of service showed plainly its popularity. Ships' officers, chaplains, barracks' officers, those in charge of the comforts and recreation of men in ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 11 service soon found that the entertainments provided by the War Camp Community Service Amusement Depart- ment were successful. The Sunday Vaudeville Shows But the events that called forth the most attention to the work of the Department were the Sunday Afternoon Vaudeville Shows, given every Sunday free to soldiers, sailors and marines. Beginning December 23, 1917, these shows were given on every Sunday until June 1, 1919. In the list "of those who served" at the shows will be found the names of most of the famous actors and actresses of the vaudeville stage. It was just this ability to get the best that has made the Amusement Department's under- taking one of the most popular activities of New York War Camp Community Service. The manner in which the "folks of the footlights" came forward and so gen- erously did their bit to cheer the lot of men in uniform made possible the great things that were accomplished. The figures giving the number of shows, and the at- tendance are enough to make even the most successful producer green with envy. Approximately 145 shows were given since the beginning of activities in Decem- ber, 1917, the total attendance being over 300,000. Hall of States A New Yorker stranded in Arkansas once said that he was so homesick that he would have kissed a dog if it had been from New York. Service men in New York could always have a chat with their home folks. A GLIMPSE of home in the midst of New York — this was the idea behind the Hall of States which was officially opened during January, 1919. The men from various States were cared for by the State Committees, the members of which were former resi- dents of the States they represented. The work done was divided into a number of depart- ments. These provided hospitality, information service, employment and vocational guidance, bus and automo- bile rides, sightseeing tours, theatre tickets and convales- cent service for the men in local hospitals. The workers of the Hall made efforts to get in touch with every man arriving here whose home was out of the city. Up to September 1st, 202,500 soldiers, sailors and marines had been helped at the Hall, where the average daily attendance was about 900. Bus rides were given to 9,570 men, more than 6,000 theatre tickets were given out and coffee and doughnuts were served to 44,537 men. Official recognition of the work done by the Hall was given by a number of the States, their legislatures ap- propriating large sums for the work of their committees. These funds allowed many services which otherwise would have had to remain undone. There were countless instances where the Hall got in touch with the "home folks" of the man lying wounded in hospitals, and was able to bring them together. Numerous other instances there were where the Hall obtained employment for the man in his home town and sent him there. In addition, it was also a centre where parents and friends coming to New York to meet their soldiers, might ob- tain the information so necessary to enable them to do so. Hospital Work In hospital work the Hall of States obtained every day from the Red Cross the arrivals at all the hospitals in and about New York. These were then indexed by States to which the men belonged and given daily to the various State Committees. Here the ladies wrote to every man; they made sure that he had visitors, if he wanted them ; that he was brought to the Hall of States for convalescent parties, if he was up to that; and that his people back home knew of his condition and needs. Soldier-patients to the number of 1,777 were thus cared for by the Hospital Division of the Hall of States. While W. C. C. S. provided the overhead expenses, and common entertainment, the essence of the work was the individual hospitality provided by the ladies of the various State Committees, who gave unsparingly of time, effort, and devotion that each man should know he had a friend from his home State eager to welcome and assist him. D ISCUSSION may too often mean division; whereas common service in a cause means unity; and that is the way of Community Service. PAGE 1. NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE Church Co-operation Most people think that churches save only souls. This record shmvs that they went a long way to save bodies during the war. New York's churches ivent the limit to provide hospitality for service men. It's an example of "practical Christianity." CO-OPERATION of thirty-three city churches, thirteen of which became general service units aflfiliated with War Camp, largely multiplied the variety of services to men in uniform. Sleeping Accommodations With the co-operation of the Quartermaster's Depart- ment of the Army, nine churches were provided with beds and bed clothes. Five churches furnished their own dor- mitories. Baths were usually furnished with an average charge of 25c for bed, bath, soap and towel. It is esti- mated that in this way co-operating churches were able to offer 2,279 sleeping accommodations daily. Among them, St. Bartholomew's Church was able to provide 180 beds in its parish house and dispensary. From October 14, 1917, to March 1,1919, they provided for 52,473 men at night. Temple Beth-El had 200 beds. During its period of service it provided for 55,208 men. A breakfast — coffee and rolls — and a shave were "thrown in" as a part of the service. Trinity Church at its rectory and school on 25th Street was able to provide accommodations for 384 beds operated as an annex to the War Camp hotel. In the Trinity Church Service Club downtown, 200 beds were installed, and from December, 1918, to July, 1919, they had provided for 13,944 men. West End Presbyterian Church at its church house and various annexes had 445 beds. They accommodated 13,066 men during their period of service. Churches co-operating in this way were: St. Bartholo- mew's Church, Madison Avenue M. E. Church, Temple Beth-El, St. Thomas Church, Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, National Lutheran Service Commission (22 co-operating churches). West End Presbyterian Church, Trinity Church, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Church (Presbyterian), St. Mark's Church, and Bethany Church (Baptist), St. Michael's Church, Union Meth- odist Church. Canteen Service Canteen service provided by the churches varied from Sunday morning breakfasts to complete meal service three times a day. The number of meals furnished was not less than 450,000 during their period of service. The following churches operated either limited or complete service canteens: Temple Beth-El, St. Thomas Church, Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Wesley House, St. Bartholomew's Church, St. Michael's Church, National Lutheran Service Commis- sion (uniting the services of 22 co-operating churches), Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, Brick Presbyterian Church, West End Presbyterian Church, Grace Church, Trinity Church, and Union Methodist Church. The Marble Collegiate Church and the Greenwich Presbyterian Church limited themselves to the Sunday morning complimentary breakfasts. Entertainment Various churches either in the church building or parish house conducted most attractive service clubs. They were equipped as social and rest places with games, pool, billiards, reading and writing facilities, music and other attractions. Many conducted dances. The Weekly News Calendar for one week in March listed seven such enter- tainments. The same calendar showed that ten churches were providing special Sunday evening suppers and enter- tainments. In much of their work the churches were able to co-operate effectively. Twenty-two different Lutheran churches combined their war-work activities in maintaining a club on West 72d Street near Riverside Drive. Each church took charge two days in succession, providing hostesses, canteen workers and others for the specially attractive work of this club. Several of the churches made special efforts at church, home and other hospitality, and were successful in securing employment for considerable numbers of men as demobilization pro- gressed. The entertainment and hospitality of the club main- tained by the Brick Presbyterian Church by the young ladies of their church attracted much attention. Churches notable for various forms of the above war service were: West End Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, St. Nicholas Collegiate Church, Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of the Divine Paternity, Central Church Disciples of Christ, Reformed Church of Harlem, Central Presby- terian Church, Mt. Morris Baptist Church, Church of the Holy Faith, and the Church of the Strangers. Home Hospitality The churches of New York assisted materially in proving that New York City is a friendly community, when the people have a chance to entertain. Thousands ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 13 of men in uniform were taken home each Sunday by church members, and such work was continued during the week. Thanksgiving and Christmas were special occasions with particular observance of home hospitality. Such entertaining was also combined with specially arranged club dinners. A large proportion of the 4,671 club dinners and the 2,330 home dinners for men at Christmas were provided by members of New York churches. Hospitality to Convalescents The unrecorded number of services to convalescents by co-operating churches and by independent church organ- ization is far in excess of the numbers on record. Five of the churches co-operating definitely with War Camp as club units became centers for convalescent serv- ice. Four hundred wounded men of the 27th Division, about two-thirds of the total number from out of town, were provided with sleeping accommodations, food and entertainment by seven churches during the Victory Celebration on March 24, 25 and 26. All of the co- operating churches participated to their ability in special convalescent service. Special mention may be made of the Church of the Holy Communion on 20th Street, in the heart of the Base Hospital district. This church opened its parish house with a well-equipped house, and entertained convalescent men continuously. Motor Department There are about 40,000 soldiers, sailors and marines who saw every point of interest from the Battery to Grant's Tomb from War Camp Community Service sight-seeing busses. THE many and insistent calls for automobiles and motor trucks for sightseeing trips, use of workers and transportation of furnishings and equipment to and from W. C. C. S. Units and Canteens led to the organization of the Motor Department in June, 1918. The work of the Department can be reviewed under four main headings^Sight Seeing Service, Motor Truck- ing, Convalescent Service, and the "Have-a-Lift" cam- paign. Sightseeing Service When the sightseeing trips were first organized, auto- mobile owners of New York were asked to volunteer the use of their cars for a sightseeing tour every Sunday. An attempt was made to have thirty cars in the train that carried the men from one end of the city to the other. It was found that the full number could not be depended upon to report, so sightseeing busses were used. A nominal charge of twenty-five cents for each person was made for the trip. Later when the trips had proved their popularity, they were also given on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting at 12.30, 3.00 and 5.00 p. m. The many out-of-town men who were hungry to get all the facts about New York were the inspiration for sending lecturers with each bus to name and explain the sights en route. Sightseeing busses have carried over 39,000 passengers on tours of the city. Upon the arrival of army divisions, occasions such as fleet reviews and other special events, additional trips free of charge were made to give the men a good look at New York. Motor Trucking In the handling of the great quantities of supplies and equipment for clubs and canteens the motor trucks loaned by commercial houses were invaluable. Cots and bed- ding, cooking outfits, victrolas and records, books and games, chairs and tables, and such things often had to be moved at a moment's notice. In response to the call for a truck, the Motor Department would get in touch with a volunteer and the truck would be on hand in short order. Looking at it from a dollars and cents angle, up to September 1, 1919, 295 trucks had been used for the total of 1,176 hours. Figuring the hauling rate at $4.50 an hour, the use of the trucks was worth $5,292. It might be mentioned here that the number of private cars used for carrying officials of the organization about on the day's work, up to March, 1919, made a total of 780 cars in use 3,483 hours. A charge of $3.00 per hour would make the saving $10,449. Convalescent Service About January 15, 1919, wounded men began crowd- ing the debarkation hospitals in and around New York. Alwajs on the alert to make pleasant the stay of its healthy visitors in uniform. New York doubled its efforts to make the lot of the wounded men even more com- fortable and pleasant. The men were invited to hundreds of entertainments, dinners, luncheons and parties and had to be taken in cars to the various places. In the sadder case of the man who was not well enough to be carried about the city to these affairs, professional and amateur talent worked PAGE 14 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE night and day, co-operating with the Red Cross in giving entertainments and plays at the hospitals. The activities of several of the Departments of New York War Camp Community Service brought them into this work of caring for the convalescents. It was the work of the Motor Department to provide the means of transportation. When called upon for this type of service, all other calls were set aside and everything was done to insure good times for the wounded men. Daily sightseeing trips were organized and two trips were made to the hospitals and from there around the city. After the tour a light luncheon was served at a canteen. Some of the well-known clubs invited the men through W. C. C. S. to have luncheon at their club houses. Convalescents to the number of 11,596 were taken on the sightseeing trips from January 15 to August 16, on 377 trips. Men to the number of 16,683 were served with dinners or were given luncheons. In addition to the above convalescent service, the Hall of States conducted tours for convalescent visitors. From this point, 9,292 men have been carried on trips. Have-a-Lift The first and one of the most important tasks the Motor Department had to accomplish was the rousing of the partiotic spirit in the car owner to give Buddy and Gob a lift. With only a few hours and sometimes but small change to "do the big town," our friends in uniform were hard put to do things right. Ten thousand metal wind-shield signs with the slogan — "Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Have a Lift" — were sold or distributed to car owners of New York. It was no unusual sight to see a man in uniform step out and hail a passing car showing the "War Camp" sign. Car owners caught the spirit and would go miles out of their way to drop their guest at his destination. It was through this bit of "personal hospitality" that a great number of car-owning New Yorkers made their first acquaintance with Buddy and Gob. As a result more than one lonesome boy has made a life-long friend of his host or hostess. Sing Department Singing didn't "win the war," but many New Yorkers sang to keep up morale in those try- ing days in 1918 before the signing of the armistice. Broadway theatres ran up the curtain with a song. Everyone sang!. TO carry into the community the same morale and patriotism and good-fellowship by singing as has been done so successfully in our army, both here and abroad — that was the purpose and aim of the Sing Department. And it has been a big purpose. New York, as a community, was made to know back in the dark days of 1918, before the signing of the armistice, what a bond of comradeship it was to stand by your fellows and sing for minutes and hours. In those days the slogan was "Keep up the morale to win the war." Later it was "Keep up the morale to win the peace." Starting in October, 1918, with "nothing but our con- fidence," the Sing Department reached nearly every kind of people in Greater New York and got them singing patriotic and popular songs at their meetings. Starting with three sings a week, two at the Robin's Ship Yards and one at Macy's Department Store, the week later averaged ninety sings. As a gauge of the instantaneous success of the Sing Idea as put forth by the Sing Department it is interesting to know that before two weeks had gone by, twenty-one theatres wanted War Camp Community Service song leaders to make singing audiences of their patrons. With- in six weeks after starting operations 250,000 people in theatres were singing under War Camp Community Service song leaders. Sings were conducted at gatherings of all types, amongst civilians and amongst uniformed men — in thea- tres; army hospitals; armories; parades; social, profes- sional and civic clubs; churches of all denominations; Masonic meetings; War Camp Community Service, Young Men's Christian Association and Red Cross units; shipyards, department stores, baseball and football games, and on numerous special occasions upon request. When President Wilson and ex-President Taft spoke on the "League of Nations" at the Metropolitan Opera House, March 4, 1919, the Sing Department conducted the splendid sing that preceded the addresses. Because this meeting -vas national in meaning and because there were present people who had to do with the whole na- tion's affairs, the Sing Department's efforts in effect gave an impetus to singing in all parts of the country. The figures speak for themselves. At 2,996 sings, 1,- 284,817 people (which included 283,514 uniformed men ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 15 and women), under 49 War Camp Community Service song leaders, sang and liked the idea enough in many cases to organize other groups. To fill this increased demand for song leaders and organizers a Training School was inaugurated and operated. Sixty men and women took advan- tage of the opportunity to learn every branch of the work. Thirty-five of these men and women will go out into the fields as volunteers and teach the people the joy and wholesome comradeship of community singing. In co-operation with the Volunteer Entertainment Bu- reau of War Camp Community Service the Sing Depart- ment has afforded New York another opportunity and pleasure through the numerous plays and opera given by volunteers and professionals at the Community Play- house. All those who wanted to were invited to join the company and receive training and rehearsals for per- formances of the opera "H. M. S. Pinafore," given on the U. S. S. Recruit in Union Square and again at the Community Playhouse. About six thousand stood listen- ing to the performance. Headquarters Unit No. 5 Imagine one hundred men, coat collars turned up, hats pulled down, sitting around a fireless fireplace, eating brick ice cream. This inauspicious opening didn't retard the instant success of the hotel which rendered service to nearly 2,000,000 men in uniform. THE opening gun of W. C. C. S. Unit No. 5 was fired on Saturday evening, December 15, 1917. It was a bitter cold night, and all sleeping quarters then available for uniformed men being overcrowded, orders were given at 10 o'clock to throw open the doors of the old Earlington Hotel, which was then being put in shape by New York War Camp Community Service for an enlisted mens' hotel to be opened about January 15, 1918. Without heat or other accommodations excepting 186 cots, a mattress and one blanket to a cot, some of which were loaned by the American Red Cross, the doors were thrown open. That night every cot was filled and a few of the boys slept on the floor, daily papers answering the purpose of blankets for those fortunate enough to be among the first arrivals. That night we held our first reception, through the kind offices of a citizen who donated five gallons of brick ice cream. Now, can you imagine more than one hundred boys sitting on the floor in the big ballroom, around the fireless fireplace, their coat collars turned up, hats pulled down, one hand in pocket and the other holding a cold brick of ice cream? The good fellowship of the occasion was well expressed by one of the boys saying he would "rather be on the inside looking out, than on the outside looking in, even with all the disadvantages." This was the first intimate acknowledgment of appreciation from the boys for what was being done for them, and it was a sight that will never be forgotten. Our second reception was held two weeks later when the boys of the South Dakota band arrived, to be put up for the night, conditions being about the same, as we were unable to get any coal up to this time. The boys were in a jolly frame of mind and decided to serenade the entire house. We held our first band concert in the old billiard room, and the lively tunes of the boys kept us all warm and in good spirits for the balance of the night. With a send-off like that, is it any wonder that Unit No. 5 has grown to the proportions of the following record? Some idea of the real extent of the services rendered by the Unit to enlisted and discharged men can be gained from the following facts and figures compiled from exact records. Sleeping Accommodations The special work of Unit No. 5 has been to furnish sleeping accommodations to men in service or recently discharged. Even those intimately acquainted with the work of this organization do not realize that the hotel at No. 55 West 27th Street, since the beginning of 1918 has secured beds for practically a half-million men — to be exact, 431,788 to September 1, 1919. The heaviest registration for any one week was that of August 26 — September 1, 1918, when 13,313 men were supplied with sleeping accommodations. The peak for any one day was 4,463, Saturday, January 4, 1919. The record of sleeping accommodations furnished by Unit No. 5 and its annexes is as follows: Unit No. 5, 55 W. 27th St., opened Dec. 15, 1917 348,730 Bliss Unit, 35 VV. 25th St., " July 27, 1918 13,407 Edison Unit, 44 W. 27th St., " Aug. 29, 1918 8,170 Trinity School, 15 W. 25th St., " Oct. 5,1918 9,332 Trinity Rectory, 27 W. 25th St., " Nov. 9, 1918 4,118 Total 383,757 Special open-air sleeping quarters were opened August 9, 1919, on the roof of the Hotel Wellington; two hun- dred and twenty-one men were accommodated. PAGE 16 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE In addition to the figures above, 28,843 men were registered at Unit No. 5 and sent thence to other "War Camp" units and 19,188 were directed from Unit No. 5 to the Municipal (Lodging House) Unit and to Mills Hotels, the grand total being 431,788. Special Service The Canteen was opened September 10, 1918. It has never since been closed, day or night, and has served 533,170 meals, a daily average of 1,498. The Barber Shop was opened March 1, 1919, on a no- tip basis and rendered service to 15,529 men. Entertainment and hospitality were afforded in one or another form, exclusive of the Khaki and Blue dances, to 193,343 men. Of the total church and home break- fasts, dinners and suppers, and private dances, numbered 104,583; theatres and vaudeville 64,773; bo.\ing bouts, 4,491; sight seeing tours, 13,644. The largest number of dinner invitations given out was 3,480 on Christmas Day of 1918. A special Saturday night vaudeville show was started at Unit No. 5, June 7, 1919. About 300 men attended each performance, the attendance to Sep- tember 1, 1919, being 3,300. While Unit No. 5 did not conduct an employment bureau, it did nevertheless place about 400 discharged men in positions since January 1, 1919. Fifty men were sent to the Farrell Estate at Oyster Bay, L. I., to learn landscape gardening and thirty men to Yellow Pines Paper Mills Company, Orange, Tex. A considerable number of chauffeurs were also placed. In addition to caring for a great many individual Allied soldiers and sailors. Unit No. 5 entertained the following detachments of Allied troops: Belgium 103 for 1 month French Foreign Legion 95 for 3 weeks Czecho Slovaks 110 for 3 weeks Italian Troops (Granatieri, Alpini and Bersi- saglieri) 284 for 5 weeks English Troops (British West Indies) 16 for 3 weeks Australian Troops (Anzacs) 50 for 1 week Canadian Troops 200 for 3 days General Service General service through the information bureau, per- sonal contract of office force, checking valuables, parcels, sea bags, grips, etc., and use of showers, billiard and writing rooms, etc., and emergency relief work for men in service or recently discharged is the complete record given below. All service was free, the only charge made at this unit being twenty-five cents a night for bed, bath, soap and towel, and for meals, served nominally at cost. Breakfast could be had for ten to thirty cents and a buffet dinner or supper for twenty- five to thirty-five cents. While not organized as a special information bureau, the unit did nevertheless render invaluable assistance to the parents and friends of enlisted men by giving information regarding insurance, allotments, furnishing sleeping accommodations through proper channels and in many cases bringing together son and parents who them- selves knew no way to accomplish this in so large a city. Unit No. 5 had the distinction of caring for the first convalescents returning from overseas, these being a detachment of 103 marines whom the unit cared for, in addition entertaining them at special entertainments, theatres, automobile trips and by home dinner invitations. Special note must be made of volunteer service rendered from the opening of the unit to September 1 and after by three doctors and one dentist whose services were available without charge, and in case of need, at any hour of the day or night. Summary of Services The complete record of accommodations and indi- vidual services afforded by Unit No. 5 is as follows: Sleeping Accommodations 431,788 Canteen Service 533,170 Barber Shop 15,529 Entertainment and Invitations 193,343 General Service as above 250,573 Meals furnished free 5,920 Lodgings furnished free 4,144 Fare to home or camp 29$ Cashed Government checks, foreign money orders, foreign money exchanged 9,053 Employment 400 Total 1,444,213 Premature news of the Armistice was the signal for a spontaneous outburst at Unit No. 5. That night can never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. News of the actual signing was the occasion of a more restrained feeling that found expression in the words of one of the boys: "We had to do it and we did it, but thank God it's over." Since that time the work of the Unit has changed from handling the boy anxious to go across and capture the Kaiser, dead or alive, to caring for the boy anxious to get out of the service and "get back on the job" of civilian life with clearer mind, renewed vigor, and more ambition than ever to better himself in the world. In both phases of its service to the boys, the entire staff of Unit 5 was devotedly eager to render every pos- sible service until its work should be done. ^^OMMUNITY SERVICE aims, not to impose a cut and dried social programme C_>/ from without, but to draw out the strength that is in the people and to make them conscious and sufficient directors of their own affairs. ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 17 Property Department To find beds for over 700,000 men using War Camp Community Service Units, to get fur- niture and equipment for all sorts of activities was the task of the Property Department. It was some job/ INCESSANT demands to "get things done" for the actual service of men in uniform, made it impossible in the small organization available during the first period of War Camp work, to inaugurate a complete system of purchase and accounting until August, 1918, when a property department was organized and, again, until November, 1918, when a system of purchasing was installed. While all purchase requisitions of the organ- ization, other than those for printing, have passed through this department, the vital work of the depart- ment has been to find beds requisitioned by sleeping units for the thousands of men in uniform who have been in New York City on leave, or on duty as in the "bunking" of the 27th Division at the armories in April previous to its parade. As official host to Uncle Sam's "boys," this organization has provided beds and bedding for a total of 689,708 men to September 1, 1919. While the rush of returning troops was on at Christ- mas time of 1918, and while combined with this the Atlantic Fleet was visiting the Port of New York, the Property Department obtained and had available on Christmas Day, 10,026 beds for enlisted men, at twenty- five cents per night each. To do this, the Property De- partment between the twentieth and twenty-fourth of December, with the help of Secretary of War Baker and the Zone Supply Officer of the Quartermaster Corps at the Port of New York, secured and placed for use four thousand complete bed outfits borrowed from the Quar- termaster's store. The above equipment is still in the custody of the New York War Camp Community Service by grace of the Army authorities, and much of it is still being used for the needs of enlisted men. Such as had not been required during the summer months for the need of enlisted men, was made available for community service, and the widest possible use has been made of it rather than permit it to remain in store and idle. The first community call for this material was from the Alumni Association of Yale Univeraly, for the Spring Celebration when housing conditions at New Haven pre- sented a problem to the Yale Management. War Camp Community Service furnished two hundred complete bed outfits for the use of the Alumni. With the opening of the summer camping season, the requests for assistance came fast, and each worthy one was acceded to, so far as possible. A list of services performed follow: The Ridgefield Convalescent Home at Ridgefield, Conn., was allowed twenty outfits. The Federation for Child Study borrowed seventy cots for use at the Stuyvesant House and Hudson Guild. The Federated Neighborhood Association borrowed fifty outfits for use at its summer home at New Brighton, Staten Island. The Young Men's Hebrew Association borrowed thirty- seven blankets for use at its camp. The Children's Aid Society called upon the organization for fifty complete bed outfits for use at Valhalla, New York. The Boy Scouts of America borrowed from the War Camp over 700 complete bed outfits for use at the camp at Bear Mountain, and forty cots for use at their Peek- skill Camp. The New York State Woman's land army borrowed 75 cots and 110 blankets. We were able to help the Sixty-Ninth Regiment with seven hundred cots for use at Peekskill. The Twelfth Regiment used 725 cots at its summer camp at Peekskill. The Property Department's largest collegiate service was the shipment of four hundred complete bed outfits to Hamilton, New York, for the use of Colgate University during its Centennial Celebration, held from October 9th to October 11th, 1919. To enable the New York Telephone Company to keep up its service during the Brooklyn Rapid Transit strike, we loaned forty bed outfits, and during the Interborough strike, three hundred, all for telephone operators. Through our assistance, the Yale Club at Forty-fourth Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, was able to house thirty additional persons during the later strike. A complete inventory and valuation of all property, either belonging to or in the hands of New York War Camp Community Service, was compiled and has been kept up to date. c OMMUNITY SERVICE is one answer to "social unrest." Where the com- munity is a unity through common service "commune" has no place. PAGE 18 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE Girls' Division How would you organize thousands of girls for war work and wholesome comradeship with service men? The Girls' Division found a method which worked successfully. GIRLS' activities have, from the beginning, been operated as a separate division of War Camp Community Service, under the name, first, of the Girls' Patriotic Service League, and, later. Girls' Community Service. The formal organization of young women for patriotic service was to develop among them a co-operative relationship to men in uniform. The Girls' Patriotic Service League, with a registration of 25,000 girls pledged to personal patriotic service, was launched in the autumn of 1917 and was reorganized in the summer of 1918 to become Girls' Community Service, "a movement for the purpose of organizing young women of the community to co-operate in sustain- ing military morale." Members were united in a program of Comradeship and Service to men in uniform. Service began with prac- tical hand-work, such as knitting, sewing. Red Cross activities, cheer-up letters and scrap-books. Comradeship showed itself in efforts to do woman's share in the war by contributing to thrift and relief campaigns and helping with various drives, by holding rallies where the patriotic responsibilities of young women were presented and by sustaining, through their personal attitude, the courage and patriotic pride of our men in service. Comradeship and Service were united when, in January, 1919, the members of Girls' Community Service began a series of Comrade Parties to welcome home men returned from camp or overseas, therebv acknowledging their sense of obligation to the men and at the same time giving them a public Welcome Home to the respective communities from which they had been enlisted. Throughout the winter of 1918-19, a three-fold pro- gram of Comrade Rallies, Comrade Parties and Comrade Service was carried on in twenty-one districts of Greater New York under the name of the Comrade Campaign. Girls to the number of 6,459 enlisted, and of these 4,030 were actively interested. They held 128 rallies with a total attendance of 11,329; gave eighty-six parties at which 5,386 girls and 3,215 men were present; and helped 11,526 soldiers. In June, 1919, a summer pro- gram went into eflfcct throughout the city. In Man- hattan there were weekly Comrade Evenings in sev- eral neighborhoods for men returned from service; also special hospitality by groups of girls for men still in uniform. The evenings were held at neighborhood cen- ters and the work done at W. C. C. S. Clubs. Brooklyn girls conducted Community Comrade Clubs on a self- supporting basis, with dances for returned service men every two weeks. Staten Island did special work for convalescent men at Fo.x Hills Hospital, with extensive recreation activities for girls. Girls' Community Service Girls' Community Service was based on the prin- ciples of Comradeship and Service. Comradeship em- phasizes the spirit of democracy, of friendliness and of mutual interest between young men and women. Service is the public acknowledgment by young women of their responsibility to the community. Recreation between young men and women is the opportunity to express both Comradeship and Service. Work was organized by districts (thirteen in Man- hattan, five in Brooklyn, two in Bronx, one in Staten Island) and district membership was given to any girl under one of three conditions: she must live, belong to a club or be employed in the district where she wished to join. Any young woman of eighteen could become and remain a member so long as she showed the spirit of Comradeship and Service. If she already belonged to any organization of young women she could work through and with her own club. If she were not a member, she came in as an individual member and joined a ser- vice group under a leader. Comrade Service Commit- tees of girls in each district helped to work out plans and direct the actual service of members. An Advisory Committee of interested women acted in each district, under the leadership of a chairman, to make suggestions as to the development of activities in its neighbor- hood. Three conclusions may be drawn from observation of Girls' Community Service. The enthusiastic and sustained response of so many young women to a call for organized service and the appreciation of returned sol- diers, generously expressed, point the way to future ac- tivities. There are many girls who are not interested in belonging to a girls' club or settlement group, who nevertheless want organized service, and there are also many boys in civilian clothes who appreciate the privi- lege of meeting the right sort of girl in pleasant circum- stances. For the young woman who already belongs to a club there is a wide field for leadership and for a larger responsibility than her own club gives her, and at the same time her club loyalty and pride develop through calls for group service in the community. Fin- ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR ally, the bringing together into a district organiza- tion of highly individualized welfare agencies has con- tributed to the development of community feeling. Insti- tutional, religious and local prejudices have given way in PAGE 19 the face of a larger interest. Girls' Community Serv- ice has opened the door to community service for girls and to recognition of the value of young womanhood in the social life of the community. Officers' Service Department It wouldn't take an accountant to figure out how long a second lieutenant's salary would keep its receiver at one of Nezu York's best hotels. Houever, War Camp Community Service found a way out of the difficulty for hundreds of officers. THE department was started during August. 1918, for the purpose of assisting and protecting the officers of the United States and Allied services. Although much was being done for enlisted men, until the inauguration of this department, nothing was being done for the junior oflficers, the majority of whom were only subsisting on their Array pay. The Information Bureau of the department has served 127,306 officers; 13,001 have used the Checking Bureau; 2,248 have occupied rooms in leading hotels at a discount of from 40 to 50 per cent, through the Hotel Bureau; 67,159 have been guests of the Entertainment Bureau; 1,163 convalescent officers have applied for service and 375 have been placed in homes by the Convalescent Bu- reau, which has the use of fifty of the finest country homes near New York; the Employment Bureau has placed 150 officers in positions and has sent 230 to their old positions at their homes and the Vocational Guidance Bureau has given 1,033 interviews. In addition, sleeping accommodations for from 25 to 75 officers were provided daily at the Service Department and seldom fewer than the minimum took advantage of this convenience. Hundreds of officers were thus pro- vided with a good place to sleep at a very low cost. Shopping Bureau Starting during October, 1918, the Shopping Bureau of the department issued 25,203 cards entitling 18,972 officers to from 10 to 50 per cent, discount in their pur- chases at 209 establishments. A conservative estimate shows that each officer saved about $10, the total amount saved being more than $200,000. A noteworthy feature of the hospitality of the Enter- tainment Bureau was the series of tea dances given in the ballrooms, first of the Hotel Imperial and later at the Holland House. These commenced on December 1, 1918, and closed on May 16, 1919, when the officers presented the hostess with bouquets and a vote of thanks. These dances were started to meet the demand of the officers for a place to dance which was not a public dance hall, and for partners who were not of the kind fre- quenting such places. Sixtj'-nine tea dances were given and were attended by 5,520 officers of both the Army and Navy, making an average of eighty per dance. In addition to the hostesses who attended the dances, several hundred young women acted as partners. The managements of both the Hotel Imperial and the Holland House generously donated the use of their ball- rooms for the dances. Pershing Club for Officers General John J. Pershing visited the Pershing Club for Officers and complimented the War Camp Community Service on the service it rendered. TO provide hospitality and club accommodations for the thousands of officers returning from abroad, as well as those stationed in and about New York, the Pershing Club was opened on December 24, 1918, with an informal dance, the formal opening taking place on New Year's Day. From the very beginning the Club was thronged with officers of both services of the United States and the Allies. Up to September 1, 1919, 219,813 officers received hospitality at the Club; there was a daily average at- PAGE 20 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE tendance of 957, and there were 278 dances or other entertainments which were attended by an average of from 200 to 400 officers. On special occasions, such as the great receptions to the Atlantic Fleet and the returning victorious Divisions, the officers of these units have made their headquarters at the Club, and have been guests of dances or receptions in their honor. General John J. Pershing, commander-in-chief of the A. E. F., during his three days' reception by the city of New York on his return from France, visited the Club and complimented the New York War Camp Com- munity Service on the work done for officers there, saying that he had often heard the club spoken of in the highest terms while he was on duty in France. The canteen, at which three meals were served daily, was a very popular feature of the Club, and during its work served 28,735 officers. These men received the same food they would have ordered in the great hotels in the neighborhood and saved one half of what they would otherwise have had to spend. One of the last services given by the Club was for the Army nurses. These were admitted on the same footing as commissioned men and enjoyed the same privileges, hav- ing, however, special accommodations in separate club rooms. Many of them expressed gratitude at this action of the Club since they nearly all arrived in New York with limited funds. In addition to the nurses who did not register, more than 200 left their names and received their mail at the Club while in the city. The great success of the Club was largely due to the hundreds of devoted volunteers who gave unsparingly of their time to entertaining and providing hospitality for the officers. Employment Violent cases of "New Yorkitis" complicated the employment problem when demobilization was well under way. It was no time to "boost New York" as a residence city. Something had to be done to persuade the boys to go back home. THE armistice coming a year or more sooner than was expected, made immediate action necessary in placing the men demobilized in the commercial and industrial lines from which they came. A conference was called at Washington and was attended by represent- atives of all national war work agencies. The war work agencies were called upon to aid in the organization and operation of the system. War Camp Community Service with the other agencies agreed to help in the emergency and the work was portioned out. Because of its position locally. New York War Camp Community Service was called upon to — 1. Solicit positions. 2. Advise and counsel men in uniform. 3. Direct them to the proper and nearest employ- ment bureau. 4. Urge men to return to their home towns. 5. Steady the men during the period of inactivity. 6. House, feed and entertain the men. The Booths, Clubs and Canteens were the contact points. At these places the men were advised and di- rected and much wasted effort on the part of the appli- cant and the United States Employment Service was thus eliminated. The Clubs and Canteens also played a very important part by looking after the needs and comforts of the men seeking positions. The other half of the job — advising and counseling, urging men to return to their home towns, steadying the men during the period of inactivity — were tasks that called for special workers. The Vocational Guidance Bureau One step taken to accomplish these things was the inauguration of the Vocational Guidance Bureau. It was found that a goodly percentage of the men wanted to make a decided change in their careers by going into fields of work other than those they had been engaged in previously. Viewing the situation as a whole, in some cases this change was a wise one ; in other cases it would be unwise. The stafif of the Vocational Guidance Bu- reau aided the individual in his decision and then directed him to the opportunity for training for his new work. In the early stages the Bureau's work was not to place the men in positions ; for that they were sent to the proper placement bureau of the United States Employment Service. Later, however, placement work was done by the Bureau because of the many cases needing immediate employment, and to make sure that the men counseled with followed the advice of the vocational guides. Dur- ing the interview, when it was found that the individual had not finished his university or college studies it was very often possible to get him to return to school. Then there was the case of the man whose home town was in another part of the country, who had contracted "a violent case of New Yorkitis," as one of the employ- ment workers put it. Having received his discharge in ■ 1 ^^^^H H tmm ^^HI*^flNl fl'fll - '''srjtjfLt fMM , • r , fl .^aa^lteJ' l^H V ^^1 - f|^-^iHi/^B[ "^■^1 ' . -''^^B ^^^' Y^^!^ n ■S^Ejm||^a|av%i^|^|^|^a|^HB|^_|ig^Ip^^ ^1 rERSHiNG House Guests Pack Five Thousand Boxes op Fudge for Christmas "Khaki and Blue" Dan'ce U.NL .11- Hit liAl'fi WbUUlNuS t-uR WiiiLii l't,K5iilNij iluUSE Has Stood Sponser Dance at rERsniNC Club for Oi-ficers, with TERbHiNG Theatre in the Backgroun Happy Evenings that Made New York Seem Like Home TO THZ Stranger in Uniform The Popular Doughnut Line at thb Hau. of States 1 ■ ^m p ^ '.pi 1 m If 4^ 1^ ^4 A.ilpM l-<'9 3-^^ I vmm '^^fw 1]W,;/--? p 'mu I'liRSHiNG House The Welcome of a Real Home Cheered Many a Lonely Service Man on' Hts Way Overseas Miss Elsie Ferguson Appearing at a Sunday Vaudeviille Show for Soldiers and Sailors. Given by the Amusement Department A Breathing Spell at the Officers' Dances Held at National Arts Club by the W. C. C. S. Officers' Mess M iiiK \V. C. C. S. Junior Officbrs' Hosfitalitv House ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR PAGE 21 the East, he looked upon New York as the Golden Gate to Fame and Fortune. Knowing conditions, the Voca- tional Guidance Bureau urged the men to go back home and "carry on" back there. The Employment Bureau at the Hall of States made the connecting link between the men and employment opportunities in the men's home States and communities. In the crisis brought about by the failure of Congress to appropriate the money to carry on employment work, the various war-work agencies, employers under the leader- ship of the Merchants' Association and the U. S. Em- ployment Service got together and organized the Re- Employment Bureau of New York City for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines as the central employment point in New York. Funds for the operation of the Bureau were contributed by the war-work organizations, and as its portion of the amount needed to operate the Re- Employment Bureau, War Camp Community Service gave $23,000, or 29 per cent, of the support given by five welfare organizations. When the Re-Employment Bureau became the one point at which all applicants and employers could be taken care of the War Camp Community Service Employment Department was discontinued and its staff was trans- ferred to the offices of the Re-Employment Bureau. The Vocational Guidance Bureau interviewed and help- ed 2,626 men to secure the training opportunities that would make them better and more satisfied workers and otherwise gave counsel and advice. Openings in addition to the figures for Brooklyn noted in the following article, numbering 6,509, were secured by War Camp Com- munity Service canvassers and passed to the Federal Bu- The Vocational Education Bureau As a separate and distinct branch of the work of the W. C. C. S. Employment Department, the Vocational Education Bureau was organized in April, 1919. While the Vocational Guidance Bureau had the immediate work of helping discharged men find re-employment in the fields from which they were taken, the Vocational Education Bureau set about finding the educational and training fa- cilities of the country's schools and industries that the men might be educated to the new standards of efficiency in the work they might choose as their life-work. Accordingly, all the prominent technical institutions throughout the country were canvassed and full informa- tion concerning admission, tuition, type of course, etc., etc., was secured and printed in a booklet called The Vocational Guide. Twenty-five thousand copies of this Guide were distributed to discharged men by all the war- work agencies coming in contact with them. Later a re- vised edition of 20,000 was distributed. Since, in many cases, it was important that a living wage be earned while receiving training, the Vocational Education Bureau also secured information concerning industries in which training courses with pay were given by individual companies. Service men were enabled to secure both training and a livelihood with a promising future. The following figures will give an adequate idea of the activities of the Vocational Education Bureau: 1,850 schools, giving 5,000 courses, were listed; 109 corporation schools in 71 industries and 817 trades were listed, with 1,429 occupations. With the detailed information con- cerning these training opportunities the Bureau was en- abled to give specific and accurate advice to the many men who applied directly or indirectly for the service. Aside from the help to the individual that the Bureau was able to render, there was the greater achievement of doing an appreciable bit to stabilize the labor market. At a time when the market was being flooded with labor it could not absorb, the Bureau was returning men to tech- nical schools. Brooklyn Organization Who wouldn't take a day off at Coney Island if he could take in all the attractions free or at half price? It didn't take soldiers, sailors and marines long to see the opportunity. THE first Unit in Brooklyn was opened on October 19, 1918, and when the organization was caring for the greatest number of service men there were eight canteens and service clubs in operation day and night. From its inception to September 1, 1919, the division has provided service men with 431,223 meals, 32,771 sleeping accommodations, and has given dances and other entertainments which were attended by 70,832 soldiers. sailors and marines. In addition, other services given uniformed men numbered 46,297. Particularly noteworthy work has been done by the Employment Bureau of the Department. This com- menced work on December 27, 1918, and has steadily maintained the highest average of placement of all the various employment agencies caring for service men in New York City. As the result of this bureau's intensive PAGE 22 ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORLD WAR and well-directed work 6,833 men have been referred to positions, 45,486 positions have been found and 6,134 men have been placed in positions which promise to be permanent. Owing to the nature of its work the Coney Island Unit is treated separately from the other Brooklyn units. This club, the popularity of which was extraordinary, was opened by the late Hon. Theodore Roosevelt in May, 1918. More than 254,207 service men enjoyed its hospitality. Its canteen served 62,208 meals, it distributed 113,379 free and cut-rate tickets to the attractions of the Island, and there were 100 dances and special entertain- ments, none of which were attended by fewer than 250 service men. Welcome Home Clubs Service men liked the War Camp Community Service clubs so well that they are now run- ning Community Clubs patterned after the ones they found on returning from overseas. SOME time after the first of the year, 1919, when demobilization was fairly well under way, it was thought desirable to promote the idea of "Welcome Home" facilities for the men returning to their New York homes. To this end the Advertising Department put out "Welcome Home" banners, posters, etc., and various other departments of the organization provided special features. The Club Department promoted the idea of "Welcome Home" festivities among the various service clubs, par- ticularly the affiliated clubs, with much success. Since most of the clubs, however, were located along avenues of dense traffic it was thought desirable to open some clubs nearer to the neighborhoods in which the men live. As an experiment two such clubs were opened ; at Harlem Welcome Home Community Club, Unit No. 12, which had been previously used as a sleeping unit; and Public School 41, under the name of Greenwich Village Club. In the case of the latter, a committee had already been formed, and in the case of the former a committee had to be formed. In each case, however, through committee organization, a program of "Welcome Home" festivities was arranged and War Camp Community Service loaned a director and some equipment. Each club got into fairly complete operation as a "Welcome Home" organization some time toward the latter part of February and oper- ated three months on that plan. In the meantime, after conference and discussion the Club Department was au- thorized to establish community clubs in various districts of the city, which are now known as "Community Clubs," but which at first were known as "Welcome Home" clubs. In fact, however, they have been bona fide com- munity organizations and quite different in organization from the first two "Welcome Home" clubs. The original "Welcome Home" clubs were strictly en- tertainment and service affairs, run much like the service clubs previously connected with War Camp Community Service. The new "Community Clubs," however, repre- sent the organization of the men themselves to carry on such activities as they themselves desire. Each of the few named strictly "Welcome Home" clubs have now disap- peared and have become community organizations. Contents General Summary - Advertising Department - Publicity Department Volunteer Department - Club Department - Social Department - - - Free Theatre Ticket Bureau Amusement Department Hall of States . . - Church Co-operation Motor Department Sing Department - - - Headquarters Unit No. 5 Property Department Girls' Division Officers' Service Department Pershing Club for Officers - Employment Brooklyn Organization - Welcome Home Clubs PAGE 3 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 IX 19 19 - 20 21 22 NEW YORK WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE ROWLAND HAYNES, Director WILLIAM HAMLIN CHILDS. Treasurer JOHN R. HOWARD, Jr., Organising Secretary ALEXANDER CLELAND, Operating Division HARRY DOUGLAS ROBINS Division of Advertising and Information General Committee Charles H. Sabin, Chairman Dr. George E. Vincent. Vice Chairman and Chairman, Service Committee John G. Agar William C. Breed William Hamlin Cbilds R. Fulton Cutting Charles J. Edwards Hon. Abram I. Elkus John R. Hall Mrs. E. H. Harriraan Charles Hayden Alexander J. Hemphill Clarence J. Hicks William B. Joyce Willard V. King John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Mortimer L. Schiff C. 1. Stralem MRS. ADAH HOPKINS AIME, Secretary Girls' Division IVomen'i Advisory Committee Mrs. E. H. Harriman, Chairman Mrs. George E. Brewer Mrs. Nicholas Murray Butler Mrs. Andrew Carnegie Mrs. Charles A. Childs Miss Martha L. Draper Mrs. Henry C. Frick Mrs. W. Pierson Hamilton Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James Mrs. L. S. McClellan Mrs. John Purroy Mitchel Mrs. D. Hennen Morris Mrs. H. Fairfield Osborne Miss Ellen Parks Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. NOTE — For much of the war period Mr. K. D. Widdemer was Organizing Secre- tary. When he went to France on war work his place was taken by Mr. John R. Howard, Jr. Mr. Widdemer later returned to Community Service as Associate Director. ■.j.oi\Mni ur- i^UNLjKtbb llllllllllllillll 009 232 252 fl • J