in general a thriving mercantile marine will be in readiness for
operation when war ends.

Our naval training-stations are models of businesslike precision and
well-ordered proficiency. Herein are taught everything from bread-baking
and cooking to engineering, gunnery, and other maritime accomplishments.
Long before we had entered the war a determination had been reached by
individuals and organizations external to the Navy--and
Army--Departments, to bring to the naval stations as many and as
complete comforts and conveniences of civilization as possible.

Almost immediately after the American declaration of war, the purposes
of the authors of this scheme were presented to Congress, and permission
for them to carry out their mission was given through the formation of
the sister commissions, the Army and the Navy Commissions on Training
Camp Activities.

Although entirely separate in their work--one dealing entirely with the
men in the army, the other with those in the navy camps--the same
authority on organized humanitarian effort, Raymond B. Fosdick of New
York City, one of the original group with whom the plan originated, was
chosen chairman of both. Each commission's work was divided among
departments or subcommissions.

In the Navy Commission, one group, the Library Department, supplied the
enlisted men of the navy stations, as far as possible, with books,
another with lectures, another with music, vocal and instrumental,
another with theatrical entertainments, including moving-pictures, and
another subcommission directed the recreational sport.