Buy Smileage Books.

(We invite all men in the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest, but assume no responsibility for sentiments expressed under this head.)

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

This afternoon at 4, a mass-meeting is to be held in New Lecture Hall for Smileage. Smileage is a movement on the part of the Government backed by the public to give to our men in camps the best forms of entertainment,--Broadway successes, concerts, etc.

The Government has built Liberty Theatres in nearly all of the camps, and here performances are given nightly. The very best, at 10 and 25 cents. Playwrights have sacrificed their royalties; stars, a good part of their salaries; and producers their profits in order to give to our men in uniform the best good cheer. But, with all this, Smileage is a tremendous undertaking, and the Government feels that because it has to use every one of its dollars toward the direct prosecution of the war the public will take up Smileage as its own contribution, a gift to every soldier.

It can not be repeated too often that no demands, however great, made on us left at home can equal the sacrifices that those who have answered the call to the colors, may be asked to make. Therefore, anything we can do to lighten their burden we should feel it a privilege to do.

We so after forget the comparatively small salary that the private gets, and out of it he still has to contribute to his family, look after his personal needs, pay for his war insurance and Liberty Bonds. What can the average private have left for entertainment? The commander of Camp Lee writes, "Such men, and we have thousands of them, certainly deserve to have their if troubles and worries occasionally erased by such recreation as the theatre furnishes." This movement is distinct and apart from the Y. M. C. A. The latter has enough of a burden of its own, and yet nobody will deny the need of the theatre in our camps.

It is strongly hoped that Harvard men will respond liberally. Smileage books sell in $1 and $5 forms, and surely every man in the University is willing to forget the price of a show or two for the good cheer which these Smileage books will bring to thousands of our men. Judge Lindsay says: "Smileage is not only an inspiration, but one of the most practical things in this war. Smileage will do more to keep our boys wholesome than all other forms of free entertainment combined."

"A smiling army means a winning army." Buy your gift for some man in camp and give as many Smileage books as you can. CHARLES KALMEN HORWITZ 2L, Director, University Smileage Campaign.