| Bio History Note |
CPS Camp 101
In April 1943, with the creation of CPS Camp 101 and its sub-camps (of which Manchester was one) there was great excitement in the Church of the Brethren that "men will be sent into areas of suffering where there will be great need for resources, which will be available in proportion as we share." There was a call to create a "large fund" from the "enhanced" incomes of church members who had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to help civilians in other countries ("Education for Service…" 19).
Manchester College's 10-week program was directed locally by Dr. Andrew W. Cordier. Sixty-seventy men from Civilian Public Service camps (a list is available), as well as 40 other students, enrolled in the program. The sixty-seventy CPS'ers were chosen by Brethren Service Committee, and the plan was for them to leave the country and begin relief and rehabilitation work immediately after completing the program. Therefore, "only those who [were] mature" could be chosen. Those who were enrolled and were not CPS'ers were taking the program for college credit or for personal interest ("Education for Service…" 19, "One Hundred…" 4).
The program's subject matter included background and history of CoB as a denomination; study of relief programs in China, Puerto Rico, England, Spain, Near East, central Europe, and France; study of reconstruction problems and relief administration; history of social work and social work fields; study of community organization; and study of mass eating problems. Beginning at 3 pm each day, the group divided into "smaller sections on auto-mechanics, agriculture, construction methods, public health and sanitation, care of clothing, home nursing, town and country planning, and food and nutrition" ("Foreign Relief…" 14).
Personnel for the program included Dr. C. Ray Keim, Prof. O.W. Neher, Miss Grace Eshelman, Dr. Paul H. Bowman, Dr. F.E. Mallott, Dr. W.W. Slabaugh, John Barwick, Howard Sollenberger, Dan West, Dr. M.C. Lehman, Dr. Ernest Miller, Howard Kershner, Dr. John W. Nason, Dr. John L. Gillin, Dr. Chester Bower, Dr. Morris Mitchell, paul C. French (NSBRO), Dr. Robert Hoppock, Dr. Ammon Swope, Dr. Lucille Carmen, M.R. Zigler, W. Harold Row, Leland S. Bubaker, Aldene Ecker, Morris KeetonSpecial lecturing professors included: Arthur Morgan (head of the T.V.A.), Clarence Pickett (secretary of the AFSC), Dr. Arthur Swift (professor at Union Theological Seminary, specialist in sociology and social work), and Howard Dustafaer (graduate of Western Reserve University of Social Work) ("Manchester Unit," ."One Hundred…" 4).
In June 1943 an action of Congress made it "impossible to continue the training of C.P.S. men in colleges for relief and rehabilitation work in foreign lands…Exact wording…is as follows: 'That no appropriation contained in this Act shall be used for any expense pertaining to (1) the instruction, education, or training of Class IV-E conscientious objectors in colleges; (2) the service of such conscientious objectors outside the United States, its territories and possessions; (3) the transportation of such conscientious objectors to or from any such college or any such service; or (4) the compensation of military or civilian personnel performing any services in respect to the matters set forth in 1, 2, or 3 above after the enactment of this Act, except any services which may be necessary promptly to terminate any such Class IV-E conscientious objector college or foreign service projects existing on the date of the enactment of the Act'" ("Action of US Congress…" 17). The 10-week program at Manchester was completed, and the CPS'ers were returned to their camps or sent on to other projects in the U.S. or its territories ("Plans for…" 21).
"Action of U.S. Congress." Gospel Messenger 92.31 (July 31, 1943): 17.
"Education for Service in Relief and Reconstruction Organized…" Gospel Messenger 92.20 (May 15, 1943): 19.
"Foreign Relief Training." Gospel Messenger 92.41 (October 9, 1943): 14-15.
"Manchester Unit." Second Mile [publication of C.P.S. Camp #48, Marienville, PA]. July 1943.
"One Hundred Expected to Enroll in New Social Service Course." Oak Leaves 30.32 (April 29, 1943): 4.
"Plans for Manchester Relief Corps." Gospel Messenger 92.32 (August 7, 1943): 21. |
