The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-14
WORK AMONG SOLDIERS.
What the Y. M. G. A. Is Doing for
the Men Who Are Serving Their
Country Abroad.

The many friends Of the Young
Mems Christian association residing in
Scranton, especially those who are in-
terested in the work ot the 1nterna-
tlonal committee among the soldiers,
will he pleased to note the forward
movement along this line. When con-
gress increased the United states army
by adding several new regiments, 1t
failed to make any provisions for ad-
ditional chaplains and consequently all
the regiments which have been or
dered to reinforce General Otis in the
Philippines have gone without chap
lains.
Not being able to induce the chap
lains of the regular army posts to sail
for Manila. Secretary Root appealed to
the International committee of the
Young Mems Christian association,
urging 1t to put men on the trans
| ports and to send others to the Phil
| ippinc Islands at once.
Mr.. Root said that he appreciated
the efforts of certain public-spirited
citizens to furnish the soldiers with
reading matter after they reached the
islands but that absolutely no provis-
| ions were being made for the men
|
were on board the transports.
| Going at this great problem with a
will, w. 3. Miller, secretary of the
army and navy work, secured and full
| ly equipped with field Young Mems
| Christian association outfit, the fol-
lowing. who have already been sent
out Frank GloeCkner. of San Fran
cisco, who sailed on the Hancock; G.
| l. Of N.h
the Thomas: John NJ. Phipps, who
sailed on the Meads, and John NJ.
Dean, Of New York, who sailed on the
Logan.
Beside books, papers. magazines and
field equipment, the Meade, which left
New York a few weeks, ago, had on
board six carrier pigeons from the
homing station in the Brooklyn navy
yard When eighteen hours out, one
of these birds was released and
brought back the first Young Mems
Christian association message ever
sent by a field worker to the home
secre tary by means of carrier pigeon.
The message reads as follows:
Dear Mr. Miller: We are eighteen
hours at sea, with none seasck. The
Meade crew, officers and soldiers are all
| flgnt. our work on DOafd is promising
A number of officers have asked me
about the circulating library. Some have
asked about tents and others regarding
stationery. All are Interested in accom-
modatiOns and benefits OF the Young
Mems Christian association. Plan now
is to organize an association to secure
a chorus and form a literary society on
board at once and to enlist as much helr
from the officers ard men as possible.
There are many men on board who
have seen service in the Philippine Isl
an1s and | have been able to learn from
them something about the needs of tn,
soldiers in the camps around Manila
This to all interested in our work by car.
rier pigeon. Phpps.
Nearly twenty tons of equipmen
were sent to the Philippines by the In
ternatiOnal committee in October, ,whicl
included 100000 envelopes, 1,000 O0(
noteheads, games, tents, organs. sons
books, testaments. pens, ink and scores
of other things which the war depart.
ment does not furnish, but which ar,
essential to the average soldiers com
fort.
Through the kindness of several ir
this city, it, is reported that a secont
box of magazines, weighing $50 pounds
was sent to New York last week b!
our home association.