The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-09-24
SOLDIERS GALL FOR TnE Y. NJ. &. A.

The popularity Of the Y. NJ. G. a.
with the army men since the Spanish
American War, and the establishing
of these Associations at nearly 400
posts, has led the soldier to feel that
it supplies large place for his leisure
hours. The International Committee
Of the Y. M. c. A. has received with
in few days petitions signed by |
soldiers asking that organizations be
provided, one at Fort St. Michael,
Alaska, and another from Kew West,
Florida, the two extremes in United
States territory, 5000 miles apart on
an airline. AT Fort Egbert, Alaska,
the most northern of the stations oc-
cupied by the United States Army
branch, has been In operation for two
years and helps to break the monotony
OF the soldiers life, provides literary
and social features while the men are
isolated from the outside world for
more than half year. Here an athe.
letic club has been merged into the
Association.
A letter has just come to the Inter
national Committee from corporal
at an isolated fort in Utah. He says,
"I think the Y. M. c. A. is a blessing
to the enlisted men of the army and
navy. 1t is great thing for a young
fellow who enlists In the army and be.
comes discouraged and think that no
one cares for them, and will keep
them from gambling and drinking"
Since the opening of the Fort Han
cock Association building for soldiers,
has been crowded afternoons and
venings with men, and at the close
of the first week after its opening one
fifth of the entire garrison had applied
or membership. A $780, building
is nearing completion at Fort Monroe
and will be opened soon. 1t is To-
Gated at the entrance of the old fort
and is erected at the expense Of one
person.
Mr.. Harvey f. Fisk early in the
summer presented the Association al
Fort Wadsworth, N. Y, with a bath
house, which has been a popular
rendezvous for men.
At Guam branch has been organ
lied among the marines. The renta
OF house of four rooms has beer
secured The subscription list wa
headed by Elk Governor Genera
Schroeder. Reading matter, games
books, etc, were furnished by the In
ternational Committee. An Associa
ton organized among the Legation
Guard at Pekin, China, is led by ;
young soldier from tine American
Army, who has just given his service
for six months. Since the organiza
ton of the Association here, the be
havior of the command has improve,
fully ninety per cent. The Interna
tional Committee is forwarding sup
plies to this point.
In the Association at Manila ther
are 200 men engaged in educationa
classes, most of whom are working TO
commission IN the army and for Civ
Service positions. AT the Army As
sociations in Porto Rico large nun
Der of men went up for commissio
who had been instructed by the Asso
citation secretary, who was a colleg
man and trained teacher.
At San Juan there are As student
studying ten different subjects, and
library of $50 volumes was used NOR
than 1850 times IN a year. At Gov
ernor's Island, New York Harbor,
class in telegraphy was taught by on
of the enlisted men. AT all the post
it is found that there are men {
special talents and training who tax
hand in entertaining and instruc
ing other soldiers under the directio
of the Associations.
A conference Of the army secretarie
of The Y. M. C.. A. will be held i
New York City soon. Secretaries ar
expected to attend from South Care
Ina, Fort Monroe, Savannah, Ga
Buffalo and Boston.