The Washington times., 1904-03-31
General Chaffee and As
SociateS Hold Strong
Views.
PERNICIOUS PRECEDENT
Chaplain Pierce, of Fort
Myer, Defends Present
Practice.

Lieutenant General Chaffee. chief Of
posed plan for the control of new army
post exchange buildings by the Young
Mems Christian Association.
Secretary Taft has this plan under
consideration. and it is likely II Will
not he adopted because of the protests
prominent army officers have offered TO
any scheme which viii IN any way turn
over to civilians functions which have
hitherto been performed by the army.
1t is the desire OF the Young Mems
Christian Association that il be per-
mitted TO place a secretary and physical
director in charge Of each OF the new
post exchange buildings. for which the
Government has made liberal approprIa-
tions. In the new buildings are gym
nasiums. reading rooms. game rooms
bowling alleys. and refreshment rooms
Under the proposed plan the association
director and secretary would assume
complete control OF these buildings, and
thus perform the duties which have
hitherto been performed by chaplains
A Bad Precedent.
IF the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation be permitted to enter army posts
it Will not be long tefore a score OF 9th
er organizations VIII want similar priv
Heges and the result VIII be much dis
satisfaction. said a prominent army Of
hcer. such a concession TO a civilian
organization would interfere seriously
with the discipline OF posts and cannot
result IN any good. The army can sup
ply all the physical directors and secre-
taries. necessary for the proper manage
ment Of post exchanges and there is no
70 r,-
changes. In fact. there are many rea-
sons why they sh Sd not be admitted.
Chaplain C. c fierce of Fort Myer.
takes stand inimical to the desires of
the 7. NJ &. A. The chaplain, who has
been before the House and Senate com
discusses the question in a moderate
manner, but there can be no doubt as to
his attit. .Ide. Says the chaplain:
Il admire and respect the Young
Mems Christian Association. l like the
work they are doing, and consider them
a great power for good. What do
not like is 20 see this organization,
worthy of all respect and the support
Of those who are fighting evil and work.
ing for the betterment Of mankind, TAX
ing a position which is in itself, as 1
consider IL, a mistake.
The chaplain Of a fort or regiment
stands, for the enlisted men, for the
same things represented by the Y. NJ
9. A. TO civilians. 1t IS his duty TO look
after the spiritual welfare. the mentai
Improvement. and the physical deveIop-
ment and health OF the men. His. too.
is the task Of providing sane and healthy
amusement and entertainment.
No Need for Change.
II think that the corps Of chaplains
has succeeded in meeting these condi-
tons. Take. for instance, Fort Myer.
We have there a post exchange, Of
which ! am in charge. We have a post
which Is being fully and completely
equipped, and which is free for the use
Of the men without paying any dues.
will not think that the object OF the
international committee OF the Y. NJ
G. A is 10 secure from our men the
annual dues necessary to membership in
their order, but such undoubtedly would
Now. ] ask you, since these are the
conditions, not only here, but In the
ajority Of military stations, why
should a change be made2 II myself
or any other chaplain fails 10 do MS
whole duty to the men. put him out
and replace him with a man who will
But one thing | would impress upon
the worthy gentlemen who desire TO
make this change. and upon all others
who are interested in the welfare Of
the soldier boys, and that is the en-
trance Of a civilian element into a mill
tary organization Is and will be sub
versive of all discipline and the genuine
good Of the men.
II am. first OF all. a military officer
I am subject to the order Of the com
mandlng officer. HIS opinion is consulted
before any step is taken by me- and his
word and wish are final. This is true Of
every chaplain. l do not believe that Il
will be possible 20 operate any feature
Of a military post on any other basis II
fail 10 do my whole duty-and l do
not think that ! have-it will not be
dificult for the commanding officer to
remedy the situation. When a civilian
element enters. this will be more difi-
cult.
I'm short / think the proposed change
neither necessary nor wise"