The Washington herald., 1907-11-03
What 7. NJ. C. A. Does for
Soldier and Sailor.
BENEFITS MEN AND SERVICE
OutgrOwth of Spanish War, Assoc
ciatiens in Army and Navy Have
Borne Remarkable ResuIts-Baek-
ed by the Men and Two Depart
ments-Aided by Phiiaathropists.

tNc international convention IN Washing
ton. November 2 TO 2s, is that which has
TO do with the enlisted men Of the United
States army and navy
Organized in 1898, the army and navy
movement was at first largely a tenn
porary one, providing for the peculiar
need Of the soldiers in camp during the
Spansh-American war SO Loyalty aid the
soldiers respond to the movement and
so heartily did they appreciate the efforts
I in their behalf that at the close Of the
war there existed a need for the perma-
nent extension OF the effort to the reg
ular army posts and naval stations.
Since that time the organization has so
developed as 10 extend its work through
out the United States and to Alaska.
China, and the Philippine Islands. n
fact. the policy Of the association IS TO
follow the soldier or sailor wherever he
/ goes and has need of this cooperation.
The freedom and uplifting surroundings
found in the army and navy association
buildings are in striking contrast with
the degrading influences OF the other re
/ sorts which these men formerly fire.
quented.
Growth in the Service.
BY act Of Congress it has been made
possible 70 erect association buildings at
military posts, and through a circular Of
the Secretary Of War the privilege OF
establishing headquarters in the post ex-
change buildings has been given 10 the
association. Here definite service seems
to have been given in cooperating with
the commanding officers in stimulating
and directing the men in the use Of the
recreation buildings. In many cases the
association secretary takes charge Of the
gymnasium work and recreatiye features,
including the athletics. There are now
something like thirty secretaries OF army
associations alone, and about an equal
number in the navy. II is proposed in
time 10 extend the movement so that
every post and station having a sufficient
number Of men viii have a branch OF the
organization.
For the army work there was dedi-
Gated on October 3 a beautiful building
al Fort Leavenworrh. Kans., the largest
post in the United States. This build
ing which was given By Miss Helen
Gould. cost about 5000 and is equipped
for every possible need of the soldier.
from the standpoint Of his physical, edu-
catiOnal. social and spiritual Well-being-
An indication Of the interest and esteem
in which the association is held is shown
by the list of the speakers on the day OF
dedication, which included Brig. Gen.
[ Charles B. Hall. L. =. A. Gov. HOCh. OF
/ Kansas. and Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon,
author Of In His Steps" Mai Gen. j.
/ Franklin Bel. L. :. A. chief Of staf.
was especially interested in this project
when he was stationed al Fort Leaven-
worth, and was instrumental in start
the movement for the association build
ing there.
Members Of the Washington associa-
ton will be interested 10 know that p.
c. Pierce, who was very popular here as
membership secretary Of the local assO-
citation a few years ago, is in charge, as
secretary Of the army association, at Fort
Leayenworth.
Eight Naval Associations.
Among the significant advance steps Of
the present year has been the opening OF
the Philadelphia Naval Branch. which
makes eight branches Of the naval asso-
citation now organized. They are located
near the navy yards at Brooklyn. n Y:
Newport, r l.; Norfolk Va; Vallejo,
Cal: Philadelphia. Pa, and Cavite and
OIongapo Philippine Islands.
When the first naval building was
erected. some people felt that the nine
story. IS by lO0-foot building was entirely
too large for a Christian organization
among sailors II took less than six
I ,,,cvSb- o,rt-fs,ee shars7 Of fhef~ mis-
take. Within that time the building was
crowded TO its utmost, SO that an ad-
Joining structure had 10 be purchased and
used as an annex; and recently Mrs. Rus
sell Sage. seeing the need for extension,
lras given $4,000 for the purchase OF an
adjoining plot and the erection Of a new
building. which will about double the
present capacity
John D. Rockefeller, realizing the need
az Norfolk, recently presented $4,000 10
erect a fine building for the naval as
ISOLATION in that city. and the ground has
already been broken for this structure.
Some idea of the enormous business
conducted in The naval buildings will be
gained by trying for a moment 10 COM
prehend the figures of a single year
work in one branch. Last year a this
building the total attendance was 2f3S0i,
words, in $50 working days Of ten hours
each, a sailor passed into that building
every ffty-four seconds.
Conducts Banks for sailors.
Another significant feature. which gives
one but an inadequate conception OF
what this association means to the United
States sailor. is the fact that last year
the five naval branches In this country
handled. for safekeeping and perma-
nent deposit, over $JS7 coo for the sailors
II one considers where that money for
merly went, and what its present DISPOSE
ton msanS in the lives Of these men to-
day, he can become enthusiastic over this
one point alone.
The work done at these naval branches
leaves its influence long after the ships
leave port, and in many cases the Bible
classes started by the secretaries when
the ships are in port are conducted by
the men while at sea During the past
year Il system of correspondence Bible
study has been started among the sailors.
with encouraging results. One hundred
and thirty-six men are already enrolled
in these classes. and the quality Of work
done is a striking testimony TO the in
telligence. persistency. and character Of
Uncle Sans Jack Tars.
An illustration Of the influence OF the
organization in the National Guard en-
campments to which 1t also extends, was
shown in a recent encampment last year,
where without the association there were
nineteen cOUTt-martial cases; while this
year, with an association organized. rot
a single man was absent without leave
or tried for any Offense.
Good Work ut Exposition.
When the government erected the build
ing at the jamestown Exposition for
both sailors and soldiers, the Ter-Centen-
NAL Commission requested the Young
Mems Christian Association To ,r,nnnrn