Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-08-29
THE Y. Nj. C. "A. AMONG THE B0R.
DER TROOPS

The work which the Young Mems
Christian association is doing among
the soldiers along the Mexican border
is unknown to most people. With
the mobilizing of the troops the Inter
national committee of the Y, M. G. A.
began to organize it's work with the
idea of serving the boys while they
are in the South. Thirty-six buildings
have been completed and six more are
under construction. These buildings
are 40 xS0 feet and are fitted out with
reading matter, writing materials,
games, graphophones, moving picture
outfits, etc. They are the club houses.
the social centers for the boys. AT
the present time there are nearly 150
secretaries of the association on the
field in charge of these buildings and
promoting activities for the men.
125,000 men are being served by the
equipment now completed.
The building serving the Wausau
boys at Camp Wilson, San Antonio,
was dedicated Tuesday, August 1st,
according to the program received
from Captain Elmer Lucas, that the
boys are greatly pleased with the eff
forts which are being put forth in
their behalf, is indicated by letters
being received from the front.
Some idea of the effectiveness of the
work being done and the spirit with
which it is received, is indicated by
the following from Leslie's Weekly:
ga member of the National Guard,
writing from the Texas border to
Leslie's, says, We have a Y. M. c. A.
down here. 1t furnishes us with all
kinds of games, pen, ink and also
paper and envelopes free of charge.
do think this is kind, but as you
know, the Y. M. C. A. is always try
ing to do some good for the men,
This is a we'll deserved tribute to a
work that reaches far and wide and
does more. for the young men of this
country than any other single factor
that can be named
The following letter from Theodore
Roosevelt to VIM. Sloane, chairman OF
the border work, is interesting:
July 27, 1916.
William Sloane, Esq, 81
Chairman, Army and Navy Com,
Young Mems Christian Association
SIS Fifth Ave-, New York City.
Dear Mr.. Sloane:
| congratulate your committee upon
having so promptly erected the score
or more of Y. M. c. A. buildings for
our soldiers along the Mexican bor-
| der, and as an American citizen, in
| terested in his fellow citizens, | heart
lily thank your body. Only man ac-
quainted with the life of soldiers in the
| field can fully appreciate the need for
these big airy wooden recreation halls
with writing facilities, games and the
| like. From much experience in the
past, / know how much the fifty sec
retaries in charge of these buildings
will be able to do for our men in that
desert country. Their presence will
aid the officers to preserve the morals
of the camps.
| l have had first-hand knowledge OF
the kind of work that your committee
is doing, both in the army and the
navy, and l heartily believe in it. What
the Y. NJ c. A. has been doing re-
Gently in Europe has been really re-
markable; and now our citizens
should aid them to do work OF the
same type for our own troops.
l was interested to hear that five
| services including the mass of the
| Catholic church, were held in one OF
your buildings at San Antonio last
Sunday. 1 am glad to know that the
| chaplains are making use of your
buildings.
| You have begun fine piece of work
l earnestly hope that the patriotic cit
liens of the country will give you suf-
ficient financial aid to enable you to
continue it as long as the troops re-
main near to the Rio Grande.
| With all good wishes,
Faithfully yours,
| (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt