The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-24
Interesting Features of the Y. M. C. A. Work Given Out for the First Time
 in New York
MOVING PICTURES
 AND GRAPHOPHONE CONCERTS AT NIGHT
Y. M. C. A. Work Recognized by War Department as an Important Branch of
 the Service

New York, July 53.-The army and navy department of the Young Mems Christian association. dealing with the first general mobilization of the National Guard of the United States since the association was officially recognized by general orders of the war department announces some in- teresting features of it's plan for work among the troops on the Mexican border. The association plans to establish at least 25 fully equipped branches at camps where there are brigades single regi- ments of troops. and through these to demonstrate the efficiency of the asso- ciations work in soldier life.
 Regardless of the eyentualities the work will be carried on with vigor the | associati leaders say, for although l avoidance of war modifies the methods of the war. the concentration of rela- ] lively permanent units of troops makes Y. M. C.. A. influence an even more nec- essary factor than in the event of war itself. It is explained that emphasis will be first laid upon work among the state troops. because they have just be9 picked from civil life and need the kind of help the association can give, moro than the regulars need such leadership.
 BRANCHES ON FIELD
 In case of war troops would be sent across the line and shift positions so continuously that the Y. M. C. A. work would have to be conducted through small branches in the field. Without war, but with thousands of troops sta- toned along the border for an indefinite I pr camps and subject to emergency or patrol duty, conditions will exist call ing for the utmost efforts on the part of the army Y. M. C. A branches.
 Officers of the war department, from the secretary of war and the general staff down, recognize the danger of breakdown in the moral and social ideals of tie men in their new environment and they are not only welcoming the associa- tion work, but urging that it be estab- lished wherever possible and offering CO., l operation to the fullest extent under mill itary rules and regulations. Every step that has been taken has been after con- sultation with the higher officers of the | war department and the army and all plans for the work at the camps are put Il into execution after consultation with the commanders on the field, who offer ing every possible assistance and cooper ation.
 \ ANXIOUS FOR WORK
 George A. Reeder, secretary of the army and navy department of the Young l Mems Christian association. who is in charge of the work on the Mexican bor- der has had interviews with Secretary Baker General Scott, the chief of staff, and other officers in Washington All ex- pressed themselves as extremely anxious that the association work should promptly be gotten under way. These officials dwelt on the discomforts and hardships of the regular troops on the border and ' said the militia, unused to the climatic and service conditions, would find the life much harder than the regular troops
 The association field work, like that of the army, has it's organization and commanders. At the head of the Mexican border work is MT. Reeder, who has been designated as executive secretary. Directly supervising the field work are field secretaries.
 If the reorganization of the border forces of the army into three depart- ments is carried out. there will be three field secretaries. with offices near the Igeneral commanding each deupartment. Each field secretary will have general oversight of the activities of the camp secretaries ard they in turn will direct their assistants at each camp.
 SEVERAL UNITS
 Of the 25 association branches or units to be established, several already have their outfits in operation and report en- ccuraging interest and support from the troops Other branches are being or genized as rapidly as material, equipment ,, and men can be assembled. At nearly all the permanent stations the border, especially where there are no chaplains, the association has had it's work in op- eraton for sometime past.
 The outfit for an association branch , at a brigade camp comprises frame building with full equipment, in charge of a secretary and four assistants. Should more than one brigade be in the same camp, additional brigade branches are required. The regimental !. camps, which are likely to be perma- ncnt, will have smaller building, il charge of secretary and one or moro
 assistants. After the work is estao- : iished among the brigade and resi- | a~hf