The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-11-12
STEP AHEAD OF UNCLE SAM.
War Work Council of the Y. M. c. A. Has
Been Known to Be.

With all departments of the government
working at top speed to organize and
equip great and irresistible fighting ma
chine, it speaks volumes for the cticen-
cy of the war work council of the y.
M. G. A., when the fact becomes known
that it has not only stood shoulder to
shoulder with every progressive army
and navy step of the past six months
but has frequently, in its multitudinous
task of providing the soldier and sailor
with leisure hour amusement, education,
home atmosphere and varied protection,
been step ahead of Uncle Sam him
self!
The army camps that are springmg
up so rapidly in all sections of the coun-
try offer an excellent example of this
alertness, for almost invariably the first
building that is erected and completed
at new cantonment is the little green
Y. NJ. c. A. hut with its red triangle. At
least one of them is always ready with
an Hospitality open door TO welcome the
first homesick recruit. And all this
keeping abreast and forging ahead has
been done in spite of the fact that the
original fund of 100000. already raised
for Y. NJ. G. A. work oman estimate that
was based upon the experience and rec
ords produced by the associations sue
cessfuI army and navy work during the
Spanish American war and along the
Mexican border last year, soon proved in
adequate to meet the greatly increased
demands put upon it. For the year 1917,
instead of seeing a previously estimated
100000 men under the colors in this
country at its close, sees nearly double
that number, as we'll as three of our al
lies, France, Italy and Russia calling for
Y. NJ. c. A. assistance; thus very great
ly increasing the cost of the work unex-
pectedly thrust upon the associa ion. The J
burden has been further added to bv the
unprecedented rise in the cost OF supplies, |
labor and transportation, both at home |
and overseas.
AT the present time, however, the Y |
NJ c. A. activities already cover 5TS |
centers, where especially constructed |
buildings and tents have been erected on |
government grants at army posts and |
camps, as well as naval stations, yards |
and bases. From these points nearly g. |
900 secretaries and their assistants op-
crate. An additional $50 men are serv-
ing overseas, and full GOO more will join
them there by January L.
In mobilizing for the protection of |
the enlisted and drafted men of all |
branches of the service no detail has been
omitted that might add to their welfare
and comfort. Reading and writing rooms
abound, while concerts, vaudeville per
fnr, 4 !
stunt" nights are regularly arranged
and given. Every sort of indoor and out
door sport is also provided for under
special instructors, and religious meet
ings, Bible classes, singing etc, are held
for all denominations and sects. The
educational work comprises classes from :
the most elementary subjects of reading
and writing to advance circles, where
the higher mathematics are studied,
The vast Importance of this work is
readily seen, and it is impossible to ex-
aggerate It. We have drafted and en-
listed millions of young men, whom we
have asked TO go out and perhaps die for
us. The military authorities can only
drill and teach them until they are eff
cient fighters. II has neither the time
nor the money to do more IF they are
to remain men, still filled with home
thoughts and clear minds; high ideals
and lofty principles, they must be en-
crcled by picket line OF love that
shall stand a constant guard over the T.,
foes that Turk within. This line has al
ready been established by the red trian- !,
gle of the Y. NJ c. A.. and it must be !,
at all costs where started, !
and extended where needed