The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1917-11-09
WHAT Y. MICA. DOES
Work Of Cheering Boys In
The Army and Navy.

CeCTtLdTy ~. iJs Asduidii, AihiJ -
Nj. C. A. campaign manager in Idaho,
has explained TO many interested the
need Of the Y. NJ. G. A. extending
It's Work among the soldiers of Russia,
France and Italy, as well as continu
ing its work among the American
troops at home and abroad. He has
shown that 1t Is the greatest influence
for good among the enlisted men and
that It makes for better morale and
stronger army. He says.
ut is necessary to raise $35, 900, 900
for this work apd this will be at
tempted between November 4 and
Is Thousands OF soldiers in letters
written from overseas, from training
camps and naval stations, have told
of the benefits of the Y. NJ Q. A.
They have shown that it is the only
place where they can turn for recrea-
tion and entertainment after their
days drilling is over. They have, by
the thousands. written letters home
on Y. M. c. A. stationery from Y.
M. G, A. buildings. Il don't know
what we would do IL it wasn't for the
Y. M. G. Al is frequent expression
of the soldier and sailor.
II wonder il the people of this
country realize what a wonderful
work the army and navy Y. M. G. A.
is doing among the enlisted men. j
wonder what would become of many
OF the boys IL they did not have the
Y. Nj. G. A. to turn to in their
leisure hours. Picture to yourself
the boys at great cantonment like
Camp Lewis. There isn't chair 10
their barracks. They have to sit on
their cots or the floor There is no
pace where they can write, no place
where they can read What would
they do for comfort or amusement?
Where would they spend their leisure
time IL there were no Y. M. z. A.
building?
tBut there is a Y. M. G. A. build
ing. No matter where they 30. there
will be a Y. NJ. q. A. building or hut
1t will follow them to the front line
trenches. There is no danger too
great that the Y. NJ. G. A. secretaries
will not share it with the enlisted
men. Let me tell you what Captain
I'll. A. Pearson of the Canadian army
says OF the Y. M. G. A. hut at
Ploege ST. Wood, somewhere 10
France
.He says that at night the boys
scurry up from the trenches. across
machine gun swept area, 10 little
groups, and feel for the dark entrance
and 20 in. 1t is only 100 yards from
the German artillery. No lights are
allowed except few candles in boxes.
There is phonograph and the Scotch
boys pick cut the Harry Lauder
records and wear the face completed,
off them. The English select Ameri-
can rag time. The men swarm next
to the fiickering candles, writing
letters home. Some hold the paper
on their hats, others write with thu
paper on the backs of their conrad es
IA soldier recites a poem, tells
story. There is subdued laughter
Old home songs are sung. Faces ant
nerves relax. Morale is strengthened
These men go forth better able t.
face their turn in the trenches. Thei
before they leave at 3 o'clock 10 tn
morning someone suggests that
hymn be sung, and nearly every tim
it Is the same hymn-'Lead, Kindl
Light
s'This hut stood for 81 nights be
fore German shell blew 1t up. Sue
is the service of the Y. M. G. A. a
the front. That is why campaig
to raise $35, 900. 900 for war wor
among the soldiers of the America
army and the troops of the Russian
French aud Italian armies Is to /
held between November IL and II
Can't you see what it is fof? 1t
for our soldier boys, perhaps your soi
your brother. certainly sour nefghOUl
II haven't the slightest doubt