New-York tribune., 1917-07-14
C. w. Perkins Reports ST.
329,519 Has Been Con-
tributed by Public
France Requests Men
Fifty More American Workers
Will Be Sent to the Front
in Ten Days

Extensive activities Of the Interns-
tional Young Mems Christian Associs-
tion for keeping the American soldier
amused and in constant touch with
educational and religious work, from
the training camps 10 the trenches in
France, were outlined yesterday at a
meeting Of the National War Work
Council Of the association at the Down
Town Club. so Pine Street
George W Perkins. chairman Of the
finance committee, and T. s. Brockman,
associate general secretary, described
in detail the work already accom-
plished or proposed both here and
abroad. The public. they said, already
has contributed s2.329,5lS59 for this
purpose. and Of this amount si,7ss,-
S47.25 has been expended on author
lied extension work.
Enough money has been contributed.
Mr.. Perkins said. TO establish stations
in France in addition TO tho 2l6 cen-
tres to be operated at the various mill
tary cantorments, submarine bases and
naval, aviation. marine and balloon
bases in this country. Thirty secre-
taries already have been sent TO
France with large consignments of
supplies. some OF which were lost when
the Kansan was sunk by submarine.
Mr. Brockmsn issued an appeal for
gifts of books, magazines, pianos,
monographs, other musical instru-
ments and anything which may con-
tribute toward the entertainment OF
the men in camp. Five thousand stu
dent officers now in camp are being
given lessons in French, and facilities
will be increased 10 care for 100000
pupils when the new army is drafted.
France Asks for Fifty Men
A telegram from the French War
Department was read at the meeting.
asking Immediately for fifty American
men for special association work IN
the French army. These men will be
sent abroad within ten days. None OF
the secretaries, who are given special
training, receives more than $1,000 a
year, many of them work without COM
pensation and none has claimed ex-
emption from the draft.
In the sixteen army training can
tonments 10 be established two build
ings will be erected for each brigade.
In the centre Of each cantonment VIII
be a $4,000 auditorium seating 3,OOO
persons. Near the auditoriums WIZ be
administration and library buildings
erected by the American Library AS
sociation through the Carnegie foun-
dation. The intention Is TO furnish
! a building for each 5000 men. Inc
association is working in connection
with the Fosdick Commission on Train
ing Camp Activities appointed by the
government, and IL Is expected that
honorary commissions in the army VIII
be given 70 association workers.
The buildings will be equipped with
every device necessary 10 educational,
recreational and religious activities. In
the trench dugouts az the front. writing
facilities will be features, together with
canteens where soldiers may buy candy
and other things.
Sixteen Buildings in France
Sixteen buildings are now located IN
unnamed places in France, and fye dif-
ferent French seaports have associa-
ton headquarters. General American
Headquarters have been opened In PARIS
for the work abroad, with the coopera-
ton Of French association officers
A. Varney. Of New Zealand, who has
been in charge at the front Of the Aus
tralasian colony's association work,
said. at a recent visit 10 the American
headquarters in this city, that Y. NJ.
c. A. huts are everywhere in the war
theatres. "The Y. VI. c. A. hut becomes
the soldiers home, his club and his
church, said Mr.. Varney.