Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-13
Wakefield HOME
AFTER WORK FOR
ARMY.NAvY Y
National Committee Pledges
$4,000 for Honolulu Pro-
jet, But Owing to War
Pressure Money viii Not Be
Available for Some Time Yet

James Wakefield, director and
manager Of the dtygoods department
OF Thee. II. Davies & Co., who recently
secured the unanimous approval Of
the army and naval national commit
tee Of the Y. NJ. c. A. in New York
City for the purchase OF the Royal
Hawaiian hetel for an army and navy
Y. NJ. q. A. building in Honolulu, re-
turned nhis morning by the Matson
liner Manoa. Wakefield made the
trip to New York and ether Eastern
cities primarily In the interests Of his
firm, but was able TO take up the Y.
M. c. A. work during lunch hours
when he met members Of the national
committee.
While in New York City, Wakefield
was elected a member Of the National
War Work Council Of the \. n. G. A.
This was after he had gone before the
rational committee and explained the
need OF an army and navy Y. NJ. Vi
A. in Honolulu and submitted. the
plan Cor the purchase OF the Hawaiian
hotel for this purpose. In attaining
this hearing and in meeting personal
siy the members Of the COMMITTEES, he
( was assisted by DR.. Warner Of New
York City, who was here when the
Y. M. G. A. project was first pro-
posed, and who was familiar with
the need for such an institution.
II had met DR.. Warner while here
and later in New York City where
found his assistance Of great aid,
said wakefield, "as he was fully, in
formed Of the needs Of the enlisted
men here
War May Hold Up Money
IL was after two sessions OF the
national committee that Wakefield
managed to secure the unanimous
recommendation that the Hawaiian
hotel be purchased for the purpose
proposed and the promise Of the ma
fional body to contribute sl75,0o0.
However, due TO the pressure OF war
demands on Y. M. C. A. funds. It will
likely be some time before this money
Is available" Wakefield adds.
AZ the time Wakefield secured the
promise Of national support the COM
mittee was committed to campaign
70 raise 100000 for war work, In
which Il was afterward successful.
s'But the committeeman realized the
value Of the project and unanimously
Endorsed II, he says.
Appreciation was expressed by the
conmitteemen for the 500. 900 dona-
tbs Of Honolulu people. and also Of
the attitude Of the Young estate which
made the purchase possible. Partic
ulnr appreciation was voiced for the
interest and generosity shown by Ar
chic YOUNG.
That the people IN. New York view
the war work OF the Red Triangle
the Y. NJ, c. A. insignia OF war duty
--as second in importance only 70 that
OF the Red Cross II one Of the In
teresting statements Of Wakefield. He
accounts for this by the knowledge
Of the Eastern people Of the valuable
work the ]. NJ. c. A. has performed
FOR the British troops on the western
front where. even IN the advanced
trenches, c1nteen depots have been es-
tablished By the organization 90 that
Il Il possible for the soldiers to get
ANAL necessaries and delicacies. In
connection with this work he says
millions OF sheets Of writing paper
have been distributed by the organi-
sation. The Red Cross Triangle win
carry on similar work with the troops
N France, he says.
With the war sentiment In the East,
Wakefield Il highly pleased. but he
speaks critically Of the people OF the
extreme West who he thinks do not
seem 70 realize that America has en-.
tered q conflict which would seriously
affect them as well a. those In the
East II not carried to . victorious ter
minafion.
sThey have still to learn that this
war cannot be won BY cheering when
the flag and marching soldiers. pass
and when the band plays Dixie. But
this they win learn. In time. he con.
cludes IN 3 more hopeful tone.