Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-15
EFFICIENT AND PRACTICAL
Fourth Branch of the Army
Overlooks Nothing.
Military Men Look Upon Y. NJ. G. A.
Triangle Wnr Work A. nm Indi.-
pensible Part Of the Service.

1--WE used to say that there were three
general branches Of the army--the cavalry,
the infantry and the artillery. Now we
should say there are four branches-the
cavalry. the infantry. the artillery and
the Y. M. c. A." said a we'll known
military leader a few days ago. and in
doing 40 voiced the attitude of a great
majority Of United States officers serving
In the present crisis.
Perhaps the chief reason for this in
elusive ranking of the Y. Nj. C. A. Red
Triangle War Work in the minds of army
men as a distinct branch Of the service Is
due to the efficient and pre- -eminently
practical manner in which Its workers
handle and carry on their duties: over
looking nothing that can contribute to
the physical, moral and social welfare Of
the boys in khaki. A casual glance over
the following list Of minimum camp
equipment at any cantonment will give
some idea Of the way things are worked
out in q single hut:
An information desk with at least one
man In charge, where stationery, stamps,
postcards. money order blanks and in
formation Of all kinds can be obtained /;
supplemented by mail boxes for letters
and packages, checking room, tie ephone,
etc.
number Of men can write at one time.
Pens, ink and blotters are furnished at
every seat.
A big open fireplace, where a huge log
fire is kept going when the weather calls
for II, surrounded by camp chairs that
invite a honey doze before the flames.
A photograph with a wide range of
records, including everything from comedy
songs to grand opera and instrumental.
A plano and variety Of music.
A library of several hundred volumes
and any quantity Of magazines and news
papers.
A ladies' rest room. where visitors can
retire and converse with their relatives
and friends in the army.
I A drinking fountain, toilet and hot
water.
| A moving picture outfit, complete in
all its details.
I'VE try to help the boys go over clean
so that they can 60 clean over" is the
way one Red Triangle secretary puts it
and that sentence pretty we'll summarizes
the story (although he should have added
land come back home clean" to round
out the statement Of its final rurpose!)
| Of the ceaseless effort and millions OF
dollars that the Y. NJ. c. A. is spending
to keep the spirit Of home alive in the
hearts Of our boys. 1t would be strange
indeed. II this sort Of service and provi-
sion of home comforts did not result
/ in a large measure of cheerfulness among
the troops.
Lieut.. Jean Picard, of the French Army
who has been detailed to this country as
military instructor, is q true apostle
of cheer. and a Arm believer in its eff.
fcacy. According to him It will almost
do the impossible. and a smile will yet
win the war. Whatever the F.ench have
done in this war" he said the other day
| in addressing some enlisted men at one
Of the environments. whatever the hor.
rors they have withstood. whatever the
! sacrifices they have made, they have beer
able to do 1t all because they have kept
on smiling.
1.-THE Y. M. c. A. IS the smi emaker In
camp. The same is true among the troops
on the French front. Y. NJ. {. A. Red
Triangle service furnishes the army spirit
which means morale, while the govern.
ment furnishes the physical training and
implements Of war"