Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-06
'SECTAR|AN BODIES
.SHOULDCO-0PERATE
Y. M. c. A., Salvation Army,
Knights of Columbus, Etc.,
Lap Over in Activities.
CHECKREIN ON RIVALRIES
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

it to do over again there is every rea-
son to believe that the sectarian or
ganizations now incorporated in the
American Army in France would not
be given the same privileges or free
dom they now enjoy, but that much
more satisfactory form of control by
the military authorities would be de-
vised
That in itself implies no criticism
of the different organizations which
are trying to furnish our troops with
religion, recreation. cigarettes. dough-
nuts and coffee at the same time II
is largely the result of the intense
spirit of rivalry and competition
which the different institutions now
recognized by the War Department
have developed in their natural desire
to show the folks back home that
their respective organizations do most
for the American expeditionary force.
In Way of Military.
But while such zeal is commendable
it interferes with military effective
ness, since all the organizations can
not be allowed transportation facil-
ties in the crowded areas at the front.
Certainly no more representatives OF
welfare societies, charitable organlza>
tionS or state commissions or Sel1-ap.
pointed guardians of the morals OF
our troops will be permitted TO go 10
France.
Cen Pershing himself emphatically
says there are enough organizations now
to care for every race or religion. mere
fore. it can be taken for granted that
the Red Cross. the Young Mems Christian
Association. the knights of Columbus
and the Salvation Army will be the only
non-military units hereafter recognized
by our military authorities.
This means that any additional fea-
ton must be handled through the exist
ing institutions. Thus, the Jewish well
fare board and the Young women
Christian Association are animated with
the Young Mems Christian Association
and several Catholic relief societies are
merged with the Knights of Columbus.
But even as between the four institu-
tions that are recognized. it is difficult
to say where the work of one begins
and the other ends. Strictly speaking.
forcefully with the situation and pre-
vented overlapping and duplication. but
the military comman nslers preferred not
to mix into sectarian questions and 1eal-
ousies. AS consequence, they adopted
the principle of dealing with different
phases of the problem as they arose and
according.to the equipment or personnel
which the various organizations had
available to do the necessary tasks.
Thus the Y. NJ. c. A. was first on the
Job and was handed the canteen service.
something which has not helped the
popularity of the organization with the
soldiers because in the effort to sell at
cost there has been much confusion Ihe
troops thought many articles they
bought were too high. Many radical
changes have been instituted by the
Y. NJ c. A. to correct that situation.
General Staff Controls.
Control of the Red Cross. Y. NJ. c. A,
knights of Columbus and Salvation
Army is, of course. in the hands of
the general staff of the American eX-
peditionary force. Questions OF ton
mage. allotments, transport and other
business details are passed upon with
gram or work of the societies except
where it interferes with military dis
cipline: nor is it sought by our general
staff to adjust the relations of the
organizations to each other. The
Army accepts what each of the four
societies offers and leaves to the good
will and sense of fairness of these non.
military societies the development OF
a harmonious program to satisfy the
needs of the troops.
Unfortunately there isn't as much
team work as could be desired. The
noticeable in the operations of the
y. NJ c. A. the knights of Columbus
and the Salvation Army.
The Y NJ. c. A. aims to cover every
unit in the Army no matter where To-
Gated. Perhaps this is necessary be-
cause of it's obligation to run the post
exchange. :.
tried to cover the whole field but. to-
cether with the Salvation Army, have
expanded their respective programs IN
accordance with the invitations from
psinstaking enough to see that all
three organizations are represented.
Others are not SO much interested IN
recreation and religion as they are in
fighting.
Sometimes only one organization is
represented; sometimes two, some
times all three. Each looks askance
at at the other General nndad esbat opaers IRON m
eliminate the duplication, though in
many cases more than one organiza-.
tion is Hieing with the other in the
distribution of hot chocolate and
cigarettes at the front.
Front Not for ALL.
But all organizations cannot be per-
mitted to work at the front. All want
to be there naturally because of it's
dramatic possibilities. But the roads
are crowded. and they ought not to be
traVerSed by SO many people with
similar errandS.
This does not disparage in the least
the excellent work that is being done
by all the non-military organizations
the needs and comfort of the Ameri-
can soldier with far more facilities
and freedom than the same kind of
organizations are permitted in other
armies. But the greatest necessity to-
day, based upon such authentic re-
ports as l have been able to examine
is cooperation
1t is not practicable to merge the
organizations and retrace the steps
already taken. If the situation were
to. be approached with a clean slate
that might be possible. But to make
existing facilities accomplish the
maximum good there must be CO.
operation.
compelled to enforce harmony by de-
lineating the work of each organiza-
ton. Possibly as the Red Cross grows
in personnel it will tend to become the
principal organization abroad.
The military commanders are not too
we'll pleased with what they deem an
excess of religion foisted upon the
troops in moments when they ought
to have recreation. Some thoughtless
secretaries have believed it was a fine
thing to invite troops into moving pic
ture shows and then convert the as
sembly into prayer meeting.
Although the troops do not openly
protest they do not like that sort of
thing. And if one organization starts
out to apply itself intensely to re-
ligious questions 10 the subordination
Of other needs, the second or third