Newark post., 1918-03-06
Y. M. G. A. WORK
HERE AND in FRANCE
Reported By Eye Witnesses

INSf'i W. ~ ~ " AsAASooSS
Association Men, the Y. M. C. A.
camp journal for January, gives
interesting descriptions of the
work of the organization.
General Pershing," Arthur
Gleason says, "has committed to
the Association the conduct of the
canteen in all the camps in France.
1t is asked to take over the post ex-
changes and thus to relieve the
army Of all care of the business,
to release enlisted men for their
paramount military functions of
training and fighting, and guaran-
tee to supply soldiers needs at the
lowest possible prices. Whatever
profits there may be, will be devot-
ed to army work. The canteen will
become a popular feature of the
huts and present great opportun-
tiles for this personal touch of
friendly folk - Christian women
and men beyond military draft age
devoting their lives to the service
of the soldier. Here is business
that will demand shipments of
fully 375 tons of supplies monthly
for every unit of $4,000 men, and
may amount to a business turn
over of $4O,OO0,00O, or more, each
year.
Army General Orders No. 33
directs that commanding officers
facilitate the efforts of the Asso-
citation in this work; that these
canteens be operated in the place
of the army exchanges; that they
be pushed as far up to the front as
military operations will permit in
order that such comforts and con-
veniences as they afford may reach
the soldier in the more advanced
positions where they are most
needed, as we'll as in the areas re-
mote from active operations. AS
the Association has agreed to ex-
pend any profits accruing from the
exchanges entirely for the benefit
and amusement of the soldiers and
its principal object is to admins
ter to their needs, General PERISH
ing has stated that 1T is not be-
lieved that any regulations are
necessary which would involve a
detail of men to supervise it's fl
nances,' adding, The history and
reputation of the Y. M. c. A. are
sufficient guarantee against any
unreasonable conduct of ex-
changes The American Associa-
tion will follow the example of the
British in making free distribution
of certain supplies on the front in
times of important offensives.
"Billeted in small towns, where
at best the stores are inadequate,
our soldiers have no opportunity to
buy what they need. Our men want
American goods and plenty of
them. The canteen will carry a
varied stock to meet the essential
needs of the men, perhaps 25O ar
ticles, such as candy, chocolate,
biscuits, jam, canned fruit, chew
ing gum, cocoa, tea, coffee, con-
densed milk, shaving supplies,
shoe and tooth brushes, handker-
chiefs, combs, tooth paste, etc. The
canteen will sell what the men
want and may find itself operating
75O to 900 stores by July next.
"It will be seen that this IS a
vast business problem, demanding
the service of experienced men OF
business as we'll as a force OF
workers, of buyers, transports and
vast shipments from this country.
"Mr. E. F. Powell, President
Anglo-American Oil Company, VIII
devote three weeks of each month
to it's supervision. Other men OF
similar calibre will assist. This
is indeed one of the biggest con-
tracts as we'll as the largest trusts
has had committed to it,"
After a tour Of many OF the 1oo
Red Triangle huts and centers in
France, Congressman Miller, Dale,
Timberlake, and Taylor, compris-
ing the congressional Commission
have issued the following state
ment:.
During our visit to the front
and to various parts of France we
have been impressed with the way
in which the Red Triangle is work
ing. It has made good with the
soldiers; that's the real test. 1t IS
giving them the best possible SUBJ
stitute for home. Many an Amer
lean boy owes many bright even
inp to it.