Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-12-21
MOTT DEFENDS Y. N. c. A.
Director Admits Mistakes Which Could
Could Not Be Avoided.


New York, Dec. 21.-Dr. John r.
Mott, chairman Of the war work coun-
Gil of the ". NJ. C. A. discussed in
detail here adverse criticisms directed
against the organization by soldiers
here and in France. He vigorously de-
Tended the work of the organization as
whole. but did not deny that in iso-
lated cases there was just ground for
complaint.
DR.. Mott said that 200 men and
women workers had been recalled from
France because of unfitness and an
nounced that there would be gen.
eral Tightening up" to correct condi-
tions which have resulted in criticisms.
He stated that George w. Perkins,
Mortimer H. Schiff and F. S. Brock
man have gone abroad for the express
purpose Of eliminating. so far as pos
sible any further cause for complaint.
1T is the history of every great
effort that mistakes are made and no
one, no matter how exalted his per-
son or how unimpeachable his conduct
can escape. Other important organiZa-
lions have passed thru similar exper-
fences. Much adverse comment is due
to misconceptions.
DR.. Mott then took UP the criticisms
more frequently heard. He explained
that the Y. NJ. C. A. had not concerned
itself specially with the wounded and
Ill, because it had been agreed that this
work should be done blythe Red Cross
= He declared the most frequently
heard complaint, was that the organi-
cation has been profiting by the opera
ton of its canteen overseas. He ex-
planned it had been agreed with Cen
eral Pershing that IL any profit had
been made it was used exclusively for
the benefit of. the army. Arrangements
will enable it to obtain supplies from
charges and keep pricoo down.
DR.. Mott asserted that 1t was not
true that the Y NJ. c. A. furnishes
free to the men overseas nothing but
writing paper. altho he said it was
the policy of the organization to give
| free service and not primarily free
supplies. He added. however, that SIS.
| 900 worth of supplies were distributed
gratis in September of this year in ad-
dition to $4,000 excess OF cost over
selling price sor supplies sold"
Denial was made that a "holier-
| than thou" attitude was typical Of Y
NJ. c. A. work. He said also that II
| the overseas secretaries. were Drusq ue
| In their dealings with soldiers it un-
doubtedly was due to the fact that
many of them were on duty for eigh-
teen hours at stretch, sometimes
| without meals.
Dr. Mott did not deny the Charge
that the Y. NJ. C. A. has taken score.
Of men from gainful occupations and
sitter promising overseas service, hac
turned them back without occupations
He said, however, that the government
OF the United States and other civilian
organizations had done the same
thing >la u.s. ) I
He explained that this was du.
LARGELY to the fact the war department
had indicated strong preference tina
wherever possible Y."M. c. A, worker!
should be taken from the army over
seas. The department recently has
announced, he said, that it will re.
lease officers, and enlisted men wht
are especially qualified to assist in th'
eoucat1onai program anu o'nei oSti
vities Of the Y. NJ. G. A. This viii
result in large saving Of transpor
tation but will embarrass those mel
who were ready for overseas service
| ut u unfortunate and the sympath.
o. the T. III. c. A. goes out to thes'
men," said Dr.. Mott, but they ar
inst AZ much casual Of war as II the!
had, been discharged from the enliste'