New-York tribune., 1918-06-04
John r. Mott Tells War
Work Council of Need
for 500, 900, 900 Fund
Aid Given to Soldiers
Secretary Reveals That Ger
many Has Placed Ban on
Associations Work

The necessity of collecting 100000
900 next autumn to maintain the war
work of the Young Mems Christian
Association was outlined yesterday by
John r. Mott, general secretary, at the
annual meeting of the National War
Work Council held at the Bankers
Club. 120 Broadway.
In Picardy and Flanders during the
recent enemy offensive, one-fourth of
the $50 Y NJ. C. A. huts have fallen
to the Germans. The association has
appropriated funds to build new huts
for the fighting men from the funds
collected in two campaigns last year,
amounting to S37,577 ,691.s7.
financial statement submitted yes
terday shows to what use the funds
were put. From MAY 1. 1917, to March
81, 1918, the Y. NJ. c. A. distributed
among the American expeditionary
forces 115,135,500 cigarettes, 9,913.oo0
cigars, 100000 packages Of chewing
gum and 30,000,000 cans of preserved
fruit
In addition to these the Y. NJ. c; A.
had shipped thousands of tons OF
biscuits, cocoa, coffee, -four, cough
drops, chocolate, sugar, Jam, etc
Athletic goods by the ton were sent
over. also 100000 feet of motion
picture film with projecting machines:
Up to March 81 this year the Y. NJ.
C. A. had sent 2,13s men and 202 women
overseas for work in the war zone, as
well as appointing 1889 secretaries to
home cantonments and camps. To
l,oura thio forco h2S hutS ware tuilf IN
training camps i'll this country at cost
of SO .4S1.75. with an operating ex-
pense of S4,333, ,385.67. In the war zone
sos centres had been built or leased
outside OF Paris. while twelve build
ings were used in the French capital.
"The American nation is behind u.s."
said DR.. Mott. Chat should not only
cheer US, but increase the sense OF
burden of responsibility"
Among the reasons he mentioned why
additional funds were needed were tho
scattered districts of France in which
American troops are quartered, the
constant shifting of positions. the
broken-d down means of communication,
the rising prices of commodities abroad
and the urgency of the situation.
81 had luncheon recently with Gen
eral Pershing," said DR.. Mott, "and
with great eagerness he ventured to
say that, in his Judgment, not in the
! history of mankind has there been a
body o. men averaging higher IN per
sonality and character, going forward
cn more important errand, and ami
mated by purer motives or higher prin-
ciples. I wish the whole American
people could have looked into his eyes
and have heard his vibrating voice as
/ he spoke with such intimate knowl-
edge and conviction"
Dr. Mott urged that activities at the
American rest camps overseas be ex
| randed He told of his visit to AK les
Bains, sometimes called Americas
"blghty."
"A man is given seven days leave
at the end of every four months" said
TO accumulate. So these men will not
be allowed to get home for their va
cations. What. godsend it is that
the Y. M. c. A., in cooperation with
the government, is placing at their dis
posal for those days everything that
is best in American everything in
the way Of recreation and inspiration
and everything in the way of nerving
the men for the great ordeal to which
they return!"
Dr. Mott revealed that Germany has
placed the ban on the Y. NJ. c. A.
Germany has passed the word about
that we are not to be permitted to stay
in Russia" said DIR. Mott. "Some
Americans have wondered whether we
should not withdraw the American sec
retaries from Russia. The only other
people I have heard suggest that were
the Germans"