Arizona republican., 1918-09-04
OVERSEAS WORK IF
 'Y" SECRETAR|ES|S
 AN EXACT|NC TASK

The selection of overseas secretaries for the Army Y. M C. A. has come to be one of the big problems of the home organization, according to J. O. Sexson, general secretary of the local ~ Overseas "Y'' service is gruelling be- yond the ina gination of civilians, no matter how thorough their acquaint- ance with army and home training camp conditions.
 The Y. M. c. A. is in the war solely to help win it; it has no ulterior pur- pose although it's work will extend far beyond the close of the conflict. The creation of morale and the maintenance of it is recognized by the military as of equal importance with proper equip ment. In fact morale is equipment. To reinforce the fighting spirit of the American soldier is therefore the prime aim of the Army 'Y." Its methods heark back to those found most effective in association work before the war which are merely to minister to the needs of men in their physical, social, mental and religious phases. How much of each the soldier needs is a matter of individual application This much every civilian should know about the work. in the opinion of MT. Sexson-that the Army Y. M. C. A. is absolutely silent as to creed and voiceless when it comes to propaganda.
 All soldiers look alike to the Y. M. C. A. The Catholic, the Jew. the Moham- medan are as welcome in "Y" hut as are the boys of protestant rearing l Overseas secretaries are trained to SUD- press pre-war tendencies in the matters of belief and opinion. They are in- | structed that no two soldiers are likely to have the same viewpoint: that con- victions on all things not pertinent to the job of bringing the war to an end will hold over long time: and that the Army "I' need never be concerned with issues. It's business is men, ministering to them that they may be- come better fighters.
 The same is true of the Knights of Columbus and the Jewish Welfare league. The facilities of these three activities the "Y'' indeed are used CO., operatively both at home and overseas; and that is one reason. it has been stat ed authoritatively, why the government is disposed more and more to refer all camp activities that have to do with the soldiers own time to these three agen- cies. It explains why camp pastors who are emmisaries of churches sent into home camps usually for the p,,r- pose of ministering only to the boys oi their home towns or perhaps only the own home churches are about to he den nied access to cantonments. It i'n't that they cannot do as effective work as others: but it is simply because tor many organizations must result ir
 overlappingsof lsbors and consequent Wastdge.
 The overseas "Y" secretary must bs
 something to all men in his unit. H.
 must literally go over the top witt them; he must give first aid; he mus
 be able to hold the cross to the lips 0 the dying Catholic boy as well as to sa,
 rites over the body of the Catholic boy'i protestant brother-in- arms. He mus
 be good store keeper handy with al automobile, a picture machine opera tor. something of an electrician, wa news expert, d good letter writer know games and how to put them ol for the masses of soldiers. be sonl leader. a cheer leader.-a regular "he man" at the elbow of every Sammi | that can use him.
 So says MT. Sexson, it appears tha no man is too big for the " job over
 seas. The bigger the nature and ex perience of the man, the louder is tn
 call for his service. The "Y' need
 men of stamina-physical, mental am
 spiritual; and will continue to nee,
 them in growing number as the wa goes on. according to MT. Sexson.