The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-08-16

Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, the Car
olinas, Mississippi and Florida.
They show just what the Y. M. C
A. is doing in the army and navy OF
the southeast. These figures have
been prepared by the statistical de-
partment and have been submitted to
s. A. Ashley, general secretary Of
the war work council in the southeast.
In compilation of general activi-
ties at the camps under Y. NJ. C. A.
direction, it is estimated that the at
tendance in the "Y" hhts for the year
readhed 3S,866,9S0 men. That the
huts were generally filled with soldier
boys is proven in this estimate figure
for the buildings although generally
large are not extremely so.
1t is also stated that 32,889,0O2 let
ters were written by soldiers in the
y. M. C. A. huts and in almost every
case upon the "Y" stationery furnish
ed free to the men.
The report collected from all the
camps in the southeast further shows
that "Y" workers in the huts here
wrote out $2,463,744 worth of money
orders for American soldier boys. This
means that the splendid men sent
back home practically this entire
amount.
The educational activities covered a
wide field, and included everything
from kindergarten classes in English
for foreigners to university French
courses. Just 4,005 lectures of an ed.
ucational vein were given by the Y.
M, c. A. in Red Triangle buildings,
with an attendance of 1,291,243. The
educational classes of various kinds
aggregated 64,813 and the attendance
was 978,045.
Books circulated by the "Y" to sol
diers numbered 764,710, educational
clubs formed among the men were
Gao and the attendance at these club
meetings attained a numerical figure
Of 25,179.
Physical activities conducted by the
Y. M. c. A. in the southeastern camps
during the year vaulted to an amazing
figure. 1t is estimated 3,683,35O par
ticipated in the various physical activ-
tiles, such as baseball, track and field
meets, volley ball, etc. The spectators
the majority of them soldiers, at these
~" physical activities are estimated
at 5,646,31S. These figures are signl-
ficant for they tell not only Of the
great number Of per shes,y' iilsr-'s
Cd IN healthful athletics, but also show
how millions who looked on were anus
ed and had their minds taken off harm
ful influence not tending to upbuild
the morale of the army.
Perhaps one of the major aims Of the
~" IN the army and navy has been to
show the soldier boy that he should
not forget to nurture his spiritual
needs. Not only does the yearly re-
port prove that the "Y" has not neg
lected to look after the religious side
Of the mems lives, but conclusively
shows that religious influences have
been exerted with telling effect that
might not have been achieved IN civil
ian life.
The resume of religious activities
shows that 3,464,4 persons attended
16,4S6 religious meetings under "Y"
auspices in the southeast, that 21,288
Bible classes were formed among the
soldiery with attendances ranging at
395,S48, that 223,232 scriptures were
distributed, that "Y" workers had
1888 personal Christian interviews
with soldiers, that the boys made 49,
093 Christian decisions and that 1888
signed the Religious War Roll.
The attendance at the "Y" social ac-
tivities in the huts was phenomenal,
3,713,6O9 attending $3.50 entertain
ments. The attendance at "Y" movie
shows in the huts was even larger, the
attendance being estimated at 4,678, $50
for 1922 performances.
With the army and navy continual
ly growing in size, indications are now
that the next fiscal year will perhaps
reary double these really colossal ac-
tivities.