Evening journal., 1919-01-15
MOTT REPLIES TO
YIN. c. A. CRITICS
Leader in War Work Says
Association Has Been
Maligned
INCOMPETENT MEN
WERE WEEDED OUT

known in Wilmington, having address
ed several meetings in this city.
DR.. Mott enumerates twelve charges
and admits the truth or partial truth
Of a few. He says that through a mis-
understanding with the Quartermas-
ters' Department OF the army the "N'
did charge some soldiers for tobacco
that had been intended for free dis
tributlon.
He declared however, that the mis-
take occurred through the outside
packages not being sufficiently mark
ed and that whenever a soldier had
complained, after opening his package
and seeing that it was donated as a
gift. that a similar amount OF tobac-
co had been given him without charge
out Of the Y. VI. c. A. stock.
Another charge" that DR.. Mott ad-
mits is that the Y. NJ. C. A. caused
scores Of men 10 be taken from gain
full occupations and after promising
them overseas service, had turned them
back without occupations"
$50 did the government Of the United
States and other civilian organizations, "
DR.. Mott replies. "And where we have
called scores, the army has thousands.
"The Y. NJ C. A. had expended its en-
ergy in bringing men 10 New York city
10 embark for overseas service when
the war came TO an end, and ii was
still expected by the y. NJ. c. A. that
those men who had been called from
gainful occupations would serve the
troops in France.
"The War Department indicated its
strong preference that men should not
be sent from this side, but wherever
possible should be taken from the army
overseas. 10 has recently announced
that It will release officers and enlisted
men who are especially qualified to as
sist in the educational program and
other activities Of the organization.
This will mean that soldiers in
France can enter Y. NJ. G. A. service
Immediately. or course, IL involves a
large saving in transportation and af-
fects an embarrassment 10 those who
were ready for overseas service. But
they are in exactly the same position
as officers and enlisted men discharged
because the period OF emergency, or
the need for their services no longer
exist.
ut is unfortunate and the sympathy
OF the Y. NJ. C. A. goes out TO these
men; but they are just as much casuals
OF war as il they had been discharged
from the enlisted army. Their plight
is one for which the Y. NJ. C. A. is in no
way responsible, although II wishes to
do all in its power TO see that these
men. through no fault OF their own,
are not put in a false or unfavorabla
light before their acquaintances."
The Y. NJ. C. A. investigated every
charge and criticism that has come TO
the ears Of its officials, says Dr.. Mott.
I'VE did this not only in fairness to
the association. but to the millions that
have subscribed to its fund.-" he con-
tlnues. 1T may be that there will be
further criticism. lt Is our judgment
that this should be frankly and fear
Iessly faced. II we were TO evade critic
ism, we would be false to our trust.
As we recognize whatever Of truth II
contains. we will be able 10 profit by
It and 20 amend our methods in such
a manner as TO give the maximum OF
service. There is another aspect. Much
Of the criticism Is utterly unfounded,
but only by challenging such criticism
can the public have a clear conception
Of the facts OF the case.
1T Is the history Of every great ef-
fort that mistakes are made, and no
one, no matter how exalted his person
or how unimpeachable his integrity,
can escape. There are hardly any de-
partments OF the United States Govern
ment that have not been criticised for
their course during the war. other i'm
pOrtant organizations have passed
through a similar experience. So with
the Y. NJ. C. A. There Is no phase
OF its work that has been left un-
noticed by critics. Much OF the ad-
verse comment Is due TO miscOncep-
ton or TO partial knowledge"
In connection with the criticism that
the Y. NJ C. A. failed to keep in touch
with the wounded and in, DR.. Mott ex-
plains that there was an agreement at
the outset that provided that the Red
Cross should concern itself with the
care Of those disabled while the Y. NJ
C. A. and kindred organizations with
those soldiers who were well.
That the Y. NJ. C. A. charged for its
articles is admitted. that it proflted by
their sale is fatty denied. In support OF
this DR.. Mott quotes a telegram received
from Third Assistant Secretary Of Wal
F. p. Keppel. as follows:
Matters Of prices asked by Y. NJ C. A
for its articles sold I'm canteen overseas
already investigated by War Depart
ment and condition being remedled. Y
NJ G. A. 10 run canteen for army on
cost basis. To do this had TO reckon
in price fixing such overhead charges as
transportation charges and marine In
surance so that prices were much
higher than i'm this country. Y. NJ. G.. A
made no profit. but lost thousands OF
dollars. Arrangements now made vii
enable them 10 obtain supplies from
sources that will reduce overhead
charges and keep prices down"
Further DR.. Mott goes on TO say thai
the Y. NJ. C. A. gave away $4,000 worth
OF supplies during September and this
in excess OF si50,00O excess Of cost over
selling price on supplies sold during
the same month. the last In which Z
report has been made. This Is in ad
dition, too, Of thousands OF dollar:
worth OF magazines and educational
supplies as we'll as stationery, all OF
which was distributed without cost
Going into more detail about the sell
ing OF gift tobacco. Or. Mott says;
30 is true that in a few cases gifl
tobacco was sold at Y. VI. C. A. can
teens, and the circumstances are these
Some portions OF this tobacco, because
cases were not sufficiently marked
were sold TO the Y. NJ. G. A. by the
Ouartermaster and retailed in certain y
NJ. C. A. canteens TO soldiers at the price
paid the Quartermaster.
Later, when soldiers came 20 open