Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-01-21

few weeks that | have decided that the
one thing 10 90 In fairness 10 the mil.
lions who have subscribed TO its fund
and in fairness to the association itsaf,
is 10 discuss IN detail each criticism
which has been raised We have
caused an investigation TO be made
and We are giving our conclusions,
II may be that there viii be further
criticism. 1t is our Judgment tina, THIS
should be frankly and fearlessly faced
II We were 20 evAde criticism, We would
be false 10 our trust A we recognize
whatever Of truth II contains, We viii
nc able TO profit by il and 10 amend
our methods in such manner as 10 give
the maximum NJ service. There IS an
other aspect. Much Of the criticism is
utterly unfounied. but only by chal-
longing such criticism can the public
have clear conception Of the facts In
the case.
II Is the history OF every great ef-
fort that mistakes have been made and
70 one. no matter how exalted his pei
son or how un.npeacha0le his integrt-
~, can escape. Other important or
CARNATIONS ha e passed through a SIM
liar experience. Much % the adverse
comment is due TO mIsconception or
to partial knowledge. Among the crit
!cisms most frequently heard concern
ing the army Y NJ. c. i. are the fol-
, lowing;
Operation Of canteens.
Question NJ. l. Is II true that the
army Y. NJ = A. has been proiting by
the operation Of the canteens over
seas?
!, Is not true that the army I. Nj.
( (. A prohted by the operation Of can
teens overseas In the terms of Bullet
in No. SO from General Pershing $
headquarters il was provided that II
there was any profit derived froyH the
canteens. the army Y VI. c. \. would
use 1t exclusively for the benefit OF the
men In the army. The discrepancy be-
tween the quartermaster prices and
army Y. VI. c. A. prices were invesu-
gated by the war department. The in
vestigation proved they had 1851
thousands OF dollars and that no pro-
At was made.
How "Gift Tobacco" Was Sold.
Question No. ?. Is ii true that gift
tobacco was sold at army Y. Vi. {. 4.
canteens overseas?
II is true that in a few cases gift
tobacco was sold at army Y. VI. c. 4.
canteens. and the circumstances are
these: The New York Sun. and the
Chicago Tribune and possibly other
parties. shipped tobacco 10 France n
care OF the Quartermaster, with the in
tent.on OF having IL distributed free 70
soldiers Some portions OF this 'onac-
CO. because cases were not sufficiently
marked, were scId 70 tho army Y. NJ.
e. A BY the ouarterma ster and re-
tailed in certain army Y. NJ. c. 4. cam
teens TO soldiers al the price paid the
uuarter-naster Later, when soldiers
came to open these parcels. they found
in them evidence that they Rad been
intended for free distribution. In
every case where these were returned
to the army Y. VI. c. A. It furnished
free an equivalent amount of tobacco
from its own supplies. The New York
Sun had investigated several stories OF
this kind and found the facts 10 be as
stated above.
Furnishes Free Supplies.
Question No. 5. Is il true that the
army Y NJ. c. A. furnishes free MOTH
ing more than writing paper 10 men
overseas?
!. has been the policy of the army
Y VI. G. A. 10 give free service and not
primarily free supplies. This policy
has from the beginning commanded
the approval Of the Army authorities
Nevertheless .he army Y. N. G. A. SER
-, -
sailors and marines included in the
war zone more than 1896 huts, tents
and buildings Of various designs that
served as home. church. CLUB ana
the alter; free entertainments by noted
musical and theatrical stars, miles OF
motion pictures. posta! and money
transfer service; thousands Of dollars
worth OF athletic equipm ent and attn
letics directed by world famous ath-
letes: social, religious and educational
activities During one month In the
latter part Of 1918 the army Y. N. {. A.
distributed free 10 soldiers in the 'front.'
lines more than $4,000 worth Of sup
| plies
| This is directly in line with action
| taken nv the committee Of eleven o1i-
cjaIly representing the seven welfare
agencies recognized by the |. S. gov
eminent overseas as follows: ES =
! cept in the actual fighting areas thers
! shall be no free distribution OF supplies
! except where a permanent work %
! maintained by the ORGANIZATIONS con-
| cerned."
Avoided Duplication Of Effort.
! Question No. l. Is II true that the
army Y N. = 4. has failed 70 keep IN
| touch with the wounded and Ill?
| In order 10 prevent any duplication
| Of efor. oveaseas, an agreement was
reached between the American Ped
Cross and the army Y. -. Z. A. TINS
| provided that the American Red Cross
should concern itself with the care OF
the wounded and III: the army Y. NJ
| g. A. and kindred organizations with
| the well. Therefore under the agree
rnent opportunities for service 10 the
wounded and sick were limited.
Released All Men Of Draft Age.
| Question No. 5. Were men chosen
| for army Y. VI. c. \. work who were
| Of draft age and At for army service
| During the first months OF the wal
| some men VINO were physically mt but
| had not yet been called for services
were sent to France. Within fe"
months most u these men had volun-
teered for military service. The com
narativelv small number VINO remained
| as late as August OF the present cal
endar year. were then notified that they
must either enlist or leave the service
| 81 +ba .r,,,, " " e praPticanS