Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-06-03
TROUBLE MAKING
CANTEEN TAKEN
OVER BY PERSH|NC
Grants Earnest Request Of Y. N. c. A.
Head-pid Better Than Expected.
Says General

Chaumont Especially AT the earnest
request of Z. @. Carter. general over
seas secretary OF the Army Young
Mems Christian Association. General
Pershing has officially taken over the
army canteen. and In the future all ex-
changes, or "canteens," will be operat-
ed by the military instead Of the Y.
NJ. @. A.. as was the ages-old custom
before the present war. In replying TO
Mr.. Carriers request. General Pershlng
says that as the reasons which I'M
PEELED him TO request the Y. NJ. @. A.
TO undertake the canteen work no
longer exist, he is glad TO approve Car
ter's suggestion. The general thanks
the Y. NJ. @. A. for the manner in
which IL handled the canteen. declar-
Ing that. Handicapped by shortage Of
tonnage and land transportation, the
Y. II. c. A. has by extra exertion
served the army better than could
have been expected, and you may be
assured that its aid has been a large
factor In the final great accomplish
ments Of the American army.
According to Y. NJ G. A. officials and
investigators OF recent criticism COM
ing from overseas, the canteen has
been the cause OF nlneteen-twentieths
Of the organizations trouble. In his
letter TO Mr.. Carter, General Pershing
declares that "the Y. NJ. G. A. under
tool, tha mana eau,ant % tho most nv.
changes at my request at time when
II was OF the greatest Importance that
no available soldier should be taken
away from the vital military functions
OF training and fighting" Y. NJ. G. A.
men everywhere are sure that with the
canteen In the hands Of the army. all
criticism OF the organizations over
seas work will cease, because OF the i'm
possibility OF a civilian organization,
handicapped as the Y. NJ. G. A. has
been. operating such mammoth mer-
camille enterprise as the post ex-
change business proved TO be.
General Pershing's letter to Mr.. Car
ter follows In full:
MY Dear Mr.. Carter:
II have received your letter Of jan |
uary 20 asking whether In view OF |
the present changed situation II would |
be possible for the army TO assume |
full responsibility for the maintenance
Of post exchanges throughout the
American expeditionary force. As
you correctly state. the Y. NJ. c. A. I'M
dertook the management OF the post |
at my request at a time
when II was OF the greatest impor-
lance that no available soldier should
be taken away from the vital military
functions of training and fighting. AS
the reasons which impelled me at that
time to request you to undertake this
work no longer exist, l am glad to APP
prove your suggestion. In reaching
this decision consideration has been
given to the new burdens In connection
with the entertainment and athletic ac-
tlvities and the education that you
have assumed. / have accordingly
given directions that army units them
selves take over and operate their own
post exchanges. In making this
change permit me TO thank you for
the very valuable services and assist
ance which the Y. NJ. c. A. has rem
iered to the American expedltionary
force in handling these exchanges.
by shortage of tonnage
and land transportation, the Y. NJ. @.
A. has by extra exertion served the
army better than could have been ex-
pected, and you may be assured that
is aid has been a large factor in the
inal great accomplishments OF the
American army.
Cordially yours,
tsigned) JOHN PERsHING."