The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-04-17
GEN. PERSHING
PRAISES "Y" WORK
Consents to Request from Associa-
ton to Be Relieved of Opera
ton of Post Exchanges.

The American Y. NJ c. A. at IFS
own request has been relieved of its
work in maintaining the post ex-
changes with the American armv
Correspondence has been EXCHANGED
between Gen. Pershing and e. C. Car
ter. in charge of Y. NJ c. A. with the
army, resulting in this decision. Mr.
Carter wrote to Gen. Pershing as fol-
lows:
Dear Gen. Pershihg: A year and
half ago you requested the Y. M. G
A. to undertake the operation of most
exchanges for the American Exncdi-
tlonary Force in order that Officers
and enlisted men may not be taken
away for that purpose from their
paramount military functions of
training and fighting"
"As soon as hostilities ceased we
raised with you the question of
whether the time had not come for
the Y. M. C. A. to be relieved of the
operation Of post exchanges, in view
of the fact that there was no longer
the same pressing demand on the
man power of the army for training
and fighting. When we first raised
the question it did not appear to you
that it was feasible in the best inter-
ests of maximum service to the army
that change be made. Now the situa-
ton is materially altered.
Needed in Other Work.
Recent general orders from main
headquarters and requests from large
numbers of commanding officers may
have laid on the Y. NJ. c. A. increased
responsibilities in promoting educa-
tional, athletic and entertainment &C
Invites in the American ExDedi-
tonary Force. This is placing a rap
idly increasing burden on our per-
sonnet. The army also Is now pre-
pairing for the delivery of all supplies
for the post exchanges which hereto
fore have been imported, manufac-
tured and delivered by the Y. NJ G. A
In view Of the changed situation,
wish to know whether YOU do not
think it would be possible for the
army at a very early date to assume
full responsibility for the mantle
nance Of the post exchanges through
ont the American Expeditionary
Force.
Gen. Pershing replied as follows
MY Dear Mr. Carter-I have re-
ceiyed your letter of January 30 ask
ing whether IN view of tile present
changed situation ii would be pos
aible for the army to assume full re-
suonsibnity for the maintenance OF
post exchanges throughout the Amer
lean ExD. iftiona v Force.
Gen. Pershina Consents.
AS YOU correctly state, the Y NJ. c.
A. undertook the management OF the
post exchanges at my request at a
time when il was of the greatest i'm
rurtance that no available soldier
eFould be taken away from the vital
military functions 0f training and
fghting. AS the reasons which i'm
PEELED me at that time to request you
10 undertake this work no longer ex-
ist l am glad to approve your sugges-
sideratiCn has been gwen to the new
burdens in connection with entertain
n.ent athletic activities and educa-
ton that YOU have assumed ! have
ACCORDINGLY given directions that the
my units themselves take over and
operate their own post exchanges
In making this change permit me
to thank you for the yerv valuable
services and assistance which the Y.
NJ c. A. has rendered to the Amert-
can EXI edtionary Force il handling
these exchanges. Handicapped by a
shortage of tonnage and land trans
portatior, the Y. NJ. c. \ has by ex-
ira exerlion served the army better
than could have been expected, and
you may be assured tha- its aid has
teen a large factor in the final great
accomplishments of the American
army. Very cordially you s.
JOHN J. Fl RSHLNG