The Vashon Island record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1916-1919, 1919-04-17
GEN. PEPSHENC
CCMMENDS AID
RENDERED ARMY
Post Exchange, Overseas Are
Taken Over by the Mill
tary Authorities

Asserting that the valuable aid rem.
dered by the war service of the Y. VI.
c. A. had been large factor in the
hnal great accomplishment Of the
American army. General Pershlng, in
communication to Z. c. Carter. in
charge OF association operations with
the American Expeditionary Forces
pays n splendid tribute to the work
which this agency accomplished under
extreme diilellties and handicaps
The Y. NJ. c. 4. served the army bet
ter than could have been expected
says General Pershing.
At its own request the American Y
NJ. c. A. has been relieved from main.
tanning post exchanges with the Elk.
peditionary forces overseas, the need
for such service having been relieved
with the signing of the armistice. Cor
responderce exchanged between Gen
eral Pershing and Z. C. Carter, in
charge OF the Y NJ. c. A. with the
army, resulted in this decision. Car
ter wrote TO General Pershing January
2sth as follows:
Dear General Pershing:
A year and a half ago you re-
quesied the Y NJ C. A. to under.
take operations for post exchanges
for the American Expedltionary
Forces In order that Officers and
enlisted men NAV not be taken
away Tor that purpose from their
paramount military functions OF
training and fighting"
AS soon as hostilities ceased we
raised with you the question
whether time had not come for the
Y. NJ. 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 man power OF the army for
training and fighting. When we
first raised the question with you
II did not appear TO you that It was
feasible in the best interests OF
maximum service TO the army that
a change be made. Now the stu
alton is materially altered.
Recent general orders from main
headquarters and requests from
commanding officers have laid on
the Y. NJ. c. A. increased RESPONSE
bilities in promoting educational,
athletic and entertainment activi-
/ ties in the American Expeditionary
Force. This is placing a rapidly
increasing burden upon our per-
sonnet. The army is also now pre-.
pairing for the delivery OF all sup
plies for post exchanges which
heretofore have been imported,
manufactured and delivered by the
Y. NJ. C. A.
IN view Of the changed situation
wish to know whether you do not
think it would be possible for the
army at very early date TO as
sumo full responsibility for the
maintenance of post exchanges
throughout the American Expedi-
tionary Force?
Very cordially yours.
(Signed) f. C. CARTER.
General Pershing Immediately acte
upon the suggestion made by Carte
and relieved the Y. NJ. c. A. OF its tas
OF maintaining the post exchanges. H
said:
My Dear Mr.. Carter:
I have received YOUR letter OF
January 2sth asking whether. in
view OF present changed situation.
1t would be possible for the army
to assume full responsibility for
maintenance Of post exchanges
throughout American Expedition
AIRY Force.
As you correctly state. the 7. NJ.
C. A. undertook the management
OF post exchanges at ny request at
q time when Il was Of greatest i'm
portance that no available soldier
should be taken away Il n vital
military functions Of training and
lighting AS reasons which i'm
PEELED me at that time to request
you to undertake tn. work no
longer exist. I am glad to approve
your suggestion in reaching this
conclusion. Consideration has keeu
given to lsw burdens in -onnec-
ton with entertainment, athletic
activities and education that you