Connecticut western news. [volume] (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, 1919-03-27

Consents TO Request from Associo
Ion to Be 13eLe%cu 81 Opera
tica oI Fos. ti>-3nalges.

The An.c. lean Y Al. G. Il. at Il
own request Las been relieved of i.
work in maintaining the post G.
changes with the american arr!
Correspondence has been eXcEaaS -
between Gen. Perch!ng and L. &. Ca.
ter. in charge of Y. NJ. &. A. with IN.
army, resulting in this decision. Mt'
Carter wrote to Gen. Pershing as fol
lows:
Dear Gen. Pershing: A year an
half ago you requested the \. M I.
A. to undertake the operation CT post
exchanges for the American EXpfol
tionary Force in order that "o!Actl
and enlisted men may not be t-.kvE
away for that purpose from tRelt
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 10.
the Y. M. c. A. to be relieved O.. II >
operation of post exchanges, in we"
of the fact that there was no ion 'ar
the same pressing demand on -.1
man power of the army for tra.T
and fighting. When We first RAJ { :
the question it did not appear 10 you
that it was feasible in the best inter
ests Of maximum service to tae army
that change be made. Now the s1tua-
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. M. c. A, increased
responsibilities in promoting educa-
tional, athletic and entertainment &C
tivities in the American Expedi-
tionary 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. N. c. a.
In view of the changed situation. J
wish to know whether you do no.
think it would be possible for the
army at very early date to assume
full responsibility for the mainte-
nance of the post exchanges through
out the American Expeditionary
Force.
Gen. Pershing replied as follows:
MY Dear Mr.. Carter-I have re-
ceived your letter of January 20 ask
ing whether in view OF the present
changed situation it would be pos
sible for the army to assume full re-
sponsibility for the maintenance OF
post exchanges throughout the Amer.
lean Expeditionary Force. VA
Gen. Pershing Consents. h,
AS you correctly state, the Y. M. C.
A. undertook the management of the
post exchanges at my request at q
time when 1t was of the greatest i'm
portance that no available soldier
should be taken away from the vital
military functions of training and
fighting. AS the reasons which i'm
PEELED me at that time to request you
TO undertake this work no longer ex-
ist 1 am glad to,ap2rove your sugges-
ton. In reaching this conclusion con-
sideration has been given to the new
burdens in connection with entertain
ment, athletic activities and educa-
ton that you have assumed. l have
accordingly given directions that the
army units themselves take over and
operate their own post exchanges.
In making this change permit me
to thank you for the very valuable
services and assistance which the Y
M. c. A. has rendered to the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Force in handling
these exchanges. Handicapped by a
shortage of tonnage and land trans
portation, the Y. NJ. c. A. has by ex-
ira exertion served the army better
than could have been expected, and
you may be assured that its aid has
been a !a"r~ actor in the final great
accomplishments of the American
army Very cordially yours,
JOHN J. PERSHING.