El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-01
BY JAMES GRAHAM MEARY.
President First National Bank, Of FL Paso.


I article an dealing with the
Eork OF the Y. NJ c. A. in general
and not IN any detail The latter
would require a book. rather than q
newspaper article. want to help
those who desire the truth. and VIII,
faVor justice and fair play 10 answer
--e general question: Was the great
work Of the Z. h c A. with the
American Ezpeditionary forces a
splendid success, or was Il a sorry
fluure2 Can We ever hereafter
point with pride 20 its part in help
ing win the war. or must we everlast-
inglv ice apologizing for its failures
and shortcomings Do we deserve
the sturdy defence IN -Leslie's" for
January e5th. entitled. Fair Play for
the T. II C. A. OF have We merited
tle weak apology in Life" for jan
llry e. entitled. The Y. H. C. AS
cIorlc cu-LlEs-
The j. IL c. A. was doing war work
ul4er war condiuons-not running
a pink teal We are entitled 10 be
judged by the same standards which
are applied 10 our great natural war
tllorr which. in spite OF necessary
4luuders and mistakes, achieved a
glorious success
spirit. Mind and Body.
Because OF the wonderful opportu-
mites offered By the war % serV-
ing soldiers. not only Of the American
EIpellriouary forces. hut the soldiers
~ all nations included in the allied
armies the J. n C. A. has become an
Institution Of increased international
importance. II has taken a position
-l the minds Of tie people, not only Of
america but OF the whole world. sec
Qul ia Importance 10 no other great
T0rld-wide heueficent institution. 1t
g unique in its character. because Of
the TACT rn1t u deals not alone with
the spiritual. the physical. the mental
lld moral welfare Of the men. but
.1mhiues the three. as Indicated by
-ts emblem. the Red Triangle, sym
lollcal Of the spirit, mind and body.
The T. A C. A was the first great
organization 70 be ready 10 meet the
cali Tor service in ministering 10 the
All around welfare Of the American
soldier At the time OF the historic
Columbus raid. when American troops
were mobiliZed On the Mexican Dor
Ger. the call vent cut for the need
FOR welfare work among the soldiers
and. within three days time the ~
was On the ground with men, build
ilEs and materials 70 serve the Amer
lean soldiers AT Columbus, New
Mexico.
showed Itself Ready.
Following the Columbus raid. when
The American army and the National
Guard was modified on the Mexican
border 20 the extent Of over 100000
men. the 2 H. c A. showed itself
ready and able 70 meet the call for
service 10 the soldier boys
Likewise. 10 was first on the
round. ready and equipped for work
ru1uE the American troops in Eu-
rope. as soon as the first representa-
-.H N
The soil OF France From that date 60
the present, the work has expanded
ty tremendous strides. until IL in
Guided in its personnel q fair sized
army ~ men and women and its last
annual budget called for the eEDen-
rlfure Of the tremendous sum Of
s-H1 100000.
The American people have ex-
pressed their approval and endorse
ment Of this organization and its
work in the most generous manner
and they have the right TO know
whether the trust committed 10 this
-ss5ciat-on has been faithfully dis
charged
Injustice 10 Y. II. c. A.
During the last few months there
Lave been many criticisms OF the as
eociatiou's work among the American
f-Eneditionary forces. voiced both by
our returning soldiers and by letters
from those in France, and also by
HUl|lC- lA Nl-H NAuAAH press IlE1E
criticisms have come 70 the ears Of
every thoughtful and fair minded
man and woman IN America and they
have wondered as TO the actual facts
in the case. Many newspaper core
suondenrs, while stating the case Of
tie + n C. A. with some degree Of
fairness. have. either through preju-
dice or because o. lack OF facts done
The y II. O. A a manifest injustice.
Underlying an these criticisms. there
is undoubtedly a grain Of truth. as
fhts nrganlz ation- due to stress under
which i has labored. has not been
able 10 show 100 percent efficiency
any more than our other government
q Eencies have shown 100 percent ef-
llciency In meeting the enormous de-
lands which the war has put upon
them
In reading the newspaper criticisms
~ the work Of the Red Triangle. I
lave found many cases where the
writer was either -damuinE with
faint praise" or clearly hostile and
unfair 70 the subject he was dealing
rltu-
For the benefit Of those friends
and supporters Of the 4Er who
are greatly disturbed by the
petty criticisms OF home coming
soldiers suggest that in 50
rlzses out Of 1n0 n deeper probe
VIII find n f9uut Of real aupre-
rf1fiou for what the efFr did for
fhem- Gigo, while giving them
fuEI credit for their bravery,
herofsm and many noble quail
Ties I would suggest that not
every soldier boy T. a regular HI
lie George WashiuEton in his de-
VorIon 10 the truth ] heard one
tell IN open nnoufhed audience
that the @F~ charged him she for
n package Of Camel cignrefs. and
ia the newt breath state thar
there were 100000 American sci
diers Killed IN Frances
Personal Observations.
A. moved an exceptional oppor-
-unitv 20 observe the work Of the 7.
NJ O. A. among our soldiers in France.
-ish 20 state. fo- the first time in
rubiic print the results OF my obser-
~afions I viii endeavor 20 submit
evidence in proof OF the great ef-
rcfencv and splendid success OF the
work a the American z. n C. A.
rmouE the soldiers IN France, and. AZ
the same time explain. as far as am
able. the reason for the criticisms Of
rEIs work To give the more weight
% nv testimony. 7 viii first indicate
rhe opportunity which had for OBJ
EerFation-
] was sent 10 France on a special
-nission BY the y n 2, A. War Work
Council 7 carried with me q letter
from d.. John r Mott. the head Of
the War Work Council. to A 2. Car
Ter. CHIEF Of the r II c. A. service
for the American ELpeditionary
forces- This letter read. in part. as
we are sending overseas James
b. 1fcNary. Of q Paso. Tex. for
very important piece Of work in
-reuarztfon for orr great camnaign.
cur whole executive committee and
-.r- rn1fza cues are iu favor OF his be-