The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-19
GEN. PERSHING
 PRAISES "Y'' WORK
Consents to Request from Associa- ton to Be Relieved of Opera
 ton of Post Exchanges.

The American Y. M c. 4. at it's own request has been relieved of its work h maintaining the post ex- changes with the American army. Correspondence has been exchanged between Gen. Pershtng and E. c. Car ter. in charge of Y. M c. A with the army, resulting in this decision MT. Carter wrote to Gen. Persh1ng as fol- lows:
 Dear Gen Pershing: A year and half ago you requested the Y. M. c. A. to undertake the operation of post exchanges for the American Expedi- tionary 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 hostiIities 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 tho man power Of the army for training and fighting. When we first raised the question 1t did not appear to you that 1t 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 ~ \ Er1rT a6 responsibilities in promoting educa- tional, athletic and entertainment ac- tivities in the American Expedi- t5onary Force. This is placing 8 rap idly increasing burden on our per Bonnel 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. c. A
 In view of the changed situation, I wish to know whether you do not think it would-be possible for the army at a very early date to assume fuIi responsibility for the mainte- nance of the post exchanges through out the American Expeditionary Force.
 ~: Gen. Pershing replied as follows:
 My Dear MT Carter-T have re- ceived your letter of January 29 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 tcan Expeditionary Force.
 Gen. PershIng Consents.
 As you correctly state, the Y. N. c. A. undertook the management of the post exchanges at my request at 8 time when it was of the greatest i'm portanee that no available soldier should be taken away from the vital military functions of training and fighting. As the reasons which i'm pelTed me at that time to request you to- undertake this work no longer ex- ist I am glad to approve 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. have accordingly given directions that the army units themselves take over and operate their own post exchanges.
 h making this change permit me to thank you for the very valuable services and assistance which the Y. Nj. Q. A. has rendered to the Amsri- can Exped1.-Aeary Force in handling shez9.ss these M ys, Handicapped and app by portal .As c-s-A.s has hgsss-
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