News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1919-03-19
GEN. PERSHING
PRAISES "" WORK
Consents to Request from Associa,
ton to Be Relieved OF Opera
ton of Post Exchanges.


The American Y. M. c. A. at It's
own request has been relieved of its
work in maintaining the post eX-
changes with the American army
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. Pershing: A year and a
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 hostilities ceased we
raised with you the question of
whether the 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 the
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
have laid on the Y. M. c. A. increased
responsibilities in promoting educa-
tional, athletic and entertainment ac-
t;onary Force. This is placing 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. c. A.
In view of the changed situation l
wish to know whether you do not
think 1t 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 2e ask
ing whether in view of the present
sible for the army to assume full re-
sponsibillty for the maintenance of
post exchanges throughout the Amer
lean Expeditionary Force.
Gen. PsrshInq Consents.
AS you correctly state, the Y. M. G.
A. undertook the management of the |
post exchanges at my request at a
time when it was of the greatest i'm
portance that no available soldier !
should be taken away from the vital |
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
list 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.
In making this change permit me
10 thank you for the very valuable
services and assistance which the Y.
NJ. c. A. has rendered to the Ameri-
an Expeditionary Force in handling
hese exchanges. Handicapped by a
of tonnage and land trans
,urtation, the Y NJ c. A. has by ex-
ra exertion served the army better
han could have been expected, and
,ou may be assured that its aid has
zen a large factor in the final great
of the American
.rmy. Very cordially yours,
JOHN J. PERSHING.