The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-04-02
GEN. PERSHlNG
PRAISES "Y' WORK
Consents to Request from Associa-
ton to Be Relieved of Opera
ton of Post Exchanges.

The American \. Nj. Z. A at It's
own request has been relieved of It's
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. M. G. 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"
CAS- 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 it did not appear to you
that it 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. NJ. C. A. increased
responsibilities in promoting educa-
tional athletic and entertainment ac-
tivities In the American Expedi-
t;onary Force This Is placing a rap
idlv 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. M. G. A
In view of the changed situation.
wish to know whether you do MOI
think it would be possible for the
army at a very early date to assume
full responsibility for the mainte
nance of the post exchanges through,
out the American Expeditionar!
Force.
Gen. Pershing replied as follows:
MY Dear MI Carter-I have re
ceived your letter of January % ask
ing whether in view OF the presen
changed situation it would be pos
sible foc the army to assume full re
sponsibility for the maintenance o
post exchanges throughout the Amer
lean Expeditionary Force.
Gen. Pershing Consents.
AS you correctly state, the. Y. NJ. {
A. undertook the management of tn
post exchanges at my request at
time when it was of the greatest i'm
portance that no available soldie
should be taken away from the vita
] military functions of training an
fighting. AS the reasons which i'm
PEELED me at that time to request 20
l TO undertake this work no longer eS
l ist am glad to approve your sugges
! ton. In reaching this conclusion cor
/ sideration has been given to the ne
burdens in connection with entertain
ment, athletic activities and educs
ton that you have assumed. hav
accordingly given directions that tn
army units themselves take over an
operate their own post exchanges.
\. In making this change permit n
u to thank you for the very valuab
services and assistance which the
), M. c. A. has rendered to the Amer
$ can Expeditionary Force in handlir
these exchanges. Handicapped by
{ shortage of tonnage and land tram
pOrtation, the Y. M. G.. A. has by e.
a. ira exertion served the army bett'
r than could have been expected, al
s you may be assured that its aid h;
Eeen large factor in the final gre
Id accomplishments of the Americs
&c army. Very cordially yours,
JOHN J. PERSHING.