Smyrna times., 1919-02-26
~ REAL BUDDY
70 U. S. FIGHTERS
,icbtened Wars Burdens With
entertainment, Good Cheer
and Comforts.
UPHELD MORALE OF ARMY.
..,,. 81 100000 in Free canteen Sup
niles to American Doughboys.

- ing tne InIee udyS Ddttle O1 |
- Gettysburg would have lasted |
=, the Western Front in the world war
s,st seven minutes. The supplies |
rsad by Sherman On his three months
..reh to the sea would have been con-
.rued By the Allied Array in ten
hours"
This statement, made recently by an
american officer, a veteran of the
Sranish war, who later rendered serv-
20 in the Mexican campaign and with
our armies in France, should convey
s,ue idea Of the gigantic contest which
tsuninated in a glorious victory for
sied forces over the Teutons But
there we're other mighty tasks con-
oseted with the winning of the titanic
Struggle for the preservation of civ
Hization, additional to furnishing the
necessary men, munitions and supplies.
One of these, and far from the least
important, was the care of American
soISiers and sailors when not actually
engaged in their war time duties that
tbe morale of men in khaki and blue
should be maintained at the very high
est possible point.
Back in those days when the war
clouds had spread over practically all
Europe and it was obvious that the
United States soon would be compelled
10 take a great part in the struggle
the Young Mems Christian AssOcia-
ton began to make it's plans for the
care Of the Americans who would be
called to the cOlOrs. The tentative
program included the placing of recre-
alton centers in all home camps and at
many places abroad, furnishing amuse-
nent aplenty for the idle moments of
the men of our forces and many other
things essential to a successful well
fare program. This was much, but
when the storm finally broke and the
President sent forth the call which
plunged the United States into the
struggle, the Y. NJ. c. A, at the request
Of General Pershing, took over the can
teen service for the American EXpedi-
fOnary Force. At that time it was
agreed that goods were to be sold at
the several "Y" centers at the purchase
COst price, plus cost of transportation,
and if any profits should arise the 'Y"
WOTIld use them exclusively for the
men in the army. There have been
criticisms to the effect that the Y NJ.
C. a. operated these canteens at
profit. These charges, oft repeated, are
utterly untrue.
Free Canteen Supplies.
Naturally, in consequence of war-in-
Hated transportation charges, supplies
in the canteens had to be sold at rate
higher than charged in this country.
The following from d. recent statement
By William Sloane, Chairman of the
National War Work Council of the
Y.M. C. A., indicates tie true state of
affairs He said "Free distribution of
Canteen supplies to American soldiers
by the Y. NJ. 9. A. to a value of ST.
4J9,000 and a loss on operation of post
exchanges overseas, exclusive Of the
soldiers stores in Great Britain
amounting to $685., ,1S1, has been re-
ported by z. G. Carter, Chief 'Y' Sec.
ertary in Paris This total of nearly
Sl-750,000, which does not include the
post exchange department for NOvem
Der and December, is the most EN-
phatie answer the Y. M. G. A. car
make to the charges of prOfteering
IN neither of these items, however
does the magnitude of the 'Y' FREE
service appear There is no mention
Of the free use of athletic supplies
valued at over $1,OOO,OO0; no mention
of 100000 item for stationery fur
nished the soldiers who wrote hOm
upon it more than 100000 letters
no mention of the gigantic entertain
ment programs"
1t should be kept in mind that tn
T. NJ G. A., at the request of the arm
authorities, was put up against praC
Ideally impossible proposition. 1t wa
asked to take charge of great bus
ness spending $1O0000,00O a yea
Most Of the trained secretaries neve
mad had experience in any line at a
similar to canteen work. 1t was tas
akin to that of taking a group Of me
out Of the streets and assigning to thel
the problem of operating a great raj
road.
Adverse Criticism DwindIino.
However, adverse criticism has bee
relatively small and is dwindling dai
as the real facts are understood. 4
one war correspondent, recently r
turned from Europe, stated the oth'
DAY: when most Of the soldiers g
home they, no doubt, will tell the re
story Of the self-sacrifcing, earne
service by the ~ men who tOiled loI
hours under great difficulties and fl
quent danger. Most of them asked I
Iront line service, and they PAID
heavy price in killed and wOunde
N spite of all difficulties the
Brought the home touch to the 81
aiers. The people Of this count
appreciate more than ever the tr
worth Of DIR. John r. Mott, head
me National War Work Council OF I
I. N. G. A., who, patient under unfi
criticism, has directed his forces to
nfl