Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-15
HEAD OF WAR WORK COUNCIL DEFENDS
ARMY Y. NJ G. A. AGAINST CHARGES OF
PROFTTEERING AND FAILURE In WORK

ness LOWdTQ SO1Ql6TS L00y nave
/ been reprimanded and in some
cases sent home.
1t is admitted that some mis-
takes were made in selecting men
to go overseas, but limited to those
unfit for army duty and men above
draft age and forced to make a
choice in a hurry it was impossible
to always eliminate those who
were unfit for such work. Where
unfitnesS was shown the workers
were recalled. More than $500
men and women have been sent to
Europe and less than 200 have been
returned for moral 1apses, dis
courtesies, inadaptability or other
reasons.
1t is admitted that some men
have been taken from gainful oc-
equations on the promise of over
seas service and have been turned
back without occupations, but this
was inevitable because of the
signing of the armistice and the de-
sire of the war department TO stop
the movement of men to Europe at
once. Men disappointed in this
manner are in the same position
as soldiers who were trained and
in many cases ordered abroad with
out ever seeing actual service
On the positive side of the asso-
cations record the circular cites
the following:
The "Y" has provided more than
1000 huts, tents and buildings of
various designs in the war zone
and nearly 600 in the army and
in
The ''Y' hut is the soldiers and
sailors church. No effort is made
to force religion on any man, be
cause no effort is necessary The
boys have welcomed the services
and have been eager to accept mil
lions of scriptures and booklets
provided.
Clubs, hotels. restaurants and
rest areas have been provided. En-
tertainment facilities at leave re-
sorts have been provided for more
than 10000 men every week in
France.
Libraries are maintained in near
~ all the Army V NJ c. A. huts in
cooperation with the American Ii
brary association
Writing material is furnished
free to the fighting forces wherever
they may happen to be.
Athletics under the direction of
the worlds noted athletes. are pro-
vided for the men when off duty.
Equipment is furnished free
Hundreds of tons of supplies
have been shipped from this coun-
try for the boys over there. In one
mOnth-December. 1918 - 900, 1000
packages of biscuits. 1,650,0O0
pounds of chocolate, 10000 cakes of
soap. three million cigars, seventy
million cigarets and $4,000
pounds of cocoa to be sold at quar-
termaSter's prices were provided
in the "Y" canteens. Other neces-
stiles in like proportion were pro-
vided during the same month In
the last three months of 1918 sales
at less than cost in "Y" canteens
exceeded s5,000,OO0 a month. The
deficit sustained by the "Y'' on
these sales since August /. 1918. is
at the rate of between two and
three millions of dollars, annually.
This deficit will be paid out of
the contributions to the Army Y.
NJ c. A
Fighting men overseas send home
more than 100000 each month
through the "Y" banking and post
office department Service is free.
The worlds leading educators
are assisting the "Y' in setting up
an extensive educational program
that will fit the men for return to
the duties of civil life
The "Y" is cooperating with the
government in activities incident to
rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Miles of motion pictures and the
atrical entertainments by famous |
stage stars are provided under the |
direction of the "|Y." In single |
month. October, the ''Y'' was giving |
6,08S shows abroad
The long arm of the Army 7. NJ. |
c. A. reaches all of the way with |
the boy-from the time he leaves
home until he returns On the !
troop trains, in the training camps, !
at the port of embarkation, on the !
transports, right up to the front |
line trenches and back again you
will find a big Brother" of the
''Y' always on the job and willing
to serve. Wherever you find a SOL |
der or sailor you will find evidence |
of the loving care of the folks back |
home expressed through the Army |
Y NJ. c. A.