The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-05-03
GEN. PERSHlNG
PRAISES ~ WORK
Consents to Request from Associa-
ton to Be Relieved Of Opera
ton of Post Exchanges.

The American Y. M. c. A. at its
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. G.
A. to undertake the operation of post
exchanges for the American Expedt-
tlonary Force in order that Officers
and enlisted men may not be taken
away for that purpose from their
paramount military functions OF
training and fghting.'
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 sftua-
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 G. A. increased
responsibilities in promoting educa-
tional, athletic and entertainment &C
tivities in the American Expedi-
t;onary Force. This is placing a 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. M. G. A.
In view of the changed situation,
wish to know whether you do not
think it would be possible for the
army at very early date TO assume
full responsibility for tho mainte-
nance of the post exchanges through
out the American Expeditionary
Force. '7e t3t
Gen. Pershing replied as follows:
my Dear Mr.. Carter--I have re-
ceived your letter OF January 20 ask
ing whether in view of the present
changed situation it would be pos
sible foG the army to assume full re-
sponsibility for the maintenance OF
post exchanges throughout the Amer
lean Expeditionary Force.
Gen. Pershing Consents,
AS you correctly state, the Y. NJ. G.
A. undertook the management of the
post exchanges at my request at a
time when 1t was of the greatest i'm
portance that no available soldier
should be taken away from the vital
military. 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. 1 have
accordingly given directions that the
army units themselves take over and
operate their own post exchanges.
In making this change permit me
to thank you for the very valuable
services and assistance which the Y.
M G.. A. has rendered to the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Force in handling
these exchanges. Handicapped by a
shortage Of tonnage and land trans
portation, the Y. M. c. A. has by ex-
ira exertion served the army better
than could have been expected, and
you may be assured that its aid has
been a large factor in the final great
accomplishments of the American
army. Very cordially yours,
JOHN ]. PERSHING.