Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-03-28
"Y REAL BUDDY
TO U. S. FIGHTERS
Lightened Wars Burdens With
Entertainment, Good Cheer
and Comforts.
UPHELD MORALE OF Array.
Gave 81 10000 in Free canteen Sun
plies to American Douahboys.

n Ing the three days battle OF
Gettysburg would have lasted
on the Western Front in the world war
Just seven minutes. The supplies
used by Sherman OH his three months
march to the sea would have been con.
sumed by the Allied Army in ten
hours"
This statement, made recently l,y IN
American officer, a veteran OF the
Spanish war. who later rendered serv.
Ice In the Mexican campaign and Will,
our armies in France. should convey
some idea Of the gigantic contest which
terminated In glorious victory for
allied forces over the Teutons. But
there were other mighty tasks con-
nectcd with the winning Of the titanic
struggle for the preservation Of civ.
niZation. additional to furnishing the
necessary men, munitions and supplies.
One of these, and far from the least
important, was the care Of American
soldiers and sailors when not actually
engaged in their war time duties, that
the morale Of men in khaki and blue
should be maintained ut the very high
est possible point.
| Back In those days when the war
clouds had spread over practically all
Europe and il was obvious that the
United States soon would be compelled
| to take great part in the struggle
the Young Mems Christian Assccia-
ton began to make its plans for the
care of the Americans who would lie
called to the cOlOrS. The tentative
program included the placing of recre-
alton centers in all home camps and at
many places abroad. furnishing a,n,ise-
mcnt aplenty for the lille moments of
the men Of our forces and many other
things essential 10 successful well
fare program. This was much. hut
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 Exped;.
tionnry Force. At that time It was
agreed that goods were 10 be sold al
the several "I" centers at the purchase
cost price. plus cost Of transportation
and If any profits should arise the "Y"
would Use them exclusively for the
! men in the army. There have been
criticisms to the effect that the T.. NJ
{. A. operated these cantcens ut q
profit. These charges, Oft repeated, are
utterly untrue.
Free Canteen Supplies.
Naturally, in consequence OF warm.
Hated transportation charges, supplies
In the canteens had to be sold at Il rate
higher than charged in this country.
The following from recent statement
by William Sloane, Chairman OF the
National War Work Council Of The
y. NJ. c. A., indicates t..e trur state of
affairs. He said: "Free distribution of
cantccn supplies to American soldiers
by the 7. NJ. 4. A. to value OF ST.
4Oo,VO and loss on operation Of post
exchanges overseas. exclusive Of the
soldiers stores in Cirea: britain,
amounting to 1892 1871, has been re-
ported hy l.. G. Carter, Chief ~ Sec
cr'ary In Paris. This total of nearly
Sl.HD,'n0. which does not include Tie
posi- exchange department for NOvem-
Der and December, IS the most en-
pl,atic answer the y. VI. G. A. can
make 80 the charges OF profitcpring
In neither Of these items. however,
does The magnitude of the ~ free
service appear There IL no mention
of the free use of athletic supplies
valued at over 81 900, 900; no mention
OF SGOO.OU item for stationery fur
nished the soldiers who wrote home
upon 1t more than 1JOOO,OOO letters :;
ment programs"
1t should he kept In mind that the
I. NJ. &. A, ut the request of the army
authorities. was put up against prnc-
tically impossible proposition. 1t was
asked to take charge Of great bust.
ness spending S1O0,OO0,OOO year
Most Of the trained secretaries never
had had experience in any line at all
similar TO cantocn work. It was task
, akin TO that OF taking group of men
out OF the streets md assigning tr them
the problem Of operating Il great rail-
! road.
Adverse Criticism DwindIina.
However. adverse criticism has been
relatively small and Is dwinding daily
as the real facts are understood. AS
one war correspondent, recently re.
turned from Europe, stated the other
| day: when most Of the soldiers get
home they, no doubt, will tell the real
story Of the self-sacrticlng. earnest
service by the ~ men who toiled long
hours under great difficulties and fire..
qucnt danger. Most of them asked for
front line service. aud they paid n
heavy price In killed and wounded.
In spite Of all difficulties the ~
brought the home touch to tue sol.
, diers. The people of this country
| appreciate more than ever the true
.rAI 81 Lei. u