The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-04-10

: Of the New York Herald, and tn
! Daily Mail (London), also publishes
. In Paris. In so far as practicable tn
regular ~" transportation servic'
! supplies each hut with all the maya
zines available and, through the A. L
, A.. provides each hut with librar,
books. Through the Paris Hcadquar
ters also, an extensive lecture burcal
exservice is provided. l have by M
means exhausted the list of the var
ious welfare activities Of the "Y', ths
, result Of the initiative and tremendous
enterprise Of this characteriotically
. American institution.
II is safe to say that the average
well informed American even, has bu.
an inadequate conception of the vast
ness of this, the greatest of modern
welfare enterprises, made possible by
the generosity Of the American public
i The "Y' not only performed its
lwell-known service to the recruits in
the training camps in America and on
the troop trains, and troop ships, but
II has uniformed, equipped, transport
ed and betrayed the expenses Of over
G000 secretaries sent over seas for an
average term Of service Of approxi-
mately twelve months. 1t has dis
pensed supplies to the soldiers at cost
to the extent CT over S50,000,00O per
year
When the army, at the request Of
the "Y" organization recently took
over the "canteen" it was doing a
business estimated at the rate of $751;
100000 annually and the stock Of
goods in the "Y" warehouses and can
teens inventoried at over $4,000, 600
1t has built and manned over 1900 "Y"
huts which now serve nearly every
A. +. +. army camp in France. In
cluding the camps in Germany in the
army of occupation, but not includ-
ing the many buildings in English and
French cities and towns leased and
run by the "Y" as cafes and lodgings
for soldiers and officers.
The bill for writing paper and writ
ing materials furnished the soldiers
and sailors in America and overseas,
runs into the millions of dollars. The
textbooks purchased that our army
might return better equipped army
of American citizens, represent other
millions. The foregoing is but very
incomplete list of the accomplishments
Of the Y. Nj. G. A. during the war and
since the armistice was signed.
What has the "Y" meant to the Am
eriean soldier thus far? What will
the "Y" hut and all it connotes mean
to him through the tedious months Of
homesick waiting that he still must
face? Can it be estimated in dollars
and cents? This institution has made
it possible for thousands of Americas IS |
christian citizenship, including minis
ters of every denomination, college
presidents, college professors, school
superintendents, teachers, lawyers,
business men, specialists from almost
every trade and profession to devote,
often at considerable financial loss,
not to mention other sacrifices involv-
ed, months of service for the best well
fare of our five and a half million
citizen army.
do not in the least minimize or
underestimate the splendid work zone
by the Salvation Army and other well
fare organizations, for our army.
When | say that when the story
Of the work of the Red Cross
and that of the Y. NJ. c. A. is all
told, the accomplishments of those two
will stand out as one of /
he greatest achievements of this most I
wonderful epoch in the worlds history.
Should some great artist throw on ,
,anvas the portrait Of "Dame Rumor"
Pm sure he would represent her with I
deprecating sinister smile, a large
mouth, a pair Of malicious eyes and Q
provide her with an encourage of num- i
,rous progeny. t
The "Y" is now, at its own invita- /
ion, undergoing a thorough investi- i
ration on the part of army authori- '
les as to the charges of inefFiciency
made against it, and while conscious
# certain unavoidable defects and S
minor failures, has nothing to fear as .
O the verdict regarding the quality or
quantity Of its great constructive {
york. G
Our fair-minded American democ- v
acy will find its confidence in this n
organization and in its faithful stew i
rdship fully justified and will on the 4
trength of its war record, be ready TO 3
upport in even larger measure, the d
realty enlarged activities of the "Y" a
n America and elsewhere after the d
sar. lb
In the meantime the Y. NJ. c. A. d
=