Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-15

the army canteens in Europe have
been conducted at an actual loss is
the contention made in a statement
just issued in defense of that or
ganiZation by DR.. John r. Mott,
general secretary of the national
war work council. Mr.. Mott says:
so much criticism of army Y.
NJ. G. A. methods has been heard in
the last few weeks that / have de-
cided that the one thing to do in
fairness to the millions who have
subscribed to its fund, and in fair
ness to the association itself. is to
discuss in detail each criticism
which has been raised. We have
caused an investigation to be made
and we are giving our conclusions.
1t may be that there will be furth
er criticism. 1t is our judgment
that this should be frankly and
fearlessly faced. Ii we were to
evade criticism, we would be false
to our trust. AS We recognize
whatever of truth it contains, we
will be able to profit by it and to
amend our methods in such a man
ner as to give the maximum of ser
vice. There is another aspect
Much of the criticism is utterly I'M
founded, but only by challenging
such criticism can the public have
a clear conception of the facts in
the case.
1t is the history of every great
efforts that mistakes are made and
no one, no matter how exalted his
person, or how unimpeachable his
integrity, can escape. Other i'm
portant organizations have passed
through similar experience.
Much of the adverse comment is
due to miscOnception or to partial
knowledge"
Leading charges against the or
ganiZation are discussed under ten
headings, each suggested by a
question. the first of which is "Is
it true that the army Y. NJ. c. A.
has been profiting by the operation
of its canteenS overseas"
If there were any profit it was
expressly agreed that it would be
used for the benefit of the men in
the service, but there was none.
The discrepancy between the Y.
NJ. c. A. prices and those of the
quartermaster was investigated by
the war department and the Cabled
statement of the third assistant
secretary of war, F. P. keppel, is
given:
Matter of prices asked by Army
Young Mems Christian association
for its articles sold in canteen ov-
erseas already Investigated by war
department and conditions being
remedied Army Y. NJ. c. A. orig
inally asked by General Pershing
to run canteen for army on cost
basis. To do this had to reckon on
price fixing such overhead charges
and marine insurance so that
prices were much higher than in
this country. Army Young Mems
Christian association made no prof
it but lost thousands of dollars.
Arrangements now made will en-
able them to obtain supplies from
sources that will reduce overhead
and keep prices down"
AS to how it happened that gift
tobacco was sold. it is claimed that
such tobacco was in packages
which were not plainly marked and
it was not discovered that it was
intended for free distribution till
the purchasers opened their par
cells. Where parcels of this sort
were returned similar goods from
other stocks we're substituted for
them. The quartermaSter con-
cerned, it is said, investigated the
matter and fully exonerated the Y.
M. c. A.
That the association did furnish
something more than free writing
paper is asserted:
1T has been the policy of the
Army Y. NJ. C. A to give free ser
vice and not primarily free sup
plies. This policy has from the
commanded the approval
of the army authorities. Neverthe-
less the Army Y. M. c. A. service
without charge to the soldiers. sail
ors and marines included in the
war zone more than 1900 huts,
tents and buildings of various de-
signs that served as home, church,
club and theatre; free entertain
ments by noted musical and theat-
rical stars, miles of motion pic
lures, postal and money transfer
service; thousands of dollars
worth of athletic equipment and
athletics directed by word-famous
athletes; social, religious and edu-
cational activities During one
in the latter part of 1918 the
Army Y NJ. c. A. distributed free |
to soldiers in the front lines more |
than $4,000 worth of supplies.
This is directly in line with ac-
ion taken by the committee of |
eleven officially representing the !
seven welfare agencies recognized J
by the United States government |
overseas as follows: Except in the !
actual fighting areas there shall be |
10 free distribution Of supplies ex-
,ept where a permanent work is
by the organizations
concerned
The reason the army Y. M. c. A.
lid not keep in touch with the
wounded and i'll was because there
vas an agreement that it was to
ook after the we'll only, the Red
ross taking care of the others.
During the first months of the
var, some men who were physical
y fit but had not yet been called
or service were sent to France.
Within a few months most of these
1en had volunteered for military
ervice. The comparatively small
lumber who remained as late as
August of the present calendar
ear. were then notified that they
aust either enlist or leave the ser
ice of the Army Y. M. c. a. Prac-
- LIZ al 90 +hnrn mnro dirsr;tr