OCR Text |
Show GEN. PERSHING COMMENDS AID RENDERED ARMY Post Exchanges Overseas Are Taken Over by the Military Mili-tary Authorities Asserting that the raluabls aid rear dered by the war service of the Y. M. C. A. fad been a large factor In the final great accomplishments of the American army, General Pershing, In a communication to E. 0 Carter, In charge of association operations with the American Expeditionary Forces, pays a splendid tribute to the work which this agency accomplished under extreme difficulties and handicaps. "The Y. M. C. A. served the army better bet-ter than could have been expected," says General Pershing. At Its own request the American Y. M. C A. has been relieved from maintaining main-taining post exchanges with the Expeditionary Ex-peditionary forces overseas, the need for such service having been relieved With the signing of the armistice. Correspondence Cor-respondence exchanaed between General Gen-eral Pershing and E. C. Carter, In charge of the Y. M. 0. A. with tho army, resulted in this decision. Carter Car-ter wrote to General Pershing January 29th as follows: Dear General Pershing: A year and a half ngo you requested re-quested the Y. M. C. A. to undertake under-take operations for post exchanges for the American Expeditionary Forces In order that "officers and enlisted men may not be taken away for that purpose from their paramount military functions of training and fighting." As soon as hostilities ceased we raleed with you .the question whether time had not come for the T. M. C. A. to be relieved of thn operation of post exchanges in view of the fact that there was no longer the same pressing demand on man power of the army for training and fighting. When we first raised the question with yoa It did not appear to you that It was feasible In the best Interests of maximum service to the army that a change be made. Now the situation situ-ation Is materially altered. Recent general orders from mahs headquarters and requests from commanding officers have laid on the Y. M C. A. Increased responsibilities responsi-bilities in promoting educational, athletic and entertainment activities activi-ties In the American Expeditionary Force This is placing a rapidly Increasing burden upon our personnel. per-sonnel. The army is also now preparing pre-paring for the delivery of all supplies sup-plies for post exchanges which heretofore hsve been Imported, manufactured and delivered by the Y. M. C. A. In view of the chanred situation J iV t- 'mi,., whether vo lo not w fhlnk it would be possible for the army at a very early date to assume as-sume full responsibility for the maintenance of post exchanges throughout the American Expedition Expedi-tion ary Force? Very cordially yours, (Signed) E. C. CARTER. General Pershing Immediately arte npon the suggestion made by Carter and relieved the Y. M. C. A. of Its task ' ' . of maintaining the post exchanges. Ha said: My Dear Mr. Carter: I have received your letter of January 29th asking whether, tn view of present changed situation. It would be possible for the army to assume full responsibility for maintenance of post exchanges throughout American Expeditionary Expedition-ary Force. As you correctly state, the Y. M. C. A. undertook the management of i in;-1 exchanges at my request at a time when It was of greatest Importance Im-portance that no available soldier should he taken away from vital military functions of training and fighting. As reasons which Impelled Im-pelled me at that time to request you to undertake this work no longer exist. I am glad to approve your Hiiggestlon in reaching this conclusion. Consideration has beea given to new burdens in conns- I tion with entertainment, athletle activities and education that you hnve assumed. I have accordingly accord-ingly plven directions that 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. 0. A. has rendered to the American Expeditionary Force tn handling these exchanges. Hand! capped by shortage of tonnage and land transportation the Y. M. O. A. has, by extra, exertion, served the army better than could have beea expected, and you may be assursS that Its aid has been a large fao- tor In the final great accomplish)- ments of the American army. Very cordially yours, (Blgned) JOHN J. PERSHINt |