Show GEN PERSHING a COMMENDS AID RENDERED ARMY post exchanges overseas are taken over by the military authorities asserting that the valuable aid rendered d ered by the war ar service of the Y 11 ll CA cua bad been a auga actor in the final great accomplishments ot of the american army general pershing in ft ill communication to 1 C carter in charge of association operation operations with the american expeditionary forces pas a splendid tribute to the work ork which this agency accomplished under extreme difficulties and handicaps the Y M C A served the army bet ter tar than could have been expected bays says general pershing Pers bing at its own request the AmeT american ican Y it C A has been relieved from rom main post exchanges with the ex lz forces overseas the need tor for such service having been relieved with ith the signing of 0 the armistice cor exchanged between gen cral eral pershing and E C carter in charge of the Y M C A with the army resulted in this decision car ter wrote to general perching pershing january as follows pear general pershing A year and a 4 halt ago yoi requested the Y BI 0 3 A to to under take op operation orations for post exchanges for the american expeditionary force forces in order that loffi officers cers and enlisted men may way not be taken away asay for that purpose from their paramount military functions ot 0 training and fighting As soon as hostilities ceased w re raised with ath you the question whether hether time had not come for the Y ili C A to be relieved of the operation of post exchanges in view of the fact that hat then there was aas no longer the same pressing demand on man power of the army tor for training and fighting jhen hen we first raised the question with you it did not appear to you that it m was as feasible in the best beat interests of maximum service to the army that a 11 change be made now ow the situation Is materially altered recent general orders from main bead headquarters quarters and requests from commanding hae hais laid on th the 0 Y 1 C A increased onil in n promoting educational athletic and entertainment acrivi ties in the american expeditionary force this Is a placing a rapidly increasing burden upon our per bonnel the army Is also no pre paring for the dellier of all supplies for post exchanger which here bale hate been imported manufactured and delivered mitered hy by the Y at C A in view of the changed situation I 1 ft lh ish to know whether hether you do not think it bouli out I 1 be possible 1 for the army ai at a my early date to as a sume full responsibility for the maintenance of post exchanges throughout the american force very cordially yo ir irs signed H C carten general pershing immediate acted upon the suggestion made b carter and relieved the I 1 M j C A of Us its talk of maintaining the post exchanges 11 lie said my dear mr carter I 1 have received your letter of january asking vil whether lether if in view of present changed situation it would be po sible for the army to assume full responsibility for maintenance of poat post ex exchanges chantes throughout american expedition ar force As you correctly state the Y M p L A undertook the mani manag gemei ernei of opt poet post exchanges at rny my iest at a time when it as of greatest Krea test im fin that no available soldier should be taken away from vital military functions f i of training and Ight in ac As reasons which irn tin polled me at that time to reque request ot you to undertake this work ork n tit longer exist I 1 am 1 ad to approve your suggestion in reaching this conclusion aion conrid joneld ration has been given to new burden burdens in connee tion with entertainment athle activities and education that you have bare assumed I 1 have accord angly ghen glien direction directions that army units them elas take over and operate their ot 0 post exe exchanges banges in making this change permit me to thank you for the itry ry valuable services and abidance chich the Y at Q A has to he the american force in iti handling those ere banges barll capped by short shortage hgo of toa mece and land the Y 1 I C A has bits bv br extra exertion served the army better thea could have been expected and you may be assured that its aid has bas been beet a large factor fai in the final reat accomplishments of the Arte rican army very cordially a signed Bic ned JOHN J |