Show recreation BIG NEED OF YANKEES soldiers over there must be given mental and physical diversion WAR IS MOST depressing standard oil official who has been serving as Y M C A secretary says soldiers must be saved from going insane new york it the united states ls Is to be spared the harrowing experience of having thousands of american soldiers old lers returned home because of mental derangements derange ments this country must provide for more physical and mental recreation for our boys overseas the message which herbert L pratt vice president of the standard oil company brings to the american people eople 1 after spending seven weeks in france I 1 as a Y M C A secretary and who while there was given opportunity to see just what Is meant by war war during the first IS 18 months of the brar there were as as many english and canadian soldiers returned to england because of mental derangements derange ments as there were because of wounds said mr pratt the united states must profit by the experiences of our allies and must plan now to enlarge our facilities cili ties overseas for taking care of our men when not actually fighting the american soldier Is naturally higher strung than any of the allied soldiers lies iles always on his toes lies iles ever alert always ready to go iles hes a dynamo of energy and when lie he actually fighting lie he seeks all ah outlet for that energy and it la Is of vital importance that his energies be directed rightly yar wac Is depressing ohp the war Is rast depressing one who rubs against the realities of war Is overwhelmed by its seriousness one marvels at what the men have endured and what they are accomplishing the war overshadows everything else and oil all the more reason why everything that will result in cheering up our men should be done now A great deal Is being done but bu t a lot more must be done 1 I wish I 1 could describe jus just how the war affects one who comes in contact with it lie ile feels all pent up his emotions seem tin all bundled together and naturally he seeks relief he weI welcomes comes the smile the laugh the warm handshake the word of good cheer good cheer 1 ali ah it its the cheer up message that Is needed overseas dont think our boys are downhearted or that they tire are discouraged just the opposite Is true their morale Is excellent their spirits are high their courage Is just what it ought to be and they are absolutely confident but they want that bit of cheer which makes them forget some of the cruel ties of war and we folks at home ill must see that they get it general pershing lias has commissioned the Y M C A to provide for the physical and mental recreation of the american soldiers and sailors overseas the association hits has been given a great big job and in spite of most perplexing difficulties dIfficult les has been doing splendidly but the great need today Is for men great big two fisted red blooded men who are capable of tackling a great big mans job and getting away with it big has a hard job serving as a Y SI secretary in france Is a hard job the hours are long the hardships are many and the responsibilities mes are tremendous it merely a case of selling cigarettes or chocolate merely incidental to the big work which Is being lone done the red triangle man Is the soldiers pal and a good pal must always be there ere with a smile or a word of cheer |