Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 269, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1917 — Praises Work of The Y. M. C. A. [ARTICLE]

Praises Work of The Y. M. C. A.

Harvey Phillips, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Phillips of McCoysburg, is home for a short furlough from Boston, Mass., where he is with the United States Navy. He is now with the Receiving Ship Department but expects upon his return to be assigned to duty on a transport or destroyer. Harvey enlisted last July and so far much of his training is very much the same as that received in the army. It has made a wonderful change in him physically, and he has enjoyed the work very much. At present he receives $36.00 per month and is required by the government to send at least half of this amount home, or if this its not done the government retains it. A large number of the naval boys have bought government bonds. The government insurance of the naval boys as well as the army is a mighty fine thing. Five thousand dollars insurance on each mans life can be carried for $3.20 per month. TJiis policy pays a considerable am--dunt for those who are disabled.

The food is the very best to be had and the supply is always sufficient. Harvey told of two officers visiting his department a few Sundays ago. Each meal, preparations are made for forty men, but on Sundays many are not there. This' particular Sunday there were but twenty present including the two visiting officers. Instead of distributing the food for forty it was dished out for twenty. The feed that was set out to these officers sure made them open their eyes. The bill of fare was as follows: Consomme, Hot roast pork, brown gravy, sweet-potatoes, green peas, cabbage salad, bread, butter, coffee, ice cream and cake. One of the rules which is always enforced is that of cleanliness* The sanitation of their living departments are perfect.

The people of Boston are very hospitable and try to make it as pleasant as possible for the boys. The greatest agency making conditions as home like—-as possible is the Young Men’s Christian Association. Harvey said he did not have words to tell of their great service. The men in this work are everything to the boys. They have charge of-the entertainments, athletic doings, furnish the very best reading material and in every way imaginable comfort and-> help the boys. In other words they offer as a substitute a clean, wholesome environment in place of the hell holes of vice and iniquity often existing in many large cities. This environment will help in no small way to prepare the boys to become effective workers, and will enable them to re turn home, after the work of riding the world of oppression, manly men both physicially and morally.