The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-27
THE Y. M. c. A. BUILDING.
A Talk with Mr.. Barley, the Michigan State
Secretary, as to Plans and Prospects.

Mr.. Barley State secretary of the Y. M. G..
A. Of Michigan, whose arrival in town has already
been noted, was seen yesterday afternoon by q
Journal reporter. Replying to questions. Mr..
Barley said Indiana having no State secretary
at present, the international committee desired
me to spend a months time, at their charge,
with the various associations Of this State. In
view of the earnest and energetic efforts now
being made to secure an Association building in
this city, the Indiana State committee, under
whose direction am placed by the international
committee, thought that large part of my time
ought to be spent here and at their suggestion /
reported here last evening for duty"
"What do you think of the prospects for the
Association buildingg
"Well I've not been long in the field, have
only seen few of the gentlemen Immediately
interested, and so am not qualified, perhaps, to
give correct opinion; but so far as l have seen
the prospect is decidedly good A city Of the
energy, the intelligence, the population and the
wealth of Indianapolis ought to have an Asso-
citation building handsome enough to be attract
i've to every class Of young men in the city, and
| believe that, just as soon as the business men,
the Christian men of the city, realize that this
is necessity they will do just what their fellows
have done in other leading cities in the country;
just what they are now doing in Atlanta, Day
ton, Milwaukee and Detroit The fact is they
have already moved the length of $16 900 in that
direction, and they'll hardly 60 back"
Have you any new plans to suggestW
"As yet know solittle of the plans already in
use that it would be difficult to say what would
be new plan. But the plan of thoroughly
canvassing the city, already inaugurated, should
be carried forward
I'm Detroit the secretary called for loo young
men to give $50 apiece, to be counted in the gen.
eral fund, but to be used in fitting that portion
of the building to be devoted to the gymnasium.
The shares went like hot cakes, and s., 900 in
subscriptions were soon secured. Possibly such
plan would work here My opinion is that it
would.
''Then the ladies of the several churches met
and determined to raise $4,000 to furnish the
building The plan is something like this: One
or two canvassers in each church were appointed
by the ladies at their meeting A form of letter
was drafted, asking for contributions from 81 up
wards to the ladies fund.- of the association
building. This letter was autographed, and
sent, in such numbers as they desired, to the
canvassers in each church. They signed their
names to them, and sent one to every lady mem
Der of their church and congregation. In this
way they expect to fully realize their $10 0C0
The leading ladies in the city are engaged in it
This plan, too, would, doubt not, work success
fully here. In fact. I've heard that some Of the
ladies have already been speaking of the matter.
Nov, of course, in speaking of these plans
I may be suggesting something that is not at
present practicable. But they have worked ad-
mrably in other places / understand that a
meeting of the committee will be held next Tues
day evening Then shall know more of their
work in its Details and shall do all can to as
sisr in the enterprise. Meantime, / am going
with individual members of the committee to
solicit subscriptions among the business men,
That is to be my business for awhile"