The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-27
The Railroad Y. VI. C. A.

The proceedings of the seventh interna-
tional conference of the railroad depart
ment OF the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, a pamphlet OF some seventy pages,
is out. and a study Of it is interesting-not
only as a record of the proceedings but as
exhibit Of the growth of the associa-
ton, OF the good il has accomplished and
the high esteem in which it is held by the
leading railroad men of the country.
Speeches were made by, or letters read
from, a large number of the most noted
railroad presidents in the country, as well
as other prominent officers, and in all these
the highest testimony was given as to the
value To the companies and TO general SO
ciety of the railroad branch of the Y. NJ.
C.. A. Mr.. Depew, i'm his address, briefly
sketched the rise of the association, telling
now 1t was established under the fostering
care of Cornelius Vanderbilt on the New
YORK Central when there were but few
branches in existence, meeting first in
basement room of the Grand Central
depot, but rapidly OutgTOWlnS one meeting
place after another until now IL occupies
It's own building, a handsome and commodl-
structure. the gift OF MIR. Vanderbilt.
The association rapidly spread along the
Vanderbilt system of roads, and in New
England it's growth was remarkable. n
glance at a map accompanying the report
shows almost every divisional or terminal
point in the East as far south as Balti-
more and as far west as Pittsburg has
been occupied. AS TO the good accom-
plished by the association, railway officials
are unanimous in bearing testimony.
Among the testimonials contained in letters
read at the meeting were notable those
from President Roberts, of the Pennsyl-
vania; President Ingalls,, of the Big Four;
General Manager ramsey, of the II. X o.;
Vice Presidents Thompson and McCrea, of
the Pennsylvania; President Sloan, of the
D., l.. Il w; President Fowler, of the y.
A. IL
lustration of the good accomplished by the
work of the association, Mr.. Depew, in
address before the body, said that in trav-
cling with Mr.. Vanderbilt over the e. *
o., they came to place which was pure
ly railroad town. There was a population
embracing about one thousand men, of
whom six hundred were railroad employees.
They found it 10 be model town. There
was not saloon in the place; there was no
sign of drunkenness to be met with by
night or day; the women who were met
looked as though they all came from clean,
and happy homes. There was everywhere
manifest an air of cOntentment, of vigor
o1s, healthy prosperity. They went into
the building of the railroad branch of the
Y NJ c. A, and found it's rooms-library.
reading room, bowling alley, social parlors
all occupied by men wearing air of
happiness and contentment Inquiry of the
secretary elected the statement that previ-
Gus TO the coming OF the Y. NJ. G. A. s work
In that town il had been the worst on the
road in West Virginia 1t was a sink
OF gambling, drunkenness and general i'm
HlOFdlly. Inc L. VI. -. y. ndQ revolution
iezd it so completely that it was now re-
garded as a model.
circular accompanying the report, is
sued by State Secretary Stacey, shows that
there is a great unoccuDied field in Indiana
where the propagandists of this work might
find profitable employment. There are but
four occupied points in the State-Elkhart
Fort Wayne, LOganspOrt and Columbus
while between the Il. & O. and Wabash
roads on the north and the. l.. & n. at
Evansville there are eleven divisional or
terminal points where the work might be
s1IcrassfnllNr r1rnSac11fed