The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-12
NOW WATCH OUT FOR II.
Good, Honest Secret Back Of the
Tribune's !. n. {. A. Stories,
DETAILS ARE YET WITHHELD
Peculiar Obligation Rests on Many Scran.
ton Adults and Childrcn-An Unusual
and Shameful Condition Which
Must BE Changed.

There is q reason for all things, and
there exists vital reason for The
Tribune's present series of articles ON
the Young Mems Christian association
of Scranton. With this issue termi-
mates the first portion of the historical
and explanatory articles referred to,
while tomorrow will begin the second
and most important portion.
Although the first batch of stories
created an unusual interest, because
they gave peculiar insight into Scran-
tons most popular semi-public insti-
tuition, the series which begins tomor-
row will and must appeal to every fair
minded and loyal adult and child in the
city.
A deluge of questioning letters have
been sent to The Tribune since Jan. II,
when the articles began to appear. The
writer's wanted to know the real pur-
pose of the stories and asked many
other questions concerning the Young
Mems Christian association. Queries
of n like nature We're made verbally or
by letter to the association Office. For
certain reasons which viii later be
explained The Tribune has been pre-
vented from answering, and this obser-
walton applies to the necessary silence
of the association officers. The Ques-
tioning and interest aroused, however
have been gratifying and gives eHl-
dence of Il success awaiting the object
The Tribune has in view.
What Association Needs.
Until tomorrow this object cannot be
divulged in detail. At present it can
only be stated that the Young Mems
Christian association of Scranton Is in
ne ed of a sum which will eat big hole
into $4,000.
4 large amount is $4,000, but the
cause is ten times greater,
III sufficient money is secured. it
means that an institution which has
attained a greater result than any
other organization in an equal number
OF years will be permitted to increase
it's usefulness in the same ratio as in
years past.
The cause is urgent-it is imperative,
which indicates that the means must
also be great
,Hhis large sum is actually needed and
1t is net believed that the public will
stand and see such IL brave and noble
thing as the Young Mems Christian as
scciation crippled 1t is itself too
hroad-mnded for such result and the
association is too useful to permit of
such Il contingency.
Now It must not be inferred that the
association is on the verge of dissolu-
ton or even approaches that condition.
No matter what happens to its material
resources, it promises to be alive and
young and vigorous when the present
generation shall have ceased to breathe.
Briefly. but honestly, the local associa-
ton needs this money, and tomorrow
The Tribune will reveal its plan of Sc
curing for the association as great a
sum as possible. Until then the reader
may gain am insight into why the
money is needed by perusal of what
follows:
Finishing and Furnishing Funds.
The Young Mems Christian associa-
tion of Scranton has all that it needs
in permanent and salaried officials,
floor space, departments ofwork, teach
ers, members. fuel, light, supplies and
incdentals. 1t is healthy, growing and
the association, or rather the building
needs is Finishing and Furnishing
fund.
1t is q fact-a disgraceful fact, many
beleve-that the building has never
been completely finished or furnished
since it was first opened; really, it has
not been half finished or furnished.
This may be a rather bitter truth for
the progressive Scrantonian to swal-
low. but it is the simple truth.
Whom the building was first occupied
it was but partially equipped and the
bare walls poorly finished by the judi
cious expenditure of about $4,000. That
was in 1887. Since that date no fur
ther outlay has been made, excepting
here and there some patchwork plaster
| ing has been done, a chair or table re-
paired or something of that kind.
Enough has been done only to keep
things from going to pieces.
During the past few years the free
educational classes have been made an
| important part of the work and it has
| made q heavy demand ON tables, chairs
and other articles with the result that
| the rest of the association has had to
get along without these necessaries.
Rather peculiar condition of affairs,
isn't 1t?
| Only Few illustrations.
A whole page of The Tribune could
be properly utilized to call attention to
the Finishing and Furnishing needs of
l 40 htti 40 hpt fN, 10,
stance. are Of the makeshift order and
| We're originally constructed to serve
| their purpose temporarily The condi-
| ton of the bathing appliances are to-
! day the same as in the beginning. The
| gymnasium classes and the demands
| made upon it have grown until morn
| ing, afternoon and night it teens with
| boys, youths and business men. The
roof is supported by number Of posts
whose only purpose seems to be In the
way. 1t Is necessary that these posts
be taken out, the roof reconstructed
and new athletic appliances added.
The second and third floors might be
| facetiously termed studies in brown
| and gray"-they are so rough and
| gloomy looking. AS a matter of fact
| tHt WILLIS nave never bttn nIllSHtU 1lOI
| tinted nor has the furniture of these
two floors ever been even partially suf-
hcient. The fourth floor, which prom
ises soon to be utilized for an industrial
school. contains, or rather it does not
contain much of anything.
The amount mentioned by the asso-
citation officers as necessary to bring
about the desEsd Finishing. and Furn.
ishing Is really many thousands OF
dollars In excess of the sum mentioned
in this column. This makes the de.
plorable condition of the building all
the more shameful and The Tribune be.
lieves an interested Scranton public
will rectify this condition.