Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-08
I. W. LANG'S RESIGNATION
Accepted by Board of Directors
of the Y. M. C. A.
GENERAL SECRETARY TWO YEARS
Severed His Official Relations
si!o Thursday.l
BIS Retirement the Result of the Retrench-
mept Necessitated by the Associations
Financial straits, But Does Not Mean tho
Abnnd onment OF Its Work.

Frank W. Lang has rendered to the
hoard OF directors Of the Young Mons
Christian Association his resignation
as general eecretary Of the association.
Tho resignation was accepted, taking
effect July let, which was last Thursday.
Mr., Lang's action was an outcome of
the financial condition of the associa-
tion. While the directors regret the
severing OF the official relationship yet
the lack of funds and the inability Of
the managers to meet the current ex.
penses made retrenchmsnt necessary.
Some time ago when the finances of tho
association were at low ebb Mr.. Lang
offered his resignation but was re-
quested to Withdraw 1T in the hope OF
an improvement along that line. Tbe
desired improvement has not come and
bis again proffered resignation was ao-
cepted. The withdrawal of Mr. Lang
from the ASSOCIATION here does not mean
the abandoning OF the work. Directors
Of the association feel that it would he
a disgrace that Wilmington should he
without such an organization, and they
propose to continue it, the reduction in
running expenses being made to point
which may enable them the moro easily
to keep it on its Feet. The summer
months are quiet ones for association
work and it will he carried on by AS
sistant Secretary William Williams and
BY Physical Director @. II. II. JaCk-
son, who is now on his customary vaca-
tiop. MIR. Lang, the retiring general
secretary, was formerly State secretary
of the district which includes Della
ware. He has been in charge Of the
local association for about two years
md haa Shoup hirpeaIf m In tffad fnr
such work. His reputation as an asso-
citation man ia well known and il is
thought probable that he will have
little difficulty in securing position
esewh here.
The board OF directors OF the local
association have been in financial
straits for some time. They have de-
sired to increase the efficiency of the
institution and yet have been going be.
| hind year by year to the amount OF
| $1,000, which they have had to make
| up themselves. Last February a pros
pectus and plan was decided upon with
| the object Of placing the association on
| a basis whereby il should be supported
and maintained without this annual
deficit. The members OF the board, as
a part of this plan. agreed TO assume
| the then due Indebtedness of about
81, 200. aud then to go before the COM
munity in an effort to raise money for
| the bonded Indebtedness of $50. 600 and
the running expenses to March lst
1898, estimated at Si, 500.
Various schemes were devised in an
effort to carry out the latter part Of
this plan, the old liability having been
assumed as agreed. These schemes met
with little success. Finally il was de-
cided that the directors make per-
sonal appeal, Prominent peopls who
were on tho assoGiation's list of con-
tributors were visited and their further
aid asked. The directors received ex-
pressious of sympathy with the work of
the association and were advised to con-
tinue it, nut many of tho persons seen
were compelled, on account Of the hard
times, 10 lessen their subscriptions aud
some did not renew them. The return
from this appeal fell far abort OF what
was needed for the running expenses of
the association which had accumu-
lated since the assumption OF the old
indebtedness,
1t was found absolutely necessary TO
retrsnuh. The hoard now hopes tn be
able to carry on the association until
such time when more successful efforts
may be made to improve its financial
condition so that it may do Il work in
this city commensurate with the city's
size ana population.