Evening star., 1897-05-29
FOR A NEW HOME
Plans Of the Young Mems Christian
Association.
BUILDING ON PRESENT SITE
Raising the Money Necessary for
the Improvement.
SOME LIBERAL RESPONSES

At a meeting of the board of directors of
the Young Mems Christian Association of
this city, held May q at the residence of
Mr.. w. B. Gurley. it was decided to COM
mence a personal canvass of the citizens
OF Washington for the purpose of raising
funds to erect a modern building for the
use of the association. which would be
adapted to its work. 1t has been long real
ized by the directors that the people of the
District have never had a thorough idea
of what the association really was because
1t has been confined in its purposes by
reason of its circumscribed opportunities.
The fire which destroyed the building on
New York avenue made the association
practically homeless, and there was no
place anording young men the physical,
mental and spiritual training afforded by
IT, An opportunity is now presented to
supply this deficiency. and 1T will undoubt-
edly be embraced, as the result of the
vass mentioned above, has already been
successful to Il high degree.
In the week that has elapsed since the
canvass commenced the following subscrip-
tions have been received:
s. w. Woodward, $4,000: A. NJ. Lothrop,
5000: Charles E. Foster, $500: L. Cabell
Williamson, 81 900: Geo. W. S. Swartzell
Sl.en: Fred. Pilling, $500. McGill & Wal
lace. $50: Jno W. Mccartney. $50: Oliver
l. Shsnks, s10O: Geo. II. Smith, slOG; VIM.
C. Henry. 800; R. B. Burnham 500: T. l..
Brewninger 500: Geo. s. Gibson. 500. F.
l. SHEPPARD. 500; W NJ. Hardin. 500: H.
A o. Bliss, 800; Wescott. Wilcox &
Heston. 500 each: f. NJ. Merrick. $40:
Frank s. Brown, s160. and W. H. Shipe,
$50
A number of smaller subscriptions have
been also received.
The Plan.
In printed circular recently issued Ly
the association ii is stated that the lot ct
present owned by the Y. NJ. c. A. where
the fire occurred. is too small for a proper
building, but with the adjoining lot, which
can be had at a low price, building can
be put up which will afford all the room
required for association purposes; a hail
seating nearly one thousand persons, class
rooms gymnasium, baths, etc, with room
for a municipal library, and rentable stores
and offices. the rental of which, it is de-
ciared. will bring an annual income of GER
tainly $4,000.
Tine lot can be bought" continues the
circular, and such building can be erect
ed II we can at once raise $4,000 ON ac-
count of subscriptions to the building fund
After the erection of the building, which
can be done by means of temporary loans
the property can be mortgaged to repay
the loans, and the rentals will repay all
interest and expenses, and afford sub
slantlal yearly payment toward a sinking
fund to extinguish the mortgage"
A large number of other sites were con-
sidered, but the present location was re-
garded as the best, in case the adjoining
lot toward 14th street could be secured
Negotiations for the purchase of this prop
erty are in progress, with every prospect of
successful termination The addition
would give the association a frontage of
16 feet on New York avenue and depth
of 40 feet. The directors of the associa-
ton. who are DIR. George C. Samson, f. w.
Woodruff, George Truesdeil, G. W. F.
Swartzen Henry B. F. Macfarland, H. W.
Olmsted, b. II. Warner, VIM. B. Gurley A
s Taylor, W. A. H. Church, c. w. Need
ham, +. A Stier, DR.. W. K. Butler, T. A.
Harding. W. H. H. Smith. F. E. Tasker.
Charles E. Foster. A N. Lothrop and VIM.
K Robson, personally examined into all
the details of the plan and unhesitatingIy
recommended 1t. stating that a building
could be erected six OF seven stories nigh.
that would constitute a first-class business
property in one of the best locations in the
city. and one that would be a credit to it,
if the money necessary could be raised.
The amount needed is s15O,OO0 $100.GU
of which IL is desired to raise by the per-
sonal canvass Uow i'll progress. OF this
latter amount $1,000 is needed immediate
ly. and nearly $4,000 of this has been al
ready subscribed
Building Planned.
The plans { of the building are now in
course of preparation and contemplate a
building six stories in height. There will be
three stores on New York avenue and the
building will have a handsome arcade en-
trance. the stores on either side having
q fronts along the inside. At the end of the
arcade grand stairway will open to one
side leading to the association rooms
above, and on the other side will be the
entrance TO the auditorium. The auditor.
ium will be five feet above the street leve
and will seat about loo persons. 1t will
be arranged with a special view to concef
purposes and Its Use will be extended t.
the public for entertainments.
The second floor will be devoted to asso
citation rooms. Tho stairway will lead to 6
large reception room. from which all tn,
working rooms Will open, such as the read
ing room Rarior' game room and officers
quarters These apartments will front OIL
New York avenue In the rear will be
lecture room accommodating 800 people
1t will receive light and air from above
The third floor will be devoted to librar.
purposes.
The fourth floor will have six rooms t.
be devoted to rental for Office purpose
along the front. and the apartments /,
the rear will be devoted to the educationa
work of the association.
The fifth floor will be utilized for men
sleeping aps enthusiastically in number.
On the sixth floor will be a gymnasium
60 by I6 feet-equipped with the latest an
best athletic appliances and to lockers an
baths. Four bowling alleys will be locate
In the basement, as well as a swimmin
pool and storage room for 500 bicycle.
When the new building is completed an
occupied there will be a reorganizatio
of the entire work of the association. 1t
proposed to introduce civil service instrut
tfon rs part of the educational feature
and day classes may be necessary. II
also proposed to form bicycle, Gamer
musical and literary clubs among the a.
eociation members. and to provide room
for meeting purposes.
According to the figures of the board {
directors the probable income from tf
building will be S13.3U0 year. and the e,
Penses $3.50 leaving a balance availab
tach year for the sinking fund Of s.. 40.