Arizona daily citizen., 1901-04-06
Recreation and
Reading Rooms.

Nearly three years ago few ladies
interested in the welfare of the city,
and deploiing the lack of public hospit-
able rooms which should be equally free
to our own townsmen, and the many
strangers annually visiting us, began
the accumulation of fund for the pro-
vision of some such enterprise,
By sale of refreshments on July 4th
1898, the ladies netted the sum of $3.50,
and encouraged by this success, gave
several entertainments, until by April
lst, 1900, they had raised sum Of
$323.50.
Believing that with this amount to
furnish and equip the rooms, they would
be justified in locating, and opening the
same; they did this, and by personal So
licitation secured monthly, and annual
contributions which, together with
amounts derived from various other en-
tertainments, mentioned in the treasur-
er's report, they have successfully main
tanned the rooms until the present time,
having sufficient amount still on hand
to pay expenses for the present month,
but with smaller number OF contribu.
tors than formerly.
The ladies doing this work greatly ap-
preciatc the kindly assistance so nobly
rendered by our citizens, but now, at the
expiration OF the fiscal year, some of the
contributors have dropped off. Some OF
the ladies have dropped out OF the work
and the remaining few, only commit
tee, are TOO worn out and busy to repeat
the experience OF the last three years,
and are further embarrassed by lack
OF financial support for the future. In
this dilemma they turn to the commun-
ity that has seen the benefits of the re-
creation and reading rooms, and ask
shall they be closed? If closed even for
few months, they lose the momentum
already acquired and will find it difficult
to start again. 1t was thought that the
"Young Mems Christian Associa. ion" ii
organized, could more ably sustain the
work than the ladies', and to this end a
cursory canvass of the city was made,
resulting in promises of about forty gen.
tlemen to become members, either az
tive or associate OF the Y. M. G. A. The
ladies, and a committee OF gentlemen
held an informal consultation, when il
was learned, from letter received from
c. X. Ober, one OF the international field
secretaries in Chicago, thatthe salary OF
a trained secretary, without which the
work could not be effectively carried on,
would necessarily be larger than that
paid the attendant in charge OF the
rooms at the present time, and further
more that until the fall they could NOT
send out an organizer, but with the au'
tumn would, at their own expense, glad.
ly send a secretary to work mp an organ
ization of the Y. NJ. G. A. il desired.
The problem confronting the manage
ment now is: Can the rooms be main
tanned on their present basis until some
other method is developed? The month.
ty and annual contributions, though
inadequate, have been the principa
basis of support, having aggregated
about $500. with an average of $57 SO
per month, while all shootages have
been made up by the proceeds entertain
ments.
At the informal meeting above re-
ferred to- it was deemed advisable t 9
call mass meeting of citizens and make
an appeal to the public, to make up
what is lacking in support of the enter
prise. The rooms have been and are a
credit to the town, and no one knows
how many boys have been kept
from drifting, by the presence of this
wholesome place Of light and comfort in
the center OF the city. If these rooms
could be sustained until the new library
is in operation, or until another society
looking to the care of our young men,
is organized, we might then consider
their mission accomplished. The mass
meeting is called for Sunday evening
| April l4th, and it is hoped that much
general interest will be awakened.
The place and programme will be an
nounced later.
| EsTELLA NJ. BUEHMAN.
| De-. ID ard u Rooms Association