The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-19
THE IMITATION SALOON.


Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In your editorial columns Of yesterday you
quote from Mr., S. b. Archer, of Saratoga, a
criticism the work OF the Y. NJ c. A. and a
suggested improvement upon its work. l have
been conversant with Y. W. c. A, work for twen-
ty years, first as a 'young stranger" for whom
Mr.. Archer has expressed so much solicitude, then
as a committee worker, and for nearly fourteen
years as a railroad secretary, a state secretary
and as secretary in Scranton. | think | may
claim, therefore, that my knowledge OF Y. VI. G.
A. men and methods is fully equal to that Of Mr..
Archer.
will not comment on the fact that II Mr..
Archer has been Christian for twentyf years
the subject OF his faith ought not to distress him
even II it should be brought to his attention
every night in the week. l should judge from
his communication that he needs to have his at.
tention called to it frequently
This Is his criticism: III you go to the Y. NJ.
G. A. every one is imbued with the idea that
the only subject permissible is religion" | have
no hesitation in pronouncing this assertion to be
utterly untrue. Any intelligent man, who will
study the prospectus OF the Young Mems Chris
tian association, and note the wide range of work
in social, physical and educational lines, which
always accompanies the religious work, will read
lily discover that Mr. Archer is not an accurate
observer
The work Of greeting the strangers is not
committed TO "illadvised youths" but to trained
workers, whose tactfulness and kindly desire to
help will not be rejected, except by man upon
whom Christian courtesy is wasted
II is not the policy or the purpose Of the Y. NJ.
c. A. to thrust religion on strangers, but rather
to live it before them, to win their friendship,
and to make the Y. NJ. c. A. the most homc'like
place to them in a strange city.
As to the suggestion of an limitation saloon"
as an improvement, Mr.. Archer evidently is not
acquainted with the history Of philanthropic ef
fort, and does not know that his idea is hoary
with antiquity, and that his "brand new scheme"
has long since been laid away as a well meant
but unsuccessful plan Of work.
The addresses OF prominent railway officials on
this very point, given few weeks ago at Phlia-
delphia, would make interesting reading for Mr.
Archer
The fact that the Y. NJ C. A. has bought out
twelve prominent social clubs in various cities in
the past two years, and has grown strong where
they failed. and that a new Y. NJ. c. A. building
was dedicated every nine days in the year 1900;
that six millions Of dollars were given TO the as.
sociations last year by leyelheadcd business men
that the daily attendance of young men averages
100000, and that Y. NJ. G. A. buildings in this
country are now valued at twenty -four million
dollars, nearly all Of them having been secured
in the last twenty years, would seem to indicate
that the y. NJ c. A. can hold its own against
an emasculatcd saloon any time.
Young men in America have no use for shams.
Mr.. Archer's imitation saloon is sham of the
most transparent kind.
The Young Mems Christian association does not
need tobacco splitting, saw.dust covered floors and
the other attractive CD features of Mr.. Archer
plais because it appeals to the ambition which
! every true boy and young man possesses, to make
the most OF himself, in mind, muscles and morals,
George G. Mahy.