Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-20
A Y. M. G. A.IBUILDING
ONE NOW NEEDEl IN CITY OF
MAH1IA.
Mai. Halford in an Interview Outlines
What It Should Be and Tells
of Good Done:
From the Manila Times.


From the Manila Times.
In view of the recent cablegram stating
that en- appeal to the people of the United
States for $500 600 for a Young Mems Chris
,tion Association building and work in the
city of Manila had been widely published in
the American press, a reporter for the Ma
Mia Times called upon Major E w Hal
ford paymaster U. S. A., whose name was
connected with the matter, and he gave the
following interview:
1.-The building of Young Mems Christian
Association home in the city of Manila has
been talked of e1d written about to the in
ternational committee, and to other friends
in the United States, for more than a year.
When the American army came to the
Philippines the association secretaries came
with the troops, and from the first day of
military operation and occupation until now
work among the boys of the army ard
navy has been faithfully and Systematically
carried on. The association was given off,
clal recognition by the Washington authori-
ties, and in every way the military govern
ment here contributed TO the success and
efficiency of its work.
But these conditions necessarily chang
ed, and are further changing, and it is no
longer worth while to talk of an exclusive
ly army and navy association work here.
The great association movement, that has
belted the world with its homes and homey
ministrations for young men, must reach
Manila and the Philippine Islands in the
same spirit and purpose that characterize 1t
elsewhere. Manila and the islands are no
longer merely armed camps Civil condi-
tionS have rapidly supervened, and they
will continue to do SO, and to crystalline,
until the Philippines will not be substan-
TALLY different from other portions of
A oarip fap no nd for
ton work is concerned.
Conditions in Manila.
Manila is filling up with young men in
civil employment; clerks and employees of
all kinds; the vast majority of them neces-
sarily without homes or home restraints,
and who are forced into questionable
places and companionship for that relaxa-
ton and social recreation which human ma
ture demands and will have. In addition to
this already large and constantly growing
class, there Is increasing number of in
telligent, self-respecting, wel-intentioned
Filipino young men, who are eligible for
the mniStrations of the association, and 20
whom the privileges of membership would
strongly appeal.
There are more than five thousand asso-
Citations in the world, half of them in the
United States and Canada: they embrace
every class Of men almost-railroad college,
Indian, colored men-and lately street rail-
way associations have been organized. The
association has s25 600 00Q Invested in prop
erty. 1t is absolutely unsectaran. It's
privileges are open to any young man of
good moral character, without respect to
religion. Many Roman Catholics are mem
bers, and leading Roma nc Catholic prelatas
are and have been its warm friends and
helpers The lime has gone By for an argu-
ment or for an apology. The association
is unquestionably the most important and
remarkable moral and social agency and
a
are fine associations and hNildings well
equipped for work in China, 5apan and In
dia, and l see no reason -whySthere should
not be an association in Manila that will
be equal to the demands of koth the pres
ent and the future, and bk worthy the
philanthropy and Christianity of the great
nation which has become responsible FOR
the moral as well as for the Political condi-
lions of the Philippines"
What plans have You in mind for the
Manila association
Plan for Y. M. c. A. Building.
"Well, first, the organization of an asso-
citation, with a committee of management,
or board of directors, the majority of them
from among the permanent residents and
citizens who would take an interest in the
work. Then, of course, the important
thing is building, properly equipped. l
have in mind the expenditure of at least
100000 for this. 1t should be centrally
d
upon the outside of the square, with inner
courts, fountains, shrubbery and trees.
There should be at least two stories; the
lower story &c contain the necessary social,
music and game rooms, parlors, library
and reading rooms, gymnasium and restau-
rant; and also hall that would seat six
or eight hundred people, where the Gospel
meetings could be held, and where lectures
and concerts could be given not only by
the association. but by others, who already
feel the need for such a place of assembly
IN Manila. The upper story would be de-
voted to rooms for young men. If there
were two hundred such rooms, Clearly and
with needed accommodations, at a reason
able rental, they would be taken at once.
Then, l think, there should be a branch
down San Fernando way for the special
class of men to which I have alluded. The
remainder of the 100000 would be needed
as sustaining fund, the interest from
which would supply the. deficiency in the
current expenses while the association was
getting upon it's feet, and until the men,
bership and other fees, together with the
annual contributions of local friends and
supporters would carry it, as is done in the
United States"
DO you think that your ideals will ever
be realized?'
THAT l cannot tell. T do not see why
they should not be. They will be if, in the
first place, the necessities could be prop
erly presented to the people at home, who
have been unstinted with their money for
the help OF young men who make nothing
IKE the demand upon them that the young
men in the Philippines make, and In the
second place, If those here who should do
SO would give the movement their sympa-
thy and support.
Il look to see such Young Mems Chris
tan Association established in Manila as
have outlined and for the day to come
when 1t will be warmly welcomed and sup
ported by every intelligent citizen. as 1t Is
at home, and when people of every faith
and form of worship will feel perfectly free
to be and to do as they please, so long as
PEELED, either by their own tinidity or the
fear of others, to mask their real selves, in
the foolish and fIlfi lo hor,o 40 fhaN