Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-06

besides this, in some of the departments
the equipment is not equal to the de-
mands. We are not able to take care
of the boys of the city. We are not
able to take care of the young men
who are knocking at our doors asking
for training and development
The time has come when, if we are
to expand, we must do So must en-
large our building and bring it, up to
date. There is no putting aside this
matter to the background if we are to
exercise the influence we should for
the youth of the city. | nave a few
statistics for your consideration.
A Magnificent Growth.
I'm 1893 the number CT members of
the OttumWa Young Mems Christian
association was 205. This year the
list contains 45S names. The greatest
growth has been in the physical de-
partment. In 1899 there was a class
attendance of 4,430 and a general at
tendance of 1, lis, making a total at
tendance at the gymnasium of 6,145.
During the winter Of 1900 and 1901,
the winter of the presidential election,
when it is always difficult to get good
attendance at the gymnasium, there
was class attendance of 4,16S, a gen
eral attendance of 1,946, and total
of 6,114. Between October l and Feb
ruary l, 1900, and 1901, respectively,
the class attendance was 1852. general
attendance 1,036 and the total 1898.
| During the same months in 1901 and
1902 the class attendance reached 81
of
the total 4.456.
An increase of about forty per cent
| in the attendance in the gymnasium in
| four months of this season over the
corresponding months last season.
This means that more boys have to be
put on the floor than can be handled
to an advantage. 1t is impossible to
encourage our boys to come and take
physical culture. We can't put more
on the floor at the same time, and
there are not hours enough in the
week to divide some of the classes
and have different parts on different
days. So it is necessary to increase
and improve the accommodation if we
are to train physically the youth of
our city and do it Alright.
Swimming Tank.
"In these days an association build
| ing is not complete without swim
ming tank When our building was
erected there was not an association
building in Iowa that had tank. Now,
in the recent buildings and those
which are contemplated. one of the
principal features is the swimming
tank. 1t is very important part of
the association work that the boys
and young men should be furnished a
chance to learn to swim. In Ottumwa
there is a need for this kind of equip
ment more than in almost any other
city in the state. Those who have liv-
ed here as long as | have or longer
have been deeply panied to see the
sad professions which have come up
from the river to the undertakers and
thence to the cemetery How many
people have lost their lives in the
ltreacherous stream in twenty-five
years through availing themselves of
enjoying in the river what almost ev-
cry one loves.
is absolutely necessary that any
association aiming at the physical de.
I velopment of the youth should have a
Eswimming pool where the boys can
safely learn to swim so that they will
be safe no matter where they may find
themselves. 1t is part of the duty OF
the citizens that such an institution
and equipment for the safety. comfort
and health of the young should be pro
vided.
4 Dormitory.
Very recently there has come into
the plans for buildings a new phase
which is, where made use Of proving
very popular, and is making the build
ing center for social and Christian
influences for young men. In the
more recent buildings the dormitory
arrangements have been specially
looked after. A number of young l..or
get rooms at the building and bring tc
the building friends whose influence is
great and who spread the sentiment
engendered at the Y M. C. A. building
throughout the city.
In addition to these things there
, has been upon the building in this cit,
, during the past twelve years a deb
OF $1,000. In order to pay the inter
est on this debt $500 has been needed
This money has been spent-has beer
, sent out OF the city without the leas
gain to the association. After tina
debt has rested for twelve years upor
the association it would seem that the
time has arrived to remove it and a
the same time improve the building
In order to do this the propert,
north of the association building
which was for sale and might have
been secured by someone who woul,
have established business objection
able to the association, was purchased
This was done in order to secure sur
roundings proper, and We thought /
wise to buy it and not only secure tn,
association against having nuisance
at its door. but also provide a tenni
court so outside exercise can be al
forded to members of the association
as well as inside work. All must b
!. provided in these days to keep tn
American youth interested. He is no
satisfied with anything that is a bacl
! number out of date, or behind wha
some other town has. 1t is to hi
credit that this is so, it is because h
: IL.