Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-21
Y.M,C.A.' GOOD WORK
Extolled by Members at Ban
quet Last Evening.
SPEECHES AND SONGS
ENLIVEN LAST OF SEMI-CENTEN-
NAL FUNCTIONS.
Judge Stanton j. Peelle Presides-
Congratulations From Sir George
Williams of London.

The last of the social functions of the
semi-centennial celebration of the Young
Mems Christian Association of this city
took place last night at the National Hotel,
where more than 200. young men connected
with the association assembled about the
banquet board. The dinner was for the
members of the association and the adj
dresses made related solely to the work of
the young men and what they intend to do
to continue the success of the association.
Judge Stanton ]. Peelle presided. After
the tables had been cleared he read several
letters and kilograms congratulating the
members on the success they had attained.
The Rev. Thomas Duncan was introduced
as the first speaker of the evening. He re-
ferred to the organization of the association
and spoke of the changed conditions; but,
he SAID, he was not surprised at the great
changes that have taken place. The pre-
lminary work was hard and required much
time and great application. This work was
finished, however and 1t remained with the
members now whether or not the associa-
tion was to be continued with the success
1t has heretofore enjoyed.
Mr.. Duncan advocated a most careful Sc
lection of books for the Y NJ c. A. library,
his idea being to establish almost censor
ship on the selection. SO that only that
which would have good influence might
find Its way into the library. In this way
the young men would be encouraged to read
only good books, and some of them " ould
In time become authors and write good
books, thus raising the standard of litera-
ture.
Congratulations From England.
When Mr.. Duncan had concluded Lieut..
John w. Crawford, U. S. N, chairman of
the banquet committee. read a letter from
the founder of the original Y. NJ C. A, con-
graduating the association on its fiftieth
anniversary.
Commissioner Macfarland rose at this
juncture and announced that a reply had
been received to the cablegram sent SIR
George Williams by the banquet committee
at the New Willard Monday evening. Mr.
Macfarland read:
Good wishes heartily reciprocated."
Mr.. c. c. Kitchener was next introduced
TO speak of the work of the men in his de-
partment of the association work. Mr..
Kitchener is a member Of the international
committee of North America and has
charge of the work among the industrial
classes. He spoke of the difficulty in get
ting the employers of men to realize the
value of the association work to them.
This realization was gradually coming he
said, and its operation would do much to
solve the social problem.
Mr. w Il. Milar, who has charge of the
work among the soldiers and sailors in the
army and navy. told of the value of the
association to the men who wear the uni
forms of their country. Mr.. Millar said
that while much had been done. there re-
mains much to be done. The army officers
and navy officers are with the associa ton
In its work and are doing all they can to
assist IL in extending its branches. There
should be a branch of the organization at
every army post In charge of a proper Off
cial and there should be a greater and
wider working fed. This was being
brought about gradually, said Mr.. MiIlar,
and with the assistance of the associations
throughout the country. it will probably be
accomplished within very short time.
Fred B. Smiths Address.
The principal address of the evening was
made by Mr. Fred B. Smith, who has
charge of the religious work of the interna-
tional committee. Mr.. Smith spoke on
"Men Needed He said he was profoundly
impressed with the fact that the associa-