The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-05
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
The Y. M. c. A.

Nearly $4,000 has been subscribed to
the Birmingham Y. M, C. A. building
fund, but more than twice that much
directors undertake to erect the needed
structure" said Y. NJ. c. A. man. In
the meantime the association throughout
the world is progressing steadily.
Twelve million dollars represents IN
round figures the amount shown on the
records of the American Young Men
Christian associations. as expended ana
available In 1902 for its work. for the
payment of bonded debts. for endowment
and for the erection OF new buildings
This sum includes in instances the cur
minating work of two and three years.
The membership list, with lapsed names
eliminated, has over-topped 30O,OOO anu
the number of associations exceeds l6Oo.
There has been steady progress IN
numbers, in efficiency, and in service
but especially notable and significant is
the comprehensive study of association
problems and the apprehension OIL the
needs of young men and the ability OF
the association to meet them. A move
ment for the 100000 men engaged in man
ufacturing pursuits, which will reach
skilled mechanics, lumbermen, miners,
cotton mill operatives, etc, has taken
shape and will be developed under the
international committees guidance.
Street railway associations, sustained by
the traction companies at Brooklyn and
Rochester inaugurate that new move
ment. The railroad association member
ship exceeds $4,000, student department
10000 boys department $4,000, and the
army and navy, colored and Indian asso-
Citations, show increase. Nearly 10000
young men are In the evening schools.
Working boys between Il and Is are
drawn in large numbers INTO the even
ing classes and given education as we'll
as evening recreation. The 200 summer
camps enlisted fully 5000 boys.
1.-The first permanent building for the
Naval association, costing $i50,000, has
been opened, and is already crowded to
Its utmost limits. This has been followed
by associations at Norfolk and Newport.
With the sanction of congress, two new
buildings are being erected for soldiers
at army posts. Quarters are set apart
at seventy-one army posts for Soldires'
associations. with the approval of COM
manding officers, and work Is done on
many battleshps. The way has been
found to organize and help young men
In isolated country places by County as
sociations The missionary spirit char
acterizes the movement. Gifts for for
eign work have increased from 5000 to
10000, and twelve of the best secretaries
have been sent out to foreign lands dur
ing the year, and association work has
been extended to Mexico. Growth has
been most notable in the associations of
the south, of the northwest, and among
railroad men. There are now $50 build
ings owned, costing over $4,000 900; 100
paid officers on the list; the international
committee has secured it's first million
dollars of endowment, and the state
committees have made good progress In
the same direction. There has never
been so deep an interest and so large an
attendance in Bible classes and religious
services as in the past lear; 7S,OOO men a
Sunday for nine months are in evange-
listic meetings and 1900 men attend the
Bible classes. The number of associa-
lions throughout the world is 1907 with
620,721 members, ownir and occupying
1871 buildings. valued at ever 1872, 900, 00o."