Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
DOUBLED HIS CHECK
ONE MANS CONTRIBUTION TO z.
II. C. A. FUND.
to Raise $73, 900 Opens
Auspiciously-0ro Need for
Larger Quarters.

Inc twenty-ono days campaign 10 Tdiso
$7S 900. and thereby earn an extra $4,000
conditionally pledged by Messrs. Rookie
feller. Peabody and Converse, began yes
terday morning at Y. M. c. A. headquar-
tiers under suspicious and encouraging con-
dttions.
The night before number of letters
stating the crisis which confronted the as
ISOLATION were sent out to prominent friends
Of the cause. General Secretary Pierce
thought he had carefully looked over the
letters to see that none was sent to those
who had already subscribed.
But 10! the first morning mail brought In
reply from a citizen who already was
liberal contributor, and, instead of a COM
plant, there was a second check for $780,
So the first mistake of the campaign
brought one 146th part of the total balance
required. One hundred and forty five more
such mistakes would complete the 900
for the building.
Means Big Struggle.
1t is plain, however. that $4,000 IS not
coming within the three weeks limit with
out tremendous fight and general hand
to-hand struggle ali along the line.
In the first place. the city has already
raised $4,000, which is one Of the biggest
feats in the way of a philanthropic SUBJ
locally. In the next place. the majority of
people little dream of the work that Is
done by the Y NJ. G. A, and of the
necessity of the big plant asked for.
One of the main obstacles that the associ-
alton has to contend with Is such senti-
ment as the following, expressed by a
Well-to-do churchman, who pays 500 g.
year for pew in which he may be enter
taiI ed by the pres cher and choir once q
week in an elegant $250yO00 auditorium:
''What do these young. men want of a
100000 building?" All they want they say,
is a chance to do Christian work. Then
why don't they do it7 What is the need
of a swell building. and fine reception
rooms, and club rooms. and bowling alleys.
and well salaried instructors and all that
1T is cheap enough to work They have
no church and creed to maintain, no costly
minister and choir, subscriptions to the
bishops and theological seminaries and for
eign missions. If they want to help home
less young fellows and workingmen they
surely don't need fine quarters"
But the expression of such a sentiment
as the above is not hailed with sorrow by
the officers and directors of the association,
show to the public what they are doing and
explain the desperate need of the new build
ing.
Instruction for Many.
For example, the association is giving
night school instruction to 400 young men,
who cannot spare time from their work for
day schooling. when there is need of such
instruction for 800. Pittsburg last year had
6i7 students at it's Y. NJ c. A., and Phila-
delphia over 1000
Even the small city of Dayton, Ohio. has
401 students in it's school courses while
Cleveland has 745.
AS an educational institution, the Y. M. c..
A structure justifes the investment: for
the average college property equipped to
hanole ooo TO LOO students represents as a
rule an investment of several millions But
the Y. M. c. A Is more than night school
For example, it gives physical training
and health to 1.200 business and profess
slonai men and boys. And here again it is
crippled 1or space and equipment
What It Accomplishes.
Even as a public bath and reading room
the Y. M. G. A. would well-nigh Justify the
investment, while as social club it does
more for the money, reches more fndivid-
uals and that in a more helpful way, than
perhaps any other $4,000 or 100000 club
in the country
AS a church of $500 membership, which
will become 1900 as soon as the ac-
Communications permit; as boarding
house and home for $50 to $50 homeless
young men in the $50 dormitory rooms
eiis'' INC TIC" ouilulnB Will PROVIDE as
a religious and educational auditorium
for 10000 listeners in year and a theater
and opera house for as many more: as a
cafe Bible school, bowling hail. a Sum
day school, business college music
school, gymnasium, a creedless church.
a barleSs club, a swimming school a sani-
tarlum, night school for young mechanics,
an entertainment auditorium, a home for
200 to 1000 young men of all ages from
sixteen to sixty 1t Is doubtful If any s11O-
GOO or 100000 business or educational or
religious or charitable institution can make
greater showing of practical and thor
oughly helpful work accomplished as the
Y. M. C. A. which is now trying to raise
$4,000 in twenty-one days for the deyel-
opment and advancement of the city.