Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-05
Y. M. C. A. WORK FOR THE YEAR
Twelve Million Dollars Raised and
Expended in It's Work
Last Year.

NEW YORK, Jan. 4.-Twelve million dol
lars represents in round figures the amount
shown on the records of the American
Young Mems christian associations, as ex-
pended and available in 1902 for its work,
for the payment Of bonded debts, for en-
dowment and for the erection Of new build
ings. This sum includes in instances the
eliminating work of two and three years.
The membership list, with lapsed names
eliminated, has overtopped 800, 900. and the
number Of associations exceeds 1000.
There has been steady progress in num-
bers, in efficiency and in service, but espe-
cially notable and significant is the COM
prehensive study of association problems
and the apprehension of the needs Of young
men and the adaptation of the association
to meet them. A movement for the 1000, 900
men engaged in manufacturing pursuits.
which will reach skilled mechanics, lum-
bermen, miners, cotton mill operatives,
etc., has taken shape and will be devel-
oped under the international committees
guidance. Street railway associations, sus-
tanned by the traction companies at Brook
Ign and Rochester, inaugurated that new
movement. The railroad association mem
bership exceeds so, 900; student department,
40, 200; boys department, SO, 900, and the
army and navy, colored and Indian asso>
Citations show increases. Nearly 10000
young men are in the evening schools.
Working boys between IL and IS are drawn
in large number into the evening classes
and given education as we'll as evening
recreation. The 200 summer camps en-
listed fully 5000 boys. The first permanent
building for the Naval association, costing
$3.50, 900, 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 con-
gress, two new buildings are being erected
for soldiers at army posts, Quarters are
set apart at seventy-one army posts for
soldiers associations. with the approval OF
commanding officers, and work is done on
many battleships. The way has been found
to organize and help young men in isolated
country places by county associations. The
missionary spirit characterizes the move
ment.
Gifts for foreign work have increased
from $55, 900 to $50, 900. and twelve OF the
best secretaries have been sent out to for
eigu lands during the year, aud 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 buildings
owned. costing over $40 0 900; 100 paid
officers on the list; the international COM
mittee has secured it's first 81. 0O0, 900 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 classea
and religious services as in the last year;
rs, 900 men a Sunday for nine months are
in evangelistic meetings. and $4,000 men
attend the Bible classes. The number Of
associations throughout the world Is 1907,
with $40 72i members, owning and occupy
ing 737 buildings, valued at over 1872. 900, 900.