Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-29

| conditional subscriptions 1t Is apparent
| that some big subscriptions of $4,000 to
$4,000 must come in during the next three
days, or the $4,000 of conditional SubScrip-
tons by outsiders will be lost At the
| same time 1t Is believed that Washington
| citizens cannot afford to lose that sum for
General Secretary Pierce refuses to be-
| lieve that New Year day will record
| failure.
What Washington Requires.
| At Buffalo they find that $780, 600 build
| ing. with 100 rooms and $1,000 feet of Moor
| space, is none too large for 5000 members,
and 1900 members are soon expected as
| one of the results of adequate equipment.
General Secretary Whitford of the Buffalo
association adds that Washington needs
"as large and complete plant as Buffalo,
His letter to General Secretary Pierce fol-
lows:
BUFFALO. N. Y, December %, 1903.
My Dear Mr.. Pierce: Holiday greetings
to you and congratulations on the success
full issue on January l. I speak with con-
fdence, for certain men and associations
contract the habit Of bringing things to
pass.
A large modern association building is
necessity in a large city-necessary If the
association is to hold its own in exercising
commanding influence among men. The
building today must be at least three times
larger than the typical building of twenty
years ago in order to accommodate the
crowds of men and boys who will press into
use it's privileges. 1t must be modern and
after the twentieth century type In order
to be up to date and provide the facilities
that are required to meet the needs of men
as interpreted by the Young Mems Chris
tan Associations of today. The best build
ings built five years ago are out of date
today.
The Buffalo building, costing, with lot.
$435 900, with its 160 rooms and $1,000
square feet for association purposes. is
fnn 1or ,horJ
at present, there Is prospect of 1900
members within two years. Washington re-
quires as large and as complete plant as
Buffalo.
(Signed) A. II. WHITFORD,
General Secretary.
Conditions In Scranton.
The Scranton Association. after a year
In its new $500 600 building. finds structure
and equipment of that completeness none
too great even for town one-third the
size OF Washington. The Scranton workers
find that the new building appeals to the
business men of the city in an unexpected
way. 1t has caused them to think enough
about the influence Of the institution In
the community to pay membership fees in
tendance at the Y. M. G. A. win add
enough to the efficiency of their men and
make the payments good business in
vestment. The Scranton experience is that
tWSit6 ulOUtuS VI lIlS new O18 puLuluk
Is enough to make it too small to accom-
modate the throng Of young men who come
to 1t. At that rate. a 00,OO0 structure for
the national capital with its BOZ, 900 popula-
ton would scarcely be adequate
The Fall River Association moved into
it's new building April 20. and already the
new building is thronged with men. and
the association is in need of additional
room and equipment. At the same time, 1t
has become one of the great institutions of
the city, where before 1t was little thought
Of
Doubled Its Membership.
New Haven completed and moved into
it's new association building little over
year ago-a $4,000 structure for town
one-third the size Of Washington-and in
this short time the association membership
has doubled. Such is the growth Of the
work as a result of the impetus given by
the erection of the new building that 1t is
now proposed to add three new stories and
$25, 900 Is raised toward the fund for that
purpose.
that Washington will fall to raise Its $780,
600 fund, and declare that failure would be
disappointment to the entire country.
The letter received yesterday from Secre-
tary Lotze Is as follows:
Young Mems Christian Association of
New Haven, December 26, 1903
Dear Mr.. Pierce: Our new building has
been occupied little over a year, but the
changed. Our membership has doubled and
many who did not even know of our or
ganization before are now supporters. The
large majority of our prominent citizens
are now convinced that we were wise In
erecting such large building.
"Nvery part Of the building IL occupied
and we could use twice as many dOrmi-
tories. Provision was made for three extra
stories to be erected over the gymnasium
and used as dormitories, and we have al
ready received $685. 600 for this purpose.
"Only recently one of our conservative
business men, who gave largely, said: I
was opposed to your plans at first, but
now see the wisdom OF your undertaking
and heartily approve of what has been
done The universal expression seems to
be one of regret that we wasted so much
time trying to reach young men with such
poor equipment instead of first making
proper provision for them. Our members
appreciate the building thoroughly and are
showing 1t In practical way, They are
just now paying the entire expense of In
stalling two bowling alleys, which we omit
not see how there can be any question about
building such home as you certainly need
In Washington. II you care to profit by
our experience let me suggest that you
build large enough or at least make pro-
vision SO that additional stories can be
added in the future. It certainly Will be q
great disappointment to the country IL YOU
but don't believe the citizens of WASH
ington Will miss this opportunity. Antici-
pating q victory January /. am,s
Very sincerely yours,
WIN. g. LOTZE."
Concerns the Whole Country.
Secretary Fred B. Smith Of the interna-