New-York tribune., 1903-03-22
EIGHT DOLLARS RENT.
This Pays for Fine Room for a
Month tn Scranton, Penn.

UItl{t tH OSf S'"'S'
Scranton, Penn, March 81 (speciaD.-The
young men OF no city in the country are so
fortunate as those who live in this hustling city
Of factories and mines. At least one can nho
few fr, Scranton who will admit it.
Ata cost Of $4,000 most of which came out
of the purses OF generous citizens, a home has
ha.n erected for the Young Mems Christian AS
.octatyon What this expenditure means for a
-Itv of this size will be realized when one figures
fhst had every citizen contributed an equal
share an assessment Of more than S3 from each
man. woman and child would have been neces-
ssrv Again, IL would have cost at least $SOOVoO
70 erect a similar building in New-YoTk in any
thfua like as convenient locality.
The building was dedicated q few weeks ago.
and the work Of furnishing II has just been COM
pIeted. 1t is said to be in many respects tne
finest Young Mems Christian Association build
ing in the country. Certainly there are none
more modern and thoroughly adapted to the
work OF this great Christianizing influence
Some one has said that in this Scranton is
twenty years ahead of cities Of her class ana
for that the young men here rejoice.
No one mind planned this marvel OF utility.
The best Young Mems Christian Association ana
similar buildings IN the country were studied.
Then came an architectural competition, III
which forty-four sets of plans were submitted.
Professor A. D. T. Hamiin, OF Columbia UNI
versity was the Judge, and made four AWARDS
The final plans were made up from these and
the building erected under the personal direction
OF George S. Maby the general secretary OF the
association. He acted superintendent OF
construction, and saved the ouiiolhg coiliLltteo
not less than $4,000.
The building is Of simple architecture, but dig
nfhed snd with massive effect 1t is only two
blocks from the heart OF the city, and so well
within the business district that the store rooms
on the street floor were rented before the build
ing Hras finished The main building has seven
stories. with g roof garden on top, which will
be used IN summer for open air gatherings. The
gymnasium oection IS half high. The main
entrance is marked by four white stone pillars
and broad flight Of stone steps. The outer
ioeEia is highly decorated and the whole forms
the finest architectural detail TO be seen in
Scranton
detailed description Of the building would
Be interesting because every department intro
6uces something new. There are features. how
ever which stand out, and one OF them is the
living rooms for young man IN the upper floors
It is goodby TO the cherries, frigid hall bed
room, the bugbear Of the young man away
from home. Scranton youths are no longer de-
pendent They find accommodations in this
building for SIS little as IS month. They can
pay more Tor larger lOOInS anu private UdlllS
but the IS men Will be much more comfortable
than they ever were before.
In order to live for So month a young man
must have q roommate. He gets no private
bath OF course but there are tubs and showers
on each floor which he is welcome to use, and
tickets for the plunge IN the basement are eight
for a quarter. For SS q month q man have
6 single room, and SIS gets large outside room
with private bath. Many OF the rooms
ranged in suites. and by punching the beds, as
college boys usually do. a sitting room is possi-
ble. The rooms papered in bright colors.
furnished with brass beds. bureaus and easy
chairs and every one has open outlook.
For the exclusive use Of the young who
live in the building there are three parlors on
the Second floor. They can entertain their
friends without the necessity of bidding with the
landIady's daughter for the front room privi-
legee. The service is almost complete is
offered by the ordinary hotel. there being a sys-
TEN Of electric bells connecting the rooms and
the Office. There are restrictions except that
the men behave themselves as gentlemen. All
those who have rooms must be members OF the
association. That the young men appreciate
this department is shown by their taking two
thIrds Of the rooms before the building had
been opened two weeks.
Another feature Of the building Is the audi
forum. which occupies the entire eastern end
OF the buildings. 1t is finished in green and gold
and is es attractive any Scranton theatre.
The seating capacity is 40. which is large
enough for the general meetings Of the associa-
ton and for the lecture audiences which Will
gather there.
Some Scranton citizen, whose philanthropy
has athletic tendencies, gave $4,000 to fit up
the gymnasium in the most improved fashion.
The first floor is devoted to a swimming pool,
10 .r6 ~
feet. On the same floor there is a marble room
for Turkish baths. The gym proper is 51x16
feet with ceiling 30 feet high. There is
padded running track, with banked turns run
ming around the room at a height Of Is feet and
above that is e gallery for visitors.
A public reading the first floor is
feature which will be appreciated by the public.
The educational end OF the associations work
will be cared for in nine classrooms. There
under the roof as fine bowling alleys
be found in the State, and a whole floor given
over TO the Junior members. where they can
make all the noise they like without disturbing
the seniors.
The association will be self-supporting in this
new building The total rentals will bring in
&1S 500 q year, and the expenses Of the building
will not run over 81, 500 This leaves balance
OF Sc. 800. to which must be added an income
of $40 $50 from membership and class fees. The
work Of the association cannot be carried for
less than S15.500. which leaves a margin of
$3.50.
EFW- W-ROTHFIIF THF4TRF