The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-05-20

| ZION Is given.
1t occurs to THE TIMES to wonder il
! Owosso citizens generally realize what
the Owosso Y. M. G. A. means to them.
Parents who have growing boys OF
growing girls-who are quite likely at
sometime to associate with these grow
ing boys-would naturally be expected
to feel an especial interest in anything
which tends to keep the boys from as
sociations which do not make them take
more manly view of their own abilities
and possibilities, but sometimes other
people do not seem to realize how much
their own happiness also depends on
just such influences. The TIMES
would like such people to think oyer the
matter for a few moments. In the
first place boys are going to go where
they can meet other boys and have some
degree of freedom in their choice of
amusement. Now there are many
places in the city which make money
for their proprietors simply by furnish
ing place where men, old and young
and oftentimes mere boys, can meet,
and are made welcome, the proprietor
getting his pay in the shape of the price
paid for cigars, tobacco, drinks, of
games of various sorts. Now, not all
of these places are of the sort that you
would like to have your boy spend his
time in. But all of them to have at
fractions for some men and some have
apparently attractions which appeal to
many. There is but one way of offset.
ing the influence which these places will
have ON young men and boys and that
is to provide in some manner competing
places of social recreation, and better
ment. The Y. M. G. A. is organized
for s.especial purpose. But it is not
like the rest. 1t is not run on a profit
making basis cannot be in all probable
ity. The lines of trade which its COM
petitors employ as attractions, if not alb
solutely lessening the manliness of the
young men who indulge themselves
there, are often at least, not of an elevat-
ing character. The Y. M. G. A. is
thus financially at disadvantage COM
pared with these places. 1t must large
ly depend on the subscription, both
and voluntary, of citizens
in general, to take care of its operating
expenses. The Owosso association is
badly handicapped at present from a
lack of just this sort of an appreciation
of it's wosk, which expresses itself in
the way of cash contributions 1t has
done much good-no one can ever say
how much-during the years of it's
existence in Owosso, but all of this
work has been done under great handi- |
caps. The people of Owosso should |
have at least a reception and a read |
ing room on the ground floor, in
the best possible location with good |
front view so that it will appear more |
attractive to our city boys than any
other place in the city-except their own
to the boy who comes in
to the city from the farm it should seem
the best place in the entire city to visit.
A better, much better, home for the as
ISOLATION should be secured, and secured
soon. But even if plans do not seem
this today, it is sincerely
10 be hoped that until better quarters can
be found, the citizens will show their in
terest in the work of the association by
their subscriptions and seeing
hat they find their way to the Sec
retary's desk within the next few days.
What the association needs now--must
nave at once-is money to meet its run.
hing expenses. /
1t is not believed the republican
county nominating convention will be
ield before August or September.
Pretty long pull for aspirants. -Durand
Express. /
G. ]. Cole, of Antrim, called on
riends in the city Wednesday. Mr..