The Washington times., 1904-12-18
CORNERSTONE LAID
BY FAIRBANKS
Handles TrOWel for New
Y. N. c. A. Home.
LAUDS ALL ITS PURPOSES
Commissioner Macfarland Speaks of
Character Building-Other Distin-
guished Men in Attendance.

With snow falling so heavily one
could hardly discern objects on the op-
posite side of the thoroughfare and a
cold wind whistlng about the ears of
the guests. the cornerstone of the new
home OF the Young Mems Christian As
sociation was laid yesterday afternoon /
at l945 G Street northwest with appro- |
pirate ceremonies, in which a number
of prominent men took part
There was an invocation, several ad- |
dresses. and a benedictiOn. the cere-
monies consuming less than half an |
hour. They took place in the unfinished |
building, which has reached about one |
half its height. is open in the front and |
rear, the floors of which acted as a |
roof over the part of the first story
where the crowd had gathered.
Prominent Men Present.
In addition TO the invited guests there
were more than a hundred prominent
residents Of Washington. who are inter- |
ested in the good work done by the or
ganization.
The speaker OF the day was Vice
President-elect Charles W. Fairbanks. |
Mr.. Fairbanks also pushed the stone
into place and filled in some of the NOR
tar
S. Walter Woodward. president Of the
association. introduced the speakers. The
Rev Teunis s. Hamlin asked the in
vocation. and the Rev Samuel II. Greene |
read a Bible lesson appropriate TO the
occasion. President Woodward then
made brief address. in which he told |
OF the growth Of the association.
More Room Needed.
The old building. he said. could not
accommodate a membership of more than [
2io3. but the membership had grown 1
10 more than $500. II had been adequate /
so FAR because a number OF the mem /
bers are well known local business men /
who Joined more 10 help along than 10 /
take advantage OF the facilities of the /
organization. These remained away /
from the building a great part OF the /
tins.
'ln the new building" continued Mr..
Woodward, I'VE will be able 10 care for /
1900 members comfortably and prob 4
ably more. II is our intention 10 turn
the old building over to our boys or
ganizations.
I'm these there is a membership OF |
about 1850, and there viii be room in the 4
old structure for them 10 be as active /
as they please
IN addition 10 the active members Of
the 7. NJ c. A, in the new home. we
expect TO have about 1.5O0 inactive mem
bers."
MacfaFland Speaks.
District Commissioner H. b. f. Mac
farland was introduced by Mr.. Wood
word and spoke for a few minutes re-
viewing the good accomplished by the
association in the past. and predicting
ever greater things for the future.
He said that the average young man
earning $500 a year was comparabIei
commercially with a piece OF property
worth $1,000, the property bringing in
annually $500. There were So 600 Young
men in the District which would mean
a monetary investment Of S6,350,Oo0.
T. was with this great capital the as
sociation had to DO. yet this amount did
not represent in any sense OF the word
the moral value, the love. and the spIr-
ituai value OF a young man who could
De improved by the association.
Character Building.
Mr. Maefarland pointed out the char
acter building worth OF the association.
concluding with the statement that the
association increased all the values OF
every young man who had 10 do with il.
He also said IL Is the effort Of all who
have the good OF the Capital of the
United states at heart 10 make #
model city Of the world. II should be
such. and events We're rapidly shaping
themselves 70 make q such.
his city should be the headquarters
or the association. and the handsome
building would help 10 make Washing
ton more beautiful than IL is now.
At The conclusion President Woodward
pointed 20 "a copper box which Uas ~
20 into the cornerstone. He said that
il contained Bible. the names OF tb.
directors of the association. of tie
building comnittee, Of the officers. Of
The trustees. ~ the pastors Of the Wash
ingtCn churches. a Washington directory
az 1904, copies Of the local newspapers.
and several magazines.
Mr. Fairbanks Speech.
President Woodward then introduced
Vice President-Elect Fairbanks. who
SAID:
Il am not here 70 make an extended
address. Such an address in this in
hospltable air would be quite inappro-
+--'--N'- nave 1bt4lF taAurI To assoc I
ciate myself with th;s most interesting
ana significant ceremony
We lay the cornerstone of an lmpos-
Ing edihce which is 10 stand through
many years as a rallying center OF
benencent Influences in the CapItal OF
our country. There Is no litter place
than this 20 encourage the development
OF those forces which tend 10 make bet
ter our common citizenship.
1T Is. indeed. well that the Nations
Capital. the nations very heart. should
be clean 10 should be an ideal clty n
IS Of the utmost Importance that the
prevailing Influences should be- pure and
ennobling.
The National Capital should stand
like a beacon light upon a hin .castIpa
affair the beams Of a higher and better
civilization.
Not an Experiment.
'"The Young Mems Christian Associa-
tiOn IS no mere experiment For more
than One-half century II has been ac-
complishinE It's great work
IT has justified in fun measure the
wisdom or It's founders. n has rapidly
expanded ia power. Ia wealth, IN mem =
bersEIp and In influence. IL is not cir 4