The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-16
Y. M. c. A. WORK


 The Year Book of the Young Mems Christian association, which was issued August 10, shows an increase in most of its figures. The number of associations. for instance, has grown from 17S6 to 1873 and the membership from $50, ,455 to 373,- 502 This is an increase in four years of 11S,030 members and of 374 associations. The active membership of the associations remains about the same. The chier growth has been through employed boys and men not affiliated with churches. The number of men giving volunteer service on com mittees and as directors is 477s7. nota- ble increase has been made in the amount of property owned, so that now 475 asso- citations. own buildings and other property worth nearly sS0.O0O,0OO, an increase of about $2000,000 In the past year. A new building was opened every five days. There is over s2.o00,OO0 pledged for new buildings and 120 such enterprises are on foot. The current expenses amount to nearly $A,0000O0 a year, or nearly double those of ten years ago.
 The number of men employed as general secretaries, physical directors, education al directors, religious work directors and boys work directors has increased from 1729 to 1893, while there are nearly 200 such positions seeking properly qualified officers, the two association training schools being unable to supply the de- mand. The associations have over 5Oe gymnasiums with nearly 1SO,OO0 men and boys. constituting the largest athletic or ganization In the world. The number of men In evening educational classes was 32S21-a number larger than that in the eight largest universities. The number of men and boys in Bible classes has been 56, 301, an increase of about 10000 over the previous year, while the shop meet ings. held chiefly at noon, for skilled workingmen, number 5096 The daily at- tendance at association buildings rose to over 120,000. The Railroad associations numbering 197, have 69, 426 members, hay ing more than doubled in membership in five years. The religious meetings re- port total attendance of over 4000,O00 mon and boys last year.
 In many of the large cities a theatre is secured during the season and crowd ed each Sunday afternoon with men. There are now 57S associations doing spe- cial work for boys, special increase be- ing made in the department for working boys The colored mems department has opened building in a mining town in q has associations in colleges and towns Mill towns in the south, new lumber towns and other manufacturing centers have shown notable development in indus tral associations. The North American associations have expended $S7, ,OO0 the past year for extending the organization in foreign lands and this year have enter ed Havana The college associations numbering over 700, have 450OO members and this year had 1891 men In their sum mer conferences from 4O1 Institutions. Associations are being extended into the country towns under the direction of a county secretary, and there are now 23 county associations.
 The executors of the estate of Miss Belle Baker, by whose will the Young Mems Christian association of Dayton, O., was made residuary legatee of half of her estate, have turned over to that association sS5,ooO in cash, which will be used as an endowment, and the Baker homestead, situated on one of the best corners m Dayton' within block of the central business portion of inc c,tv It is valued at sl0OOO0 A clause in Miss Bakers will reads, Much of my fife has been passed in this house and gladly give 1t for this purpose beI,eving that 1t could be devoted to no he+te, use. and that the people of Davto, r,,,I, build upon 1t suitable Christian bon,a for our young men" The Association ,,i1l shortly erect building to cost ss5o ooo and has just completed canvass iY' w,hioh together with other property sives ther, s262, 900 of the amount. The haisnoa ,,,ii, be secured this fan, when the bui,ding will be begun. One person pave cog oon. four sl0,000; five, s5000 Memhans ,; yS1,ooo, s5OOO0, and many young nan Chinese laundryman gave larga s,,,. anu e sidering their income. eo'1-
 The new building will be one of the