Evening journal., 1905-11-23
.ay1 AGA. DIRECTORS
/ HOLD MEETING
Mr.. Iibbits Gave an Illus
trated Lecture on New
Building Movement
.MR,THOMPSON ANSWERS CRITICISM

There was another meeting of the Dl-
rectors and Advisory Committee OF the
Young Mems Christian Association at
the New-Century Club last night TO dis
cuss the erection OF new association
building and get the business men of the
city more interested in the work.
The meeting was well attended by rep
resentative citizens and Henry b. Thomp-
son, president Of the association. pre-
sided. Before State Secretary George Il.
Tibbits gave his illustrated lecture Mr..
Thompson made a short address. lie said
in part;
'Ihe object of this meeting tonight
is to show you. through the medium Of
photographs, just what the Y. NJ. c. A..
is doing in the way of buildings in other
cities; at the same time, our friend, Mr.
Tibbits will explain to you very clearly
and in a most interesting way the pres
ent work Of the Y. M. c. A., its aims and
aspirations. and what It stands for. 1
do not propose to trespass on this
ground. but before Mr.. Tibbits exhibits
these pictures, 1 would like TO say just
a few words In explanation of the atti-
AhNAA "a Jul AAAaAA4 NA AfAAtAARANs
'In the little canvassing that we have
already done we have run up against
considerable criticism. which is entirely
due TO ignorance. There seems 10 be a
feeling among certain of our friends that
wep ropose to indulge In extravaganza
and surround the members of our assO-
citation with luxuries that will be ener-
waiting. as opposed to an enviroNm ment
that will be useful and stimulating, IN
fact, one friend of mine went so far as
to say that he had no desire TO contrib
ute for marble palaces or onyx wains-
coting. I have run up against this criti-
cism from two or three different quar-
ters.
Now, I think the personnel Of our
Board and our Advisory Committee
should exempt us from such criticism.
To be perfectly frank. think IL shows
narrowness of view and a lack Of im-
agination TO be unable TO picture an ex-
penditure Of 100000 in ground and
building to properly take care Of 1900
members. The amount is no more than
adequate 10 carry out the work on the
plainest and most economical scale and
4 NAtA EANf nAAAAV4N any NANNAANAH AlAn
| il Is the desire Of the gentlemen who are
Interested and behind this movement, "a
use the same sound common sense ir
this undertaking as they would use in
their own business.
Now, that Wilmington can afford
such a building is not a question for ar.
gument It can easily afford II. The
capitalization of the various industries
that are centred here, our bank deposits
and the bank clearings indicate, withou
any question. that the citizens of VIII
mington are I'm a sufficiently prosperou
condition to take care of such an under
taking.
"I am very sure that human nature fl
wilmington is the same as in other cities
Frankly, if this undertaking shoui
fail,-but I do not believe it will-it wi
be most discreditable TO our city.
"Our young men are entitled TO wha
We are outlining and if we propose I
look to the quality of our citizenship. thi
will be a good starting point
Mr. Tibbits illustrated address on tn
buildings being put up in other cities wa
interesting. He spoke of the buildlni
movement I'm Chester and said what cal
be accomplished there can be easily &C
complished here
Mr.. Tibbits during the course Of hi
remarks said that the Young Men
/ Christian Association movement was
practical one for,if it were not 1t woul
I not be backed by the thousands Of dol
lars that it is. He said that It has bee
I demonstrated that it has worked untol
good for the betterment Of the youth o
the country and would work much NOR
so if it were encouraged
Through this movement more youn
men are reached than any other not eS
cepting the church, because the youn
man feels the need of social environ
ment. In order therefore TO cause in
terest on the part of the young man tn
building must be attractive. Saloons a
over the country are using all manne
of devices to make them popular and W
read Of silver dollars being placed in tn
floor and every other possible means use
to make them seductive to the youn
man. IL we have the interest Of tn
young man at heart we viii help, max