The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-09-06
Y. M. c. A, In AMERICA.


For the first time, according to the
records of the Y. M. C. A. year book
just issued, the North American asso-
citation membership mas overtopped
100000. Steadily, year by year, since
1866, it has increased from $4,000 to
405,7 89 members. It's current receipts
and outlay from S164,000 to $5,319, 153,
and for supervisory work, from $279
to $425,966. Its annual foreign budg-
ct from nothing to $151 ,691, while the
net property steadily increased from
few thousand dollars to $36,S91, 1861,
the net gain of last year reaching lie
surprisingly large sum of $4,S87, 900,
in addition to S4,794,36O pledged for
$50 new buildings, an amount never
before approached in one year. This,
together with the aggregate current
expenses of the association movement,
$5,319,153, makes the enormous sum
of more than $10,000,000 received and
expended for association work in
twelve months. The membership has
become more widely distributed. The
chief divisions being: hailroad men,
S0,501, college men 59,256, soldiers and
sailors 5000, colored men 1885, In
dams ASS, town and county men,
9,144. In some city associations 100
occupations are represented. In the
physical department, with its ass
gymnasiums, 1853 swimming pools, 134
bowling alleys and 1877 athletic fields,
are 153,473 men and boys, showing a
gain of 10000. The educational class
es enrolled 36,S26, gain of $500.
The attendance at religious services
and Bible classes of 5,736,138 shows
an increase and the attendance at b.
BILE classes alone exceeded $4,000. The
average daily attendance reported at
buildings was 132,346. Situations
were found for 1876 men and boys.
In the increasing young mems apart
ments 6,674 men have had their
homes. In the railroad associations
the beds in the rest rooms were useu
1,45S,055 times and 3,785,104 meals
we're served. Over $4,000 men as al-
rectors and committeeman have con-
blAbulSu IhCll lOlCO III NOlualCSI SCI
vice to the associations growth. The
employed officers have increased from
2,013 to 1883 in the year, with 303
positions temporarily vacant. Money
has been more easy to obtain than
effective men. Eighteen more secre-
taries have been sent out to foreign
lands, making sixty-one working in
ten countries, besides larger number
of native secretaries. Notable SER
vice has been rendered by the Ameri-
can secretaries in the Japanese army.
Panama, with the governments ap.
proval and endorsement, as in the
army and navy, has been opened for
organization. Mexico and the min
ing towns of the Rocky Mountain re-
gion have invited association occupa-
ton with club houses furnished by
corporations. Street railway systems
have sought the associations aid, i'm
patient Of past futile attempts at so
cial betterment. The year will be
notable as one when much friendly
help was given to federated societies
and groups Of men by the associa-
tons without directly seeking their
own advancement. They have fos-
tered the Sunday School Athletic
league. secured public play grounds
and baths. established Bible classes
in shops, factories and ofiices. and
have rendered unselfish social and re.
ligious service to increasing numbers
of men and boys in their hours OF
leisure and convenience.