New-York tribune., 1907-04-29
TAFT PRAISES Y. NJ. C. A.
HIS ADDRESS AT DAYTON.
Pays Tribute to Its Work in the
Philippines and ELse1chere.

In this city at to-day, accompanied by his
brother Charles II. Taft some personal friends
and escorted by Judge B. F. McCann who had
gone to Cincinnati the special representative Of
the Young Mems Christian Association.
Luncheon awaited the Secretary's arrival and
the succeeding time employed in greeting people
ana evadng questions bearing upon political topics.
The ceremony of laying the corner stone of the
new Young Mems Christian Association building
began at 2:2O this afternoon, and after singing.
PRAYER and Scripture reading the Secretary was
introduced by F. l.. Shuey. At the end OF his
address Mr.. Taft formally placed the relic box in
the crypt prepared for It and sealed it.
MIR. TAFTs ADDRESS.
After expressing appreciation Of his good fortune
in being able to be present at the dedication Of
this great building in your beautiful city
to the high purposes of the Young Mems Chris
tian Association Secretary Taft said
The great advantage of the institution is that
after long experience it has come TO be conducted
while o & furnishes on the one hand an opportunity
low men, il furnishes. on the other. example
OF assistaNce to those who need assistance which
not discourage self help by creating spirit of do
pendence in those who enjoy the benefits which
Another characteristic of the association is its
sectaran quality. 1t believes In the Christian re-
ligion. but is tolerant, liberal in its scope. and
knows no denomination. no race. no politics The
same Iine an assstnca an t t5e SroS% Of the
spirit OF Christian tolerance among all denonlha-
We are all more tolerant to-day than formerly
1 never was so fully conscious of this fact when
the question which had become intensely
continued ownership OF large body Of aggicqIt nit
Roman CathoHc Church BY circumstances noI
really Connected with religion at all, but growing
the islands had been aroused 10 bitter hostility
against the continued ownership Of these LANDS Dy
orders wouId have been entitied) for the colIec-
of eviction
ants, the prospect Of new tnsurIection was I'M
that the government should buy these lands from
the frars and then sell them on easy terms to the
however. it was necessary to secure the consent
it was thought wise. therefore. TO send a repre-
sentative to Rome TO confer with Leo XIII upon
friendly and an amicable solution. But it was
T0n % conT @ oId resent deeply the es-
tablishment even temporarily OF what might seem
to be diplomatic relations with church.
Finally the President after consulting the rep
resentatives of the leading Protestant denomina-
igious tolerance OF the people Of the United
States and concluded to follow the ordinary DTs
a result ne should deal directly with the person
suit desired and a representativs was sent The
business after much negotiation both at Rome and
more considerate of the difficulties presented and
sympathetic with the policy adopted TO meet them
lions whose opposition had been feared.
result Wod To not hK haxe foWed and that the mo-
tives Of the government and OF the President
l regard that as one striking instance Of the
greater brotherhood that now exists between the
great Christian denominations brotherhood that
finds no more eloquent proof than in the continued
prosperity and growth in influence and power Of
dedicates this building to-day
WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The Secretary referred to the great work which
the association doing for the elevation and
assistance OF railroad employees. and to the fact
that Congress had given authority to the Secretary
of War to grant permission 20 the Young Mems
Christian Association TO maintain all military
reservations such buildings its work for the
promotion OF intellectual physical and moral well
fare of the garrisons might require. lie said that
army officers In the United States and IN Porto
Rico and the Philippines had been enjoined to IA
cilitate the efforts of the association in every
proper way, and he testified that excellent results
were being achieved. He continued:
But nowhere is the opportunity for usefulness
OF the Young Mems Christian Association Freater
than among Americans In the Philippines Porto
Rico. Cuba and the Isthmus of Panama II is
inevitable that great many OF the Americans who
go hrst TO our tropical dependencies a long dis
rance from the United states. should be wandering
and irresponsible.
Nothing contributes more to the support OF tbe
views OF opponents OF our plans of progress than
the presence In Manila and other cities and towns
thing but edifying and who form an object lesson
TO enforce The claim made by opponents that
for them to follow Their people are generally a
while northern people in the tropics are not In,
frequently given to intemperance
Now, the way 10 avoid this is to furnish place
In which the leisure hours OF Americans in these
dependencies can be passed in rational eIevating
Young Mems Christian Association is one Of the
most effective instruments this end that we
have
Secretary Taft said that IN the Panama Canal
zone the canal commission had constructed club
houses at Culebra. Empire Gorgona and CristobaI
all alike in design. A COMMUNICATIVE DIap bas haaD
devised whereby the commission working In con-
junction with the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion will manage these and other similar buildings
in the chief labor centres. The Secretary in
closing. said:
Some question has been raised as to whether the
expenditure or thls money was within the authority
about IT. The authority of the President in the
he has therefore the right to expend the money in
any way necessary in the pursuance of that pur-
moving to this strip which connects the two Oceans
IN the far distant tropics OF colony Of from thirty
for the purpose for which they are transported
thee. 1t is absolutely necessary that they may
surrounded with the influence and furnished with
the attractions necessary TO keep them In a moral
efficient laborers TO the end of which the govern
ment has in view In eXpendnG these millions And
! have not hestated. therefore not only 20 author
ize the construction of these cubhouses under the
but also to confirm the action OF the commission in
the payment of chaplains of different denominations
buildings of the association in the various labor
centres across the isthmus.
For those reasons have l come to bear testimony
the greatness of the association whose strength
is only one of many evidences to be found aII over
this country, in the FAR distant Philippines. on the
the great work which the association is doing in
the moral elevation OF American manhood.
After the cornerstone ceremonies Secretary Taft
returned to Cincinnati where he viii deliver two
possibly three. addresses Tomorrow In the morn
Ing he viii visit the University of Cincinnati and