La Junta tribune., 1907-10-19
Ia JUNTA TO HAvEsA.Y.M. C. A.

ings held at various times in the
churches and elsewhere. and after
various conferences with representa-
tives of the State Young Mems
Christian Association organization,
the citizens of La Junta have at last
decided to take definite steps toward
securing branch of that splendid
organization for this city. Three
weeks ago the secretary of the state
executive committee, G. S. Bilheim-
er, came to La Junta. in response to
an invitation from some OF our citi-
zens, and with them carefully went
over this whole matter. AS a result
of that conference meeting of busi-
ness and professional men of the
city was called for Sunday afternoon,
October 18th. and arrangements
were also made for presentation of
the work done by the Y. NJ. c. A. at
the opera house on the evening of
the same day. An afternoon con-
ference was held last Sunday in
Woodruff Hall, and was attended by
forty or fifty of La Junta's most
representative citizens. Secretary
Bilheimer presented the matter un-
der consideration from the stand
pyint of the state committee. He
referred to the fact that his com
mittee now insists that any town
which wants Young Mems Chris
tian Association shall first secure the
money for building. This policy
he said enables the association to at
once take place Of first Importance
in the community. and enables it to
practically be free from financial
worry during the years Of its exis-
tence. Under the old policy of first
starting the association in small
rented rooms. it was impossible to
offer sufficient attractions to secure
a large membership, and the outgo
for rent very frequently entails such
heavy expenditure upon the COM
munity that it was impossible to
| properly maintain the work. Mr..
Bilheimer further suggested that the
people Of La Junta undertake cam
paign to last ten days and that they
attempt to raise at least S25, 900,
with which to purchase site and
erect a building. and promise the
corporation Of the state committee
to the extent of its ability if such a
campaign is undertaken. After his
statement. the whole matter was
thoroughly considered in all its diff
ferent phases by every man present.
Every one seemed to feel that be-
yond doubt the work done by the
Young Mems Christian Association
was something very greatly needed
in La Junta. One or two expressed
their doubts as to the ability of La
Junta to raise the amount of money
necessary. The most general ex-
preston of opinion, however, was to
the effect that La Junta could do
this if the business. professional and
railroad men all pulled together. A
vote was taken and it was unani-
mously decided to ask the co-opera-
ton of the state committee to under
take campaign in the near future.
The chairman of the meeting, Geo.
A. Kilgore, with Mr.. T. T. Wood
ruff, DR.. F. Finney and A. c..
Draper, were appointed a commit
tee to select an executive committee
of fifteen men who shall have entire
charge of the work of planning and
directing the campaign.
At the opera house meeting on
Sunday night the building was filled.
After short musical program, Mr..
Bilheimer, by the use Of splendid
stereopticon, presented many views
Of the work being done by the
Young Mems Christian Association
in Colorado and other states abroad.
These pictures gave the people of
La Junta perhaps a better idea of
the varied work being idone by this
organization than they have ever be-
fore had. At the conclusion of the
address Chairman Draper announced
the following as the executive COM
mittee, selected to have charge Of
the campaign: M. F. Miller, r. A.
Steen, James McNeen, A. L. Stubs,
H. E. Hall, r. Phillips, A. c. Draper,