The Cairo bulletin., 1907-04-29
Y. N. c. A. RAISES
MORAL STANDARD
SECRETARY TAFT PAYS TRIBUTE
TO WORK OF ASSOCIATION
IN THE philippines.
HELD OUR men IN CHECK
sipations--Lauds Work of
Organization in Address at
Corner Stcne Laying.

Dayton Ohio. April 2S.-Secretary
iof War William Fl. Taft delivered the
principal address here today at the
laying of the corner stone of the new
tian Association. He also handled
the trowel as the stone was lowered
into its place.
The secretary, ~ho was given q
fattering reception by a throng Of
about 5000 people, spoke in sub
stance as follows;
Secretary Taft said that he had
not thought it especially appropriate
for him TO deliver an address on this
occasion as he had not been particn,
larly identified with Y. NJ c. A. work.
But when remembered, he said,
"the usefulness of this. association in
the army of the United States, in the
Philippines and on the Isthmus of
Panama | felt that | should be fail
ne 10 render testimony upon the
scope of the operations within my
official cognizance.
Il had TO PIT myself seven thousand
niles from home really to know the
lower for good this association eN.
erts"
The secretary referred to the work
which the association was dong for
railroad employees and to the fact that
congress had given authority to the
seer tary Of war to grant permission
to the Y. NJ. c. A. to maintain on
all military reservations such build,
ngs as ii might require He said thar
army officers in the United States and
in Porto Rico and the Philippines had
been enioined to aid association in
every prop way and that excellent
~esults are being achieved
But nowhere. said the secretary,
SIS the opportunity for usefulness OF
he Y. NJ c. A. greater than among
americans in the Philippines Porto
Rico, Cuba and Panama. It is newt
lble that a great army of Americans
Who 90 first to our tropical depend
9ncies. a long distance from the Uni
ed States. should be wandering and
irresponsible.
He pointed out that even staid and
upright men of good habits at home
often yield when in the tropics to the
emptation of drink and otherwise dis
slpate. This was due in a measure,
he thought to the lack Of amusement
and home surroundings.
Nothing contributes more 70 the
support of the views of opponents in
mr plans of progress than the pres
nee In Manila and other cities OF
lissolute Americans who's example
IS anything but edifying and who
form an object lesson to enforce the
claim made by our opponents that
there is nothing of value in American
civilization for them to follow. The
people are g morally a temperate peo-
pie. as most tropical people are.
Now. the way to AVOID this Is 10
furnish a place in which the leisure
hours of Americans can be passed in
rational and moral pursuits. The
Young Mems Christian Association is
an Elective instrument 10 this end
that we have Recently Mr.. Hoyt
If the association. raised in this coun-
try $50. 900 for the construction Of a
fuilding in Manila, on condition that
$50 900 should be added by the citi-
ems of Manila. 1t speaks highly for
he public spirit Of the associations
md others in Manila and for the en-
argy of the az nts who represent the
association in Manila that in a very
Few days after the offer became
known, $4,000 were raised and the
generous enterprise has become a
completed thing
Secretary Taft said that in the can
al zone. the canal commission had
constructed four club houses, one each
At Culebra, Empire. Georgiana. and
Crlstobal and that a plan has been de
yised whereby the commission. work
ing with the Young Mems Association,
will manage thess and other similar
buildings in labor centers. The com
mission furnished the houses and viii
give them proper Libraries.
In closing he said
Some question has been raised as
to whether the expenditure of this
money was within the authority OF
the commission | haven't the slight
est doubt about It, The authority OF
the president is to build the canal
and he has therefore the right TO eX-
oend tn money in any way necessary
to that purpose. This is a great en-
terprise. inv living the moving to the
far distant tropics Of a colony OF from
thirty TO fifty Thousand persons. To
render the personnel efficient, 1t -
absolutely necessary that they be sur
rounded with the influence TO keep
them in a moral and physical state
which will make them efficient labor
ers. And I have not hesiiated. there
fore. not only to authorize the con
siruction of these club houses under
the auspices IT the Y. NJ G. A.. but
also 10 confirm the action fthe com
mission in the payment Of chaplains
4 different denominations who oftic-
late at church services in the build
ines.
For these reasons have ] come 10
bear testimony TO the greatness OF