The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-29

CANT or excessive. and which does not
discourage self-help by creating a spirit
Of dependence in those who enjoy the
benefits It offers.
The world has improved greatly in
fraternal, brotherhood and in assistance
which the more fortunate extend to
those less fortunate But no problem in
our whole social life is more difficult than
that presented TO one who wishes 20 give
money to aid his feliow-man without
doing him more injury than good. The
instances of ill-advised generosity are as
many almost, as the instances Of III
advised investments. And when We find
an institution which has worked out the
problem Of materially aiding our fellow
men in the struggles of life without in
iuring their self-respect and without
diseouraging their self-support toward
better things, We have something that
We should certainly prize
Y. VI. c. a. in the Philippines.
when ! was asked to come here, did
not feel that it was especially appropri-
ate for me to say anything upon this oc-
easion. because I had not in my life in
Cincinnati been identified in any special
way as an individual with the Young
Mems Christian Association. But when
1 remembered the opportunities which
have had for observation of the useful
ness Of this association in the army Of
the United States in the Philippines. on
the Isthmus of Panama, and in other for
eign dependencies. I felt that I should
be falling to render testimony which was
due this association if I did not say
something upon the subject of the scope
of its operations within my official cog
nizance.
I had 10 put myself 1900 miles from
home really TO know the power for good
this association exerts. The truth Is.
that the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton has come TO be recognized as a pow
erful and necessary factor. both in bus
mess and in government matters. Con-
gress. in its wisdom, has given authority
to the Secretary OF War, in an act passed
May, 1902, to grant permission, by revoca-
bic license. 10 the Young Mems Chris
tan Association TO maintain on the mill
tary reservations in the United States
and in its island possessions such build
ings as their work for the promotion of
Intellectual physical, and moral welfare
OF the garrisons may require. under such
regulations as the Secretary Of War may
approve; and under date of May Z, 1894
the Secretary Of War directed that per-
mission be granted TO the Army Young
Mems Christian Association to establish
It's work at the various posts Of the army
In the United States and in the island of
Porto Rico and the Philippines. This per-
mission has been awaited Of by the Young
Mems Christian Association at a great
many posts. and ii is doing excellent work
It's work at the various posts OF the army
the opportunity to enjoy their leisure
hours in healthful and moral physical and
Intellectual entertainment and amuse-
meut
Need for the Work.
But nowhere IS the opportunity for
usefulness Of the Young Mems Christian
Association greater than among Ameri-
cans in the Philippines. Porto Rico. Cuba.
and on the lsthmus of Panama. 1t is in
evitable that great many of the Ameri-
cans who go first to our tropical dependen-
cies, a long distance from the United
States, should be wandering and ire
sponsible. And it is also inevitable that
many men who are staid and upright and
of good habits at home, when they go 90
tropical cities far away from home should
yield 10 the temptation OF drinking. gam
bling, and other dissipation, because dur
ing their idle hours IN those remote eoun-
tries there seems to be nothing else 70