The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-05-18


told of the great accomplishments
Problem of Age.
The problem of the age" was de-
clared by Mr.. Messer to be the prob
lem of the young men. What shall
We do with our young men, he asked.
He stated the boy of today is the ruler
of the nation tomorrow and the per-
petuity of the nation depends upon
what kind of men are developed from
the boys. 1t was stated that the y.
NJ. G. A. assumes a portion of the re-
sponsibility for the development of
these young men and has met with
eminent success. The system Of train
ing has been one of unusual care and
all efforts have been bent to avoid the
responsibility of error. The associ-
alton labOrs to overcome the destruct-
i've forces of society and thus build up
the standard for mankind.
The destructive forces of society
We're said to be tool multiform and APP
parent TO enumerate. The speaker
told Of the agencies for the downfall
Of the young man in the larger cities.
He told of the feeling Of loneliness
confronting the stranger in a big city.
He stated ii is the places of evil in
fluence that offer the strongest attrac-
ton and it is against them that the
Y. NJ. c. A. cOmbats. The attractive
ness Of the electric light and bright
cOlOrs coupled with music draws the
boy from the path he has been taught
at home always TO trod and with this
small beginning starts a course that
often leads to downfall and ruin. The
speaker suggested the three best
plans TO combat the destructive agen-
cies is by agitation, legislation and
the provision of q substitute The Y.
M. c. A. takes upon itself the task
Of the contest. The constructive for
ces provided by the church, home and
school are not found sufficient so the
Y. NJ. c. A. embOdies these and aug
ments them.
The speaker recited the accomplish
ments to be derived from affiliatiOn
with the Y. NJ c.. A. He told of the
recognition accorded the institution
by the United States government. He
spoke with favor in regard to the &C
ton of President Roosevelt, who en-
couraged the Y NJ c. A. in Panama
and made it's officers employees of the
government, so the work could be bet
ter protected and conducted. This
was said TO be in direct contrast to
the attitude of the French govern
ment Which practically encouraged
vice in the isthmus
The attention paid to the physical
development Of young men was allud-
ed to and mention was made of the
fact that the evil of surroundings has
been eliminated. The educational de-
partment with its night and day
schools was spoken of. In many cities
the speaker said. the Y. NJ. G. A. is
regarded as an agency for philanthro-
pic work but not charity. He told of
the demands made by an association
IN order 10 continue in operation and
urged local citizens to lend all en-
couragement possible to the branch
in this city.
The second part of the program.
which took place on the site of the
building was purely formal 1t was
presided over by Adam H Bartel,
chairman Of the board of trustees.
The stone was lowered into position
slowly and as the rope unwound grad
ually there was a sense of reverence
prevailing the atmosphere. The con-
tents Of the box placed in the stone
were as noted previously. Following
the laying of the stone the crowd join
ed in singing a hymn. The benedic-
ton was pronounced by the Rev. AL
fred Ware.
Souvenir Programs Free.
Beautiful souvenir programs of the
occasion have been printed for gener-
al distribution. These may be had of
Secretary Goodwin at his office in the
Masonic Temple or of any of the di-
rectors or trustees of the association
at their places of business These
souvenirs are very attractive and will
be appropriate gifts for all friends of
the association out of the city