The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-14

vidual notice and comment but fearing that the kernel of this report will be lost in a maze of words it may suffice to say that each one has worked un tiringly for the best interests of the association.
 The one apparently discouraging point in the years progress Is the membership of the association which isl unusually low at this time. This con dition can be attributed to certain things, among which are the reaction of the 1000 membership campaign and the fact that we have been compelled to advertise and push our work on a very conservative financial plan. The membership as reported might have been considerably larger had we taken into account those who were eligible to membership and had paid the. equiva- lent of the membership fee in the form of subscription. Great care has been given in this regard and these persons have been placed upon the contribut- ing list.
 It is a cause for great hope that the association has been run during the past year So successfully without in- curing debt. Particular attention is called to the treasurer's report which It should seem would be encouraging indeed. The management feels that with the record of the past year to re- store confidence in our method of handling our funds it should be in position to push for speedy removal of the debt of the association.
 1 The one expressing thought of this report sshould be that the year which has passed and the one that is current will in a large measure determine the future of the Young Mems Christian association. The fire which is destroy ing the very vitals of our work is an enormous interest charge which must 1 be eliminated. What could we not ac- complish with s10,OO0 annually which Was turned into our coffers for cur rent expenses rather than being turned over to the banks each year.
 The two great needs of the associa- i tion are first, friends The day has not long been passed when this organ 1 ization was the pride of our city. We 1 do not ask or hope to be the favored charity of New Haven, but we do hope for equal consideration The past year should have demonstrated to every one the sincerity of the manage ment, We have tried to conduct our work on quiet. conservative, sane basis and we believe we have sue ceeded. We do not profess to have completeiy fulfilled our mission but We believe we have done the best we could while laborinS under our present I burden The second need of the. as soeiation is the one already alluded to namely. the removal of the indebted ness of the association. This must come during the coming year The sit uaticn is hopeful We believe this is Gods work and look forward to a
 day not far distant when the associa-
 tion will be free of debt, an up-to- date
 aggressive organization with a sub
 lime mission to fill in New Haven.
 We have been asked the question
 whether the work really justihes the
 expenditure of so much money. and to such an inquiry we reply that the
 work which we are doing to-day is in
 its character quiet and unassuming,
 but there are achievements being
 wrought in our building which are
 from its very nature impossible of ex-
 p1oitation the need of which could
 never be amply demonstrated except
 by discontin ince of the work itself.
 If the time should ever come when
 our city Is bereft of Y NJ. c. A.
 leaving strange young men in our city
 without resort other than the board.
 ing house, the saloon or billiard hall,
 without proper means of recreation,
 without place to counsel and advise
 with Christian men, without medium
 through which to form proper connec- l tions social and otherwise. this com munity would realize what such an or - ganization means to it. The need Is : pressing and urgent and will always necessitate the presence of a Young Mems Christian association.
 We repeat, that our greatest need is an association free from debt. This must fc done. Failure to do so, means : a disgrace to our city. There is scarce ly a city in New England which is
 without reasonably well organized and supported Y M. C. A. Can you l imagine New Haven without one. The loss of this association would be a dis
 aster which would appal the world from an association standpoint New
 Haven one of the first cities to have a
 new up-to-date Y. M C. A. building the mecca towards when secretaries journeyed for three years to study its
 plant. can any one imagine this same New Haven five years later without
 a home for its assoclaron The reople
 of this city have done most magnif-
 gently They have been generous, but
 our reputation is at stake. Succor
 must come during the current year
 and we must look to the public spir-
 ited people of the city for help once
 more.
 MkTTRRg IN n0HRT