The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-01-03
WAS BIG YEAR
FOR !. N. c. A.
GROWTH OF CHRISTIAN ASSO'
CITATION IN 1907 SURPASSED
ALL EXPECTATIONS.

In the summing up of the past years
prising and encouraging figures are
shown ir. the report which has just
been received at the local branch Of
that world wide institution.
The Young Mems Christian associa-
ton has made the largest growth in
1907 that it has recorded in any one
year of it's history. The organizations
lin North America have increased to
over 1000 with nearly half million
members. one hundred thousand of
whom are boys in their teens; $4,000
are railroad men; $1,000 are college
students; 10000 are in country
branches and as many more in the
colored departments. More than one
third of the members are engaged in
ind ustrial pursuits and in some of the
org lnizations there are 80 nationalities
represented in the membership.
The employment departments have
been rapidly developing in their eff
CLERGY in the past year. Positions pay
ing salaries of $14.5OO,OOO yearly were
found for men and boys.
Sixty-four new buildings have been
Occupied by the associations in the
last year. the cost of which exceeded
$4, 100000. The associations have $16,-
100000 in hand and pledged for new
buildings-the largest sum they have
ever reported for such a purpose.
These structures will be erected and
opered in the coming two years in
more than one hundred cities, colleges
and railroad points, army posts and ma
val stations. Nearly a million dol
lars has also been pledged by Amer-
car. associations and members for
headquarters for associations in the
great capitals and commercial centers
of the far east. The net property of the
association now aggregates more than
$50 OOO,O 900 The buildings if placed
side by side Would fill one hundred city
DlOckS anu tle uOilililOIieS VI tfle dS-
|sociations if brought together would
make four hotels with as many rooms
as the Waldorf Astoria. The associa-
|tion summer recreation camps would
Iif assembled make a great camp equal
to ten national guard state encamp-
ments of one thousand men each
The time come n cao ca
Regarding the Young Mems Christ
ian association as a weak ir.sti-
tuition located in a part of the city to
deal with a fraction of the man prob
lem of the entire city. In some cases
more than 40 per cent. of the male
population between the ages of 30 to SO
are enlisted in the membership. The
influence of such an association is
therefore exerted through the MEM
bership on practically all the men of
the community
Locally, there has been no institution
which has shown better growth than
the Y NJ. G. A. The splendid new
building on Spokane street has been
finished. furnished and dedicated
Physical and educational classes have
beer organized and the association is
already having a marked influence on
the life of the young men of the city
Rooms for many young men have
been furnished and the dormitory is
|already one of the most popular lodg-
ing houses for young men in the city
with every room full and several on
the waiting list. Not only was the dor
mitory feature of last year. but plans
and arrangements for a first class res
taurant were made in 1907 dining
room is being established in the base
ment of the building, work on which
was begun last year
Taken in all, the Y. NJ. c. A. has had
La remarkable growth. its membership
lis beyond the fOndest hopes of the pro-
moters and is growing every day. The
growth was good last year. but will be
Ieven better this year