The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-09
Splendid Gift Gives Impetus to
Work of Raising Special
Fund to Meet Deficit in the
Building Fund.
COMMITTEE WANTS TO
RAISE FUND OF $4,000
Donation Made by Mr.. Leeds
Followed Visit He Made to
Building Yesterday Com
mittee Is ''Dee-Iighted."

Sudden impetus was given the spec
ial fund being raised to meet the $15,-
900 deficit of the Y. NJ c. A. building
fund, when Rudolph Gaar Leeds, sent
to the committee, today, check for
$500. With such an auspicious
start, the committee does not antici-
pate any trouble of serious nature in
securing the entire sum needed. The
deficit has accrued solely on the
building fund.
The special finance committee be-
is composed of the same men who
led the general building fund subscrip-
ton campaign that brought abo1t the
erection of the present magnificent
structure. The members are enthus-
iastic and expect to raise the money
within limited period. The soliciting
will be done by letter and personal
visitation. The general public will
not be appealed to, as was done in
the previous campaign. The commit
tee will hold meeting this evening.
The expirations of surprise and graft
fication of all visitors to the building
has added encouragement to the COM
mittee members and their hopes are
of the most optimistic sort.
Gift Followed Visit.
The gift of Mr.. Leeds followed his
visit to the building yesterday. He
expressed himself as highly pleased
with the building. equipment and man.
agement and to show his appreciation
of the value of such an institution to
the community has presented his
check. 1t is expected the example
of Mr.. Leeds will be emulated by
others, who although they may not
find themselves able to equal his gift
in amount will nevertheless show
their hberality
The deficit has been brought about
by the failure of number of persons
to pay up their subscriptions. The
finance committee will not endeavor
to push these persons on their pledg-
es. The majority came from factory
men or laborers and the conditions
that have existed during the past year
are recognized by the committee. The
men in charge feel there would be
none of the spirit of charity and
brotherhood such as it is hoped to in
spire by the Y. M. G. A. If they en-
deavored to obtain subscriptions for
the institution that meant a severe
sacrifice to the donors.
Would Not Take Money.
One member of the committee stat
ed today, a pretty thorough investi
cation of conditions has been made
In some instances it has been found
that the men who offered a subscrip'
tion are in stringent circumstances
The member said, I'VE could not feel
we would be doing right to take this
money. when it is needed so badly. II
would mean a child would have to con
tinue to wear thin soled shoes and suf
fer from exposure, or that the family
larder would be almost depleted. We
can not see any kindness in soliciting
these people and don't intend to de
prive them of anything by doing SO
There are enough persons of means
in the city to increase their formel
subscriptions or others, who have not
subscribed at all. who can raise the
amount of deficit without so much
as missing the money"
1t is to be understood that none oil
the income of the building such as
rentals. membership fees, ETC., is te
be used to meet the building deficit
All money secured from these sources
goes directly to the maintenance fund
At the present time there are about
600 members of the organization and
| it Is expected to increase the number
to 1000 by April /. 1t is the fondes1
hope of the committee to make the in
stitution entirely self sustaining.