Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-09

j A movement, which may mean the
removal of the Railroad Y M. G.. A.
from its present building IN South
Third avenue to the UPTOWN business
els let. and the erection % n.w
building, was started at special
meeting of the board Of directors held
Thursday night. when a special COM
mittee recommended the opening of an
uptown branch.
The report of the committee, which
was appointed to investigate and adj
wise the board of the feasibility Of
such plan several weeks ago, was
carried over to the next meeting with
Out formal action being taken
Board Members Are Favorable.
Attic no action will be taken for at
least a month, the sentiment ex-
pressed by board members last night
was all in favor of the plan, the idea
of which originated with General Sec
rotary Henry E. Wilson. The plan.
if 1t carries. End it is likely that 1T
will, is the f"rerl nner Of the removal
o. the association from the depot as.
trict to uptown and changing it's name
from railroad to city association.
In fact the hope of carrying out
this larger plan for the removal at
some time in the future is the force
which in a measure has put forward
the scheme for the opening of an up
town branch
To Compete With Loafing Places.
The principal reason why it is de-
sired to establish an uptown branch,
is that the Y. M. C. A. may get into
close and direct competition with the
saloon, the billiard halls, and the cigar
stores where so many young men loaf.
Because Of Its location General Sec
rotary Henry e. Wilson and those ac-
lively engaged in the work. recognize
that the association Is not touching
the class of young men that it should,
ard that for that reason its work is
rot showing the results that are de-
sired, and which 1t is believed are DOS.
sible. This is principally because the
association Is so far removed from
Tie centers where young men conere-
gate.
Branch Would Be loafing Place.
In order to make it competitor 81
the other places which attract young
men, the plan for the branch, as far as
is has developed, is to make the branch
as attractive as possible. It conten-
plates the opening of quarters which
would occupy an entire two story
building, and perhaps the basement.
The equipment would be billiard and
pool tables. a reading and loung!ns
room, musical instruments such as a
piano and graphophones and perhaps a
bowling alley and baths. The whole
plan tends to furnish recreatiye sports
and amusements for young men, thru
the means of which the association cal
come in touch with them and inf1u-
ence them spiritually.
Have Two or Three Locations,
The special committee which inyesti-
gated has two or three locations in
view, but no arrangements have We.
been made to close negotiations for any
of them
1t is believed that such a branch as
Is contemplated would be a great
feeder for the association, and that il
would be the first step that would
make easier the succeeding one for the
bringing Of the entire association ur
into the business district.
In addition to it's location the re.
moval Of the association uptown is de.
sired because it is in reality a railroad
association no longer According tt
: the books of the association not more
than 20 per cent of its membership, an6
a similar percentage of its support
comes from railroad circles. The othe,
so per cent is represented by those MOI
employed by or directly interested ir
railroad work
Wilson's Staying Depends on Move.
Whether or not General Secretar,
Henry E. Wilson remains with the as.
ISOLATION depends largely on whether q,
not an uptown branch is opened. Mr.
Wilson so informed the board last
night stating 1t merely as one of the
conditions under which he desired IL
remain.
He feels that the association. while
1t has acquired large membership an6
is furnishing physical training, sports
and amusements, baths and roomine
quarters for many men, is not after all
reaching as many men spiritually as i,
should, which is held to be the rea
work of the association after ALL ane
the thing most to be desired above rl
Of the Others