The San Francisco call., 1909-10-06
RESIDENT LABORS UNDER HOT SUN
WITHMORTAR FOR GRANITE BLOCK
Nations Chief Executive Devotes First Speech in the City During
Present Tour Praising Work for Youths

when you make S5 or 80 speeches every
two weeks you are glad to sit during
three or four speeches and grasp what
ever hooks are held out to you before
1t comes your turn. But 1 was just
showed in on you. unprepared. I thank
you, and pray to God that this insti-
tuition will take a high place in the
best work of the city.
l thank also those who gave US that
refrain out there. for they had to take
everything 1 said absolutely on trust
Taft referred to the people on the
outskirts who cheered wildly whenever
he spoke. although it was impossible
for them to hear what he said
WATT INTRODUCES TAFT
In introducing the president, RoIIa V.
Watt, president of the association, said:
last ne e,,,dne ,afrernoo1 o3 OF May y, 1908, the
old building of the Young Mems
Christian association at Ellis and Ma
son streets were cremated before an
Suidins tbaxing ebat the eapaeity of the
minded, clean lived, "decent" and fore
most American citizen, Theodore
United States That same president. 'fe in
the days of our distress following the
disaster disaster OF April Is; 1906 again. be-
d.
vice to our peerless, resourceful and
much loved general secretary. H. 7
MCCOY, in his effort to secure funds for
ceeded by the help of President Roose
welt, the late Morris X Jesup. chair
man, and Cleveland H. Dodge, secre-
tary ana treasurer of our committee
is evidenced by this structure and this
occasion
It is therefore the more delightful to
US that the cornerstone of this building
Is TO be laid hV gent rxyI,0 r.
been SO closely related to and has now
succesded our friend and benefactor,
put there are other significant reasons
Why this. function as a part of San
Erancisco's welcome to our president
is appropriate. Our honored guest was
largely instrumental in establishing the
for which is now ready for dedication'
he has on numerous occasions voiced
MS indorsement of our work and is
very frequently quoted in association
literature. He is honored and loved for
his own sake and because he is at the
head of the greatest nation on earth
After he has laid the cornerstone nf
this notable building he will address
you.
Ladies and gentlemen. the president
or the United States. William H. Taft
WELCOME TO SPECTATORS
Before the president arrived, Watt
made the following address:
Ladies and Gentlemen: In the name
OF the trustees. directors and member
ship of the Young Mems Christian as
soclation / welcome you here on this
auspicious occasion.
That San Francisco is to have such a
notable building in which to house such
great work is q matter of sincere
congratulation. The names of those
nonresident friends whose generosifv
has made this plant possible are in
closed as permanent record in the
box which is to be placed in the verv
foundations and cornerstone of this
structure. The building will cost $500
600, the entire amount having been con-
tributed by friends outside of San
Francisco. The lot cost s135,o0O and
the furnishings will cost. say, $4,000.
making a total investment of 100000
now over 1900 Young Mems Christian
associations In North America, with
paid membership of men and boys ex
ceeding 100000. There are over 25Oo
secretaries and directors of depart
ments regularly employed; 81 new
buildings were opened last year
Association property in this country
is now valued at nearly $4,000. 600
More than $4,000 employed men and
boys are in our night schools and are
paying annually toward the cost of this
instruction $4,000, besides their reg
ular membership fees.
EXTENT OF GOOD WORK
over 100000 men and boys are in our
association bible classes; 5000 men at
tended summer Institutes this year.
seeking better equipment for associa
ton work: 10000 men have made orr
dormatories their homes.
Your association buildings are main