The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-10

Under the heading. "Hasty Action"
the Jewish Record prints the follow
ing, the facts as related therein hav-
ing attracted widespread comment:
rather unique situation has been
brought to our attention by the re-
fusal of the local y. NJ. c. A. to allow
Jewish young men to occupy rooms in
their new building. The fact that the
Jew seeks admission In the Christian
Association Building is so paradoxical
that our argument wcakens pcrcept-
IDLY before we offer 1t.
When the building committee of the
then prospective new Young Mems
Christian Association Building started
its campaign for funds, IL wo recall
Alright, there we're several Jews VINO
We're most energetic in securing sub
scriptions. There was no question
then as to the propriety of seeking
jewish aid. The building is now COM
plete and a number of rooms are to
be let TO young men furnishing proper
references.
In Richmond there are number
4, of Jewish young men without homes.
and some of these sought to avail
themselves of the opportunity offered
by the new building TO seek quarters
pleasant and amid agreeable surround
ings One of these young men in
particular put in his application some
weeks ago and marked on the appli-
cation the fact that he was Jew.
SIis application was favorably passed
upon. and he was informed by letter
that he could take possession of his
room on May l.
on tho last day of April however. he
was told that the board of directors
of the Y. NJ c. A. had me and had
reconsidered tie previous action taken,
and could not allow him 10 take pos
session OF the room for the reason
that they desired only young men who
could or would become members OF
the various religious societies apper-
tanning to the work of the association.
In other words because he was Jew.
The second young man. whose case
was also reported to this office. re-
ccived a letter in which practically
the same reason was given for not
acting favorably upon his request for
qua rters in the new building.
If the Y NJ. c. A. is sectarian in
stItution. established only for the pur-
pose of furthering the aims of Chris
tianity, then unquestionably 1t is
within the province of the board of
! directors OF that institution to deny
admission to any save those who sub
scribe to the Christian religion. But.
Council of the city of Richmond In
a desiHc TO becorne relieved of taxation
is a secular institution .or furthering
the morals and spiritual well-being
Of all men, then certainly the action
taken is open TO criticism. and Jews
in this city. and. in fact, in every city
in which there is Y. NJ. c. a, can
take offense from 1t. The local as
ISOLATION not only accepts as members
those of the Jewish faith. but actually
solicits membership among Jews. AS
matters now stand, a Jew may enjoy
all Of the privileges offered by the
organization: may become active in
the gymnasium department or may
be member of any of the clubs or
eanized, but is denied the right to
secure rooms in the recently completed
building. Several ministers OF the
Protestant religion have been seen by
a representative of the Record. and in
every instance these men have depre-
Gated the action taken by the authori-
ties OF the association.
1t Is not our intention to offer any
criticism of the secretary OF the as
ISOLATION in refusing explanation of
the affair. AS matter of fact, this
is not an editorial. 1t would more
properly come in our news columns,
We have purposely avoided making
any hue and cry from these facts, and
have offered this in our editorial col
umns more for the benefit, or rather
for the warming, of Jews who con-
template placing themselves in a po-
sition which may ultimately prove ems
barrassing. In all frankness, we say
that we recognize the right of the J e,
M C. A. to refuse Jews. jus. as we
recognize the right of a Young Mems
Hebrew Association refusing to domi-
Gle Gentiles. The only homogeneous
part of the affair is that the Y. NJ. c.