The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-18

At the annual meeting of the Y. NJ
c. A. last evening President Sharon E.
Jones OF the Association made a most
interesting report on .Richmond's Best
Investment" 1t is as follows:
Report of President.
Three years have passed since the
Richmond Young Mems Christian as
ISOLATION incorporated. two years since
the corner stone of our building was
laid, and one year ago last January,
the building completed Sixteen
months of association work have been
done and with most gratifying results
in nearly all of the departments. Like
all new enterprises it has gone through
the stages of excitement and enthus-
iasm and is now settled down to bust
ness. The newness has worn off for
those who live in and for excitement
continually, and these are not avail
ing themselves OF the privileges of the
association. today, but are seeking for
enjoyment in the usual way offered by
competitors of the Young Mems Chris
tian association. and the competition
is keener than ever in our city Amuse-
ments of all kinds and in places of all
kinds have been opened up and are
enticing many of our young men.
Membership Of 500
In spite of this the Young Mems
Christian association has a member
ship of over $50 in good standing: by
this I mean that they have paid their
dues for 1911 and are making use of
the association privileges. The re-
ports of our secretaries will show the
following which to the unobserving
seem almost incredible
In 40 dormitory rooms over 60 men
make their homes. These living quar-
tiers have become SO popular that there
is now a waiting list and it is safe to
say that had we 100 rooms they would
all be filled. This is due to the fact
that these quarters are homelike, clean
sanitary. convenient, CHEEKY. looked af-
ter daily by competent, painstaking.
mOtherly matron and assistants. This
department furnishes a profit to the
association. During the past year
lodging accommodations have been
given to 1000 transients. This is done
by crowding several into a room, US
ing cots, etc.
Spa the Popular Place
The Spa too. has always been and is
today the most popular place in Rich
mond among men and boys to get din
ners and luncheon. Since it's open
ing $1,000 times has some one been
served with food. The popularity of
this department is due to the cleanli-
ness and cheerfulness of the quarters,
the wholesomeness of the food, which
of course is due to the skill of the
cooks. and here too cramped quarters
only prevent doubling or TRIPPING the
patronage. This department also fur
nishes a profit to the association.
The social and game rooms have
been reasonably we'll patronized, but
not as literally as it should. although
the quarters and furnishings are of
the best and complete. This depart
ment has not been appreciated, and
believe this is due largely to the CON-
petition Of other things going on in
our city, and our failure to organize
committees composed of men who
would be willing to spend time and eff
fort in popularizing this feature of as
ISOLATION work. And yet 10000 games
have been played at one or the other
various kinds
Physical culture is popular feature
Of the association and is likely to al
ways be SO as long as it is in the hands
Of SO competent director as Mr. Hor-
ton. It is not confined to gymnasium
exercises, but embraces athletics and
field sports, and is an all-year-around
work. Enlargement of plans already
made as noted in the physical direct
or's report. This department insures
the association of growing popularity
and patronage because of the direct
benefits derived by everyone who en-
braces it's privileges. Four hundred
and eighty one men and boys enrolled
in the classes and classes conducted
700 times means stronger and healthier
bodies, and it may be the dispelling OF
disease and longer and more useful
lives to some. This department and
the new swimmin' hole" and the
shower baths have great hyEienic val
lie. The directors report shows that
about 10000 persons were in attend
ance in use of all the physical privi-
leges.
Educational Department.
The educational department: Here