The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-17
WARD TELLS WHAT
 '. M. [. 4. IS DOING Many Association Buildings Yield Handsome Revenues DORMITORIES A FEATURE institution Strives Not Only for Physi- cal and Mental Improvement, But
 Vigorously Maintains It's Re-
 igous Atmosphere.
DORMITORIES A FEATURE

Reference was made to the Y. M. c. A. 5000 building campaign in several of the churches yesterday by the pastors, who took occasion to commend the movement to all church-going people, and to urge liberal support of the campaign. num- Der of visiting association secretaries spoke briefly at some of the churches to explain the nature of the work of the or ganization. International Secretary c. s. Ward, who addressed several gatherings, spoke of the great advance made by the association in recent years. Excerpts from his addresses are as follows:
 'The Y. M. c. A. provides for young men away from home a place for their spare time with the best surroundings, and in addition to its many attractions provides pleasant and well furnished of the rooms are arranged so that two men share the expense The rule is that limited membership is required in this or some other association and carries with it full privileges of the association as long as room is occupied.
 'These dorn,itories provide a revenue to assist the secretaries in maintaining the plant at the lowest possible cost Re- ferring to the advantage of having them. apart from their attraction as an inviting place for young men away from home, l General Secretary Messer of the Chicago association, has this to sayi
 Tn raising the $, ,0oO,00o fund for Chi- cago, s835,OO of which has now been pledged, our trustees and citizens com mittee of 1G0 have decided that the safest and most remunerative form of invest ment for our endowment fund is in these dormitory buildings. Three years ago we placed 40 rooms in one of our southside buildings, which have proved to be a good investment. A year and half ago we completed a building at a cost of $45, 900 in connection with our westside property, with 90 dormitories. The west
 side department, which manages the building, derives large financial return from the membership dues, as all men renting rooms must first join the asso- citation. and in addition the department is given 10 per cent of the gross revenue for
  then deducting all operating expenses. | such at heat light, janitor work, depre-
 citation of furniture, etc., the building has paid, leaving something substantial for
 the general work of the city.
 1 "sThis showing has been so satisfac- | tory that we are just now finishing new
 dormitory building in connection with our | | rooms, erected at cost of s90,OOo. On the | northwest side we are just breaking ground for a building to cost, with land. ssO0,0Oo, which will have f1rst-class as-
 sociation equipment. plus 24o sleeping l rooms.'
 Manners, education. refinement, strong | muscles and mere mortals cannot com plete the making of a man in the best 1 sense The element of personal religion 1 is necessary to bring men to their high
 est development and largest possible use- funess to themselves and others. The as- | sociation recognizes that fact, and makes
 due provision, for it is distinctly @ re- ligious organization. All its present
 growth and strength sprung from the re- liglous atmosphere in which the associa- ton was born. It has continuously main l tained It's efficiency and aggressiveness 1 as religious organization for men, Bible l classes and religious services for men | being important features of its work. l While the association stands ready to
 help the worthy man who has fallen on l lifes pathway, it's chief endeavor is a work of prevention, believing that it Is better to form than to reform character.
 Many men. through the various activities I of the association, have been given a new hope and a larger vision in life. They have also, through the aid of the asso- l cIation, discovered their own possibili- ties, and today hold responsible business | and professional positions all over our country, many exerting important, whole some influences in both city and state af- 1 fairs. as well as in the churches, with which so many of them are now identi- fled. Not a few have dedicated their lives to the service of God and their fel- low-men, and are now engaged in va rious forms of religious and philanthropic service"