The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-04-15
The Former President censures the Y
M. c. A. for Its Anti-CathoIic Re-
strictions-Condemn Its Stand
as "Unwise and Ungenerous,"
unjust and Unfair"

as "Unwise and Ungenerous,"
"Uniust and Unfair"
Through the efforts of "The Moni-
tor" of San Francisco, ex-President
Roosevelt has been brought to reali-
zation of the sectarian character of
the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion. Some time ago he wrote let
ter to State Senator Smith of Nevada
in which he applauded Senator P. l..
Flanagan of Reno, a Catholic, for his
assistance in helping the Young Mems
Christian Association. "The Monitor"
called his attention to the fact that
no Catholic could hold Office in the
Association and that the Y. M. G. A.
deliberately falsified it's real attitude
towards Catholics in order to get
financial aid in erecting it's buildings.
The paper containing this article was
sent to Mr. Roosevelt and in response
he sent copy of letter which he
had written to one of the leaders of
the Y. M. c.. A. in New York. This
letter was a vigorous protest against
the action of the Association in ruling
Catholics out of it's executive board.
In order to show the force of this
protest on the part of Mr.. Roosevelt
we append the letter.
Mr.. RooseveIt's Letter.
"The longer I have lived the more
thoroughly I have become convinced
of the admirable type of work done by
the Y. M c. A. I feel that not only
should it appeal to Christians of all
denominations, but to men who are
not processing Christians. You doubt
less remember how, when. I was Po-
lice Commissioner, I obtained through
you very valuable recruit to the po-
lice force in the person Of young
jew, who was affiliated with the. Bow
cry Branch of the Y. M. C. A. II
seems to me both unwise and ungen.
erous to bar Catholics from admission
to directorships on Y. M. c. A. boards.
did not know that such was the GUS
tom, but am now informed that it is.
feel that it is of the utmost import
ance to this country that our people
who are straight and decent shall as.
sociate together as much as possible
without regard to theological differ
Y. NJ G.. AS I know that no Catholic
is denied any privilege therein ac-
corded to any Protestant, and that no
man has any species of religion thrust
upon him, but is simply given the op-
portunity to get it if he wishes.
elimination as that mentioned should
be continued. 1t cannot serve any USE
full purpose, and it does cause irrita-
tion Wherever a Catholic priest or
layman is in hearty sympathy, as
know many Catholic priests and lay
men are, with the purposes and work
of the Y. M. G. A, believe that they
should be admitted to directorships
and to every other position of influence
just as freely as Protestants. I wish
this could be brought before the prop
er governing board of the Y. M. G. A.,
and I shall be glad to have you for
ward this letter to whoever is the
proper person to see it"
Our vigorous ex-President, however,
does not stop here. In the course of
his Western trip he arrived at Reno,
Nevada, the home of Mr.. Flanagan
whose action he had applauded, and in
his speech delivered on April 3, he
paid his respects to the Y. M. C. A.
in no uncertain tones. He severely
criticized the Association for its con-
stitutional opposition to Catholics and
spared no words in pointing out the
injustice of it's attitude in that mat
ter Commenting on that portion of
his address the Nevada State Journal
said: Probably no words spoken by
former President Theodore Roosevelt
in his speech in this city will be more
generally discussed than this in re.
gard to Catholics holding office in the
Young Mems Christian Association.
We subioin the portion of Mr.. Roose.
velt's address dealing with the Young
Mems Christian Association.
Extract from Mr.. RooSevettS ADDRESS,
There is another subject relating to
good citizenship as to which | want to
congratulate you. and then say word
| of exhortation, not primarily to you
but to all of us, to the people of tbs
nation. I am mighty glad to see the
Y. M. G. A. building. We cannot af
ford to let our young men grow uI
free from the influences which tend
for sound and decent living, for de
cent citizenship; and If you do moi
give the young man the right kind o1
place he will go to the wrong kind Oi
place, for he has got to have some
place to 60 to. You have got to give
the young man chance.
/ Il have been an eyewitness, SO thai
can bear testimony myself, to the
wide good done by the Y M c. A
lDeODle down in Panama in connection