Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-07-24


question we could only refer to the sew
eral organizations which had been es-
tablished in Alexandria to provide
suitable places for young men. Frankly
the question is one that precipitates
problem With which religious and social
workers have long been graphing; the
problem OF providing healthful and
helpf"i recreation for the unemployed
hours Of The young men.
The desire for recreation and amuse-
ment is normal one. 1t 10 the ex-
preston OF real physical and mental
need. The problem CT providing for
this desire and need is one that con-
Germs not only the home and the
church, but the city as well; the home,
because the character OF the boy
in the home and hence the
happiness Of the home, is largely
determined by his associations. his
environment and his pleasures, dur
ing the period Of recreation; the church
and religious workers generally, be
cause they feel the responsibility OF
safeguarding the lite of the young and
giving an upward direction to charac
ter; the city, because the quality and
character OF future citizenship will re-
suit from the influences and forces OPP.
eratiye in the lives Of the boys of TO-
day.
Realizing these things we hoped that
some one in Alexandria would Offer
some suggestion which might prove 2
partial answer to the frank question Of
our correspondent
The Richmond Virginian discusse:
the Gazette's editorial at length ant
says:
1t is a fact, fraught with slgnltcan
meaning, that the average young mar
does not care for the quiet Of the home
after the lamps are Int, and will no
seek recreation in the serious ant
educative channels Of literature. More
over, there are hundreds OF young mel
in the city who have no honie-llte
They have table to eat at and bee
to sleep in, for which they render re
turn at so much per month. The av
erage boy then, after the evening mea
is over, must seek some congenia
method OF passing away the hours be
fore bedtime. Iu those few hours lle
the secret of many ruined characte
and wrecked and wretched career.
The religious people, and the phil
anthropic, of all larger cities have
united to solve this problem by TIT
establishment OF Y. M. G. A. buildings
Certain sets of Young men Of con
genial taste and spirit have organized
and maintain clubs Of one kind o
another.
"Shrewd capital employs itself in TIT
response to this universal quest 70
pleasure-and to reap protit--in the es
tablishment OF amusement resorts
some innocent enough, though not up
lifting; Others positively vicious.
1T is just at this point that we be
Ieye the city should concern itself. 4
broad craftsmanship should seek thi
prohibition OF such resorts and places
Of amusement as tend to the corrup
ton OF character and the destruction o
manhood. The city streets arr
crowded night after night witf
the city's young men These
Young men are becoming assets o.
liabilities of the city's life, 1t is culp
able carelessness or criminal indifference
to permit dens Of vice and resorts o
evil suggestion to open wide their door:
for the attraction and corruption 0
Young men. 1t does not seem to us ;
Utopian dream to believe that the city
should protect its young manhood from
this peril. On the other hand, i
appears that sane regard for the con
servation of its own citizenship woulc
impell to such laws and such enforce
ment OF them as shall give the proper
protection to youth We have some
such laws today, but they arc
not enforced. Young men arc
able to find places of vice
but the police authorities seem
to be ignorant of them or impotenl
to destroy then. The thorough ano
faithful enforcement OF law, as it car
be enforced when serious attempt i:
made, would prevent many of the
shipwrecks and many of the tragedies
that constantly bring shock and shame
to great city. >
The Virginian does not furnish any
real solution 1t suggests the closing
OF the disreputable places where boys
and men go but offers nothing to take
the place except the religious clubs
and social organizations which have
not met with much success in Alex
andria. Our columns are open to
suggestions.
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