The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-11-18

after the work had been demonstrated
When this equipment was ready for
use, trained secretaries from the
Youns Mems Christian associations of
the states were taken to the canal zone
and there placed on the government
payroll To these later were added as
sistants who were capable also Of con-
Quoting gymna site and athletic work,
until finally the corps of association
workers there numbered fifteen.
Thus. ia this instance" continued
Mr.. Minear, the Young Mems Chris
tian association has become practically
subsidized by the government The
government provides the buildings and
equipment pays all salaries, furnishes
an light, water and repairs. CUES
tions Of policy and methods of work
are left entirely 20 the associa ton. The
association also forms division of the
canal organization and the reports of
the general secretary are published by
the secretary of war.
The activities are similar to those
that characterize the aggressive. sue
cessful associations elsewhere with
the additional distinction that instead
/ of the summer abatement of activities
the interest and patronage are kept up
Z, high tide the year round in spite of
the continuous summer weather The
organizations are predominantly social.
being democratic club Of all classes OF
American men. Their attractive lob
bies are the centers for all social life
ia the respective communities. FAINT
lies Of American employees are admit
ted TO the Hobbies at all times and 9TH
er features of the buildings are grant
/ cd women on certain days
/
tains are alawys open to the public and
| good music is an accompanying fea-
/ ture OF this department. Refreshments
+ are served at cost, but the gross re-
I ceipts frequently run over $4,000 a
month. This one feature reduced the
/ receipts of saloons with American pat
ronage more than so per cent
Entertainments of the most varied
type are given frequently, each asso-
citation building having an average of
three or four entertainments each
week and not infrequently the hall is
in use every night. High grade 1yce-
um and vaudeville companies are
brought down from the states and no
| admittance charge Is made. In addi-
/ ton however. there is great deal Of
talent among canal employees and home
talent clubs of dramatic. minstrel.
musical and vaudeville natures are
very busy.
Association club houses are also
centers for festivities during Christ
| mas and other holidays. Real Christ
! mas trees. are imported from the states
| for the American children who must
| have their tender legends preserved.
An abundance of gifts for them is sup
piled by real Santa Claus. who. be-
meath his robes and wniskers. Is swell
tering just as he would in the states
with the same dress on the Fourth of
July"
unique feature of the work there
is the success of the gymnastic and
athletic activities. When the buildings
: were planned, government officials
told Mr.. Minear You can never make
any physical activities a success here
But with limited equipment it was
demonstrated that the men who took
exercise Were the ones who preserved
the best health. and there was at once
a graf demand for calisthenics indoor
baseball, basket ball. volley ball, bowl
ing and other games, in addition tc
regular outdoor athletics.
More surprising still" said Mr.. Mi
near has been the demonstration Of
| educational work where the tendency i;
, for the least possible mental exertion
Courses have repeatedly been carried
i on successfully in seven eight
branches of study. ranging from me
chanical drawing TO wireless telegra-
ply. The most popular course, how
f ever has been Spanish. Debates anc
t public discussions are another sue
cessful feature Of educational work
t Each association has library of from
600 TO 1000 books. Every readine
: room is furnished with a hundred o
the best weekly and monthly period
e Gals and newspapers
Religious activities are no less &C
( tive than the others. for there is moth
r ing offensive in our services to am
e creed Bible classes have fourishee
/ / and special religious meetings for mel