The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-16
HIGH CHARGE MADE
TO PAY OFF DEBT
Y. NJ. c. A. Officials Give Out
Financial Statement Explain
ing Rent Rates.
MAY AFFECT TAX QUESTION
State Now Seeking Revenue
From Institutions Operated
at Profit.

Just what effect the announcement
that the dormitories of the Central
Young Mems Christian Association are
operated at a profit Of $1,000 a year
viii have on the pending court pro-
cedure in reference TO the taxation of
the property cannot be stated at this
Time The committee of members un-
favorable to the methods Of General
Secretary S X Mckee is quietly at
work circulating petitions. and has al
ready secured a number of signatures
TO paper asking the board Of direc-
tors to investigate conditions. The
petitioners charge that every depart
ment OF the Y. NJ. c. a work. save the
athletic department, has declined. The
success OF that department, 1T is said.
has been due partly to superior equip
ment. and partly to the popularity of
PHYSICAL Director ". Y. Reithard, who
fas resigned, and will soon move to
Detroit. Business Secretary Herbert
Eldridge, who has made himself popu-
lar with the men living in the building.
has also resigned. and will shortly move
elsewhere.
Debt OF $4,000.
Ofhcers OF the institution gave out
the statement yesterday in defense OF
Secretary Mckee that the institution
had floating debt OF $4,000 and that
the high charges for dormtories and
increased fees in other departments
were intended as far as possible to re-
duce the total debt. The lot on which
the new building stands cost s4o.750.
The building, exclusive OF furnishings
cost sl?7.277.o2. Equipment and furni-
ture cost s3l,345.6l. The new building
campaign In 1907 raised in cash and
pledges approximately se25.0OO. With
q few exceptions ali of the pledges
have been paid.
The annual income from all sources
last year was s3e,326.34 which was
made up as follows: mems member
ships. sl5,299.5s, boys memberships.
Sl,53ll0, rent OF ninety-two rooms
s14,o3s24; educational. locker and
other fees. s3.7S2.42; contributions,
sl,67+. In the old building there were
no dormitories, and in lieu OF that in
come it was necessary TO secure n con-
siderable amount each year in sub
scr!ptions from those ~ho were willing
to aid the work. in order to pay the
salaries of tho executive staff and keep
up with the running expenses.
Tax Contest Pending.
About a year ago the state Auditor
of Public Accounts began a movement
to have assessed for taxation all such
institutions as We're productive of rev
cnue. Al that time not only were the
dormitories being operated at con
siderable profit. but space on the main
floor was being rented TO a colored man
who maintained a restaurant, and space
IN the basement was rented to another
man. who conducted barber shop.
When the tax question was raised the
restaurant was closed.
After conference OF y. NJ. c. A. men,
IL was decided TO make test case OF
the tax question in LynchburG. The
association is said to be quite popular
there, and undertakes n large special
and religious work. The case was tried
and in the lower court il was decided
that the Y. NJ G.. y. was religious and
philanthropic institution, and as such
was not subject to taxation. An ap
peal was taken BY the State. and Is
now pending before the Supreme Court
The Richmond case was allowed to
await the outcome or the test in Lynch
burg, the law points being the same
Whether the fact that three floors of
the Richmond building are operated en-
tirely for dormitory purposes at a con-
siderable profit Will cause the Rich
mond case TO be made a separate pro-
ceeding cannot be stated at this time