The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-13
Members Circulate Pc
tition Asking Board
to Investigate.
CLAIM METHODS
ARE OBNOXIOUS
Physical Director Reithard Re
signs to Take Up Similar Work
in Detroit-Twenty-Two En-
ployed Officers Have Quit
in Past Thirty Months.
The Petition.

k1C L CtlllOIl.
Dissatisfaction with the methods of
Samuel K. Mckee. as general secretary
OF tho Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton, has led to the general circulation
of petition among members, asking
the board of directors to investigate
conditions. which the signers believe
are seriously retarding the growth and
real work Of the institution The petit
ton has not yet reached the board.
but 1t was stated last night by w. D
Duke, president of the board. that he
had been informed that such petition
was In circulation. If signed by any
number of members or even by few
men Of standing he had no doubt that
the board would look into tho matter
thoroughly. Signers of the petition
will probably be called before the next
meeting OF tho board to state their
grievances.
Does Not Mention McKee.
The petition in circulation makes no
specific charge against Mr.. Mckee: in
fact, 1T does not mention him. 1t mere
ly asks that the board investigate tho
widespread sentiment among tho mem
hers and the public, and take such
steps as may remedy n regrettable
state of affairs.
The petition now In circulation, four
teen copies Of which are in the hands
or committees appointed by a definite
organization among the members, to
secure signatures. follows:
To the Board of Directors. Central Y.
M G. A., Richmond, Va:
Gr,A1
members of the Central Young Mems
Christian Association. of Richmond, re-
GREETING the widespread sentiment and
attitude of the membership and public
relative to the work and policy of
our Young Mems Christian Association.
and feeiing that such sentiment and
attitude has been and Is seriously re-
tarding the growth and real work that
1t should be doing; do hereby respect
fully and earnestly implore this board
of directors to investigate the situa-
ton and ascertain the cause or causes
of such conditions and take such steps
as their wisdom and discretion may
indicate to remedy this regretta bio
state of affairs. We make this plea
In all sincerity, not from any personal
animosity. but because we feel that
the best interests of the work demand
it.
u VIII Make No Statement.
MIR. Mckee said last night that the
matter was one for the board OF direc-
tors to handle, and that he had no
statement to make on the subject for
publication.
President Duke said that the board
had not as yet received tho petition
He had been informed that some such
paper was in circulation, but did not
know how generally it was signed
1T seems to me-" said Mr. Duke.
hn nf
1t makes no charges and is so worded
that 1t Is entirely probable that very
large number OF members may be in
duced to sign Ii. or course, I cannot
say what the board will do. but / pre-
sumo that ~ will ask some of the
signcrs to state their grievances or
to make suggestions. and that the
board Will consider them. AS the re-
port came to me, the object OF the pc
tition was to GUST Mr.. Mckee, but the
petition as printed does not say So
I have been told that when II became
known that it WAS a movement adverse
TO Mr.. Mckee, that some who had
signed under apprehension asked
to have their names withdrawn II
signed by any number OF members or
even by few representative members,
am sure the board will so thoroughly
into 1t and see what Is at the bottom
OF the matter"
VIII Call Directors.
The board of directors usually meets
on the third Friday of each month,
which would be on Friday night of
this week. but 1t was agreed to omit
meetings during July and August un-
less called. President Duke will prob.
ably call meeting at some convent
ent date after the petitions have been
placed In his hands.
faction at the Central Y. NJ. C. A. for
some years, largely with the methods
and policies of Mr.. Mckee, though the
secretary Is recognized even by the
opposition. as man of ability. hard
worker. man of personal Integrity,
and an excellent business manager.
His services during the campaign for
funds for the new building and in
the supervision OF Its construction won
him the hearty thanks OF the board
OF directors.
But 1t has been felt by many mem
bers for some time that the institu-
ton needs change. These men claim
that the religious work Is not making
progress, that the educational depart
ment has fallen back, that the social
atmosphere Is Geld and unattra ctive:
that constant procession OF assist
ants have left because they would not
work under Mr.. McKee's dlctatorial
mo thods: that the boys work has been
allowed to die down to work with the
favored few; that favoritism has been
shown In the renting of rooms in the
building, and that desperate efforts
have been required to keep up the
membership, Notwithstanding the mod
ern and complete equipment.
Refused Member n Room.
Criticism OF the institution broke
out sharply some time ago when Mr..
Mckee, after admitting n young man
to membership and taking his fees,
refused to allow him to rent q room
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