Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-31
BY l. H. MARTIN.
General Secretary.

. 1 A@NAf NANAht ana teachers. Sc
cured pledges from 5000 people
amounting to sl27.2s4 for the pur.
posi OF building and equipping a mod
ern Y. NJ. C. A
Beginning with a preliminary meet
ing held Aug. 20. 1911, at the Rock
Island club rooms in the Harper house
this project for a new Y. NJ. c. A.
building was carried forward with
Vigor until its final elimination in the
above campaign. The subscriptions
towering this amount vary in size
from 81 to $4,000. For city of this
size this campaign was a record break
er, and coming. too. at a time when
the city was under martial law. speaks
well for the interest of the citizens in
her men and boys.
Rock Island ranks high in the value
she places upon her young men and
boys. Therefore this report of the
/ first years work In the new building
will be read with unusual interest.
Doubtless you may have asked the
/ question what 4s the Y VI. c. A. do
ing. what is the cost for establishing
and maintaining such an institution.
and what are the results accomplish
ed? Where has all the money gone
which the citizens OF Rock Island put
into this work? Do the results Justify
the expenditures?
Only those who visit the building
frequently and who are In close touch
with all fits departments can appre-
ciate the gigantic proportions of this
institution in all fits phases of work or
the influence for good II reflects upon
the community at large.
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton is not civic institution in the
sense that its support comes from
municipal or national taxation. But
il is a civic body IN that II Is accom-
plishing a civic duty and fulfilling a
civic need. L is as necessary in its
field OF endeavor as the public school
and the state university. because its
mission Is identical with theirs-the
betterment of American citizenship
II is educating the boys to be strong
in brain, strong in body and strong in
soul; II is giving them culture in its
educational classes, thew. sinew and
good red blood in its gymnasium. NOR
ality in lis ethical courses. II is help
ing them not only TO be brighter men.
but also to be better men and might
Ter men. II has grown to be a power
full factor in city life. because the rea-
son for its existence is powerful.
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton stands for the cultivation of true
manhood. and II sendeavors by every
means TO bring men and boys TO the
highest physical. intellectual and NOR !
al development.
In addition to it's duty to those en- |
rolled in IL membership the associa- |
ton believes that IL also has an obliga- /
ton as civic Institution to serve the I
men At large by all means that lie in I.
its power. Its work is primarily ana /
distinctively for men and boys. anG /
any self-respecting man or boy may .
become a member OF the Y NJ. c. A !
without regard TO religious belief. |
Church membership is not necessary.
Apartments for Men.
That portion of the building with .
which the public is least acquainted /
is the apartments where a home is /
provided for young men away from
home. IN this department provision
is made for housing Of men, and right
now every bed is in use. Therefore
it will be necessary to finish of the
upper floor Of the building at the ear
liest possible date. that young men
who desire a modern room At a reason
able price may be Accommodated.
These rooms are all outside rooms,
and TO young men coming to Rock Is
land seeking a home no more conven-
lent and no more delightful rooms can
be secured. Hot and cold water day
and night. shower baths, steam heat.
electric lights. telephone on each
floor. and adequate fire protection
leave nothing to be desired that would
add TO comfort.
Only members OF the association
are entitled 10 use these apartments.
but special arrangements can be made
for short term membership for those
who desire to rent a room in the build
ing. and no better surroundings could
be selected by young men who are
70 live away from home.
Cafeteria Social Factor.
The association cafeteria has not
only demonstrated it's usefulness, but
IL has also proven TO be a strong so
cial factor. An average of approx
mately two4hundred people a day are
served by this department. The plan
OF self-seryice has won many friends
and clearly demonstrated that il is
a great time saver as well as giving
the patrons the privilege of "a look be- ;
fore you eat" In addition to the
meals served in the cafe proper spe-
ciaI banquets and lunches are served
in the banquet hall on the second !
floor. The arrangement of the space {
On this floor makes IL possible TO serve
parties numbering from 10 TO 100, {
through the use or movable parti. {
ions. I
One feature OF the cafeteria which {
has won many friends is the guaran- I
zee given by the management that no !
'ood taken from the dining room is I
ever used again.
nrnnarah the following SUMMARY of Z