Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-09
TWO KINDS OFF LOAFERS.
CnSago NawST


ton:
Passing down the street the other
night we heard a distinguished gentle-
man remark that it was pity the way
the young gentlemen of the town loafed
around the streets. We surely DO SYM
pathize with that gentleman. because
ne probably has 500 or 500 acres OF
land in Mitchell county besides several
hundred acres of Dakota land. and IL
he was called upon to give few dol
lars for Y. NJ C. A. he would prob
ably say that times were hard.
AS matter of fact. it is utter in
Justice for a grown man 10 condemn a
bunch of young fellows because they
gather IN pool halls and candy Kitchens
of an evening, unless those men oifer
them a better place to go. The men
have their loafing places. 1t may be
in some other mans office, in a cigar
store, or in business mems club room.
There is hardly a man in town with
any leisure time at all who does not
have some place TO meet with other
men to visit and discuss matters OF
common interest. Why should not a
boy enjoy the same privilege?
We are not encouraging boys to hang
about pool halls and other places OF
questionable influence. 1t Is bad for
the boy and bad for the town that per-
mits IL But. before we can drive the
boy out we must find some place for
him to go. That Is only common JUS
tice.
Usage needs some such an institution
as y NJ c. A.. For town of this
size a special building with paid sec
rotary is a big proposition. but there
are plenty OF substitutes that would
serve the purpose.
We have six fine church buildings
here. Any one of them could be adapted
for the use OF big boys club. in which
any boy could obtain membership. The
salary OF any minister in town would
engage a competent secretary. who
could superintend the play Of the boys,
plan various activities for them, and
ac: as their friend and counsellor. The
very boys whom the churches never
reach would become interested and a
vast amount of good could result.
why not take a progressive step and
make some such provision for the
bovs? why not recognize the condi-
ton that boys are of social nature.
jus, as their fathers are. and turn the
condition to good account instead OF
evil? You can scold the boys until
your voice is worn TO a whisper: you
can close every pool hall, cigar store.
barber shop and candy kitchen In town.
bu, you will not prevent young people
from gathering and having good time.
You will only drive them TO other
places Wouldn't 1t be plain good
sense to drive them into such a place
as we have suggested?
There is a sentiment constantly
gaining sympathizers that the church
is losing ground as a factor for good.
The lack Of extensive work on the part
Of the church is the reason for this
feeling. II the six Churches of Osage
would forget small matters of creed
and devote their common efforts to-
ward training the boys and girls OF
Usage along lines or right living and
self help, the cause of Christ would be
infinitely advanced and the problem OF
the boy loafer would disappear.
All Of this is a thought for you. Mr.
or Mrs.. Citizen OF Usage. Whether you
| have boys or not. 1t Is your duty as
member OF this community TO agitate
and encourage some adequate substi'
tute for Che places that you condemn.
! As for the distinguished gentleman
! we have not been told his name. bu
we can easily identify him in dozeI
| individuals who spend the greater par
of the time loafing about Main stree
and condemninx the boys for doing thu
same thing. II these appointed
, censors Of all mankind VIII show thei
good faith by advancing some OF thei
dollars. which the growth OF the com
munity has brought to them. for thu
betterment Of the boys, wen listen t
| their story.