Arizona republican., 1916-01-31
Where the People
 May Have Hearing
THE p V. M, B. A.

 and although no active membership campaign has ever been put on, Il now has over one hundred members and applications are coming in every week
 The object in view in bringing about it's organization was to appeal to the many intelligent, active young men ol this city to unite in an effort to lih- prove the welfare of Phoenix and the Salt River valley, and to afford all young men who cared to develop thelf good citizenship an avenue upon which there were no speed limits.
 The organization was meant to ap- peal to young men to whom the older civic and commercial bodies had not appealed successfully, whatever may have been the reason. It was to be preparatory school for training and encouraging young men in the art or thinking and speaking on their feet and to encourage them to not only take an interest in public welfare, but de- velop their confidence in themselves and the ability of young men to put things across" and to break down the foolish idea that man must be fifty years old or possess wealth to have any influence in community affairs.
 The Young Mems Business associa- .ion was not organized to rival, criticize l or weaken any other civic body or reputable institution. Its one great l object is to aid every worthy project | that will tend to make living in Phoe- 1 nix and Salt River valley more attract 1 i've and profitable It matters nothing ! whether the project originates within the association itself or any other civic, l elgious or educational body or with | private individual All that is neces | sarv is to show the Young Mems Bus.- ness Association that it will benefit the community and the association will | back it to the limit of live, intelligent fearless young manhood.
 1 This association will gladly assist in any membership campaign for any l other reputable civic organization in ] the city, not only to show that it is a fair minded liberal organization but | because we know there are more good 1 things to be accomplished here than any one set of men can possibly do, and we don't want to see Phoenix and l Arizona miss a thing that can be got ten and nailed down. The membership of the association feel that as long as | they live here the more good citizens that are actively enlisted to work for a greater and better city, the sooner we | will have it, and it is immaterial whether their membership is in the Y. M. E. A. or Chamber of Commerce or NJ. and NJ. or Rotary Club or what else, so long as they deliver the goods and make a better city and state.
 The Y. M. E. A. encourages it's mem bers to also become members of the older organizations so that rivalries and jealousies will be less liable to arise and fullest cooperation may be secured.
 As body the r. NJ. E. A. is not political nor under constitution and bylaws can endorse candidates How ever, since many of the better things to be sought will have to be passed upon directly or indirectly by vote of the people it will not be at all surprising to find the individual members largely voting the same ticket. This will only occur in the necessity of the individ- uals voting improvements the associa- = ton has found the city needs No par lty politics will be allowed to enter the associations work at any time.
 | The scope of work that the assoc- ation has undertaken to accomplish is only bounded by all Phoenix needs and what it will accomplish will only be limited by the best we can do.
 At present d number of important lines of activities are under way Foremost among these is municipal ownership of light system whereby the citizens may be relieved of excessive rates for lights and power and be en- abled to make greater use of cleo tricity for home comfort and business necessity. In addition to those advan- tages the association believes the City of Phoenix should reap the profits lef after such reasonable reduction i: made and thereby give US othel municipal improvements that are bad l ly needed.
 Other projects under active investi- gation and being pushed is the Ajt road, to prevent another city iron leGitimately but unkindly shoulderin: Phoenix off the tourist route; agitat ing the boundary correction accordn; to treaty stipulations, and fosterin: the germ of a main line railroad, tn, vital need of which every citizei knows.
 The Y. M. E. A has other work il view of great importance that will b' taken up in turn. membership cam paiSn is soon to be put on and ever, live, reputable, interested young mal IS urged to put in an application wheth CT personally solicited or not A mos attractive feature of the association i that a membership meeting is hel, twice a month and every member i encouraged to get up and say what h. thinks. No member misses his chanc to speak his mind and exert his in fluence unless he fails to attend tn meetings. It is a school for develop ment of leadership and good citizen ship of the highest 'ype.
 Come on in-the water is fine,
 Dr. WM. O. GILLESPIE.