Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-25
A WORTHY INSTITUTION.

The Y. M. u. A. Is duCuI W 60
community for financial assistance IN
making up it's budget for the coming
fiscal year Several thousands OF dol-
lars are needed to augment the rev
emu, fof the institution. The Y. M. y
An the country has revenues SUI,
fcient to meet its expenditures anu
those few that have endoWments SUI
ficient to keep them on nrm man
cial basis, are not doing the good WORK
that Is being done by the institutions
that are keeping in closer touch with
the people through the necessity OF
going to them for money. -,
The late T. D. Foster, himseif I'D
eral giver to the Y. M. G. A., mace an
extended investigation Of this matter
and arrived at the conclusion that the
endowed institution was really handl-
capped because of the lack OF motive
for working in its service. Those
who have to get out and hustle Tor
,,,onev are the ones that are dong the
best work. ,.
I'm to its present state Of efficiency IN
a neriod approximating' twelve years
II has become a social and athletic
center for many of the young men OF
the cjtv. Its activities extend the year
around and it is constantly growing. 1t
q ,rnishes means of healthful recrea-
4 IN with the best possible atmosphere.
ks an institution for young men-and
men not quite so young-it is most
desirable adjunct to the citys advan-
Itages.
boys-the lads between ten and six
teen, that the association feels that 1t
is doing the greatest good. These
Youngsters are at the most impression
able age, the habits they form are
ant to stay with them for life. If all
lads upon reaching the age of ten and
q half years-the Y. NJ. G. A. minimum
age of admittance-were given mem
hership cards emitting them to the
nriyileges and advantages of the Y. M
q. A.. many of the most trying social
nroblems would be solved. They
would grow up with the right kind OF
ideals. As the twig Is bent, so VIII
the tree incline.
The Ottumwa Y. M. c. A. is making
an especial effort to reach the boys.
And 1t is reaching them. Would you
believe that over one hundred and
fifty boys voluntarily attend bible
classes there weekly? Well, they DO
and they keep right on going and
bringing newcomers with them. And
hundreds of other boys of tender ages
use the Y. M. c. A., for their gather
ing place in the afternoons and even
,aGs, instead of hanging around the
chners sor questionable places.
4 NThese boys will be the men OF to-
morrow. The broad minded citizen
who expects to be here ten or twenty
fyears from now, will readily compre-
bend the Importance Of the training
that is being given the boy of today
Ottumwa will indeed be fortunate If a
great many of her boys and young
men can be kept interested in the T.
M. C. A., and the principles for which
it stands.
The need Of keeping the boys inter-
ested and adding to the enrolment, is
one of the main reasons why revenues
do not square with the expenditures
If the boys were to be charged the
actual cost Of enrolling and caring for
them, the membership fee would be
beyond the reach of many Of the most
desirable members-many Of the most
desired, as well. So, perforce, the ex-
cess must be taxed to the community
and collected in the only possible way
by public and voluntary subscrip-
ton.
II you are Interested in the welfare
of the boys, If you are interested in
the future welfare of the city, IL you
are interested in today's community
conditions, you will be making good
investment by aiding the Y. M. G. A.,
ITO provide for its budget.
y Between now and next Wednesday,
khink It over. If you are asked to
Agive, consider well before saying no.
Z II you are missed, your subs cription
will have double value II you bring 1t
in voluntarily.
II the army censors would only let