The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-04-27
Help Support Pensacola's
Great Manufacturing Plant

of the Rotary Club on Tuesday, when it
was decided to join in the campaign for
funds for the organization.
Pensacola during the past few years has
taken some important steps in the devel
opment of industries, none of which in any
way measure up to the Importance of the
work of the Y NJ c. A, the principal in
dustry of which is raising boys. The fact
that this great industry is in very large
measure self-supporting should be mat
ter of interest to the citizens of Pensacola,
but that is by no means of the highest i'm
portance in summing up the value OF the
Y NJ c. A. to the community.
The value of such an organization can
not possibly be measured IN dollars and
cents. 1t cannot be measured IN the rec
reation it brings into the lives of the mem
bers, nor in the physical development which
it in great measure insures. Nor even IN
the character which it is laxgely instrument
tai in developing. But all of these must be
taken into consideration, and be added to-
gether to make the sum total
There is no influence, except that of the
good home, which compares in it's influence
for character building to the Y NJ. c. A.
Here the boy finds in the years of his ado
1escence. when his mind and his character
are in the formative stage the wholesome
surroundings which he can find nowhere
else. He comes in contact with other boys
in the gymnasium, the study hall, the cam
pus and the social hour, IN the best posi-
bic way He is under the direction of older
men, whose care of him amounts to less
than espionage, and more than comrade-
ship. These older men have been chosen
because of their fitness for their duties.
| They are men who understand boys, who
believe in boys, who know boys. And they
give to these boys the best of their effort
and their interest.
In speaking of the Y. NJ. c. "A. before
the Rotary Gu, w. B. Ferriss referred to
it as Pensacola's most important manufac-
turing plant, in that it turns out manhood
as the finished product
This simile was we'll chosen, and the
analogy may be carried farther and it may
be suggested that no manufacturing plant
may be properly operated without funds
for its working plans
The money that is put into any industry
is considered well expended, provided it
brings good dividends. Otherwise it is a
loss to those who promote it. The money
that is put into the Y M. C. A. brings re-
turns which are high from a commercial
standpoint as well as from moral stand
point.
The boys who come within its influence
are the future men of the city-the coming
Rotarians, the coming business men, and
professional men, of Pensacola That these
men should have foundation of physical
manhood, of good morals Of we'll poised
character is of the utmost Importance to
the future of the city.
The members of the Rotary club find it
helpful in their various lines of business to
meet together for the exchange of ideas, to
form friendships and to confer on business,
and through contact in business and social
ways, to learn to estimate men and meas
ures
Just so, through the contact at the Y. M.
c. A, the boys of the community meet and
form character. Boys who are debarred
from college life or are too young for the
business world, find here in the large num-
Der of other boys with whom they meet in
classes and gymnasium, community of in
terest, that makes for their growth.
Boys are by nature gregarious creatures.
They seek companionship of their kind II
they do not find it under the right infl1-
ences they will inevitably look for it under
the wrong conditions. They want directed
work and directed play, but they do not
want work or play that is too closely CEN
sored. At the Y. NJ c. A they are accord
ed freedom which is safeguarded.
Pensacola is proud of its Y NJ C. A. 1t