El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-13
HOME IS NEEDED
FOR MEXICAN Y
Association Has 1908 Mem
bers and Room For Less
Than 200; 4 Showers.

With a membership OF 1908 and ac-
commOdatiOns for 200. the Mexican Y.
NJ c. A. in its cramped quarters at the
Lydia Patterson institute. is having a
struggle for existence. I'VE could have
an active membership of 500 out Of
1000" said J. L. EscObar, the secretary,
IF We only had the space"
Under the present conditions, and
they are excellent enough as to equip
ment and neatness, the reading room
will not provide for more than % com
1ortably. There should be a room at
least large enough to care for so.
Need Assembly Room.
The auditorium Of the Lydia Patter-
son institute is used for special gather
ings of the "Y'' but an assembly room.
where 200 men and boys might gather.
IS a real need; as are also two rooms
Tor the Bible classes. AT present the
school rooms of the institute are be-
ing used for the Bible classes and as
these are needed frequently by the in
stitute for its regular work. the ~"
classes suffer in consequence.
Another great need is a large room
where at least 80 boys might be en-
tertained whOlesomely at a time. There
is no such room for the youngsters at
present The gymnasium now in use
Is approximately 25 by 40 feet. when a
room 90 by IS feet is the least that
can accommodate the large classes.
The shower room has four showers.
The young men have the use of 40
lockers. This room is small and as
many as 20 young men have stood watt
ing at time for the use Of the show
ers; and many have gone away be-
cause of the inadequate Accommodations.
Secretary Escobar says he would like
very much to have a swimming pool
for his members. He thinks a pool OF
about p by 40 feet would fill the bill
He is also interested in larger quarters
for his Bible class. IF we do not de-
velop this work." he said, then the in
stitution will stagnate."
Four Lots Convenient.
Adjoining the Lydia Patterson insti-
tute are four lots owned by that home.
Rev. Laurence Reynolds, the superin-
tendent. has intimated that. if these
lots are needed for the Mexican 'Y"
work or for the erection Of a temporary
building. that il might be done so sat
isfactory to the trustees of the insti-
tute.
On these lots a temporary structure
might be erected with a swimming pool.
which at a later day might be utilized
by the Patterson institute, after the
~" had secured a permanent home
OF its own. How much such an under
taking would cost is prOblematic. Ger
tainly $4,000 would so a long way if a
pavilion type Of building and OF frame
material is contemplated
show What Mexican Men Are.
Mr.. EscObar is assisted by p. r We
lascO, a student at the Lydia Patterson
institute. He spends al of his DAYS
and part of his nights at the iustitu-
ton. MY ideal" the secretary said !
''is to give the Mexican young men of
FL PasO an opportunity to do good and
to give the world a better impression I
Of what they are capable of doing and |
being.
''And assure you that they are high- !
~ responsive to the opportunity to eX-
press themselves in the association I
work We have in FL Paso young men
from all parts of Mexico. and /
among these are representatives OF I
the best families of the republic They
are the hope Of the Mexican people. |
because they have not taken part i'm /
any OF the wars and because they have /
learned many broadening and truly
democratic things in the United States.
hat they may give to the republic.
Y. NJ. c. AS In Mexico.
ut is the wish Of John r. Mott. gem !
,ral secretary of the international COM
nittee to establish Y. NJ. C. As an I
through Mexico when peace is restored |
N the republic and IL we reach All /
.hese young men refugees now, thew
will be our greatest agents in spread
ng the Y. NJ. c. A. and otherwise usinr
heir good influence in the reconstruc-
ion OF Mexico.
Prevented Race Trouble.
'The last two months" said Mr. Is
.obar. "has offered great opportunities Z
or the uplifting Of the Mexican Young
men OF El PasO. During the last few
laws OF the membership contest. when !
ace prejudice was being expressed in
utter terms, our young men had n I
Meeting and we decided TO work per-
onally among our Mexican friends to |
.eep quiet and composed. Our young
men all agreed to do this and they ex-
.rted great influence in the Mexican