Norwich bulletin., 1917-05-19

 of mental powers-will suffice to sat- isfy men and permit them to live in peace with each other unless there IS enveloptng and controlling their whole achievement spiritual eftlucncc which comes from Him alone. E. We hear of a new and strange 5plr- 1t which is surging through France, En gland and Canada never before. We shall soon experience it. and the Y. NJ. c. A. will be most effective in- strument to conserving that spirit and making it constructive force in the life of the nation.
 It is the dynamic power of the work of the Y. NJ. c. A. and the complete conservation of the splendid men that now are found in its>directors and sec retaries that have changed me from a scarcely willing contributor to a zealous advocate and supporter of it's activities-local, national and intcrna- tional-I- especially admire its in- fluence for democracy in social rela- tions-continualIy emphasized in it's recreationa1 educational and religious work. s
 Next to The Church.
 The Y. M. C. A. stands next to the church as the upholtNr and developer of the best features in the physical, moral and spiritual life of our young men, and it's work richly merits the best equipment that may be had that it may not be hampered in it's con tinuously expanding opportunities of rich service t the community. During the next two years it is called upon both locally and in the camps of our armies and abroad in the prison pens of Europe to do a body and soul saV ing work which can be done by no other agency, the benefits of which cannot be mea asured.
 Go forth then with full conviction that the need is impera tive and vital to the spiritual life of Norwich. and you will not go in vain.
 Ths Local Y. M, c. As Needs.
 Mayor Allyn L. Brown who was in- troduced as the next speaker. gave brief, but comprehensive history of the local Y. M. c. A. and also touched on the reasons for the launching of the campaign at this particular time.
 The local Y. M. c. A. was organiz- ed in 1885. The association was head cd by Waterman R. Burnham as pres ident. The work was carried on in the Stead building. The physical work was carried on in what is known as the White building on Main street. The membership included such men as. Bin, William Blackstone. Col. Charles w. Gale and many others equally as well known.
 The present building was construct ed in the years 1895 and 1896. For sew eral years the work was considerably restrained by lack of financial support Since 1905 there has not been a single year when the Association has closed with a deficit, Tn 1909 the whirl wind campaign for the raising of the budget was adopted. The member. ship has been increased. from two or three hundred to oyer $50. the present figure,
 Present Building Inadequate.
 While the present building is fairly good to look upon 1t is only a shell and nf Gf for Y. M. C. A. buildings haze chang ed in twenty-five years and the propo- sition today is absolutely different.
 The business floor of the present building is some twenty-five steps up from the street. front entrance. The gymnasium stuck down sairs below the sidewalk The assembly hall is in adequate for all our needs. We pro pose to seat at least 500 people and available for the use of the publiv when they want it.
 The dormitories are ina dequa te. More than two hundred young men have had to be turned away during the past year because ofs1ack of ac- ions.
 We need a swimming pool. Why shouldn't we have it? We neeW bowl ing alleys. class rooms, and separate department for the boys.
 Mayor Brown asked the support of all in the campaign. We want the men and women of Norwich to get be- hind this thing, he said. We have a right to have in our city a Y. NJ. C. | A. building that we will be proud of.
 Pledges Total $25,ooo.
 NJ. C. Williams of Oberlin. Ohio an export Y. NJ. c. A. campaign organ oervise in a general way the local cam | 1aign. followed Mayor Brown. He l made a few su ggestions on the cam l aign work. There was a burst of en- l T Al persons have already contributed to i wards the fund total of $25,000. He i announced that the teams would gath | sr each day at the campaign head i quarters at 12.15 o'clock and present | heir reports at a noon luncheon He | said that there i sno more popular ap- | peal that the appeal the Y. NJ. C. A. | presents today.
 Heartily Approve Plans.
 The following resolution was then | presented by Edward !. Graham, su- | of schools:
 Believing that every intcrest in our | :ity calls for. an upzto- date Young Mems Christian Association building or Norwich, and s10.000 for war re- ief and extension work
 Be it resolved that we, the citizens ,f Norwich, Connecticut, here assem- oled, representing all lines of indust 'ial. commercial and professional ac- ivity in our city, heartily approve of he plans which have been made by he board of directors to secure such ! building for our city. and that, we proceed at once to syste- natically canvass for funds with which to erect a modern Y. AT. C. A. building in Norwich and provide for he war relief and extension work. on he condition that at lea s12J.000 be secured by Saturday night, May 26. 917..
 Further. that we individually and pledge our hearty support O the accomplishing of this under alSing.
 After being heartily recorded by eVeral of those present the resolution vas unanimously adopted.
 Mir. Palmer Pledges 53,ooo
 Just before the gathering broke up fir. Case sta ted that he had an an ouncement to make. He said he had een requested by MT. Palmer not to nake it public until Saturday but that s Mir. Palmer who left a few min ties previous. was passing out of the all had given him permission to nake the announcement if he so de- fred he read the following note which 4