Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-31
BY o. j. sTIRRATT.

The most important factor in the
building OF any city is its men and |
the greatest asset which any man can
possess is a good character
Those institutions in the city winch !
are contributing most 10 the building
up Of characters Of men, must be
counted among the leading OF the city
Such an institution is the Rock Is
land Young Mems Christian assoela-
ton This important character fac
tory" as II is often called, Is located
at Twentieth street and Fifth avenue
Its doors are open 1865 days in the year
The association is not a money max
ing institution Rather, its whole work
Is conducted for men. not money. It's
sole object is the building OF marhood
In the boys and men of its member
ship and the community. rms up
lifting and constructive work has been
carried on in Rock Island by the as
ISOLATION for many years, until TO-DAY
il has come to be recognized IN Rock
Island as a permanent and lndlspen-
sable part OF her civic, moral and
community life,
The last wear has been a good year
flor the association. Notwithstanding
the fact that the organization mas mad
more than its usual number OF ups
and downs in the resigning Of its for
mer general secretary. l.. II. Marun,
and the coming Of a new secretary to
carry on the work. For several months
while the board of directors was seek
I ing new general secretary, the 8sso-
! citation was without an official secre-
tarial head. but under the director
/ shin of the departmental secretaries,
! the work of the organization was car
Z ried on in such Gan efficient manner
/ that the work suffered but little. At
the present time. all Of the depart
ments are well manned and the work
Of the institution is progressing IN a
fine manner. and the institution Is rem
dering a service not alone for its mem
bership. but to the community as a
whole. that is a credit to the city.
During the past year, more than
two thousand different men and boys
have been in the membership of the
association, while a larger group has
been touched in extension work, done
through the various departments OF
the association, such as home garden
ing. shop meetings. etc. In round
numbers more than two hundred
thousand people have visited the asso-
citation building during the past year
More than one hundred thousand
meals have been served in the cafeteria
during the last year. while the cafe
terra patronage has PRACTICAL!
doubled since q year ago, and many
/ there are who live in Rock Island wht
rejoice that there is a place in the cit!
where cooking can be had like mother
used TO make
The dormitories of the association
. oceupving the second and third tio0r'
OF the association building have &C
commodated more than five hundre'
% ivcung men who have come and gon
throughout the year, all Of whom hav
anDreriated the homelike influence o
the association, and the many cour
tesies extended to them while in tn
] dormitories. and have indeed bee
grateful TO Rock Island as city 10
nroviding SO fine a home for youn
} men who find 1t necessary to be ava
from home.
The physical department Of the as
soclation has contributed much thi
past wear towards helping to kee
z Rock Island physically fit, and man
I a boy is today growing up into mar
- hood strong and robust, because
the physical training and instru'
2 ton which he has received at the lt
Il cal institution. Young men, in eve
5 increasing numbers are beginning
+ realize that in order to keep mental
i alert and maintain the best OF healt
e that physical exercise is better tina
J.. medicine. Business men, this la
d wear, have used the physical depar
y ment in large numbers, and are mn
ing their tri-weekly exercise, SHOVE
bath and swim, the finest possible Wa
TO recreate themselves, keep the gri
r. hairs from shading their temples al
warding off the approach of az
} which persists in coming upon
l. sooner or later. The great swimmil
pool with its many thousand gallol
X of filtered water has contributed
D. share towards the happiness and We
fare of many hundreds througho
the year. Besides being a constant e
iovment TO those who like to swim,
u, has also been a medium throuj
(which many men and boys this pa
wear have been taught to swim, q
~ thus protect themselves and 'othe
while in the water No one can
S. innate the incalculable good the q
sociation has done Rock Island Ii
last wear in just this one item, alon'
S. Gymnasium class work has be
conducted as usual for all groups
,e, men and boys. The Sunday SchC
Basketball league games are N
ID. being played each Friday evening, a
elk the games are drawing large crow
of spectators who come to cheer tn
ravorites. In this manner, the lelst
o.