Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-17
PLAN TO BUILD
Y.M.C A. BRANCH
FOR COLORED MEN
Temporary Organization to
Provide Headquarters
When Time Is Ripe

There is considerable interes
here in the proposition to establis
n branch of the Y. NJ. c. A. in Har
risburg for colored members. Som
time ago meeting of prominen
colored men was held and the Off
GERS of the organization were chosen
as follows:
President, c. Sylvester Jackson
president, Marshal Ficklin; sec
retary. Robert J. Nelson; treasurer
Frank n. Robinson.
Through Secretary Nelson a con
ference was arranged with Rober
b. Reeves. general secretary of tn
Y. NJ. c. A, and in view of the wa
conditions it was thought advisable
to postpone further action until
general study of the whole situation
might be had. AS a result of thi
decision, Robert Z. Hamlin, of Wash
ington, ID. c., representing the col
ored mems department of the inter
national committee of the y. NJ. {
A., came to Harrisburg and made ;
thorough study of the condition.
here. His report to Secretary Reeve
was as follows:
The population in 1910 was
about 5000 and, allowing for
the numbers that have come in
since we have been in these war
conditions, L think we are safe
in saying that 5000 at least are
in Harrisburg and vicinity now.
This affords an ample field for
Association work and as soon as
conditions, l think we are safe
recommend starting the move
ment for an association.
l found similar religious, So
cial, educational and economic
forces there as in other cities
where colored people live.
There were a few lawyers, doc .
tors, druggists and businessmen.
4 considerable number of men
were working in the Bethlehem
steel plant at Steelton who live
in Harrisburg. The Pennsyl-
Vania railroad employs a hun
dred or more men there in the
yards. The schools were doing
their part in educating and in
spring the youth. Nearly 200
boys of the Association age were
in them. The churches were
found on the alert, with an ag-
gregate membership of quite
1000. The Sunday school mem
bership was very creditable.
The poolrooms. clubs and
lodges We're affording opportun-
ity for social expression. The
ministers were in hearty accord
with the idea of starting work
for the men and boys, and at
least two were rather insistent
that something be launched at
once.
The meeting was well attend
ed and the whole matter of
starting work for colored men
and boys was thoroughly dis
cussed. The fact that we are
in the midst of great world
war and that the Central AS
ISOLATION was launching its
work on a large scale and
would not be able to give any
immediate help caused us to
decide we should not attempt
anything until the conditions
were changed for the better and
the Central Association found
it possible TO give some help.
We recommend that the men
continue as they are now organ
lied and hold periodic meet
ings and form n class for the
study of principles, methods and
organization of association
work, and also to organize
Bible class. This will afford
an opportunity for testing the
earnestness of the men and
will determine whether they
are willing to stick to the move
ment.
In order to do the work that
will attract the men and boys
and assure success and perma-
nency, | would recommend
fe- ,~s,,
curing of a strong leader, and
providing ample and we'll
equipped quarters. There
should be as much in the way
of income producing features
as can be arranged for that the
work may be financed without
unnecessary strain on the COM
munity. This can be best done
in an equipment modern, am
Pile and planned so as to meet
the needs of the men and boys.
/ was impressed with the cali
Der of the men who compose
the temporary committee and
feel they can direct the work
when permanently organized
with success.
At the meeting of the directors OF
the Harrisburg Y NJ. C.. A. yester-
day afternoon a committee was ap-
pointed to confer further with the
officers of the proposed branch of
the local association in the interest
of the colored men. Much interest
is being shown in the matter and ii
is expected that there will be gen.
erous cooperation in the movement
as soon as the time is propitious.
VIEWPOINTS UNION SERVICES
Newport, Pa, Jan. II. - Unior
evangelistic services of the United
Evangelical and Methodist Episcopa
churches are being conducted thi.
week in the local Methodist Episco.
pal Church. All services star