El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-10-07
STRONG WORK BEING DONE AMONGI
OUR SPANISH AMERICAN PEOPLE,

IT IS pleasant to know that the work Of the z NJ C. A.
branch for Spanish speaking boys and young men IS
steadily widening; that attendance increases, that new
classes being opened and that interest grows new
opportunities for contact offer themselves There is
branch Of the y H. C. work better deserving Of strong
public support than this Fl PasO may she cares TO- look
upon this work from the purely material viewpoint Of self
interest and every argument OF self interest leads to the
same conclusion: Build up the Y. r. C. A. Spanish Amer
lean branch
Fl Paso has large Spanish speaking population prob
ably considerably than half the total population Of
the metropolitan area. Everything thar is done to make
Lhess people i've lives more userul and productive 70 u
selves happier and contented adds to the wealth and
income Of FL Paso. Everything that IS done 70 give them
power do better work and better wages makes
them profitable wealth producers for the entire
unity which derives the ultimate benefit Of their skill
and labor through the ordinary operations Of trade and
economies Everything that is done TO make the conditions
o. living more healhfu FOR these people makes Fl Paso
safer and healthier.
Some Of the churches are beginning realize the
P1rtance Of working along economic lines among the
SpanisAuercans Let them carry their religious work
as nay suit them but above all neglect the
work Of social bstsment for which they ought to be par
teulary well fitted To make the world better place to
live in to better conditions Of living for the masses Of the
people, this Is motive enough for life.
Among the most worthy efforts being carried in e
PaE0 for lettering living conditions and working conditions
among the Spanish speaking people the work Of the Lydia
Patterson institute Southern Methodist church
organization never made much noise or courted praise OF
publicity It in very quietly, built good house.
poFed its trained workers and established its work firm
foundations. Not hundreds but thousands Of Spanish
ana ana ana women OF al
have come under the influence Of this institute and have
helped to spread its benefits here and elsewhere.
Now there is to be addition to cost S1s5o0o It Is not
very long ago that investment Of this size in phan-
thr0pie and social work IN FL Paso would pre-
ced BY many months perhaps years. Of earnest effort Of
many people and its accomplishment hailed with enthusi-
asn and soemuity Now take matter Of course,
and say little about it
But there is a kind Of wisdom back Of this work that
not only iHsues its but oommends It to all who
have studied the local industrial and social problems and
have definite views about them There kind Of wisdom
back Of this work that does not exist many legislatures
OF school boards or state boards Of vocational education
TIE Lydia Patterson institute Is definitely trying to do
several things for example it trying reach persons Of
5oh who might not otherwise come under school OF
other strongly social influence; It trying serve the
elders whom the schools cannot well reach il trying TO
TT the service to the actual needs Of the people served and
make it worth their while to apply themselves in the
Of instruction offered; and It Is doing fine work
Of Amercanng partly through its intensive teaching Of
English speech 1t is looking carefully after the physical
welfare and development Of both and al ages
And one Of its most important functions promoting
The sense Of community duties, community responsibilities
the benefits Of action the privileges that are
earned only BY the giving up Of certain indTidusfse
claims and the acceptance Of social duty.
Such institutions make possible the direct personal touch
t the public school system does not admit Of They are
getting results. They doing big and important work
ct they have only touched the borders Of the immense
esd awaiting cultivation
e Pasoans who not quite sure what they ought to
DO with their surplus wealth IN life after death vii 90
vel to study the plans Of local organizations working
among the SpanishAmericans, with to providing
additions to their al too sager funds 10 more profitable
Investment could be found.