Evening star., 1938-06-05
De Cast a Newspaper Editor
Before He Entered 'Y' Work
Organisation Is Operated
on Principle of the
EndO,ced College.

At one time he contemplated study
ing for the ministry, detoured into a
newspaper editorship and finally
landed in Y. M. C. A. work That is
Leonard w. De Cast, general secretary
of the Y. NJ. c. A. here, a Community
Chest agency. Classed as one of the
spenders of Chest funds, he barely
rates the title, inasmuch as only per
cent of Y. M c. A. expenditures are
received from this source
The difference in the amount re-
ceived from the Chest and the total
expended is due to charges made for
many of the services rendered by the
institution The dormitories, for in
stance, are self-supporting; the edu-
cational facilities are able to operate
without aid; various other features,
including memberships, cost money
and pay their way, except that men,
berships are placed at the lowest pos
sible scale in order that 1t may be
away plenty, both in services and In
material aid During one hour in
which Mr.. De Cast was interviewed
the other day, he made arrangements
for two men to obtain free beds, one
for a night or two, and the other for
q possible week or more, the latter in
cluding meal ticket until q job starts
paying.
While the approximately 5000
members pay yearly dues, the associa-
ton is run on the principle of the
endowed college whose students feel
they are paying their way, while in
fact these dues pay only part of the
cost, the balance being made up by
profits on certain departments. More
than the amount received from the
Community Chest is expended in free
service to boys and men.
Service Is Widespread.
During 1887, according to figures
submitted to the Chest, the Y. M C.
A. sent 80 boys to camp without cost;
placed 237 men and. boys in jobs;
gave 355 free nights lodging; directed
13 non-paying groups of boys in their
activities; gave almost 10000 free,
bwims to boys; taught 489 people to
swim during the 'learn-to-swim" cam
paign operated in cooperation with
The Star; offered free international
service on finding rooms, vocational
and personal guidance, locating people
and various other subjects to more
than 10000 people.
At the end of this month the Wash
ington Y. M. G. A. will have given 86
years of uninterrupted service to the
boys and men of this city. In that
time it has grown from two rented
rooms to 2l2 acres of floor space, with
other branches and camps. The value
of the property is conservatively esti-
mated at 100000. Average daily at
tendance is 1900, and these men and
boys are of all ages-from all classes
Of citizens.
De Cast Came Here in 1914.
The association is managed by
board of managers, standing and spe-
cial committees There are about
1000 committeeman and volunteers.
Most of the groups are self directing,
which requires great skill on the part
of the professional staff in its develop
ment.
Into this picture Mr. De Cast pro-
jected himself in 1914 Previously he
had been in boys work at the Butler,
Pa. "Y" and had gone to the Spring.
field, Mass, 'Y" in the same capacity.
Still previous to this he had been edi-
tor OF the Nanticoke (Pa.) Daily
Herald.
Coming here in 1914 as boys worker,
Mr.. De Cast has risen steadily until
today he directs the entire work of
the local institution. Born in Oud-
dorp, Holland, he is calm, considerate
and enjoys the confidence and esteem
of his many associates He is promi-
nent in civic affairs, and takes an ac-
tive part in the annual Chest cam
paipn