Evening star., 1939-10-01


OF the birth of its founder, Sil
George Williams, will be observed
this year with special programs al
the local Central Y. NJ. c. A. and
marked by a general acceleration OF
its activities.
The birthday anniversary of Sir
George, who founded the first "Y'
In London in 1874, falls on October
II. The day will be observed here
as well as throughout the world by
Y. M. c. AS. Here. however, the
Central "Y's" observance OF the
anniversaries will begin with a spe-
cial program next Wednesday and
be featured by its annual member
ship campaign which runs from
the 1lth of this month to Novem-
Der 2.
1t is felt befiitting by Leonard w.
De Cast. veteran general secretary
OF the Central "Y," and its mem
bershlp secretary, r. E. Myers, that
service to young men, which Y. M.
c. AS everywhere emphasize,
should be carried forward with a
drive for additional henderson
the birthday anniversary of the
man who inaugurated the service
which the "Y' gives to young men.
"Open House" Wednesday.
The celebration here will get un-
der way next Wednesday with open
house in the building at 1876 G
street NV, for newspaper men
and radio announcers. The occa-
sion will be featured by indoor base
ball games and swim meet. Fol-
lowing, in order, will be Little
Tavern Night for employees of the
latter. on Thursday. Evening Star
Night will be held Friday, to be
featured by special motion pictures
and other entertainment. Next
Sunday will be Y. M. c. A. day in
Washington churches, many of
which will hold special services in
commemoration of the anniversa-
rles. Special programs for employees
of Washington stores will be held
at the Central Y. M. c. A. on Oc-
tober 9 and on the 10th the first OF
fall series of concerts will be Civ
Ell. In addition there are to be in
formal programs of music and 9TH
er features.
Arrangements for these and 9TH
er details of the anniversary cele-
bration are being mapped by a
special Anniversary Week Com
mittee, Earl A. Nash, chairman.
Other members of the committee
are George Gum, vice chairman;
Frank Waldron, Luther H. Herman,
Mr.. De Cast, Mr. Myers, E. A..
Drumm, R. H. Gaber, Page NICK.
Etchison, William E. Hutzell. Nor
man B. Jacobs, George E. Harris,
Charles F. Schlichter, DR.. James
A. Bell and Floyd K. McTyier.
In the membership campaign,
which will be led by Hugh V. Keiser
as general chairman, 200 additional
or new members will be sought.
Already the Y. NJ C. A. has year.
round daily membership of approxi-
mately $500. including young men
and the boy members, the latter
having a special department. -
Idea Spanned the Sea.
Following the founding of the first
Y. M. C. A., the first "Y'' to be
founded on the American Continent
was at Montreal Canada, December
8, 1851, and on December % of that
year one was founded in Boston.
Now rich in history and tradi-
ton, the Central Y. M. C. A. was
founded here in April, 1852. From
a mere handful of members it has
grown to point where it has served
many thousands of young men and
boys and increased the general
scope of its activities throughout the
years
The late Rev. Clement M. Butler,
who was rector of Trinity Episcopal
Church, together with the late
William Chauncey Langdon and
Thomas Duncan, young teachers in
his Sunday school, held a confer
ence to see whether such an or
ganization as the Y. M. c. A. might
be founded here. The late William
j. Rhees, of the Baptist Church, be-
came an enthusiastic supporter of
the idea. They arranged for a pub
lie meeting to carry forward the
process of organizing it,
At the first meeting, which was
held in an old Masonic hall, at
Tenth and E streets NV, some
60 persons attended. After hearing
the plans for the organization,
40 persons enrolled Immediately.
Within week the number of men,
bers had increased to 90.
The objectives of the association,
as set forth in its constitution. were
"The promotion of evangelical re-
1igion, the culture of Christian
sympathy, and the improvement of
the mental and spiritual condition
Of young men," .
incorporated In 1864.
On June %, 1864, by act of Con-
gress, the Young Mems Christian
Association here was incorporated
The first permanent quarters had
been established in a building on
JCFCIAViA oVA CCO 4>.V AlCdI T. OIL CCb
Later 1t moved into larger build
ing on Pennsylvania avenue, whence
it moved again a few years later.
In November, 1867, cornerstone
was laid for a Y. M. c. A. building
at Ninth and D streets. Subse-
quently a question over occupancy
Of the building arose between the
"Y" and stock company and the
Y. M. c. A. was removed from the
building and temporary quarters
were established in the 800 block of
E street NV.
Next, a vigorous campaign was
started to get a suitable building
for the Y. NJ. C. A. and resulted
in securing an option on property
then at 1409-11 New York avenue
NV, known as Chamberlain s