Evening star., 1940-03-31
THIS WEEK MAGAZINE
How group of hardheaded Chicago bankers
and businessmen found that nothing pays such
fabulous dividends as an investment in youth
oNVH

InY'D like to see the million dollar room.'"
l said to the doorman of the luxurious
- twenty -three-story clubhouse of the
Union League of Chicago, set in the midst of
the famous Loops skyscrapers.
Sure" he answered with grin. Eighth
floor, right"
Plastered on the rooms walls and even the
ceiling, we're stocks and bonds, once rated at
more than a million dollars but now worth
about thirty cents. The members of the Union
League, who are the owners Of this singular
wallpaper have made burlesque of their
losses instead of brooding over them.
Then, for contrast, l took in the millions
of-dollars room" across the hall, headquarters
of the Union League Foundation for Boys
Clubs. This room represented quite diff
ferent investment, which the Union Leaguers
figure has returned them at least one thousand
per cent, and dividends are increasing steadily
all the time.
It's the money they have put into the
underprivileged boyhood of a great city. Over
a period of twenty years they have invested
100000 in 10000 boys and estimate their
returns at not less than $l5,OOOOOO. That's
boyhood at ten cents on the dollar - the
biggest bargain they have ever known, they
declare, and one that has provided them their
greatest thrill.
It all began with the notorious Bucket of
Blood resort that reigned supreme in the
hectic post World War days in the valley"
just beyond the reach of influence of the
Hull House settlement. So tough was it that
police would visit it only in squads.
Dismayed by the Bucket of Bloods appar-
ent immunity from police action and its
blghting effect on the youth of the tenements
surrounding it, the Union League, founded
eighty years ago as patriotic organization
and numbering professional and industrial
leaders of the city in its membership, decided
something drastic had to be done.
Let's buy it up, lock, stock and barrel,
and turn it into boys club" ventured one
member
The idea went over big. In short time
$4,000 was subscribed. The three-story den
was refurbished completely. Gambling quar-
ters were turned into game rooms and class
rooms. The dance hall became gymnasium.
The saloon was transformed into a library.
with 1000 books on the shelves.
A capable boys leader was put in charge.
Word went out through the neighborhood
that kids were welcome without password.
The motto welcome to Loyal Hearts" was
adopted - and it has stuck ever since.
oooN two hundred urchins of the street
were enlisted in boxing according to rules
instead of engaging in lawless street fighting
and slugging. The notorious "Leavitt Street
Gang" became the ''Websterian Club" en-
gagged in planning community betterment
rather than throwing stones through windows
When the first year ended, the amazed
police reported that juvenile delinquency in
the surrounding area had dropped fifty per
cent; in two years it was down sixty-eight
per cent Even the breakage of street lamps
dropped sixty-five per cent
Ragged clothes we're no barrier to admission
to the clubhouse. Kids were put on their
honor, and they lived up to the trust. Before
long they were swarming the gymnasium.