Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-10-11
1000 Here Attend
Celebration MARKING
YMCA Centenary

The Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation today entered into its second
century as worldwide organization
with the keynote "the best is yet to
come"
DR.. John R. Mott, chairman Of the
World Committee of the YMCA, last
night told 1000 persons at the CEN
tenary celebration at the Mayflower
Hotel there were eight outstanding
reasons for an optimistic view of the
organizations future. He declared
the past has prepared the way for
something better in the future" by
laying firm foundations upon which
to build.
Tracing the growth OF the YMCA
from its founding in London on
June 6, 1914, by George Williams, DR..
Mott stressed the contributions the
organization has made in fighting
ignorance, poverty, disease. strife,
superstition and sin" during the
past century.
Reasons for Optimism.
DR.. Mott cited as reasons for flu
ture optimism the larger member
ship, greater financial resources and
youthful enthusiasts that have be-
come an integral part of the society.
He also declared many open doors
not yet entered" are before the or
ganization today.
Alfred H. Lawson, president Of the
Washington. YMCA, told how the
organization was started in the Dis
trict in 1852 under the leadership of
the Rev. Clement M. Butler, rector
of Trinity Episcopal Church; Will
liam C. Langdon, member of the
church, and Thomas Duncan and
William j. Rhees. Mr.. Lawson re-
called the part Mr.. Langdon had
played in bringing the first interna-
tional convention of the YMCA here
and Of the contribution S. w. Wood
ward, for 10 years president of the
local association, made to the Or
ganization.
Arthur G.. Pearson, chairman of
the current membership drive for
the Central YMCA, told the gather
ing 646 persons had joined since the
drive began October 3. The cam
paign closes October %. DR.. Car
son P. Frailey, chairman of the
Centennial Banquet Program Com
mittee, made a special announce
ment noting that Mr.. Pearson and
George E. Harris, executive vice
president of the Organized Bible
Glass Association, had each secured
100 new YMCA members. The To-
cal organization now has more than
$4,000 members In contrast to IS
persons enrolled in 1852.
War Fund Support Plea.
A plea for support of the forth
coming Community War Fund cam
paign was made by Coleman Jen-
nings. chairman of the drive. Mr..
Jennings declared full subscriptions
were never so much needed, assert
ing we should think OF the contri-
buttons ''in terms of human lives
reached rather than of organiza-
tions administering to impoverished
persons"
The Right Rev. DR.. Angus Dun,
Episcopal Bishop of Washington,
gave the invocation The Rev. DR..
Charles Wesley Flint, Methodist
Bishop of the Washington Area, said
the benediction. Robert Nicholson,
Australian baritone, sang.
Organizations represented at the
affair were the Arlington County
Branch YMCA. Board OF Trade,
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
Co., Capital Transit Co.. Chestnut
Farms Dairy. Hi-Y Clubs, Kiwanis,
Lions, Organized Bible Glass Asso-
citation, Physical Education Depart
ment Of YMCA, Potomac Electric
Power Co., Railroad Branch YMCA,
Round Table Club, Twelfth Street
Branch YMCA, USO, Woodward
School, World War II Veterans, vi
Dorm Men and YWCA.