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Fort Worth, Texas, July 21, 1899.
Hon. Mayer and City Council.
Gentlemen:-
We your Water Works Committee, to whom was referred the attached application of the Young Mens Christian Association for free use of city water at their building respectfully recommend that the petition be received and filed and the request respectfully refused as under the terms of the bonds we are not allowed to furnish free was only to a certain number of public foutains and none others.
Respectfully Submitted
W.H. Ward T.J. Powell M.A. Spoonts
Water Works Committee
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To the Honorable City Council of the City of Fort Worth:
The Young Mens Christian Association of the City of Fort Worth, respectfully prays that water rent charged against it and to the charged against it for the current year, be remitted, and as reasons therefore, states the following:
The association is a public benevolent institution supported in a great measure by voluntary subscription.
Society at large is greatly benefited in the training and education given to young men who otherwise would be entirely without the advantages of an institution of this kind.
It supplements, in a great measure, the work of the public schools.
It is non-sectarian, many of its members and beneficiaries do not belong to any church but they may belong to any one of the churches.
The free reading rooms of the association are furnished with over 100 current magazines and are used daily by an average of over 150 men.
The circulation library is furnished with over 1000 volumns.
Among the education features of the association might be mentioned the Lycium Course at nominal fees and the congress, during winter months.
Physical training is an important feature of the work of the association. Boys may enter this department at the age of 12.
A competent instructor is furnished. 96 boys were enrolled in this department last winter. Baths are furnished in connection with this department and are not made a source of revenue.
The members of the board of directors and others who give much time to the management of the association receive no compensation for t
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their time and work.
The membership fees are made nominal so as to reach young men who otherwise would not be able to take advantage of the opportunities the association affords.
The management has experienced much trouble in collecting sufficent funds to pay current expenses and the association is now in debt for rent, light etc.
Hoping this matter will recieve favorable consideration at your hands, this petition is repectfully submitted.
The Young Mens Christian Association by
W.S Essex Chairman of Committee
