Ellsworth American

BOYS' WELFARE CLUB.
Club Room in Whiting Block Being Fitted up—Boys Fast Enrolling.

Plans are developing rapidly and successfully for the Boys' Welfare club. Installation of fixtures and furnishings has already begun and the quarters are being put into readiness for occupancy. Boys are already being enrolled in the club, an entrance fee of monthly dues at the rate of fifty cents being charged. The permanent organization will shortly be perfected, consisting of the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and an executive committee of five elected by the boys themselves and caring for the boys' organization.

The superintending control will be vested in a board of seven directors, an advisory committee of twenty-one members and a finance committee of three members, a general secretary and assistants. All members of the supervising control will be adults. At a recent meeting of the temporary board of directors the following named directors were chosen: Monroe Y. McGown, Charles H. Leland, Henry Martin Hall, Rev. J. W. Tickle, Harry L. Crabtree, Roy C. Haines and L. F. Giles. The directors will meet shortly for the purposes of incorporation. The general secretary will be chosen by the board of directors, and will be in active charge of the club, maintaining a definite program of athletics, physical and military drills and social events.

The club is an independent organization for boy welfare. Unlike the Y. M. C. A., it will maintain no religious program, but expects the boys to attend their own church or Sunday school, and refers its membership preferences to the different churches for their interest and development.

From March 5 to March 15 a voluntary campaign will be opened, when the citizens of Ellsworth will be given an opportunity to help and support the movement. No subscription paper for this purpose will be circulated, as it is believed that the business men dislike the method, and it is equally distasteful to those who bear the paper in circulation. With the interest already manifest, it is believed that the full campaign quota can be raised by voluntary subscriptions.

A splendid voluntary testimonial has been received from former Chief Justice L. A. Emery, who enclosed his check, advising M. Y. McGown, treasurer, not to hesitate to call for more funds, whenever they were needed or required. Congressman John A. Peters has sent to the board of directors a liberal check, together with a splendid endorsement of the project.

All persons interested in the movement are given an opportunity to mail their checks to M. Y. McGown, treasurer. The management will proceed as fast as such voluntary contributions will permit.

The following friends of the boys have already contributed: Alexander C. Hagerthy, Unitarian club, Donaqua lodge, Knights of Pythias, Monroe Y. McGown, Harry L. Crabtree, Mrs. Austin H. Joy, L. A. Emery, H. E. Hamlin, C. H. Leland, W. H. Titus, C. W. Grindal, J. A. Thompson, H. B. Estey, Embert C. Osgood, and John A. Peters, money; S. E. Chapman, carpentry; Walter Pio, books and magazines; Mrs. Willis Dunn, stove; William E. Whiting, rug.

The advisory committee of twenty-one will consist of ten men and eleven women. Several citizens who have been approached and asked the directors to call again for subscriptions will send their checks direct to Mr. McGown, as no further solicitations will be made until after the voluntary campaign closes, March 15.

The club still needs $400 in money. One phonograph. One large book case. One piano. Chairs. Tables. Pictures. Good books. Interesting magazines for boys. Three pairs of lace or muslin curtains. Three curtain rods. Furnishings or money are included in the voluntary campaign, closing March 15. Money should be given direct to Mr. McGown, furnishings to Roy C. Haines, while full information may be obtained from any one of the directors.