The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-17
THEY WANT TO COME.
THE CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR CON-
VENTION AND RAILROADS.
General Secretary Baer in ths oity-He
Talks of His Work for Low Rate.
A Very Hearty Reception
Last Night.

General Secretary Baer of the United
Society of Christian Endeavor, who re-
eides in Boston, arrived in the city yes.
terday, coming from San Francisco. He
has been making an extended western
tour and 10 now en- route home. but will
stop over Sunday in Riverside to be
present at the annual convention OF the
California Christian Endeavorers.
When spoken to yesterday about the
discoursging reports OF railroad rates
published in the San Francisco papers
yesterday, Mr.. Bser said: Last July
ut our Montreal convention our board OF
trustees voted to accept the invitation OF
the Golden Gate Christian Endeavor
union to hold our annual international
convention OF 1895 in San Francisco,
providing railroad and hotel rates were
satisfactory. My visit to San Francisco
was made to meet the Southern Pacific
railroad people and to secure from them
if possible some assurance that
they would make a low rate
for our people, and to be able to report
their action to our president and board
of trustees, when we all meet for our
annual International convention the
coming July. Mr.. Rolla V. Watt OF
San Francisco, the chairman OF the local
committee there, and had conference
with the passenger agents and iramc
Manager Gray. We were cordially re-
ceived and were shown every attention,
but failed in securing from them any
real encouragement to hold our conven-
ton OF 1895 in San Francisco, because
the rate OF fare suggested by them for
the round trip from Missouri river
points, for example, would not be- salts
factory, and We assured Mr.. Gray that
unless the rate was made lower our con-
vsntion would not be held in San Fran
cisco.
''The report that now have to make
to our board o! trustees 10 one that Will
disappoint them and thousands OF young
people all over the land. Unless the
railroad people decide after more thought
and investigation to quote rate which
will secure large attendance, we will,
l am sure, vote to send the convention
to Denver, Washington, Baltimore or
Louisville. Those cities are in the field
and anxious to secure the meeting. The
citizens Of San Francisco and the entire
weet want us to come to San Francisco,
for they know that we will bring at
least 5000 young people from east OF the
Missouri river, all OF whom would be
desirable residents for the Golden West.
1t means also q good deal financially to
the whole Pacific coast. Each guest
pave his own way in hotels and board
ing houees or homes. The connecting
western lines OF railroad and all eastern
roads have been very liberal with US,
and appreciate the Importance OF this
traffic. The eastern roads know we
hold tremendous conventions"
Mr.. Watt, the chairman of the San
Francisco committee, a we'll known and
prominent business man OF that city,
was in the city yesterday with Mr..
Baer, en- route to the Riverside conven-
tion, and said: "Onr committee, after
spending great deal of money and
having worked over two years to secure
the convention, are greatly disappointed
with the outlook. We feel that we need
the convention, and so do all our citi-
gems. Cur leading business men are.
interested in securing the convention.
The governor, the mayor and supervisors
extended official invitations"
In the evening Mr.. Bser was rendered
reception at the First Presby terrain
church, by the Los Angeles City Union
of Christian Eadeavorers. The church
was crowded to the doors, and the ex-
efciaes proved most interesting. Mr..
Baer and his wife were on the platform.
The Others who occupied seats were Mr..
Spence Of San Francisco, E. b. Hayes,
secretary of the Christian Endeavor
unions and T. S. Southwick, president
of the City Union OF Endeavorers. Mr..
Baer ia young man and has O vim
ming manner. He talks to the point
and in plain, practical language.
The meeting was opened with short
song service, conducted by Miss Morse.
secretary of the Y. w. G. A., which was
followed by the Prayer for the Peace of
Jerusalem, by the quartette of the
church.
Rev. Burt Estes Howard was intro
duced by Mr.. Southwick, and, in his
accustomed happy manner, made a
short address of welcome. Mr.. Hayes
also spoke briefly, and then the quar-
tette sang Holy Spirit, Come, Mr.. Baer
was introduced by Mr.. Southwick and
was greeted with the waving Of hand.
kerchiefs. He spoke for 40 minutes
about ths Christian Endeavor society.
He thought that in the interdenomina-
tional character OF the organization Law
its strength, and offered number OF
suggestions as to what should be done
to help the society. He was heartily
applauded at the conclusion of his re
marks.
Miss Hirt, singer OF San Francisco,
then gave the Holy City, after which
Mr.. Spence offered prayer.
The closing hymn OF the Endeavorers,
God Be With You Till We Meet Again,
was sung by the congregation, which
also pronounced the benedlction OF the
society.
Mr.. and Mrs. Baer were then present.
ed to the people.