Evening star., 1896-03-07

table, typewriter and chairs, and on one
side the wall is covered with Shelves on
" hich are stored a mass of newspaper clip
pings systematically arranged, for ready
reference in connection with convention
work. About the room can also be seen the
tanners of the local union and souvenir
banners of former conventions, most Of
them discolored by smoke and water, or
burned, as result of the Y. NJ. C. A. fire
last summer. Group pictures of the officers
of the union and of the committee of '9i
decorate the walls. and flags of the last and
the approaching conventions are conspicu-
OUSly displayed.
In this room several of the members of
the committee are always on hand after 4
until late at night. and generally four or
five others call in daily for brief consulta-
tion with their feilow-workers. Monday
evening of each week the committee holds
its regular meeting for the formal transac-
tion of business. and once each month 1t
submits report of it's doings to the execu-
tive committee of the union.
Nearly every member of the committee
attended the convention in Boston last
year, and, while there. kept his eyes wide
open, and was continually on the lookout to
find out how things were done. in order to
profit much as possible by the expert
cree of the Boston 0J committee. AS soon
as he returned from his trip, Chairman
Smith wrote to each committee chairman
in Boston and asked him a great number of
questions about his particular branch of the
work. The responses were comprehensive,
and contained many helpful suggestions as
to methods of work. On this basis, and
considering recommendations from other
sources, the committee set to work to plan
Schemes that had failed at prior conven-
tions because of lack of merit were aban-
doned. others that had been successful, and
would be likely to prove SO again. were re-
tanned, and still others have been orig
mated by the members themselves. When
ever an opportunity was seen for bettering
tried methods the improvement was adopt
ed and innovations introduced.
1t Is fact worthy of note that the men,
bers of the '96 committee are doing conven-
ton work in addition to their regular daily
duties. All of them are busy men under
ordinary circumstances, but nowadays very
few leisure moments are theirs.
One afternoons experience at headquar-
ters is sufficient to convince any observer
that some enterprise of unusual proportions
is being planned. and that those who are
engaged in the work are energetic and en-
thusiastic over it. There are no pessimists
on the committee. ami discoura :,emen.s are
not harbored. II one method attempted
does not accomplish the desired result sew
eral others are quickly suggested, one of
which usually overcomeS all obstacles And
so every afternoon, there are freuueut
conferences between the chairman and the
consulting place. in and out of which flows
a steady stream of visitors. Activities he
gin usually about 1 o'clock, and before the
large batch of mail is disposed of some
one is almost sure to call In for consulta- :
ton.
1t is a frequent thing for excursion mana
gers from the state unions to come to
Washington to look after the interests of
their delegations. and the Headquarters of
the committee of '96 is the first place thev
visit. And as rule 1t is the chairman of
the entertainment committee with whom
they are in most earnest consultation. for
it Is be who can help them most in secur-
Ing accommodations for their DELEGATIONS.
LEGAL hotel managers and men with
schemes for business enterprises which
Il ey desire to operate in connection with
the assembling Of the thousands at the