The record-union., 1896-10-05
Y.M. .C.A.TATE CONVENTION.
Wlll be Held In San Francisco From the
10Th to the 18th.
xhe Annual Athletic Field Day Events
Will Take Place on
the 18th.

Inc nesting for men at the parlorS Of
ehe Young Mems Christian Association
yesterday afternoon was led by State
secretary John L. Spears, who was
1ormerly General Secretary in this city.
Nr. Spears set forth In an able and
comprehensive manner the work under
ms charge. The various associations
throughout the State are bound to-
gether he said, in a voluntary organ
azat1on which meets once a year in
convention to legislate for the general
good. Thirty association members are
there chosen to act as the State EX-
ecutive Committee. Headquarters are
established at San Francisco. and a
state Secretary is employed as the ex-
ecutlve officer of the State Committee.
In most of the Eastern States from
two to five Secretaries are employed
An the various departments Of this work,
and California Is very much in need
or the services of a second man to de-
vote his time to the college work and
She development of the association idea
In small towns; but the financial diff
culties prevent this at present. The
State work is supported by subscrip-
tlons from the various city and college
associations, and also from individuals
both in and outside of the associations.
The business depression of the past
three years has made it impossible for
some Of the associations and many Of
the individuals to subscribe as former
ly, and consequently the work has been
conducted on a limited scale and at
considerable personal sacrifice and in
convenience. 1t has been suggested
that If the matter were presented to the
entire membership Of the associations
OF the State, both active and associate,
that many members would gladly CO.
operate, at least to the extent Of 81
each; and while this seems small
amount, If the idea were generally
taken UP by the membership at large
1t would solve the financial problem
and enable the State Committee to plan
&. more generous work. There are over
1000 members in the State and 1t is
intended to bring this matter to the
attention of all.
1t may be of interest to know that in
the past two years, In spite of the
hard times, the different associations
have paid off S14S, 400 of Indebtedness,
and they own property to the value of
Sl42OOU, on which there IS a present
indebtedness Of S145,000.
The Sixteenth Annual State Conven-
tion of the Young Mems Christian AS
sociations Of California will be hello in
the San Francisco Y. NJ. c. A building,
commencing Thursday evening, the
10th Of October, and closing Sunday
evening, October 18th The annual CON
ference of General Secretaries will be
held at the same place on Monday,
October 10Th
Fla
celebrated October 17th In connection
with the coming State Convention. I'm
portant athletic events VIII be an all
round pentathlon contest, consisting of
2 100-yard dash, 12-pound hammer (no
turn). high jump, pole vault and mile
Jun. Prizes will be a gold medal for
600 points and over, silver medal for
800 points and over, and a silver pend
ant and bronze bars for 200 points and
over. Each association is limited to
eight entries, the best three records to
constitute the association team In COM
petition for the Pfister Knitting Tro-
ply, which is to be won three times be-
fore becoming the property Of any asso-
cation.
Certificates will also be given, and all
records of over 300 points will go on
file with the International Committee.
The fee Of 81, which must accompany
each entry, will be returned to con-
testants who toe the scratch in athletic
Uniform. The managers will see that
proper entertainment is provided for
the visiting teams.
A two-mile bicycle run for the State
championship viii interest the wheel
cranks. A gold medal will constitute
the first prize and a silver medal the
second. Contestants must be bona fide
association members for at least three
months before field day. The events
viii be run under the rules laid down
hy the international Committee and l..
-. w. sanction. The Olympic Athletic
Club grounds with six-lap cinder track
will be used.
The series of practical talks for the