The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-03

There is now every reason to think that
the 1898 convention of the National Edu-
cational association will be held in Salt
Lake. The city is placed in the very
favorable position where she may secure
the convention for merely asking. Much
of course depends upon the effort put
forth by her public spirited citizens.
WHAT IT WILL MEAN.
To gain an idea Of what the securing
of such convention would mean to Salt
Lake it is but necessary TO state that for
the past five years the annual conven-
tons by the association have been at
tended by from 5000 to 1900 people The
last two years the conventions had
averaged an attendance of 1000. All
classes of educators are represented at
these meetings and the gatherings there
fore are probably of the most dis
tinguished held in any country
THE MILWAUKEE, CONVENTION.
The convention this year will be held
at Milwaukee. Wis. That city is pre-
selection of Milwaukee, was due TO a
determination to hold all conventions
hereafter west of Chicago. When the
convention was held at Buffalo the East
ern Passenger association was not dis
posed to treat the educators as gener-
ously as had been expected and the result
was that the conventions will hereafter
go to western cities. The gathering this
year being held at the very eastern limit
the chances are very favorable for Salt
Lake next year.
SALT LAKES ADVANTAGE.
But there is another reason in favor
of this city. Few cities have halls suf-
ficient for the accommodation of such a
the annual conventions have been held
in cities-and large cities too-having
halls capable of holding 1900 or 200 peo-
pie. The result of this has been the
holding of overflow meetings which are
very unpopular. For example in Buffalo
the convention was held at the Music
hall. which Accommodated about 1000.
After reading paper before the main
assembly the speaker would leave to go
across the street and repeat the perform
ance at the overflow meeting and so on
until all the overflow sessions had been
visited. With Salt Lake it is different.
Here we have the tabernacle sufficient to
accommodate the largest assembly. The
leading officials of the association are
aware of this fact too and favor the
naming of this city for the meeting next
year.
ATTRACTIONS FOR EDUCATORS.
Another point in favor of Salt Lake:
Teachers who attend annual conventions
generally make the trip a part of their
summer outing. This section of the
country and particularly Salt Lake, has
peculiar attractions in this respect both
from a natural and historical point of
view. Here we have mountain scenery
The great lake, while only a short dis
lance to the north the great Yellowstone
park. All these conditions should make
the proposition favorable for Salt Lake.
More than that: Many members of the
executive committe of the association are
in favor of this city as A place for the
convention next year. So that Salt Lake
has more encouragement today than any
other city which has made bid for the
meeting.
WHAT IT WILL COST.
Superintendent Milspaugh has recently
received a letter from the secretary of
the association stating that no less than
% states have already secured head
quarters at the leading hotels in Mil
waukee and will be on hand to secure
the convention. With but little exertion
this city, it is confidently believed, could
outstrip them all 1t would only be nee
essary TO at once open up headquarters
at some prominent hotel in Milwaukee
and begin to disseminate Intelligence con-
corning this place. Then during the con-
vention week not only as many of the
teachers as possible should GO but sew
eral business men should be represented,
and but little difficulty would be en-
countered. 1t is estimated that the cost
of entertaining would be from $1,000 to
$1,000. In return for this the visitors
would leave from Sl50.000 to S200, 600.
AS an advertising agency certainly
nothing could compare with such con-
vention. The teachers attending would
at once carry back into the schoolroom
many things learned about this country
and matters of interest concerning the
state and city would thus reach millions
of homes.
OFFICIALS INTERESTED.
The board of education is interested in
the affair and Governor Wells as well as
Mayor Glendenning have been enlisted in
the fight to secure the convention. 1t is
very probable that within the next few
days a mass meeting will be called for
the purpose of arousing interest, and
once a Salt Laker's interest is secured
success is assured.