Evening star., 1901-11-05
Close of a Friendly Contest Between
Y. M. G. A. Teams.
DEFEATED Side FEASfS ON MUSH
Rivalry Which Adds Nearly Seven
Hundred Members to Rolls.
THE SPEECHES LAST NIGHT

Jov1al gathering In the gymnasium OF
| the Y. NJ c. A last evening marked the
close of spirited contest which has been
going on for the past two months. The
| ment Of the interests of the organization
by an increase in the membership. 1t was
| felt that the work accomplished by the as
| sociation was such as to commend IL not
| only to the sympathy. but to the active
cooperation of every who had the
welfare of the city at heart, and therefore
all that was necessary was to call personal
attention to the need of the association for
| more general cooperation on the part of
the community.
1t was decided to begin a personal can
vass for members and in order to give ad-
ditional interest to the workers in the
cause two parties were organized within
the association. One was known as the
Maroons' and the other as the .'Grays,"
led by Charles H. Nesbitt and John B. Sic
man, respectively. The successful side at
the close Of the contest, it was agreed was
to eat turkey, while the losers were to dine
upon cornmeal mush. AS it is self-evident
that no one wants to eat mush when turkey
can be had, the 300 or more members
ranged under the respective banners did
some active work.
Participated in by All.
The canvass began the 1st of September
and closed on the 1st Of November. and
was participated in by all classes of the
members. Dignified judges and prominent
business men and wefl-known professional
men, as well as the boys were engaged in
the canvass. They went into ii with such
heartiness and vim that as a result the
membership of the association will be in
creased by nearly 700 This result how
ever. was not known until last night, when
the twoc- parties had gathered in the gym
nasium. There long table had been set
where the turkey was to be eaten, while
on platform at the end of the room was
a bowl which contained the mush
When the Hist was read and it was found
that the Grays, led by Mr.. Sleman, Lad
won by 495 points, there was great rejoic-
ing, and the vanquished team marched in
line to the bowl and took their medicine by
the spoonful. GYod feeling reigned, each
participant feeling that while defeat came
to one party, still the association was
benefited by the result AS a further indi-
factions, the Maroons were invited TO sit
down and eat turkey with the yictors.
This invitation was accepted.
Mr.. WOOdward's Address
MI. S. W. Woodward, the president of
the association, presided and seated at
the table with him were the members of
the board of directors. After full justice
mad been done to the turkey, Mr.. Wood
ward feiicitously expressed the apprecia-
tion Of the association for the excellent
results which had been accomplished He
spoke of the association and its prospects
ana congratulated the members upon the
bright outlook. He especially commended
Mr.. Sleman and Mr. Nesbitt, the leaders
of the Grays and Maroons, respectively for
the skill with which they had organized
and the energy with which they had con-
Quoted the recent contest
MI Woodward said the board of dlrec-
tors wanted In some way to recognize the
services rendered by these gentlemen. and
I hoo Il xJoI
both to the association for life. He there
upon presented them each with handsome
gold chain. and also announced that they
had been elected life members of the asso-
citation. The words of the president of the
association, conveying as they did so lust
and handsome a tribute. called forth a
warm and hearty demonstration from those
present.
Leaders in Contest Respond.
In brief but happy speech Mr. George
II. Harries. one of the members of the
board of directors, congratulated the VIC
tors on their victory and the defeated on
their defeat. In order that those present
might learn how this great result had been
achieved, he said, he would call upon the
gentlemen to tell the story The first re-
sponse came from Mr.. Nesbitt, who, as an
indication that he bore his successful rival
no Ill feeling, presented Mr.. Sleman with
a bunch of chrysanthemums. and then
gave some account of the methods which
had been followed. Mr. Sleman rose to his
feet and made a speech in the course of
which he said it was the intention to make
the Y. M. G. A the greatest organization
in the city.
AS chairman of the membership commit
tee he called attention to another scheme
which would be put INFO operation where
by additional members would be brought
into the association. This new device. he
said, was what is known as the double
up club, the members of which agreed TO
bring in member
1st day of January. Mr.. Sleman showed
that he worked this plan out in practical
detail. for he imme ediately passed down the
table buttons inscribed double I'M Ua
said that those who wished to join should
take button, ant as each one of the 35o
present took button the new club started
oft with pretty good membership. Ad-
dresses were also made by R. II. Stinemetz
F. H. Smith, Alvin NJ. Lothrop. James q
West, Merrill E. Gates, E. o. Sellers. Harry
q Hine, Walter C.. CieRhane, Felix Ma
hony, Rev Dr. Samuel H. Greene. E. South
ard Parker and Samuel W. Kirby. One of
the most delightful evenings spent by mem
bers of the association was brought to
close.
Total Membership.
The membership of the association is now
2,14S. the highest that was ever reached
by more than 800. Since the 1st of Sep
tember, as the result of the contest, which
Just closed. 64S names have been entered
upoiA eio AoiiS anu Wy tue Hrst OF the
year 1t Is confidently expected a similar
addition can be announced. One Of the
features of the evening was the music rem
dered by the Y. M. c. A. orchestra, under
the direction Of Professor Macleod The
menu cars were designed by Felix Mahony.
The record of the contest, which was
presented by the general secretary, Ly-
man L. Pierce, showed that the Grays had
scored $3.50 points and the Maroons zoos,
difference of 1876 in favor Of the Grays.
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WHIST LEAGUE TROPHY.