Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-07
TURNER'S MEETINDAVENPORT
Twentieth National Convention Of North
American Turnerbund Opens,
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION EFFECTED
President Lieber Champions Recon-
mendation that Women he Adj
mitted to Full Member
ship OF Societies.

DAVENPORT, Ia, July 6.-The TWEEN
tieth national convention Of the North
American Turnerbund opened in this city
this morning, with Ed fischer Of Davenport
temporary chairman and Noah Gutter OF
Newark. n. j.. temporary secretary. The
report OF the credentials committee showed
216 delegates present. all Of the twenty
eight district Turner organizations being
represented.
The delegates we're welcomed by Mayor
Backer on behalf OF the city and by Ed
fischer on behalf Of the Davenport Turn
ers. These we're responded TO by the pres
ident Of the national society, Herman Lie
Der OF Indianapolis.
The only other features Of the opening
session we're the reading Of reports by
President Lieber and Theodore Stempfel Of
indianapolis.
President Leiber in his address outlined
the new contracts providing for a closer
union OF the normal school and the Ma
tional German American Teachers semi
nary, Milwaukee, resulting in broader
courses of instruction in the normal school,
opening It to both male and female appli-
cants and non-German-speaking students.
Favors Women Members.
He spoke eloquently in favor OF the rec
ommendation OF the national executive
committee that women be admitted to full
membership in Turner societies. He then
referred to attempts made in the past to
exert the influence Of the Turnerbund in
propogating the tenets of socialism. All
such attempts, he said, had been frustrated
by sound convervatism and he believed a re-
newal Of the attempts would be attended
by the same results.
He submitted the correspondence OF the
executive committee relative to furthering
the Red Cross work in the South African
war, referred to the loyal support Of the
government by Turner societies in the civil
war and concluded by saying:
To the gymnastic union the American
nag has ever been the emblem Of liberty.
TO be true to It's past the Turnerbund
must protest against every attempt TO
change the meaning Of our flag. l doubt
not that this convention will give utter
ance to the verdict of all freedom-loving
citizens in the Philippine matter, in a man
ner at once dignifed and free from all
political pa~rtisanship.
Secretary Stencils report showed the
order to be in a prosperous condition. II
showed that during and for some time
after the late business depression the Tur-
ner organization considerably decreased II
membership, but that in the course OF the
last few years 1t had partially regainet
the lost ground. .
The status January 1, 1902, was as fol.
lows: Local societies, 257, an increase o.
four during the last year, grouped int
twenty-eight district organizations.
Whole membership, 8 4,70s, an increase o
666 over 1901, divided as follows: Activ,
turner's. 5,591; baers turner's of advanced
age), 1874; trainers youths between II
and IS years.. 1880; pupils (between
and 1D, boys 1902. girls 10,099; tota
increase Of children for year, 521.
Number of other than German parentage
1868; fencers number 1921; singers, 2,144
members of dramatic section, 500; women
organizations number 5,164, an increase o
seventy for the year. f.
Large Female Class.
Membership Of female turner classes
1880, an increase Of 343. The turner Ii
braries contain 1,794 volumes.
Real estate and other property owneI
is valued at $4,475, $50; total incumbrance
thereon, 81, no. 705.
At the afternoon session permanent or
ganization was effected by the election o
Emil Wallber, Milwaukee, chairman
Adolph George. Chicago, vice chairman
Noah Gutter, Newark. N. j.. secretary
August Bugholz, Pittsburg, assistant sec
rotary.
Chairmen of standing committees wer,
elected as follows. Platform I. II Weise