The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-01
BIG CROWDS
At Topeka
Fifteen Hundred Delegates At
tie nding Y. M. c. A. Meeting.
SECRETARIES ALL THERE
James Stokes of New York
Will Attend Meeting.

Topeka, Kan, April 3o.-Over fifteen
hundred delegates to the international
convention of the railroad Y. NJ. c. A.
gathered in the auditorium in this city
tonight when the formal opening of the
eleventh annual meeting of the associa-
ton tok place The train or which Col.
John J. McCook, president of the associa-
ton was to arrive, was an hour late,
and the convention put in the time wait
ing for him by singing songs.
The secretaries Of the railroad depart
ment of the International y. NJ. c. A.
committee were all here. They are:
Clarence ]. Hicks, Edwin L. Hamilton.
H. O.. Williams, John f. Moore Geo. ID.
McDIl, Fred B. Shipp and Ed NJ VIII
lis. All have offices in New York city
and each is in charge of divisions of the
international Y. vi. c. \. work. The
three members of the International Rail-
road Y. NJ. G. A committee are all
notable railroad men. Col. J. j. McCook
was at one time a receiver of the Santa
Fe railroad. C. F. Cox is treasurer of
all the Vanderbilt ines, while j. T. Mum
is treasurer of the Gould railroad and
telegraph properties.
T. j. Ford is the first of the foreign
delegates to arrive. Mr.. Ford is assist
ant paymaster of the Mexican National
railroad He is English in name only.
being thorough Mexican in appearance
and accent He was sent by his railroad
c. Neve of the auditing department of
the Mexican Central is expected from
Mexico but has not yet come
Informa ton was received tonight of the
intended coming of James Stokes OF New
York city. Mr.. Stokes is one of the most
influential workers of the association. He
is wealthy man and is devoting his
money for the construction of Y. NJ Z.
a buildings in European countries. He
has thus made the acquaintance of sew
eral European potentates.
The feature of the meeting tomorrow
will be the address of President Roose-
welt. and the laying of the cornerstone of
the new Railway Y NJ. Q A. building,
at which the president oficiates. An
effort is being made by Congressman
Curtis and the local committee to arrange
for an outdoor appearance of Mr.. Roose-
welt A telegram was sent TO Secretary
Loeb requesting such a meeting on ac-
count of the large number who can not
hear the president in the auditorium. The
cornerstone will be laid at o'clock to-
morrow evening President Roosevelt will
he entertained at dinner by Governor
Bailey before speaking at the night meet
ing. At the International convention of
the Railroad Y. NJ. c. A. this afternoon
the principal feature was an address by
the Rev. Charles NJ. Sheldon author of
In His Steps" on Character and Ser
vice" Mr. Sheldon regarded the work
of the association as one of the greatest
modern agencies for good in the world.
Tonight the formal opening of the asso-
citation took place. The following adj
dresses of welcome were given:
For the commonwealth. Chief Justice
W. A Johnston; for the Santa Fe Rail
road company, Edward Wilder. treasurer
of the road: for the city of Topeka. John
f. Frost, president Of the Commercial
club.
The response was made by Col. John ].
McCook of New York. president of the
international association. Following this
an address on Locomotive Religion"
was given by the Rev. P. S. Henson, d.
D.. of Brooklyn.
The evening song service was conducted
by c. b. Willis. of Milwaukee.
The Railroad Y. NJ. c. 4. Glee Club of
Cleburne. Texas sang.