Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-05-27

so years ago" said MIR. Keyser. AT
that time there were &c associations
ana but 10 of these were represented
in convention by 81 delegates. This
gathering of men was brought about
through the initiative of William
Chauncey Langdpn. Of the Washing
ton Cd. c. association. and of Oscar
Cobb, Of Buffalo. Thirty-four interna
tional conventions have been held
since 1854, the one just closed being
the jubilee of 80 years of associated
effort.
The Buffalo convention of 1901 was
represented by over 1000 delegates
from all parts of the United States
and Canada, as well as from India.
China and japan. The size Of the re-
cent convention. as compared with tho
first one. is indicative of the growth
of the association movement. There
are now over $50 Y. NJ. c. AS. having
over 10000 member and employing
LOO secretaries and other paid agents.
These associations own over $50 build
ings. valued with other real estate at
nearly $3O.0OO,OOO. This almost phe-
nOmenal growth is due largely to the
efficient efforts of the international.
state and provincial committees work
ing for the local associations, and to
the substantial interest shown by men
and women of means.
Exhibits Association Work.
The convention was interesting in
many ways. \ feature of educational
value was he threefoId exhibit: l.
An exhibit of the general work as a
whole, including the main facts of
growth from the city, railroad, stu.
dent, foreign, colored, army and navy,
Indian boys. county, industrial, and
other associations, consisting of maps,
charts. cartoons, etc. An exhibit
from the various states and provinces
showing the development of assCcia
ton property. membership, officers.
etc. in different sections of the con-
tinent. 3.-An exhibit showing the
various lines of work done by the Buff
falo association and its growth since
the convention of 1854. These exhibits
were placed in the association gym
nasium and in the department rooms
of the Buffalo building.
One of the most enjoyable parts
Of the convention gathering was the
social function, commemorative ban
quet, at Convention hall All dele
gates were invited, and over 1.s0O sat
uown to an elegantly prepared and
delightfully."- served feast. provided by
the Buffalo association through the
city churches. This viii go down in
history as the largest similar function
for association men yet held. and not
only on this occasion were the dele
gates royalty entertained. but through
out the convention at the Y. VI. {. y.
building, which was headquarters. no
pains were spared in making all ac-
quaipted with the building and the
city
The convention was strong in its
array OF speakers on the program.
Among the more prominent were
Fred b. Smith, Robert +. Speer. John
Il. Mott. q. Campbell Morgan; Premier
Ross, of Ontario: Chancellor Strong.
of Kansas university: Rear Admiral
Higginson, of the United States navy;
John J. Cook, OF New York. and Jo-
seph Ramsey, Jr., of the Wabash rail-
way. In addition to these. addresses
were made by Y. NJ. c. 4. secretaries
from India, China and Japan.
The foreign work of the assocla-
ton is one of its strongest features
India. Japan, China, South America
Mexico, the Philippines. Cuba and
other countries are asking that men
may be sent TO begin work there Ten
young men spoke at the convention
who are going out within the year to
different countries, leaving friends
and the blessings of civilization, to
organize work among the young
men,
Movement Here to Stay.
The association movement is here