The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-05
May Form Municipality of
 Members of Boys Club
HE BELIEVES IN NOISE
New Manager of the Club Will rake Charge Today-Has Had Much Experience In This Partcu-
 lar Line of Work.

A nunicinslitv within a municipality may be one of the results of the coming of Jobr Me,nolder. who will take charge of the Boys club. 1907 Fourth avenue today, In the capacity or manager. III other words. MT Melpolder said yes terday that he might get the poys to form an imaginary city for the purpose of learning self-government They WILL be allowed to elect a mayor city council, street commissioner and other officers usualIy connected with all big cities in the event the plan goes through.
 The new manager was met at the depot and escorted to the Colonial hotel, where rooms had been engaged for himself Wl1e a and two children.
 One of the first persons MT Melpoider called on yesterday was Judge N. B. Fea- gin. who presides over the daily flock In the police court. The judge Is considered an authority how to correct wayward boys and has been interested in the Boys club ever since it was first organized. He will doubtless make MT. Melpolder pro- bation officer to look after the Juvenile criminals who come before him.
 In addition to his settlement work in New York, from which place he comes to Birmingham, MT. Melpolder has been probation officer for one of the city courts there and is familiar with the work
 After chatting for quite while with Judge Feagin. MT. Melpolder called on Mrs. Mary T. Jeffres, the president Of the Boys club, who is well known in Birmingham for her philanthropio work. She is also president of several women's organizations Arrangements were made for MT. Melpolder to make his first visit to the club rooms beneath the city hall. today and he will formally take charge.
 Much Thought to Plan.
 'I have given much thought to the mu- nicipality idea" said MT. Melpolder yes terday. and if the conditions are right here I may make an experiment. If do not attempt to work out the imaginary rity idea, I may organize state or a republic, in which event the boys will elect a governor or president
 My work in New York has been along the group idea; that is classes of child ren and young men ranging in age from to IT years, and over. The year old class I called the 'Brownies;' children ranging from to Il. were termed the .Juniors those from 12 to IT were the Seniors and all over IS formed the Young Mems club In this way I could outline work and amusement that would appeal to the each individual group in stead of the masses.
 q depend much on noise to make a rub a success It's all right to have good literature but you must also have plenty of noise. The punching bag is good thing for half an hour for the average youth wants to get noisy. supply the noise in the shape of fife and drum corps and brass band. After they learn how to play, however. 1t is a harmonious noise and many a bad boy turns out to be a good musician.
 "The municipality, state or republic idea, I think, will be a good plan and l may try it out here. Of course cannot tell exactly what I may do until l have time to study the conditions. I must meet the boys and get some idea of their home life.
 Settlement Worker.
 Tn this connection I want it under
 
 we'll as manager of club of boys and girls I mention girls because I think it is just as important to look after the thoughtless little girls as it is to keep watch over the wild boy. Should l have to choose between the two l should say train the girl to grow up right, for she fills a more important mission in life than the men. But we will be in a position to look after both, l think, and when we get everything in shape we will have to figure out the plan that will at tract them.'
 MT. Melpolder was born in Amsterdam Holland, something over thirty years ago and came to this country when he was 16 years old. His parents settled in Grand Rapids, Mich. and he was educated at the Hope college of that city After de- voting three years to educational work he went to New York City and organ ized his first club in a thickly settled tenamen. district The club rooms were only short distance from big public school and when 1t opened he moved the scene of his activity to Yonkers, a suburb of New York, where many manufacturing industries are located For the last two years he has been very successful with his worst children of tough settlement and there was universal regret on the part of all concerned in New York when he accepted the offer to come to Bir- mingham. A benefit was given for him on the eve of his departure and the pres ident of the club gave him splendid let ter of introduction. Judge w. c. Kel- log, city judge of Yonkers. also endorsed him as an efficient probation officer and an expert in philanthropic work.