Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-28
SIZE OF ASSEMBLY
HARD TO ESTIMATE
SECRETARY IS UNWILLING TO
GUESS NUMBER
Controversy Over Rates May Have
Some Effect on Crowd Attending
NJ. E. A. ConVention-Head-
quarters Secured

Secretary Irwin Shepard of the Ma
tional Educational association, which
in Los Angeles beginning July. 8, Is as
yet unable to give out any estimate or
the attendance. Arrangements are
being made, however, to entertain one
of the largest gatherings ever assem-
bled in this city.
In 1905 the convention was held at
Asbury Park, N. Y, and the attendance
was $4,000. Last year the organization
was to have met in San Francisco, but
the meeting was called off because OF
the fire.
In 1899 the N. E. A., as it is commonly
known, met in Los Angeles and the at
tendance at that time was about 15,0OO,
more than $4,000 names appearing on
the official register.
This year the number is certain to go
far beyond that, although difficulties
with the railroads over rates, which
were only settled q few days ago, may
operate to cut down the attendance pc
low the mark originally set by associa-
tion officials
Secretary Shepard said yesterday that
if it hadn't been for the uncertainty re
garding rates he would have felt safe g
in predicting an attendance of 10000 at
least. How much that may be cut
down by the delay of the railroads in
announcing rates he could not say.
Headquarters Engaged
Educators from eighteen states and
one territory already have engaged
nea0QuarterS. LII
diana, illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri,
Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska New
York, Pennsylvania, Texas, South s,, Da1
kota, Utah, Washington and Idaho VIII
zona will have headquarters at the Hol-
lenbeck, and Indian Territory at the
Westminster Arrangements for other
states will be made within few days
There seems to be considerable
misapprehension locally regarding this
convention The n. =. A. is by no
means an organization OF ot+rsn1 sGhoor 6er
women on it's membership list IL IN
cludes within it's ranks the most prom1-
nent educators of the country, both men
tendance of foreign educators at it's
meeting
This year Mexico will send delega-
tion to the convention, headed by an
official who will represent the depart
ment of education. Senior Justo Sierra.
superintendent of public instruction or
the Mexican republic, had expected 10
attend but will be unable to do So
Secretary Shepard having received word
from him to that effect yesterday.
Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philip
pines will be represented, and tne @ llst
eral sessions includes the names or sew
eral distinguished European educators:
There will be one fight and probably
only one in the convention. CleVelanu
ohio, and st. Paul. Mimi, are both after
the 1908 meeting. Both cities will send
big delegation here, both Will maintain
Headquarters and the race. promises TO
be a pretty one. ST. Paul got into the
game rather later in the day than fer the the
Minnesota capital already has made
good progress, especially in tt the e. mddIe pe n
sixteen years ago, and has never met
in Cleveland However, two, meetings
already have been held in Asbury Park
and two would have been held In san
francisco had it not been for the caiam-
ity of 1906, while this years assem-
bIy will be the second for Los Angeles.
The local committee on arrangements
is having some trouble in arranging ITS
plans so as not to conflict with the
work of the convention, and in all prob
ability some of the side trips announc-
ed will have to be postponed until after
the conventions adjournment. The
committee will open headquarters IN
the Auditorium building, where the
convention meetings will be held, Mon
day morning. Secretary Shepard I a. al
ready has established his OFFICE IN tne
Alexandria, which has been made the
official headquarters.