The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-27
THE BUSINESS MEETING.
Reports of Various Committees
 Election of Officers.

Reports of Various Committees
 Election of Officers.
 Preliminary to Prof. Bailey's lee ture on The Sums of New Haven' the Associated Civic societies last evening held business meeting of some length. which was of great in terest for it showed the progress of the societies work during the last year.
 The meeting was called to order by the president, Prof Charles Foster Kent of Yale. at o'clock It was de- cided to have a committee of three appointed that should represent the societies at the coming hearing at which the location of the contagious disease hospital will be decided upon.
 The meeting voted to approve the work of the public utilities commis- sion of the legislature soon to hold a hearing in this city. An invitation from the New Haven Business Mems association inviting the members of the Associated Civic societies to come to the discussion of public utilities questions this evening was read and accepted
 A nominating committee was chos- en, composed of the following: Colo nel Norris c. osborn, William l.. Costello, Dr. Frank J. Diamond and Alexander Troup. This commit lat ta,- let Nc which was accepted
 President Rents Report.
 President Kent for the executive committee then gave a general outline of the work of the societies preliminary to the various reports of the commit tee. He said in part:
 The detailed reports of the work which the Associated Civil societies has been doing during the past year will be presented by the chairman of the working committees It is only necessary for me to speak of certain recent developments in the working policy of the organization.
 The executive committee has felt that certain important forms of civic betterment, emphasized in it's public meetings during the past year, call for definite Organization and activity. With this in view four small. careful ly selected working committees were constituted last autumn The chair man of each of these committees is also a member of the general execu- tive committee. At present seventy seven of our prominent citizens in different parts of the city are enlist ed in the various committees of the organization.
 Hitherto we have deemed it wise to focus our attention on two or three l distinct objects, and at the same time to collect data for use in future work. | The larger use of the public school buildings, especially for boys and girls clubs, under the direction of ex- l pcrienced leaders, is a possibility which promises many practical re suits If the seven successful boys clubs already in existence could be gradually multiplied so that similar clubs in different parts Of the city i would be available for an increasing number of boys and girls we should he able to make vital and abiding contribution to the civic betterment | of New Haven Already the board of education has expressed its belief that "a larger use of the school buildings can properS be made" It wonld seem. therefore. that the time was op- perfume for the extension of this mos important work.
 The securing of suitable conta- gious hospital, and of en incineratinp plant for the disposal of garbage and refuse, the further development of the public play grounds and baths. es- pecially in the congested districts, and the appointment of public utilities commission. are some of the ends fol which the Associated Civic societies |: working through its committees.
 The experience of the past five months has demonstrated the valut and necessity of a general secretary to carry out the detailed plans out lined by the different committees There are many advantages in tn, Los Angeles plan where a general sec retary is employed at high salary who is able not only to execute hu also to outline and direct at each stel the policy of the civic organization As the work of the Associated Civi, societies develops. 1t will doubtless b' found necessary to relieve more an, more the executive officers and chair men of the different working commit tees. In this experimental pionee year it has perhaps been we'll that large amount of responsibility ha rested on the shoulders of the officer and volunteers enlisted in the differen committees. MT Warden, who ha been employed as general secretary has also manifested remarkabl knowledge of local conditions. Tn chairmen of the working committees who have directed his activity, cal speak with more intimate knowledg of the character and value of his ser vices.
 To the rapidly growing group a men and women who have given lih erally of their funds and time an ability are due the achievement of tn past year and the promise of large usefulness that opens before the As sociated Civic societies. The pleasur and profit in thus cooperating togetf
 CT in lines of work that are wort while bring their full reward. T . many Of us the experiences of tn present year has also brought ner visions of what a city can become an l what it can do for all classes of il citizens. Ii has been truly said tha the city is the hope of our democrs . cy" By the intelligent cO-operatio ? of the governed and those who goI