Evening journal., 1909-08-18
HAY FEVER
VICTIMS GO

NEW YORK. Aug 1s.-"On 10 Bedle-
hem, New Hampshirer is now the
slogan Of members OF the United States
Hay Fever Association. The thirty-sixth
annual sneezefest will be held in that
city, beginning August y and lasting
until the supply OF handkerchiefs is ex-
hausted. william NJ. Patterson OF 40
Cedar street the secretary or main sneeze
announces that all arrangements have
been completed and that the meeting
will be the mos interesting ever held.
Delegates from this city and vicinity
will leave on a special train the latter
part of the week At the request Of the
New York Central officials members will
board the train at One Hundred and
Twenty-ffth street to prevent e repeti-
tion Of last years disastrous start. While
going through the tunnel on that occa-
sion all hands began sneezlng at once,
and smashed the windows. extinguished
the signal lights and separated the en-
gine from the cars.
Il was thought the delegates would
become permanent residents Of the tun-
mel until several Of the heavyweight
members got behind the last car and sent
the train out OF the darkness with their
combined nasal powers. This time the
delegates will travel on fiat cars. as the
railroad company will take no more
chances with its rolling stock.
The regular hay fever season opens
today and members of the association
in all parts OF the country were busy
yesterday testing their sneezing appara-
tus. Many important matters are to be
Z Gi icnpgod NJ a hn rl
years proceedings ended in an unsat-
isfactory manner While the secretary
was presenting his report he sneezed
and blew all the minutes OF the meeting
on the floor Before he could recover
them all the delegates were sneezine ant
the records Of the convention were
waited into another county.
Secretary Patterson says that one o
the most important contests this veal
will be over the selection of a floral en-
blem. Many Of the delegates favor tn,
water lily while many others are partia
To the onion Prizes will be offered foi
the best sneezes in the different classes
/ There viii be $50 in gold for the MAJ
who can send his silk hat the highes
on the first blow and a box OF silk hand
kerchiefs for the man who can breal
his shoestrings with one sneezc. Pow
der puffs will be awarded TO the womer
members who show the greatest prom
cheney.
According TO the annual report thcr
are 100000 on the eligible list. Candi
dates have to undergo the strlctest kin,
of an examination before they are ad
mitted, They are compelled to perform
before the testing committee which q
4 composed OF the champion sneezers o
the country The dues arc % cents
year. which puts It within the reach o
all This money pays for the convention
hall. There is no other expense. Th
members furnish their own music.
The Association was formed for tn
purpose OF getting information on tn
subject OF sneezing from sufferers In al
parts OF the United States. At the an
nual convention views and snoezes ar
interchanged and in this way the mem
bers learn how to get the loudest re
ports with the least physical effort
Besides Mr.. Patterson the officers o
the Association are Samuel A. Harlow
Grafton. Mass president, and Clayto
f. Delmater. Providence. r. T.. vice
president. Joseph G. Williamson. Jr. {
. this city. Is member Of the exccuti,
D committee