The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-20
LERRIG0 TO CHINA.
Head of Topeka Y. Nj. c. A. Will Go
to Hong Kong as Secretary.

George Lerrigo. who has been secre-
tary of the Topeka Y. NJ. c. A since
1894. will go to Hongkong, China, some
time next fall, as general secretary of
the Y. NJ. c. A. of that city. The an
nouncement was made last night at the
meeting of the board of directors, when
letter from III. P. Anderson, associate
secretary of the foreign department.
was read. The Topeka board was asked
to relieve Lerrigo for a period of three
years for service in China
In this letter, Mr. Anderson said in
part:
The branch for Chinese young men
in Hongkong has suffered seriously
from frequent changes of secretaries
and from our having been obliged to
put in charge men who have not had a
thorough experience in city association
I work in this country The pressure of
the work has prevented the secretaries
who have gone out to China for life
from getting opportunities to learn the
Chinese language, which must be ac-
quired at the beginning of the Secre-
tary's stay in China, if at all. In order
that our secretaries for work in Hong
kong may acquire the language, it is
indispensable that a portion of the time
of Mr.. Lerrigo be given to expert ad-
ministration of this branch through
Chinese young men.
There are City association problems
in other parts of China which need the
able to give in view of his long and
successful experience in this country.
We would feel that the presence of Mr..
Lerrigo in China at this time would be
| of the greatest service in assuring us
of such counsel"
The greatest problem which faces the
Y. NJ. G. A. movement in China is in
securing a trained secretarial force.
The foreign committee discourages the
organization of numerous associations
China of ch nrfa 90
Mr.. Lerrigo is unusually we'll fitted for
the position, as he has been a success
full secretary for many years, and is
also familiar with a problem of the
Chinese situation-that of suita Bile
buildings. Mr.. Lerrigo mas had a hand
| in the construction of half a dozen
Y. NJ. c. A. buildings in Kansas since
! the new building was constructed in
Topeka. and has made a careful study
lof the subject. To prepare himself for
| the Chinese position, he intends to spend
| a portion of the summer in further
; study. In Hongkong he will be in
charge of all the work centering in that
| locality. and as Hongkong is under
England to study Y. NJ. c. \. work
before going to China. The trip to
England is suggestion upon which he
has not decided.
! c. A. secretary in 1891. when he was
head of the railroad department until
1894. Then he took charge of the CEN
trail association. In that year of
drouth and general hard times he be-
gan to build up the Central Y. NJ. c.
A. which was on it's last legs and con-
sidering the adyisability of ceasing to
exist. A campaign for membership was
| the first move, and has been the general
movement ever since. The magnificent
building now occupied by the Y. NJ. c.
A. was constructed under his manage
ment of the association.
Mr.. Lerrigo's Chinese junket will be
under the supervision of the Chicago
division. which stands sponsor for the
entire Chinese district. just as Topeka
| is sponsor for the Y. NJ. c. A. station
/ In Brazil. His salary will be paid by
the Chicago division and he will be
acting as their foreign secretary.
| The date of his removal from Topeka
has not been set. it depends upon the
time he will take in preparation.