New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-30
FRESH AIR CLUB BLAZE.
Fire Starts as Members Are on
Way to Tribune Farm.
WHITE GUARDS FORMIDABLE
Closing of Public Schools Gives
600 Children Chance to
Visit Country.

The clubrooms OF the White Guards. at
No. 80 East osth street. were partially de-
etroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. None
Of the members was injured: IN fact. none
of them could very well have been. for
they left In body yesterday morning to
spend two weeks in camp at the Tribune
Fresh Air home near Bethany. Conn.
The White Guards is a club which grew
out of one of last years Tribune Fresh Air
trips. During tho summer a party of boys
collected from the vicinity around Bellevue
hospital by the social service workers
connected with that institution were sent
bv the Tribune Fund TO Pittsfield. Mass.
The lads had such a good time and came
n like each other so well that they cor
tinued friendly relations after their return
to the city. This came to tho notice Of
Miss Sara E. shaw. one of the Bellevue
workers, and at her suggestion they or
ganized themselves into a club.
Through the efforts OF Miss Shaw an In
come sufficient 10 provide clubrooms was
obtained. and throughout the year three
rooms have been maintained for tho boys
in tho rear building at the East 18th street
address
The club adopted as II motto "Cleanli-
moss. Courtesy and Courage and then set
out IA have a good time and TO try 10 do
little good in the way Of lettering condi-
fions in the sections where its respective
members lived. For social purposes the
rooms we're kept open four evenings
week. hooks and games we're provided. and
talks OF hygiene and kindred suolects
! given frequently
In addition 10 these things, the BOYS look
i. upon themselves 70 investigate conditions
in the neighborhood. Reports as 10
whether buildings were complying with the
ordinance respecting fire escapes reports
on sanitary conditions. conditions In cellars
and Railways and reports on other similar
= matters were made. As a result OF Inc re-
ports complaints were filed, and In many
cases fines were imposed on Offenders ana
compliance with the fire and sanitary ofhl
nances compelled.
Tho blaz5 Of yesterday afternoon was
easily subdued and did no damage IN 'he
effects Of the club. The most cherished
possession Of tho organization, It's small
hut select library, was not injured
Unaware of the calamity threatening
them. tho major portion of The White
Guards boarded tho sos train for Bethany
Yesterday morning There were baseball
hats enough I'm the party 10 make II
really formidable guard And II any hiSh-
wavnen about the Grand Central STATION
contemplated hod-up of the sV5' tey
doubtless rcconsdered when they sa" Ih'
club" scampcr down tho platform ana
board the train.
The White Guards club is VlVld MUS
tratiou of the far-resching results OF the
work OF the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. Us
tensiblv that charity provides about 2-'Vo
weeks of summer vacation for llc" chil-
dren each wear. But where the actual Ie-
suits really stop no one can tel
To-day the closing bell OF me pu"nc
schools will he the starting bell III tne race
~ son ,airs Of Juvenile feet for the country.
A small army OF $50 Will descend upon or
rather ascend up. Ashford Hill, the IT'D
mo home At Ardsley, y. Y. One 81 u'e
Sandy Hook Route boats Will bear a c"' 50
Of 10 girls toward Chapel Hill y, J.' '"u
smaller parties will 90 10 flttsneio anu
Intar,alan Mass. and Fairfield. Conn.
In the morning, previous to the start o.
tho various parties. there will be a CON
terence of the Fresh Air staff at the res
t.terian Building. on Fifth avenue. Inv
pev DR. John Bancroft DeViiS VIII Pi'
lido and will also address the meetlhs'