The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-02-22
Of INTEREST TO SKOW.
HEGAN PEOPLE
Portland Boys Secretary OF the \. N.
{. L., Resigned to go to Pennsyl-
Vania.

The following article taken from the
Eastern Argus bearing the date OF
February IL, will be of interest to
people, the Boys Secretary
being George X. Merriam, the son OF
Rev. and Mrs. George Merriam Of
Skowhegan.
Al the meeting OF the directors Of
the y. n. C. A, last evening action
was taken on the resignation OF
George r. Merriam, who for the past
four years has been secretary in
charge of the boys department OF the
institution who has accepted the posi-
tion of secretary of boys work on the
State committee of Pennsylvania.
The resignation is to take effect in
about a month.
II was with great reluctance that
the action was taken as Secretary
Merriam has won the high esteem and
commentator of all of the officials OF
the Y. NJ. c. A. for his efficient capa-
BILE and successful efforts In promot-
ing the interest of the department in
his charge, which is clearly shown
with the immense increase in the num-
bers of boys enrolled during his con
nection with the association In APP
probation of his worth and service
he was extended vote of thanks by
the directors
The position to which Mr. Merriam
goes is one recently made vacant, and
his name was one of the first consd-
cred by State Secretary Carruthers Of
Pennsylvania Secretary Robinson,
one of the international committee
secretaries, recently called Mr. Mer-
riam to New York city for the pur
pose of comforting with him relative
to the work in Pennsylvania, and Mr..
Merriam at that time went on to
Philadelphia for the purpose of hay-
ing a conference with State Secretary
Carruthers, the latter conference be-
Since returning from the New York
and Philadelphia trip, Mr.. Merriam
has had the matter under adVisement,
coming to the decision that has re-
suited in his wiring Secretary Car
ruthers that he will accept the posi-
ton offered The officials of the State
committee, which has its headquar-
ters in Philadelphia, are DESTROYS that
Mr.. Merriam begin his services with
them within 60 days, and he expects
to do something in March, giving his
work with the Portland association
fair consideration in this respect.
Mr.. Merriam was born in Kansas
IS years ago. He is the son of Rev
and Mr.. George Merriam of Skowhe-
gan, his father being pastor of Beth
any Baptist church of that place. He
graduated from the Freeport High
school, where his father had pre-
vious pastorate. During his school
days he was employed in his spare
time in the factory of A W. Shaw &
Company in Freeport, and upon grad
uating from high school accepted a
position offered him by Mr.. Shaw At
ter being employed in the factory for
some time he became one of their
travelling statesmen, and was assigned
to Pennsylvania. He was three years
on the road
1T was while employed as a travel
ling man that Y. NJ. G. A. official
presented the matter of his taking up
association work to Mr.. Merriam. He
began his services as secretary of the
boys work department March |, 1908,
and on the first of next month he will
have completed four years of work
with the Portland association.
Mr. Merriam's social qualities and
his aptitude in working with boys has
been greatly appreciated by the Of
ficials of the Portland Y. NJ. c. A.
Not alone by the boys but by adults
as well his genial manner and desire
TO be helpful in his association, and
outside he has hosts of friends who
will wish him great success, and at
the same time regret his leaving
Portland.
There was but little other than rou
tine business transacted at the meet
ing. The special committee chosen
some time ago for the selection of
successor to General Secretary Protz-
man, who resigned some months ago
to accept position in Muncie, Indi-
ana, made a tentative report in which
was embodied recommendation to
the directors As no definite action
was taken on the report it was decid-
ed not TO make public the person rec
commended.
Since the leaving of Secretary
Protzman the position has been filled
most ably by Secretary Richards.