The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-24

Il
 THERs-yANDEGRIFT WED-
 DING PARTY .
 Not an institution but a home-this is the way the clever young superintendent of the Boys club described the place on Fifteenth street which became the habitat of the little 'newsies" and other lads not long ago. The home element he and MT. Haenchen earnestly strive to effect and one has only to visit among the boys and to talk with their moral guides and teachers to see success. Beside a cheer ful fire in the "court room"-austere name but a place where justice, encour- agement and advice are meted out with all tenderness-Mr. Barrow, Judge Mur- phy of the juvenile court which abides in the Boys club, and MT. Haenchen told of the conduct of the Home for Boys and of the real meaning of Tag Day. For that was the reason of the visit Not that Tag Day is a new day; that the most of peo- pie do not already know and love every principle that 1t stands for; not that there is any uncertainty of the success of the day, but to come in personal touch" with the life of the boys living under the big roof of the "old DeBardeleben place" and in the care of the club was the visit made.
 The era of good feeling that this Lenten time has brought assures another event. ful Tag Day. Never have people shown more charitable or generous spirit. Re- sponse has been full and free toward the charity ball and the kirmess, the re- cent Society circus and smaller ventures The Boys clubs one plea in the year will also receive full measure. This plea is made April 20, when d tag is sold to everybody who loves humanity in gen eral and boys in particular. Last year the funds accruing from Tag Day exceed ed those of previous years Everyone who bought a tag assisted in the work of car ing for some neglected or homeless child. And everyone who contributed should see the comforts of the home and the pleas ures of the big out of doors that they helped to provide. The big house has spare for many children They may read, play, study, work and eat and sleep with In it's confines. Outside is the big, open yard. A baseball diamond occupies a con y spicuous space and another is given to basketball. So fortunate was the club in securing this home that stands in the middle of a block. there Is big garden in the rear, where the freshly turned earth indicates today that somebody has been very busy MT. Barrow explained that the boys are delegated to care for certain plots in the garden. Two chaps arc given the radishes as their especial re- sponsibility. others are apportloned the care of the turnips, others the onions. and so it goes. Out of door work for little fellows in the interim between carrying d route" and going to school is seized upon with eagerness by some budding farmer This big playground and gar den are the happiest features about the home.
 The needs of the boys are satisfied with fin. to be sure, and those splendid women who compose the board of control and as- sistant chapters watch, in the capacity of foster mothers to find what those needs may be, They include some of the most influential of Birmingham women. Mrs. James Weatherly is president, Mrs. l.. J. Haley, first vice president. and dur ing the illness of the president is at pres ent splenddly conducting her work. Mrs. Leo Steiner is second vice president and Mrs. John B. Reid, third vice president; Mrs. A. M. Taylor is secretary and Mrs. w. D. Nesbit treasurer. The other mem- bers of the board are Mrs. A. J. Gilmore, Mrs. Richard Massey, Mrs. E. M Kilby, Mrs. J. l.. Frazier, Mrs. Victor Prowell, Mrs. C. w. Waldo. Mrs. Gus Colvln, Mrs. J. D. Dabney Mrs. E. $. Moore. Mrs. Benson Cain, Mrs, B. G. Copeland Mrs. W. I. Grubb. Mrs. NJ. w. Searight Mrs. H. F. DeBardeeben. Mrs. C. J. Palmer.
 The superintendent has not far passed his own boyhood and Is in full sympathy with the youths that he has in charge Judge Murphy of the juvenile court. whose sessions are held under the roof of the club, and MT. August Haenchcn, the boys work director. are also friends and compan- ions for the boys.
 Miss Mary Rumph is one of the loveliest forces in the work of the Institution. She is the friendly Visi- tor who stands as the connecting link between the home and the club. paving the way for better understanding of the boys on the part of the parent, for a better understanding of the parent in the boys mind; for better living conditions in the home. and all the good things that need to be brought about and can be done by the aid of tactful pretty and patient young woman, such as Miss Rumph. For according to both Judge Murphy