The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-16
BRIDGEPORT YrM. C. A. REPORTS
 REMARKABL Y PROSPEROUS YEAR
Total Membership Now More Than 2,ooo-C Campaign Brings 1000 New Members to Association-Organiz tion Does Good Work In Industrial Field of Bridge port.

dornitory rooms, at suppers, lunches and even breakfasts.
 Fourteen different groups composed of 261 men and boys were in classes for Bible study. Two hundred and fifteen sessions were held with an at tendance of 2,385. l>A A popular feature of the Bible study was theNsupper serv- edsby the Woman's Auxiliary just be- fore the study hour.
 The Bridgeport association also aids the boys and young men of Japan by raising $500 each year which is con trfbuted for the support of the work in Tokio. >.-s+es-
 <One of the most interesting and helpful phases of the work if the hold ing of meetings in the shops at the noon hour. The messages were re- ligieus, social, economic, physical, edu- cattona1 or any subject relating to the welfare of men. Twenty-seven such meetings were held with an atten dance of 1,573. They were held this year in the factories of the Harvey Hubbell Co.,, Locomobile Co.,, Baird Machine Go. and Electric Cable Go. This de- part1y1ent also conducted classes to teach English to foreigners and classes in citizenship for those who wish to become American citizens. There were 100 men in these citizenship c1as- ses.
 Physical Department.
 The activities of the year were re- ported by the physical director. John D. Brock. The work has included the following activities: Tennis, gym nastic classes, basketball, swimming instruction. wrestling, boxing, fencing, class in Swedish gymnastics. physical examinations and Long Hill extension work.
 There have been separate classes for men and o for boys. There were 487j sessions, attended by 1o,221. In various other sports, such swirn7 ming, fencing, etc., there was an at May the grand total attendance upon all features of the physical department reached t46,646.
 The work for the year was brought to a close with an exhibition in the gymnasium on May 2. The depart ment reports the busiest year it has ever seen. It emphasizes strongly the great need for increased facilities if it is to continue to do it's best work.
 Boys Division.
 The .report of the boys work was read by J. M. Kicker. A digest of the report is as follows:
 Like every other department of the association, practically all activities in the building. have been doubled this year. A large part of the boys building was redecorated and four hundred steel lockers installed in place of the old wooden ones.
 The most important events of the year were the New Years Reception, the Father & Son SBanquet and the combined Circus and Minstrel Show. Another very important feature of the work this year was the Find Yourself Campaign for employed boys The ob- ject of this was to help a large mum Der of boys decide upon their 1ife's work.
 ? On May our closing reception was held. An entertainment was given in Warner Hall followed by reception in the gymnasium, refreshments being served by the ladies auxiliary. About fourt hundred were present to hear Mayor Wilson, who was the principal speaker.
 One of the most worthwhile fea- mer camp conducted at South Kent, Conn, during the month of July. From sixty to seventy boys were accommo- dated each week.
 On April 24th Louis Cope, secretary of the boys division, conducted an ed ucational tour to Washington, D. c. with 22 boys. The five days trip was greatly enjoyed and the boys had the honor of shaking hands with President Wilson.
 Educational Work.
 The report of the educational de- department was read by w. A. Smith, chairman of the cOmrnfffae MI1cb nf