Norwich bulletin., 1918-05-09

S37 and S41 Main street have been purchased. It is hoped that in due time fine, new, thoroughly equipped, | modern building will be erected, but it | is not the purpose of the committee to | consider any construction work until | war conditions have passed.
 Membership.
 Inasmuch as in our building cam paign in May 1917, we agreed to allow 1 contributors above a certain sum to | have included therein their member ship in the association, we have been able to add a asnumber of names to our membership list These conditions will also prevail during the coming year and it is fair to state that our membership in all departments num- bers approximately 1,000
 Rental Department.
 The opportunity for service to our soldier boys has made the work of the rental committee much more difficult than in past years. Practically every available space in our building in which a cot could be set up has been utilized and on several occasions over 125 men have been accommodated at night All reports of this department have been most gratifying, but best Of all has been the opportunity for per- sonal contact with the men as well as with the soldier boys. A new depar- ture has been the serving of Sunday morning breakfast during the pas. month, and the soldiers have showed their appreciation of this effort by their liberal patronage. A straight talk has been given by some prominent citizen and the attention accorded hirl by the fellows has, been most inspir- ing.
 Educational Department. While the equipment for the educa- tional work in our present building is limited, our committee has been ex- ceedingly active on several occasions by means of lectures, concerts and entertainments of high order, to bring to our members such phases of current events and current topics as would be most helpful to our boys. Practical talks have been given, and special in- structien. with liberal use of the | moving picture machine, have all tend l ed to make an active and successful 1 year in this department Because Of l the lack of a suitable place to hold | entertainments, we were obliged for a second time to omit our Star course l of entertainments. The reading room, 1 as usual, is well supplied with peri odicals and magazines and at almost any time of the day men may be seen availing themselves of the privileges of this department.
 | Social Department.
 The social department, as in previ- ous years, has been very active iil its efforts to stimulate the social life lef the association Many social events
 have been held as well as receptions to the different organizations of our r hoc and again that the social atmosphere fof our association was of the highest type While R. H. Gray, chairman of
 this committee. has taken up his resi-
 dence in New London, he has retained
 his interest not only in this cernmittes
 but in our association work
 Physical Department.
 Throughout the year our gymnasium
 has been conducted with much enthu-
 sium. During the early months of the year our physical director, Mir. Roy | T. Crosby, felt the call to service over
 seas, and in February left us to take up work in France. The reports which
 have come to us from him show how
 important a field of service he is fill
 ing with our boys lover there" ant
 Norwich association feels a particular
 pride in having one of it's officers en. gagged in so important a branch of thC
 service. Our department committed
 was exceedingly fortunate in securins ! the services of John M Swahn, wht has for many years been identified
 with our local work as a leader an( our work under his supervision ha,
 gone on in a most highly satisfactor, manner. We are greatly indebted t
 MT. Swahn for his service in this de |. partment for the securing of a nev
 physical director at this time Woult have been very difficult when so man,
 men have left the work to accept tn, call to service, both in National can tonments and overseas.
 : Junior Department.
 Under the direction of MT. Ely. tn Boys Work secretary. l and Mayo Brown as chairman of the Bows Wort committee everything possible ha , been been done to stimulate a health interest in this department. The boy 5 have been loyal in their support c : their leaders and their rooms hay literally been crowded on many occa ! sions. and especially during the win . . ter months. The boys have been give . talks and lectures and the annuf
 Father and Son banquet given thi ' year was, in my opinion the mos
 successful one ever held. The, boy r have been identified with the scot q movement and have also sold Libert ii bonds and thrift stamps There is n
 more important department of our as sociation than our boys work and W . only wish that our equipment for tn !, work of this department were muc
 more adequate.
 n Benjamin M. Bruce who has serve t not only as office secretary. as scot l. master for our city, and from time 1 1, time as a capable and worthy assist It ant tosdr. Ely left our association q = early part of the year to enter u d employment of the government {; = Washington. His loss as a membt 6 of our employed force was keen1y fel
 but we have been successful in rt n cent weeks in securing Joseph .Rint $ hart. who will no. only be able to f 1t the position of office secretary, bl If will have charge of the building eae
 night and do personal work among Il = soldier boys who come to our builC n ing in such large numbers.
 " Benevolence.
 Under the leadership of our efi 70 cient chairman of this department, d number of the sick members have be- d visited, flowers have been sent, al l. whenever the opportunity offered, o1 h boys have been remembered as u le occasion required
 Foreign Work.
 :. Our association has for anoth 70 year, paid for the service of an Anne = ican secretary at Pao- ting -ful. Chin association. Robert w. Clack, WI 'u visited our city some months ago,
 still in charge of the work, having r
 turned from his furlough in-this cou