The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1919-05-10

NeWdTh April I'LL
'MobiliZe for Peace" as its slogan, the
National Conference of Social Work
will meet for the forty-sixth annual
session at Atlantic City June 1 to June
s, inclusive. That this big gathering
of social workers, at which many i'm
discussed by prominent trained ex-
perts, will meet in New Jersey Is large
ly due to the persistent efforts of Alex
ander Johnson and Ernest D. Easton,
representing the Conference of Chart
ties and Correction of the state. In
cidentally this organization has under
written $500 of the guarantee required
to bring the assemblage to this state.
The program provides for seven
days of intensive discussion of plans
for American communities during the
period that will follow the final sign
ing of peace. The members of the New
Jersey body deeply appreciate the i'm
portance of the problems incident to
the reconstruction work that must be
taken up in every city and town in con-
nection with the readjustment of con-
ditiOns of practically every phase of
life, such as cost of food, wages, hous-
ing and recreation.
With delegates present from foreign
countries, many of them scheduled to
deliver addresses at different sessions,
the big conference will partake of an
unusual international character. Also,
it will be one of the most important
ever held. 1t Is expected there will be
an attendance of more than 1000 dele
gates. Governors, mayors, representa-
tives of women's clubs and delegates
from civic bodies have been asked to
send their delegates.
The story of how the Conference
ome to New Jersey this year is of Pc
culiar interest to the people of the
state, and particularly to those who
have so loyalty supported the work of
the organization. Naturally the incen-
tive to have the meeting held within
the confines of a state is the fact that
the National Conference is a clearing
house of experience and proposal,
which attracts the interest and pres
ence of the prominent sociological
workers throughout the United States.
The National Conference in 1914 vas
held in Memphis, Tenn. 1t was there
the first effort was made to bring the
big gathering to New Jersey. Alexan-
der Johnson and Ernest D. Easton were
sent as delegates and authorized to do
their best to have the Conference meet
at Newark in 1915. Baltimore was sue
cessful that year.
A second attempt to prevail upon the
National Conference to meet in the
state was made a year later at Indian
apolis. This time there was a direct
invitation from the city of Newark
with a necessary guarantee of 81, 800.
It was presented by Hon. John J.. Gas
coyne, chief probation officer; A. W.
McDougall, Superintendent of the Blu
reau of Associated Charities, and
Ernest D. Easton, Secretary of the New
Jersey Anti-Tuberculosis League. and a
score of other delegates from the state.
The formal invitation was signed by
August V. Hamburg, Felix Fuld, Frank
lin Conklin, UzaI McCarter and others.
j. WAS VI uO dNuAl. lllSOul I'll WIS St
lected. In connection with the refusal
1t was said that the limited hotel ia
cilities of Newark precluded the hold
ing of such a convention In that city.
When it was decided to make a third
attempt t bring the big assemblage to
the state Atlantic City was selected as
the place of meeting. 1t was argued
there could be no question as to ac-
commOdation or amusement between
sessions. At the convention in Kansas
City last year the invitation was again
presented. This time the persisteney
of the Jerseymen won, and the popular
resort was designated as the conven-
ton city for 1919.
As the state is to be the host, a State
Committee on Arrangements was nee
essary. A preliminary meeting for the
nom.uation of such a committee was