New Britain herald., 1920-06-10
LAY CORNER STONE
 SATURDAY AT2P. M.
Exercises at New Home Oi. Local
 Boys Club ;"

ing historical data dealing with the birth and development of tho or gauization:
 AS New Britain assumes moro and more .of the character of a largo city, the temptations To which the bows of thg city arc subjected grow both in pNwcr and In nuqbcr. and the need of influences to correct the evil tCn. dcncics Is pressing hard upon us. The work Of the New Britain Boys club has become an imperative neCessity. if WIG arc to save the boys and give them a fair chance in life. Dgrtng the last 30 years the volume Of this work has increased so that the people of New Britain. as we'll as the board of directors Of the Boys club realized the need of new modern building. which the boys might call their own.
 In 1916 tho people of New Britain very generously gave sS0.0O0 to pur- chase q permanent home for the New Britain Boys club, and at that time the present site was purchased at the corner Of Main and Center streets. and the building thereon remodeled, and Is being used for class work. games. physical culture. etc. The Boys club also accommodates the Visiting Nurse association. Milk sta ton, charity organizations and the Boy Scouts. and is housing these or- ganizations at the present time with out expense to them.
 The new building under construc- ton by tho B. H. Hubbard company will consist of gymnasium. 51x79 feet. containing locker rooms, shower baths, hand-ball court. etc. which will he finished for the fall season.
 H.s IV4fN .fN. ,.T.. for "A square Deal for Every Boy" Hundreds oc boys have been lost by tho bad influences or the street who, with proper guidance during the for native period of life. might have been saved This was first realized way hack in 1890. when John C. East man. at that time secretary Of the Connecticut auxiliary committee. who was SO impressed with the very urgent need of boys club. that he interested several of the most public spirited men and women of the citv and raised St.0O0 which started and maintained the first club tn this city which was opened March 10. 1891. in tho Herald hall on Church street. With the assistance Of the Misses Eastman. the club was carried on sue cessftlly for a long period. Later Percy l.. smith was invited 10 be- come tho first superintendent and did finc work with and for the boys dur ing a period of several years.
 Hon. NJ. C. Webster was the first president o<AanA Boys club. and acted His personality ana .T ,cc mn tbs boys was of incalculahle apont Tn them.
 IT. Dayton Humphrey had
 Of what boys club could do mor<l physically. socially and intclleciuaNv for these little lads: that they couNl prevent crime by making riGht-doinci easier than wrong-doing, and for 70 years he gave his spare time by acting as president of the club. The late 1 Martin S. Wizard gave freely of his I time. acting as treasurer of the club ! for % years.
 The late Chief E. M. Dame was su- perintcndent of the Boys club for | eight years and his influence over tho 1 boys turned their lives into right | channels and has helped to make | them worthy citizens.
 The late Judge James Y. NcskIll | was also q great friend of the boys of | Now Britain. and while Inc was on the | bench co-opcratcd in every way pos siblc with tho Boys club to help the | unfortunate boy. who happened to 1 come before him to mend his ways | before it was too late.
 Mrs T. X. Traut has done much | good for those among tho boys whoss lives need brightcnipg. and the Boys club is fortunate in having been one of tho avenues through which she has the bounty of her love for others. She Is still very active so- cial worker.
 Rev. l.. <. Johnson and r.. C. Con molly have freely given their com mcndation of tho good the club has done for the boys. coming in contact 1 as probation officers with many or the | boys. They were Tn position to realize tho amount an institution liko this does for the city. Also the words of Chief W. ]. Rawlings arc to say tho least. to the executives Of the present day institu- ion.
 So tho work of the New Britain Boys club has grown and advanced inder tho direction of the supervisors mentioned. and later under that of .ouis Lloyd and R. II. Crawford. uu- n at the present time the work is inder Inc supcrintendcncy Of Mar hall Cook.
 There are at the present time 37 oIuntary social workers who have s"t tours Of the week in which they give cssons in carpentry. Claymolding. obbling. plaster casting and physical ' uIturc. and many others. all of which are we'll attended. There is nd he. oh h