Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-26
THE BOYS CHUBBY Frederic J. Haskin

want to stop school, And yet they have
only fantastic plans for making a fortune.
If they stop school with this meager equip
ment for making a living they are apt to
settle down as unskiIled laborers or to be-
come casual workers, depending upon the
rest Of the family for support.
Gives Boys a Start
To prevent boys from starting to work in
this aimless or ignorant fashion, the club
obtains teachers for certain periods after
school hours, and organizes such classes as
it can equip. Every member of the club is
encouraged to enter some class. If he tries
sign painting and finds that he has no apti-
tude nor liking for it, he is not urged to
continue there, but tries something else.
Some of the business men of the cities
cooperate regularly with the boys clubs in
giving these boys a foundation of a trade.
One man here has donated an electric vul-
canizing machine. He assures DR.. Neil that
after six months training a boy can earn
from $50 to $50 week at vulcanizing.
Other men have promised to help the boys
find work during the summer or in spare
time if they want it. A sign painter, for one,
says that he never find enough men who
know the trade.
The Boys Club in Washington is organ
lied like the United States government.
There is a president, DR.. Neil, and a vice
president his assistant. Then there are Sec
retaries Of state, member, hip, finance, lib
rary, interior, and five senator's: A Judicial
machine, composed of boys officials, sees that
the rules, which are few and to the point,
are obeyed. Violations are reported by the
ST policemen or the chief of police and the
court with it's three judges and chief justice
convenes. The accused may call upon the
district attorney of the club to represent him
| if he wishes. Fines are one cent, or even
| five cents for serious Offenses, or else the
lawbreaker is forbidden access to the pool
room or library for day two.
DR.. Neil applies the simple philosophy OF
Tom Sawyer. If thing is to be had at any
time for the asking, it is not particularly
desirable. Make it a privilege and the boy
will want it. On this principle dues ranging
from five cents to quarter a month are
required of members.
The success of the Boys Club is due to the
fact that it is founded Oh the principles Of
boy psychology. Boys like to collect in a
bunch or gang. What boy then, could re-
sist belonging to club that boasts a club
house Of is own with it's own library, pool
rooms, gymnasium and gym coach If you
doubt the potency of the club influence,
listen to the story of the G Street gang.
The Boys club had been running In
Washington for short time, when an ex-
cited little boy rushed into DR.. Neils office
There's gonna be a fight tonight. The G
Street crowds comm up here to bust up
the place!"
That night the G Street crowd, 18 strong
burst into the club house door without the
Formally of ringing the bell. DR.. Neil was
in the hall to act a reception committee
The intruder faces dared him to put them
out. They were at a loss when he shook
hands around and smiled and said he was
glad to see them. BY the time he had showed
t EN- the sights of the club and invite them
to membership, they were still more puzzled,
though rather pleased at the attention shown
them. They ended by joining, of course, and
Dr.. Neil clinched a successful encounter by
singing out the leader of the gang and
appointing him to a temporary Office in the
club.