Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-23
300 STUDENTS
GATHER FOR STATE
"Y" CONVENTION

tne 1OunG men CHRISTIAN !ASSOcla-
lions of Maine opened in this city
Friday afternoon with about 900 visit
ing delegates from the student body
of the high schools. the preparatory
schools and colleges of the State
present, The boys arrived during the
AFTERNOON and went directly to. the
First Baptist church, where they regis
tered and were assigned to the homes
where they will be entertained during
their stay in the city and to which
they were escorted by a group of
guides organized under the direction
of Prof. Fred L. Daye of Coburn.
At 6.10 O'Clock they were escorted
to the Armory, where the banquet was
served and the evening exercises held
by the Colby band. AS sd)n as the
guests were assigned to their places at
the table the hall resounded to cheers
by the different schools, sometimes
interfering with one another in their
eXuberance. The meeting following
the banquet was full of .enthusias SIN.
The POSTMASTER, Judge Harry Mansur
of Auburn, with his keen wit and
sharp play upon words was most inter-
esting.
Following the supper, cheers were
given for various people who have
been prominent in arragning for the
conference. These cheers were led
by Fremont HI. Thompson, official
cheer leader for the conference, and
were given with will for Jeff Smith,
general secretary of the Y. NJ c. A.,
the Girls City Club, which furnish
ed the supper; Sam Freeman, who
looked after the finances of the con-
ference; Horace j. Day, head of the
state committee for 80 years, and
lastly Judge Harry Mansur of Au-
burn, who was introduced by Herbert
l.. Emery as POSTMASTER of the eve
ming.
Mayor E. e. Finnimore, who gave
the welcome of the city, presented a
large golden key to Judge Mansur,
with a few words of welcome. Each
speaker was warmly welcomed by
the boys with rousing cheers. Rus
sell Squire of the Waterville High
school extended the welcome for the
students and made the hit of the eve
ming when he did it, with both the
home folks and the visitors.
Ginger" Fraser, who extended the
welcome from the faculties of the
schools. was thrice cheered as he
rose to speak-first by the confer
ence, next by Colby and third by
Coburn. Lea A. Reiber of Bowdoin
college responded for the students.
Mr.. Reiber stated that he came from
Louisiana but he would take his hat
OFF to Maine. He spoke with a de-
lightful southern accent and made
his way into the hearts of all.
Robert E. Owen, principal of Oak
Gro seminary, Bob" to the boys,
responded for the leaders and spoke
in happy vein. Henry F. Merrill of
Portland responded for the State as.
ISOLATION. He said he never faced an
audience like the one he was address
ing, without feeling an inspiration
and exhiliration. He said the great
est asset of the state is the wonderful
young manhood of Maine.
DR.. A. G. Noehren. physical direc-
t,r of the Y. NJ C. A. in Madras, In
dia. was the principal speaker of the
evening. DR.. Neehren congratulated
the delegates and others concerned on
the nature of the program, saying 1t
breathed spirit of unselfish service.
He told graphic and highly interest
ing story OF conditions in India and
contrasted that stricken country with
America and the evidences of wealth
and comfort b be seen here.
The conference will be held today
in the Baptist church and will con-
tinue throughout today and tomorrow.