Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-10-17
Perth AmbOy Man Is
Leader at "W Convention

Former Judge Adrian Lyon, of
this city, is in Cleveland this week
presiding over the deliberations of
the Committee of Thirty-three -
which was appointed at the trien-
NAL International convention of the
Young Mems Christian Association
of North America which was held
last November. AT the same time a
constitutional convention of the as
sociation is being held with Judge
Lyon as temporary chairman. The
convention is to receive the recon-
mendations of the Committee of
Thirty-three" regarding the adoption
of constitution for the association.
This convention was instructed ito
study all the questions affecting the
general policy of the movement, and
of the organization, relationships,
and functions of the associations and
their general agencies; and to pre-
sent it's findings to the associations
for their action through a referen-
DUN vote"
The general agencies referred to
are the international convention it,
self; the international committee
which represents both the United
States and Canada; forty-two state
and interstate organiza tions; three
Y. Nj. C. A. colleges; nine summer
training conferences, and several
standing committees and boards.
Basic to the work of the constitu-
tional convention is the question OF
how this large layman's movement
can better meet its increasing re-
sponsibilities. Many questions which
have arisen during the nearly three
quarters of a century of continued
expansion of the movement in North
America, and in It's service in foreign
countries, especially during and
since the war, will have to be solved.
The questions center in their prac-
tical aspects upon the character and
functions of the general legislative
body which has heretofore been the
international convention, and upon
those of such standing general agen-
cies as the association embracing
some 1000 branches in the United
States and Canada. may desire and
agree to maintain. Preliminary con-
sideration of these questions has pro-
duced proposals ranging from slight
modification of the existing order to
extensive reorganization.
The constitutional convention,
both in the fact of its authorization
and in its potentialities, is regarded
throughout the Y. M. G. A. move
ment as one of the, most important
occasions and processes in its his
tory. This is emphasized by the care
which has been given to make 1t
thoroughly representative, and by
the surveys and studies made in
preparation for its work.
The international convention ap-
pointed for the purpose of making
arrangements for the meeting a
Committee of Thirty-three," repre-
sentative of the movement geograph-
ically and from the standpoint of
types of associa tions and of both lay
and employed personnel. Adrian
Lyon, Of this city, was named chair
man; II. NJ. Beardsley, of Kansas
City, Is vice chairman. and DR.. John
r. Mott is the executive secretary.
The International Y NJ. G.. A. Is at
present without constitution, 1t is
the purpose of the constitutional
convention to draft a constitution
which will serve as a guide for the
future conduct of the organization.
Ten men have been asked TO prepare
appropriate constitutions. Former
Judge Lyon is one of these ten. From
these ten tentative constitutions the
committee will draw up a final con-
stitution which will be presented. to-
gether with the original offerings OF
the ten men, at this convention for
adoption. About 450 delegates from
all parts of the United States and
Canada are in attendance.
Apart from its representative
character as regards the association
movement from an organic stand
point, the Cleveland meeting, 1t Is
pointed out, is unique in its illustra-
tion of the sources from which the
draws its leadership. The
lay delegates include business and
men OF national and ina
ternational reputation, as for exaiN-
Pile:
Federal Judge B. r. Bledsoe. Los
Angeles. Call: Dean o. E. Brown,
University, Nashville.
Tenn: Cleveland e. Dodge, Phelps
Dodge & Co., New York City; S. p.
Fem, vice president of the Sherwin-
Williams Co.. Cleveland, o.; Walter
w. Head, Omaha, Neb., president of
the American Bankers Associations;
DR.. L. N. Hines, president of the In
diana State Normal School,, Terra
Haute; Alba B. Johnson. formerly
president of the Baldwin Locomotive
Works. Philadelphia. Pa: Alexander
S. Lyman. general attorney for the
New York Central Railroad Co.;