Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-14

With some three score Of Augustus
stalwart young sons present as their
special guests, a living and forceful
reminder Of the obligations as fathers
and citizens to the future generation
which will be Augusta and Maine, the
some three score and more ROtacians
present at the "Boys' Night" obser-
vance Of the Rotary club at the Au-
gusta House Friday evening, enthusi-
astically received the report of the
special committee appointed by Presi-
dent Arthur N. Soule, recommending
that steps be Immediately taken to
remedy the present crowded and in
adequate conditions at Cony high
school by the construction of a new
junior high school building to cost
approximately s225,00U with $4,000
additional for equipment.
Dean Of Springfield College Speaker
Another feature Of the meeting Of
last evening was the presence OF DR..
Frank n. Seerley. dean of Springfield
college. who as the principal speaker
following the luncheon session, de-
livered an address with a punch
which carried home to every one Of
the 125 boys and men present, on the
building Of character from youth to
manhood. DR.. Secretly, who is one of
the greatest and most widely known
speakers on social hygiene in the
country. told his hearers that the hui
man body is the most wonderful and
intricate piece of mechanism in the
world. He graphically illustrated his
address and declared that from the
building material everywhere at hand.
the boy builds his character for the
future, and that the fathers should
make every effort to place proper
building materials before their sons.
to assure the rearing OF a proud and
splendid structure.
President Soule then called upon
Rotarian Harris Woodman, chairman
of the boys work committee to pre-
side at the session last evening. Dur
ing the luncheon hour the program
was enlivened tc the enjoyment of the
juniors and the bigger boys" alike,
by the singing of several of the old
time favorites. such as "Old MacDon-
aid Had a Farm" and Nellie Kelley"
This feature was. under the mastery
direction of J. Francis MacNichol.
Report Favors Junior High School
The report presented for the special
committee by the chairman. Hon.
Willis f. Swift, was the result Of an
exhaustive investigation into the
school problem in the city Of Augusta.
and several conferences with the
members of the boa,d Of education.
Incorporated in the report was a
summary of the present crowded
the expression Of the committees be-
lief that the recommendation Of the
school board for the adoption OF
Junior high school system and the.
erection of a junior high building
should be furthered by the Rotarians.
The report further suggested that
the $25O,O00--the estimated cost of
the new school building and equip
ment-be raised by a tax OF three
mills levied by the city government
on taxable property over such priod
of time as would be necessary and
that a bond issue be foated to make
the funds available for immediate
construction. At Chairman Swift's
suggestion and on motion. the report
was placed upon the table for two
weeks to allow the members to
thoroughly investigate the situation
and the needs for themselves before
acting upon it.
The general expression Of opinion
upon the report and the project was
favorable and it IS believed that the
Rotarians will take Affirmative action,
and will actively support the Junior
high school program. The full text
0 fthe committees report was foi-
lows:
To President Arthur and Fellow
Rotarians:
Your committee appointed to in
vestigate conditions and to ascertain
the needs for additional accommoda-
lions for children in the public
schools of Augusta respectfully sub
nit the following brief report:
Mindful of the importance Of the
public school system as a very real
asset to the general welfare Of the
City. YOUR COnniffea boc ronucior