The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-26

President, Frederick s. Chase; vice.
president, Mark L. Sperry, Jr.;
treasurer, Robert H. Leach.
The directors, all reelected are
Frederick S. Chase, Mark l.. Sperry,
j., Robert H. Leach, William J.
Larkin and Truman s. Lewis.
Active duties as physical director
of the institution will be assumed
by Theodore K. Moore, next Mon
day. Mr.. Moore arrived here from
Terre Haute, Ind, yesterday to take
the place of "Ted" O,Donnell who
has accepted a position in Spring.
field Mass.
In offering the annual report Of
the Boys Club for the year 1886,
I am very conscious of great
void In this gathering Of execu-
tives and directors Of our Or
ganization. After an almost con-
tinuous attendance of nearly so
years, he who stood for the well
fare and direction of boys for so
many years, Is missing. You all
know to whom I refer, our pio-
neer social worker and Boys Club
director for nearly half century,
Nicholas Comeback affection
ately known to thousands as
Pop. On June % he passed
into the "Great Beyond" while
vactioning in England. But his
spirit still lives and the inspiration
and service that he created as part
of our organization must be car
ried on in our endeavors for the
underprivileged youth of our COM
munity.
Pioneer Work
To our old friends our story Is
well known. AS far back as
fifty years ago prominent figures
in our community saw the need If
recreational facilities to the boy
during his leisure hours. They
saw 1t not only as a philan-
thropic movement but also as an
economic and social need. They
realized that the boy In the con-
gested areas Of our communities
would find some outlet for his
natural energies. The desire was
to consume this energy in play,
but this boy had no place but the
street or back alleys In which to
play. What forms Of mischief that
he could get into in this environ
ment can readily be understood.
These forward looking citizens saw
this condition and became instru-
mental in organizing an indoor
playground or club in which
games and play under supervision
was promoted. The need Of a
home for boys away from home
became very apparent in the eyes
Of the director, so bed rooms and
dining room were created. This
is the development Of the Boys
club so years ago and the rea-
son for continuing and organizing
clubs in the present day in all
types of communities. 1t Is recog-
nized and accepted as one of the
most valuable means Of holding
down juvenile delinquency and Is
emphatically endorsed by such
national figures In crime preven-
tion as J. Edgar Hoover, Warden
Lawes and police chiefs through
out the nation. The Boys Club
of Waterbury pioneered In this
club promotion and we are pleased
to state that the organization is
stronger than ever, that 1t has
done It's Job for nearly so years In
an effective manner and has
been a decided asset to this COM
munity Of ours.
Obligations
But, we as humans, err In ac-
cepting institutions that have per-
severed and continued, as organ
izations within themselves which
need no outside assistance and
pressure. We did not live during
the struggles Of organization and
so forget the continued needs to
keep 1t carrying on. Our old
friends remember, but later gen.
erationS must carry on where they
left of. They must realize their
financial and moral obligation TO
the community and to the or
CARNATIONS sponsoring program
Of real economic import. In
creased leisure, congested districts,
poor home conditions--all point
to the need Of recreation center
for boys. It Is the reason for the
! operatson Of Bows Clubs which
slfIf + +