The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-09

The Waterbury Boys Club estab- lished in January of 1888 starts its 51st year of community service and boys welfare work with the largest membership registration in years, according to the annual report of Superintendent William M. Johnson. The statement was made at the an- nual meeting of the directors Mon- day evening when the following off, ficers and directors were elected: Frederick s. Chase, president; Mark L. Sperry, Jr., vice-president; Robert H. Leach, treasurer; J. Gregory Lynch, secretary; William J. Larkin, Jr., E. Rowland Chase and E. A. Anderson.
 The annual report of the super intendent reviewing the high lights of the 50th year of the clubs exis- tence reads as follows:
 ANNUAL REPoRT-1sss
 For a period of fifty years, an annual report has been presented showing the progress and continued development of the Boys Club in the City of Waterbury. With each year it becomes increasingly diff cult to present a report showing very drastic changes due chiefly to the fact that the problem of boy leadership has not greatly changed over this long stretch of years. Our organization was promoted and sponsored by far-seeing citizens who saw the need of wholesome supervised recreation in our first years, just as descendants of these same citizens see the necessity ot organizations and institutions for the direction and development of youth today.
 It is not my intention to deal with figures in reference to our work, as it is usually confusing and not readily understood. But may we offer the number of registrations that we had for the year as a means of determining the extent of our work. The total this year reached sixteen hundred and thirty-four, a new high figure in our history. Our general average over the last few years has been in the neighborhood of fifteen hundred, which would in- dicate that we are carrying oh at very close to capacity in our present building.
 There has been marked and alarming increase in delinquency and crime over the last few years which has caused @ great deal of anxiety. It has been difficult to of- fer solution toward curbing this tendency with many experts voicing their suggestions in coping with this problem. But with all this crime increase and methods of curtailing 1t, 1t would appear that we all must do our part in relieving 1t. We re- alize that while Q boy is under the influence of proper persons or ac- lively engaged in a worthwhile pursuit, he is out ot harms way. But does he come under the control at all times of organizations such as ours? What condition does one fine in his home, his associations, the moral standards of the parents their mental condition. All these things influence the boy before and after he comes to the Club. It Is the job of all with whom he comes in contact to change his viewpoint if 1t is not social or to help him to hold his views If he has the proper sense of social conduct.
 I am thankful to say that the majority of boys are social minded that being real boys. they are full of energy and a desire to assert themselves. Their out-of-school time Is definitely made interesting and the desire to play is carried on in our several departments.
 The majority are organized in groups or classes with specified tines scheduled for gym activities, At other times these same boys have game room and swimming privileges at their convenience. We attempt to have them occupied at all times during their leisure time at the Club. But with all this, one finds the problem boy he who does not seem to fit in with these scheduled activities. It Is he who re- auires extra attention - personal contacts to set him going in the proper channels. Sometimes he re- spends immediately; at other times 1t seems impossible to get him in- terested in anything. But those whom we have worked with and found real interest for, have re- paid us many times for the strain we have undergone in attempting to keep them out of mischief and trouble.
 Our work has continued for many years under the same conditions We still have the building erected about th!yty.five years ago, which has undergone change from time tc ! time. our gymnasium was found 1 inadequate In size at one pericd oi our life and an addition made to Il with q running track installed providing the boys with modern gym facilities. Our social equip ment was also found wanting anc a new lobby fashioned into the l huildinQ to make d senior room oj