Evening star., 1941-01-29
Boys Clubs Pictured
In Defense Task Of
Aid 10 Manhood
Optimists and Youngsters
Hear w. (. Hall in
Anniversary Program

Boys clubs have their share In
the defense program of the Nation
through the training of sound,
sane, healthy and patriotic young
men," William Edwin Hall, president
of the Boys Clubs of America, Inc,
declared last night.
His audience was made up Of more
than 200 youngsters of the Boys
Club of Washington and included
members of the Washington Opti-
mists' Club and guests, who were
celebrating the founding of boys
club work in Washington SIS years
ago and the 18th anniversary of the
Optimists program of encourage
ment and help to Washington boys.
The dinner was held at the May
flower Hotel.
Mr.. Halls talk was the final event
On program designed to please
both boys and men Given en-
suspicious start with ice cream for
the dessert of the banquet, the pro-
gram OF entertainment was launched
successfully when Harry Hier, Tom
Her and George Hale made up a
harmonlca trio that was called back
Tor an encore. A string quartet
mixed folk music with swing to the
satisfaction of youthful and adult
listeners after George Kilev ard
George Hahn each had sung several
songs.
Praises Local Club.
Mr.. Hall praised the work OF the
Boys Club of Washington and said:
1T must be remembered that the
real defense of a country lies in tie
mental attitude of its people. A
contented Nation is strong. A
country of malcontents is beaten
before 1t fights. Our Nation cannot
nnd a better agency for training
men than boys clubs"
He told of a man who refused -
make contribution to the boy.'
clubs because. he said, "everythirr
IS given to the boy members"
The boys clubs give nothing -
a boy except a chance or opportuni.v
TO make something of himself" MI.
Hall declared.
The speaker highly praised Frank
Jellef, chairman of the board Of
the Boys Club of Washington. for
his generosity, his rare quality Of
leadership and unselflshness." Fe
also paid tribute to Charles Fvfe,
director of the club. who, he said
belongs in "the front rank of al
superlntendentS Of boys clubs in
the Nation"
Optimist Work Invaluable
wherever boys work is known
throughout the Nation" he said.
those who are deeply interested
remember the invaluable contribu-
ton that the Optimist Club here
has made to the effectiveness Of
the Washington Boys Club pro-
gram"
Mr.. Hall was introduced BY Mr..
Jelleff. Richard c. Dean. president
OF the Washington Optimists' Club,
presided.
Brief talks were made by David
Wolfe, Boys Club alumnus now a
member Of the District bar. and
Buddy Marmo, president Of the
East Washington Junior Optimists'
Club. Representative alumni mem
berS introduced included Morris
Himmelfarb and Herman Manni-
noff, dentists; Harry Wender, at-
tornev and vice president Of the
Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions; Charles Barbour. sports
writer; David Shapiro and Thomas
Nolan of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation: Peter De Anna, art
list; Irving Holbrool:, coach at Con-
zaga High School; E. BarnWell
Smith. veterinary surgeon, and
Mario Gregorio. Boys Club worker.
Guests introduced by Mr.. Dean
included Foster NJ. Reeder, A. F.
E. Horn, president of the Boys
Club of Washington; Eugene Mey-
er, publisher Of the Washington
Post; B NJ McKelway, managing
editor of The Evening Star: for
mer Secretary of War Patrick J.
Hurley and Judge Harry P. Ken
nedy.