its industrial ability to economically supply the world with what it requires. In the building of ships for the future we have changed our entire program in this particular, that during the war we built ships of any kind that we could build, good, bad and indifferent. There is nothing in the entire program which at this time I would change if I could change. It was a question of getting anything that would float across the Atlantic and carry freight across the Atlantic, but now we have reached the point where we must build for economic permanency. Every ship we build now must be of the highest type of economical operation for the future. But it will not do us any good to build ships for the future if we cannot make our great legislative body in Washington see that we must be supported in the operation of those ships, when we do build them. [Cheers and applause.] Given equality of position, the United States may be depended upon to evolve ships and methods as economical and efficient, if not more so, than any other nation of the world. We must not be handicapped by laws or conditions that will not permit of their economical and successful operation afterwards [applause]. I duly submit to you that, as Americans on the Atlantic seaboard, it is every man's duty to use his influence toward furthering this great American mercantile marine evolved from this war, that gives us the opportunity to make permanent the supremacy of the seas for all times. [Applause.] I don't know what will happen to me if I don't stop [cries of "Go on "]. We have been in a period of the world's greatest history, and one could go on and talk of these things. It will delight us, as we grow older and toast our shins by the fireside and reminisce on these times, to let our imagination and recollection grow with time and think of these things. We will find much pleasure in recalling these strenuous days, the tasks allotted to us and the successful outcome of them; of the great nation of which we are happy to be citizens, and the prosperity and happiness that might come to us and indeed to the whole world as the result of this great triumph of arms for democracy; to have lived in this greatest time in the history of the world. I am sure it will delight me personally to remember this delightful evening in Boston, and to have spoken to you, not in the manner of speech making, but as friend to friend, and as man to man, and brothers in this great brotherhood of this great American citizenship, and to receive the approval of your friends as I have received it this evening. [Prolonged applause.] ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CLUB The annual meeting of the Club was held at the Clubhouse at 8 P.M., November 18, 1918. All the amendments to the by-laws set forth in the notice of the annual meeting were unanimously adopted. The annual reports of the Board of Governors and of several committees were read as follows: REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR THE YEAR 1917-1918 The Board of Governors was organized for the year after the annual election in November, 1917, at a meeting held November 22, 1917, at which the officers, with the exception of Secretary, were chosen. The regular monthly meetings have been held as provided for in the by-laws. A large part of the work of the Board of Governors consisted in considering reports of the Executive Committee and other committees, and passing upon the actions taken by the Executive in administering the affairs of the Club in the intervals between the meetings of the Board. The most important votes passed by the Board of Governors, outside of numerous votes concerning routine matters of administration and special problems of minor character, are as follows: Meeting of November 22, 1917 The policy of extending special privileges of the Club to men training for service in the army or navy was inaugurated and these privileges were extended to the students of Massachusetts Technology Aviation School. It was also voted that applicants elected to membership after November 1, 1917, who could not qualify by reason of their being in the Federal service, could have their qualification for membership held in abeyance until such time as they return to civil life. Meeting of December 4, 1917 At this meeting, Charles J. Martell was elected Secretary, members were nominated and elected to serve in various committees. Meeting of December 18, 1917 It was voted to extend the privileges of the Club to officers of the army and navy of the United States and its allies during the calendar year 1918 unless the war should terminate earlier. Meeting of January 15 The privileges of the Club were extended to men enrolled in the school for naval ensigns of Harvard. Meeting of March 19 At this meeting the Board of Governors elected Mr. Clarence Maguire to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late George von L. Meyer. Meeting of April 16 VOTED, that all members of the Club entering in the naval or military service of the Federal Government shall retain their membership without payment of dues. Mr. Roy L. Westcott was employed as Manager of the Club. Meeting of June 18 The resident membership was increased from 6,500 to 7,000. IT WAS VOTED, that all the money in the treasury available for the redemption of bonds be so applied. Meeting of September 17 The engagement of Lloyd B. Hayes as Civic Secretary of the Club was approved. Meeting of October 15 IT WAS VOTED, to recommend to the members of the Club that the by-laws be amended by the adoption of the changes set forth in the call for the annual meeting. Detailed reports of the work of the various Club Committees coming under the supervision of the Board of Governors, which reports are made a part of the annual report of the Board of Governors, are here presented by the chairmen of the various committees. HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE I beg to submit a report of the activities of the Hospitality Committee for the past year. Immediately after appointment the committee organized, and for a considerable period held weekly meetings, and thereafter the meetings were held at frequent intervals when the interest of the Club seemed to require. At these meetings the members of the committee discussed plans for welcoming new members and making them acquainted with each other, and with the Club officials. After the election of each group of new members, a letter is sent to them welcoming them to membership in the Club, reminding them of the Club slogan that it is founded in the spirit of good fellowship, and notifying them that the Hospitality Committee will be in attendance at all Thursday-night functions of the Club, and in the Clubhouse at noontime on Thursday for the purpose of answering questions and giving any desired information regarding the Club affairs. In addition to this the Club plans to hold a get-together, good-fellowship meeting for all new members, at which light refreshments are served, vocal and instrumental music is provided by Club members, and addresses are made by the members of the committee and Club officials. During the past year one of these meetings has been held, and it attracted an attendance of several hundred new members. The chairman of the committee explained the purposes of the Club, and addresses of welcome were made by the Club President and various chairmen of committees, and by several of the new members. The new members were presented to the President and officers of the Club and to each other, and then was formed an acquaintanceship of several hundred members for each member entertained on that occasion. The committee had planned during September and October for another get-together meeting for new members admitted since the last meeting, but the influenza epidemic and pressing war activities caused a postponement. The committee intends to have a rousing good-fellowship meeting for new members in the immediate future. WM. T. A. FITZGERALD, Chairman. ART AND LIBRARY COMMITTEE During the year there have been 295 volumes acquired for the library, as follows: Of these 295 volumes, 23 were donated and the remainder were purchased from the committee's appropriation. One of the Club members has purchased 37 discarded books for hospital donations and the obsolete magazines have, as in the past, been forwarded by the Club to local hospitals. At present the Boston City Club library numbers upward of 5,000 volumes, which are now fully catalogued. It is gratifying to note that there has been a marked increase during the past year in the use made of the library by the members. The committee has recently established a rule whereby books may be taken from the library, but not from the Clubhouse, upon signing a slip provided at the librarian's desk. While there have been a few cases of forgetfulness on the part of Club members in signing for these books, it is expected that full coöperation will be attained when the system has been a little longer in vogue. During the year the large painting "The Frigate Constitution" which hung in the main dining room, and the portrait of Daniel Webster which hung in the lounge, have been returned to their owners. Besides several smaller donations, the Club was presented with a portrait of the late Patrick A. Collins by James H. Vahey, Esq., and others. Two exhibitions of note have been held; namely, the paintings of the late F. Hopkinson Smith, and an instructive exhibit of arts of the Czecho-Slovaks which was loaned by several Boston Bohemians, the latter exhibit celebrating the declaration of independence of the CzechoSlovaks. The financial statement is as follows: Appropriation. Expended. Unexpended... $1,855.00 1,769.66 $85.34 The committee is especially gratified to announce that one of its members, Mr. Vesper L. George, is painting two panels, to be hung over the two front doorway entrances, respectively, of the auditorium. These beautiful paintings are nearly completed and are to be donated to the Club by Mr. George. C. B. BREED, Chairman, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE I transmit herewith report of the Membership Committee for the Club year ending October 31, 1918. It will be interesting to note that during the year which has just closed, eight hundred ninety (890) applicants were elected to membership, as compared with six hundred fifty-two (652) for the year ending October 31, 1917. During the past year there have been received five hundred nine (509) resignations, as compared with six hundred three (603) for the year ending October 31, 1917. Two hundred fifty-two (252) members were dropped during the past year, of whom thirty-two (32) were reinstated, as compared with one hundred forty-five (145) forfeitures of membership and thirty-five (35) reinstatements for the preceding year. Membership, November 1, 1917: Resident... Non-resident. Members elected since November 1, 1917. Resignations officially accepted to November 1, 1918.... Resignations tendered to take effect on October 31, but not yet officially accepted... Resignations withdrawn... Membership forfeited: Deceased... 93 6,540 Dropped.. Reinstated. Inactive list (Members in the active service of the Federal Government, and included in figures given above). . . . Waiting list, November 1, 1917 Waiting list, November 1, 1918 318 423 3 28 FRANK V. THOMPSON, Chairman. |