Y. W. C. A.

When the Y. W. C. A. meets in biennial assembly, as it did last week in Milwaukee, many important points come up for serious discussion and decision.

Paying Guests. The most far-reaching of these was the cumulative decision on membership. Heretofore a Jewess or a Unitarian, "belonging" to the Y. W. C. A., lodging at its hostels, using its gymnasium and recreational facilities, could consider herself only a paying guest. She had no voting rights in the national organization which her fees helped support. Henceforth she will have such rights by majority vote,* of the 2,500 convention delegates.

Extension Work. The Y. W. C. A. cannot reach all the communities that need its services. Last year 33 cities, 60 towns and 8 rural communities asked for aid. Of these, only four cities, one town and one village got it.

Finances. Two years ago a committee with Mrs. Coleman du Pont as chairman, set out for $10,000,000 endowment for national work. This plan was abandoned, in favor of another for stimulating endowments for purely local work.

Men. Serious thought was given to asking the Y. M. C. A. to substitute for the Y. W. C. A. where the latter is not represented. The women, in 25 secret conferences, quashed the idea. "No man understands girls well enough to allow them to develop their own leadership. Men always do the planning and let the girls tag along."--Rhoda McCullough. But the Y. M. C. A. will be asked to cooperate with the Y. W. C. A. before entering new fields where the latter is not represented.

Families. "The changes in family life can be due to such little things. Proper heating and proper lighting, a comfortable place for every member of the family may make a happy home. The constant interruption of the telephone, on the other hand, may bring about the complete disruption of the family."--Mrs. Robert E. Speer, president of the National Board.

New President. At Dallas, Tex. aloof from the local agitation sprung from the presence of the American Medical Association convention there, Mrs. John Mark Hanna stayed, grieving over the recent death of her husband. At Milwaukee the Y. W. C. A. delegates were thinking of her for their next president, recalled her work on their national board, her beneficient work among Negroes. A tolerant Presbyterian herself, she had long advocated the freer membership requirements. So with little opposition they chose her president for the next two-year term.

*It was necessary that two national conventions approve. In 1920 at Cleveland it was first proposed. Mrs. Finley Shepard (Helen Gould) resigned as president as a result of the discord. In 1922 at Hot Springs. Ark., it was rejected. In 1924 at Manhattan delegates approved this pledge: "I desire to enter the Christian fellowship of the association. I will loyally endeavor to uphold the purpose in my own life and through my membership in the association." Last week reactionaries offered as an amendment: "I accept Jesus Christ, as my Savior and Lord, and pledge myself to endeavor to carry out the purpose of the organization"; were defeated. Hereafter amendments will go into effect after approval of only one assembly.