With these improvements in the street-boy and the success of the association naturally, the president received many letters from men and women all over the land seeking information about the detail work of the association.
With the view that this work may eventually be extended throughout the country, the president conceived the idea that a convention of newsboys and their friends might be held and a National association organized through which much good could be accomplished. He therefore opened correspondence with the managers of the World’s Fair, St. Louis, Mo., with a view of getting their consent and approval to set apart a day to be known as Newsboys’ Day. This met with prompt reply and a most hearty endorsement of the officials, and newspaper representatives generally throughout the United States, and resulted in selecting Tuesday, August 16, 1904, as Newsboys’ Day.
That the convention might prove a success, particularly among men who are familiar with work among newsboys, the aid of the circulating managers of the newspapers was asked. At the annual convention of the National Association of Managers of Newspaper Circulation, held at the World’s Fair June 12, 1904, the president of “Boyville” appeared and explained the methods adopted in this association. He satisfied them that, not only did the association accomplish much good, through its efforts to influence boy’s work, but it also proved to be a great aid to the newspapers in increasing circulation. He therefore asked for endorsement and support of the members of this organization in forming a National Newsboys’ Association.
In recognition of this a resolution was unanimously passed endorsing the movement; and a committee was appointed to co-operate with the trustees of the Boyville association with the view of not only making Newsboys’ Day a success but in organizing a National Newsboys’ Association.
CHAPTER X.
On the afternoon, of Tuesday, August 16, 1904, in the magnificent Festival Hall, at the World’s Fair, where were present hundreds of newsboys, representing nearly every State in the Union; and newspaper representatives from the leading papers of the country, there was organized The National Newsboys’ Association; officers were elected and instructions were given them to perfect the organization and adopt the plan so successfully carried on by the Boyville Newsboys’ Association, and having for its object the extension of the work in every town and city in the land that there may be established fraternal relations among newsboys everywhere in making them an important part in the business world, honored and treated with respect by all good citizens.
While the details of the organization were being worked out, the officers were instructed, by the trustees, to issue membership cards and badges and to organize auxiliaries in cities and towns wherever desired.