Student Volunteer Conference.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Student Volunteer Committee the reports of the members actively engaged in philanthropic work were heard. Mr. Robert H. Woods presided.

E. C. Carter '01, explaining the purpose of the reading room on T wharf, said, that besides tending to keep the sailors away from the saloons, the rooms serve also as a post office where the fishermen come for their letters and answer them, aided by the Harvard men.

G. W. Smith '01 reported the progress of the "Boys' Club," conducted by the St. Paul's Society; in Emanuel House. E. Pettus '01 and R. F. Phelps '01 spoke of similar clubs in other parts of the city.

The philanthropic work done in connection with St. Stephen's Parish Church was reported to the conference by W. R. Lawrence '01. Under the direction of Groton graduates in Harvard, meetings are held four times a week by the boys of the neighborhood. Athletic meets and theatrical performances have been conducted during the year, and the proceeds will be used to pay for a summer camp in the country.

The canvassing of the dormitories for clothes for distribution among the poor was reported by the treasurer of the committee, E. C. Stone '01. Last year 34 dormitories were canvassed, yielding a total of 800 pieces of clothing. The larger part of this was sent to the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institution in Georgia which is now under the direction of Mrs. Booker T. Washington.

Professor F. G. Peabody in closing the meeting expressed his regrets that Mr. Birtwell was too ill to be present at the conference.