The New England Association Convention
The coming convention of the New England Water Works Association—the thirty-ninth—promises to be one of the most successful and important in every way that the association has ever held. The New England Water Works Association has had a rather unique history. Started in 1881, as a local organization designed to bring together the scattered water works men of the New England States and give them the benefit of their fellows’ experience and the advantages that conference and discussion bring with them, it has grown and expanded into a national organization whose influence is extended into all parts of this land and Canada and whose decisions in matters of water supply must he reckoned with. This is especially true from the fact that its acts are invariably tinged with the natural conservatism that is an inherent part of the New England character, and this has made its actions in matters connected with water works perhaps as authoritative as any other organization of men in this line. This is quite natural as. while its membership is nation-wide and embraces men from practically every state in the Union, the great majority are from the eastern section of the country and for this reason the association in its acts partakes of the forethought and careful weighing of a subject before taking action that is a strong characteristic of the New England mind. This no doubt has been one of the greatest elements in the growth of this association and one that works toward both its success and its prestige among engineering societies. Another strong feature in its growth has been the practically uniform harmony that has characterized its meetings. The absence of bickering, the lack of cliques that tend to disrupt a society quicker than anything else and which work to weaken its organization and prestige has been a remarkable fact in the history of the New England Water Works Association. The subjecting of personal ambitions to the good of the organization among its members has done more to elevate it to its present position of authority and importance than any other thing in its existence. Taken all in all, the New England Water Works Association can well he proud of its organization and its growth and feel that its coming convention will be a banner one in the history of the society.