A. A.'s Country-wide News Circuit

In an outline of activities Ben B., secretary of the Jersey City, N. J. Group says that this organization elects a new chairman every three months, who with the secretary, books all meetings both at home and away during the period. Jersey City has an average attendance of 125 to 150 at the Friday night sessions, having started three and one-half years ago with two. Two other groups, Union City and Jersey City Heights, have been formed partially from the original group which has continued to grow in spite of these losses. In conjunction with the regular meetings the group conducts two meetings each week at the Medical Center's Psychopathic Ward with a "graduate" of the ward and secretary and results have led to quips that "A.A. may put them out of business." Anniversaries are observed with presentation of pins after three months and group celebrations of a year the last Friday of the month. An agreement has been established between the Round Top Group of Providence, R. I., and officials of the Charles V. Chapin Hospital in Providence designed to supplement the physical treatment of alcoholics with the group therapy of A.A. Several beds will be made available for treatment of individuals recommended by the local A.A. group which will hold meetings from time to time at the hospital. These meetings were requested by the authorities. Previously only alcoholics committed by local authorities were accepted. There will be no obligation on the patients' part to attend meetings. Waverly and New Hampton Groups in Iowa held a joint meeting recently with visitors from Tripoli, Osage, Allison, Clarksville and Waterloo.