Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-02
EDWARD |. HERBERT
IS SPEAKER BEFORE
Ro1AR|ANS FRIDAY
Gives Excellent Address
Upon Subject, "The
Telephone, Past and
the Smileage Cam
paign and Oth e +
Business

The Telephone, Past and Present,
was the subject of a most interesting
and instructive address given before
the Rotarians Friday evening at the
Augusta House by Rotarian Edward |.
Herbert, manager of the Augusta dis
trict of the New England Tel &. Tel.
Co. After giving a brief sketch Of the
beginning of the industry, Mr. Herbert
spoke of its local development and
took up the matter of troubles, "
throwing a great deal of light on many
things pertaining to the telephone
which re not generally understood.
He described the work of the girl be-
hind the switchboard and he went into
the matter Of telephone courtesy. max
ing more clear many of his points by
exhibiting parts Of the telephone appa-
latus. At the conclusion of his address
he was given rounds of applause by
the Rotarians and their guests for the
evening.
The business meeting was preceded
by delicious Rotarian supper as us
ual. President Samuel Stewart pre-
sided at the meeting and gave notice
of two big Rotarian meetings which
are soon to be held. There is to be
meeting of all Maine Rotary clubs ut
Portland on Feb. Is. lunch to be served
at 1890 p. NJ. at the Falmouth hotel.
Upon that occasion International Ro-
1ary President Leslie Pigeon of Winni-
peg, Mo, will give an address. The
other Rotary meeting is a district con
ference to be held Feb. IS, at the LenoX
hotel, Boston
The report Of the local Smilcace
campaign was given by Campaign Di-
rector George W Merrill The com
mittee in charge think that the goal
VIII be reached in two NOR DAYS Of
the campaign
number of excellent musical Sc
lections were rendered by seven
piece orchestra composed of Rotarians
VINO wore costumes similar to those Of
the men who are being lodged thh
winter at the State prison at Thomas
ton. The members of this orchestra
were: j. F. MacNichol. leader: A.
y. Soule. Frank a. Dennis. James
Nichols, Perley s. Lawrence. ~. G.
Eastman and Alden Merrill
J. r. MacNichol draws laugh from
every one present when he related
the story Of one Of his early business
ventures. silver plating. 1t may be
enough to say that the result Of that
venture was far from what had been
anticipated by MacNichol and his
partner in the business.
Mr.. Herbert's Address.
Mr.. Herbert addressed the Rotarians In
part as follows:
| like to think in these troublesome
times, when our Americanism is stirred
to its highest pitch. of the many grea,
inventions which are purely American
In years past We nave heard much of
the enterprise of the German nation and
OF the great efficiency of the German,
people, Contrast, if YOU will, some OF
our great accomplishments and it is easv
to lind much food for thought in tn
sewing machine, the giant harvesting
machines, the aeroplane and a very large
part Of the truly great inventions are
purely American. Not the least of these
IS the telephone. that great industry
which has spread a network of wire
over our country which has practically.
done away with isolation, even of the ~
"A
strain of foreign blood in it. Not ONLY.
the inventioni itself but it's development is
pure American and / might say pur.
Ne" England strain, for it was in New
England that it has its birth, its fnan-
cIai support and New England men have
been and still are its guiding spirits In
n" other country in the world is the a.
Feiopment of the industry at a stage
winch even opportunities that of the
United States
invention-EarIy Men Of Faith.
! Most Of you are familiar with IFS w.
ginning. 1t is the invention Of Pros.
Alexander Graham Bell and was first M
'iohaliy exhibited at the Centennial M
1916 occupying an obscure place in thar
great exhibition and looked upon ar thar
ume as somewhat Of a freak. It's earrv
Years were not in paths of roses. There
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