The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-23
0y 1111NxGI q. 1a11V
International President of kiwanis.

We are today emerging from one of
the most remarkable periods in the
worlds history During the war, with
It's tragedies and horrors. we were re-
Eeved OF many OF the problems which
we're heretofore INDUCED in. cultivated
ard made the subject of much time and
attention. Overnight, 1t seemed. all the
old conditions were swept away and
the government assumed the duty OF
managing our affairs big and little for
The purposes and emergencies Of war
Even our housekeeping problems were
attended to. and our larders were
stocked under the supervision of the
governments ma jor- domo, the Food
Controller.
Today this condition Is ended. no
longer Is sugar doled out in capsules
and coal in paper bags. In spite, how
ever, OF the removal Of former restric-
tons, and Of the fact that many have
even looked forward to this emancipa-
ton, the high note of patriotism which
We caught and held through those try
tng days still echoes in our mind and
he arts. chain is not stronger than
its weakest link. and today we stand
with the broken links of the chain
which connected the old life and the
new in our hands, How strong and en-
during that new link is TO be depends
the welding of that great chain each
l>iwnnian may play an individual part
| There is vast work ahead we must
stop, look. listen, make a mental inven-
| tory and then, with our shoulders to
| the wheel assist the cycle of progress
| An s, O. $. call is sounding through
! out the world, and on our answer will
| hang the fate of democracy. The fu.
| ture embodies the capitalization Of
work. thrift and vision, The position
| OF the world as going industrial
concern" is one OF the most importan
| problems of the day. for the fundamen
tai basis of the new peace is economic
Economic Inequalities have beer
| sources of envy. hatred and war. tes
recially II the fortunate use the powei
Of their natural advantage to oppresi
the unfortunate. Not only the peace
hut also the happiness and prosperit,
Of the world are chiefly in the hand
Of the British Empire, France and thu
/ United states for together they have
the ownership and responsibility TO
most Of the vital necessities of thu
modern world: wheat meat Gotten
ceai, iron. copper, etc. and Kiwnnis
| with its magnificent amifications. II!
recruits drawn from all walks of If
AID including many leaders in com
| rncrciai and professional spheres. cal
bring 10 our national councils such
| wealth OF opinion and service as will
| he of incalculable benefit TO our futur
destinies.
Organization is to Kiwanfs what tn
| foundation Is to the superstructure o
| n colossal building. for upon the soil
di;y of the foundation depends the lif
Of the edidce reared thereon. A quail
thtive rather than cumulative valu
| should be the dominating factor, for
| while we desire to attain numerical
strength, it is still more importan
that we attain the highest possible
mental strength. 1t should not h
a question of how many, but how
excellent and of what sterling quail
ties are those whom wen enroll Thu
day Of 90 per cent efficiency in hotf
business and social life has dawned
aid though not advocating the theor,
of ''the survival of the fittest" MOI
that of the spoils of the strong" We
by drawing together those whom tn
| Creator has endowed with the essence
| of leadership, we may further con
tribute to the God idea OF brother
| hood by protecting the weaker ele
ment,
Hitherto. the direct control Of tn
/ trustees or executive body has beer
ncking, in the matter OF organiza
ton. This is now thoroughly vestet
in the executive body. A definite
plan. with strong educational fea
| lures for direct and continuous
contact with the executive and HON,
Office will be maintained. to the enc
that the best results Of organized ef
fort for Kiwanis principles may Oh
| tain 49, -n~srr4 y,
! District conventions or the draw
ing together of the local units mean.
| consolidation OF the thought ant
! ideas OF individual members and
/ local clubs of whom the governor.
are the mouthpiece at the annua
meeting, and will present to the in
ternational organization such concert
| ed plans OF action. resolutions or rec
concentrations as may have been ap
| proved.
The channel afforded by these con
ventions for the expression of indivi
dual ideas or the ideas OF groups Of
! individuals is most valuable fac
to- in building firmly on Kiwani.
foundations. The discussion of bust
neSJ principles and plays promotes
efficiency by the Introduction of meth
DDS which, having been successfully
applied by one person. may be equally
advantageous IL adopted by others
and the dissemination of high stan.
dards in business or professional lines
dHuse nave an upiiItiHs SueCl III THESE
circles.
There has been In the past an idea
in the minds of people that kiwanis
was trading body whose members
banded together for the purpose OF
securing first lien or right on trade.
This, OF course, is entirely fallacious.
the first purpose OF the organization
being that of service, Through the
organization. however, men come to
know each other and appreciate each
OF. er's respective walks OF life, and
II, IN the course Of that evolution. one
members wares and merchandise are
appreciated or better than the other