The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-12-27
FORUM FOUNDER
ADVISES BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
Open Discussion Would Elimin-
ate Many Troubles
TALK HERE SUNDAY NIGHT
George w. Coleman Of Boston opens
Evening Forum at Second Con-
greeatlonal Church.


it's second season last night very sue
cessfully with an address by George
w. Coleman of Boston, president OF the
Open Forum National Council, on the
subject, Get Together or Perish"
Mr. Coleman presldes regularly at
the famous Ford Hall meetings; In
his absence yesterday, his wife was
presiding. II is unusual for Br. Cole
man to get away from his Sunday
duties and it is compliment to the
local Forum management that he
should be willing to give up his
Christmas Sunday to make the all day
trip to Bennington. But, as he can
Mr.. Coleman speaks in different parts
Of the country in the interest Of the
Forum idea. His sugge stions from
experience, his enthusiasm and wise
counsel have helped greatly in its
spreading
The attendance last night, in spite
Of its being the day after Christmas,
and family parties and one other im~
portant church service at the same
hour was as large as any held last
winter with one or two exceptions.
Still, mere people should have been
present. the church auditorium crowd
ed. They missed a most informing
and interesting presentation OF the
value of this getting together ir good
old town-meeting fashion to thresh
out the great common problems which
are confronting our American citizen
ship.
With illustration after illustration
many of them humorous, Mr.. Coleman
told of his unique experience in Ford
Hall, which has continued for thir.
teen years. Our greatest trouble to-
day with such a diversity Of minds
and traditions and beliefs, with so
many nationalites and classes. not
alone in the big cities, but also In
creasingly in the towns ard villages
all over the country, is that men do
not understand one another. II is
wonderful TO see how prediudices Will
abate and suspicious be broken down
and a new spirit of respect and good
will take the place of the old ignor-
ance and distrust and even hatred
when people get together in a Forum
to hear the other side from their own
view presented and to exchange In
formation and opinion.
Mr.. Coleman does not believe In
the suppression of speech within any
limits that can be tolerated at all.
But he insists In his Ford Hall meet.
ings on fairness and courtesy, an
equal hearing for both sides. He has
never had any trouble, although some
times, of course, some anxious mo-
ments. In the incidents which he re-
later one could see that his own good
nature. sense of humor, and readiness
of resource were bound to bring things
happily out of any situation, however
tense. One perceived that he would
be the ideal autocrat in the chair to
guide the freest and mo / democratic
assembly. George W. Coleman him
self is largely the explanation Of the
great success OF Ford Hall.
There were some questions asked at
the close of the address and some dis
cussion from the floor. John Spargo
was called upon, and he pointed out
the possibilities of the Forum in a con-
structive way He thought mere ven
tiation Of opinion was not so impor.
tant now as definite suggestion as to
what to o in the conditions. He ex-
pressed himself hopefully about the
general outlook--the country and the
world were not in such grave peril
as some were visioning.
In the after part of the meeting and
In personal conversation, Mr.. Coleman
made some suggestions which will be
helpful to the management for future
meetings. All thirgs considered, the
church seems to be the best place for
the presnt to hold the Forum, and Sun
day evening the best time. 1t is much
to be desired that all sections of opin
ion and all groups in the community
take advantage of these meetings
Those who are fostering the Forum
movement here are very hopeful about
It's becoming successful and permar
ent institution, They are entirely sin
cere in extending an invitation to al
the men of Bennington without re
gard to creed, race, or occupation, tC
come to the meetings and take part ii
them.
Next Sunday evening Mr.. Spargo vii
he the speaker and his topic: Chris
tian Civilization and the Jew