Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-11-13
ROTARY MEETING
Judge Maher Gives En-
tertaining Address
Explains Cause and Effect of Laugh
ter in q Unique Manner at Regular
Session Of Augusta Rotary on Fri
day Evenine-0thsr Novel Features
on Friday Evenings Program


a An unusual subject presented in
an unusual manner kept the interest
Of the Augusta Rotarians at a high
pitch at the regular. session of the
club held Friday evening at the Au-
gusta house. The speaker was Judge
Benedict +. Maher Of this city; the
subject OF his discourse was The
Dupsihdity Of Subconscious Control
htism." Filled with wit and hume,
and at the same time presenting a
study in the psychology of human
nature. the address was intensely in
teresting and entertaining, and the
speaker was given a rising vote OF
appreciation by his Rotarian audi:
ence.
There was large attendance of
members and with their guests every
seat in the banquet hall was occu-
pied. After the Rotarian dinner-a
delicious chicken dinner with all of
the side dishes to make the meal
complete-had been served. the ci-
gars were lighted, and the speaker
OF the evening was introduced by
President Ivan Lang Of Augusta
Rotary.
Judge Maher said in opening tina,
as it appeared to him the cue of the
meeting was seen in the first song
which had been sung at the session.
smile. Smile, Smile" He said that
the singing was effective, though he
could not say 1t was the best ever
but ne stated that the rendition of
the song, Rocked in the Cradle OF
the Deep" by some of, the club mem i
bers under the direction of Musical
Director J. Francis MacNichol ear
iier in the evening. was SO realistic
that It actually made him seasick.
That the Rotarians were there for
like things. he stated. For one thing.
they were there for a, good time.
Judge Maher then told one or two
humorous stories. each with a po,nt
that drew laughter from everyone and
he then said that brings up the oues-
ton, what is laughter" In answer
ing this question. he said he was in
formed that 1t Is nothing but a reflex
action, due to an interesting cause
1t Is due to tickling, a tickling of the
vascular motor cords. Going into the
realms Of physiology. he showed how
laughter is actually caused and the
beneficial effect which LAUGHTER has
upon the system.
He spoke OF this chance which the
orsa nixation. Rotary. has and he re-
ferred to the influence OF such an or
ganization as being like the ripples
winch grow In constantly wideninp
circles from q stone which ia tossed
in the water. The clubs effect ia felt
throughout the community. He point-
ed out shat the ciub by its EFFORTS ia
setting an excellent example for civic
betterment and honest laushter. that
the club knows, what its ends are. and
10 constantly WORKING towards those
ends.
!. In his splendid manner ,of putting
facts before an audience, Judge Maher
described laughter and its physiolog-
icali ana psychological effects and his
Discourse from beginning to end was
enjoyed by the Rotarians and their
guests.
/ There was another speaker at the
session. Master Rodney Palmer of
Ksnts Hill, IL years OF. age, who Mt
the county contost Of Boys and Girls
Agricultural Clubs which Il being held
In Augusta had given the introducto-
~ address and had won honors for
-.