Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-10
ROTARY MEETING
Rotarian Arthur G. Staples of
Lewiston Gives Splendid
Talk upon 'Rotary"-Nerve
Contest Features Entertain.
ment Program and Session
Enjoyed by All -Many
Guests Present

Bubbling over with wit and humor
and sparkling with wonderfully apt
phrases was the address upon "Ro-
tary", given by Rotarian Arthur G..
Staples OF the lewiston Auburn
club and editor of the Lewiston
Journal, at the regular session Of the
Augusta club on Friday evening at
the Augusta House. The talk was
indeed a masterpiece, most interest
ing and entertaining from beginning
to end, and filed with the spirit Of
Rotary. The speaker was accorded
warm applause from an appreciative
audience.
RotarianS turned out in full force,
and there were many guests to en-
joy the evenings program, large
delegation coming up from Gardiner
where the spirit for Rotary club is
reported to be running high. The
meeting was presided over by Presi-
dent Blaine S. Viles. In the absence
Of Musical Director J. Francis Mac
Nichol, the musical program was di-
rected by Charles F. Bilodeau, Assist
or by ]. Frank Blodeau. Samuel
Stewart Of Lewiston, past president
and now honorary member Of Au-
gusta Rotary. ofiiciated at the piano.
In introducing the speaker of the
evening. President Viles stated that
all know Rotarian Staples and know
his writings, and know him as a dis
tinguished author and editor Of
whom Maine Is proud.
Mr.. Staples in opening said that
he was present as speaker because
he had been delegated by the General
Rotary Association to talk upon
Rotary. Starting with the deriva-
ton Of the word Rotary, he showed
that it came from the Latin word
'rota, meaning wheel, and from an
Assyrian word. He then went into
the history Of the wheel, stating that
he had studied both the sacred and
profane history of it. The first mem
ton Of wheel is found in the first
Book Of Genesis
Later, coming down to Noah, the
speaker referred to him as the first
Rotarian. having his hand at the
wheel in day of great wetness. In
q statement Of agreed facts" the
speaker pointed out that Noah built
the ark, that he built 1t Of gopher
wood, and he had to go far to get it,
IN an old picture Noah is seen
driving animals (including Bolshe-
Viks). hitched to a cart with two
wheels upon it. In the opinion of
the speaker, Noah has never been
given sufficient credit for his inyen-
ton of the symbol Of Rotary.
No invention in the world compares
with tho simple wheel. without il
we should have frozen and starved.
Sir isaac Newton said that the wheel
was the most wonderful invention,
The wheel is symbolical of progress.
Secondly. it symbolizcs power; and
thirdly. it symbolizes steadfastness.
The Rotary wheel is a cog wheel.
There is no finer thing to think of
than the cogged wheel, running in
perfect unison, meshing with anoth-
er cogged wheel. all symbolic of the
great spirit Of corporation.
Man first lived solely in self de-
Tense. Then with the advent of wo-
man came the spirit Of altruism. La
tersthe tribal idea was born, and Ia
ter the nation. When the nations
unite there will be the great interna-
tionalism. And the speaker express
ed the hope that our nation win be
there.
The message of the Rotary wheel
was then upfolded by the speaker.
1t is a beautiful circle. symbolizing
unity and eternity. The purpose is
progress. altruism, Righteousness,
community spirit and alertness Ia
every noble thing n life.
At the conclusion Of the address.