The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-24
CELEBRATION OF 16TH ANNIVERSARY
 0F ROTARY CLUBS
Col. Rennie Tells What Rotary Stands for-Birthday Cakes
 Presented to Local Club
By ETHEL GILLEN

Members or the Rotary ciub gatn- cred together yesterday to celebrate the sixteenth anniversary of the or ganization of Rotary. This was not a noisy, hilarious event, but rather a serious demonstration that there had come into the world a new expression of the old Golden Rule and that they had a part in it.
 Col T. H. Rennie made an inspira- tionaI address on Rotary" He de- ciared that Rotary was so large, so broad and so full of meat for thought and inspiration that he never felt more out of place than he did in trying to tell what Rotary is.
 The club was first organized by a lonesome man in large city, who wanted some one to talk to when he was taking hts lunch, he said The idea of having one man from each busi- ness or profession was for the purpose of discussing their various lines of business. In this way Rotarians learn of the other fellows needs and vic- tories, he stated, and the men must att tend the luncheons, as there was no ab- sent treatment in Rotary
 He declared there was only one kind of Rotarian, and, that was an active Rotarian, and good club could be had fin only one way. and that is to attend the meetings. In concluding he read a poem which he said represented his idea of Rotary.
 GROWTH OF ROTARY
 Morris w. Bush told some interesting facts regarding the growth of Rotary from membership of four to more than 800 clubs, aggregating 65,0o0 members. The first club was organ ized in Chicago in 1905, he said, but no other clubs were formed until i908 when the second Rotary club was or ganized in San Francico, he said, Los Angeles and Seattle coming next. After five years there were 16 clubs in ex- fstence, he said and only from the south at New Orleans.
 The first convention was held in 1910, when Rotary really began to grow and expand and now there are clubs in every state in the United States, Cuba, Canada, Great Britain, Porto Rico, while clubs are now being organized in every country in the world. according to Mir. Busch.
 One of the unique features about the Rotary club is the fact that It has never had q paid organizer" said the speaker. The idea has always been presented by members of the club and business men who have heard of It's ideals and principles, and what the Rotary spirit stands for they have been glad to accept, as they realized 1t was good for them. and 1t has never been necessary to have an organizes. This is one of the few organizations that has nothing selfish to offer. Rotary offers an opportunity to its fellow men to do an altruistic service and trains it's members to work for the good of the public"
 DISTRICT CONFERENCE
 J. w. Donneily, general chairman of the committee for the Eighth district conference of Rotary, to be held in Birmingham in March, made brief talk. He outlined the plans for the en- tertafnment of the delegates and visi- tors and appealed to every Rotarian to get behind this work and make the convention grand success. Not only Is Rotarys name at stake, but the name of Birmingham as we'll, he said, and this convention, which would bring more than 1,2O0 visitors. must be han dled in way that would be credit to both.
 Vice PrAsident E. J. Rowe presided in the absence of President Oscar Wells, who is in. Cuba. He thanked the cluU TOT the honor IL ndu conferred upon him in making him vice presi- dent, and pledged his best service to the organization during the year.
 A handsome birthday cake was pre- scented to the club by the management of the Tutwiler hotel, Rotarian Rob- ert Thompson of the American Bakeries company also presented large birth- day cake. In addition Mir. Thompson gave individual cakes to the members William French the baby Rotarian. was called upon to blow out the lighted candies on both cakes, which he did. Both cakes were sent to the Mercy Home.
 huge basket of Richmond roses was sent to the club by the Civitan club, with congratulations. Copies of The Age-Herald containing the Rotary message were presented to each mem ber and guest attending the luncheon. The meeting was pronounced one of the best held in some time. and the selec- tions by the Glee club of the organiza- ton were greatly enjoyed. B. B. Eur ton led the singing.