New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1922-06-02
STIRRING ADDRESS
BY N. Y. MINISTER
Rotarians Told Of "The Awkward
American at lntercity Meeting

The Awkward American was the
topic of an address given by Rev.
DR.. Ralph Sockman of New York at
the intercity meeting Of the New
Britain Rotary club held at the
Shuttle Meadow club last evening.
There were about 200 people in at
tendance, including Rotarians : with
their wives and friends from this
CITY, Hartford. New London, New
Haven, Torrington and Waterbury.
Dinner was served in the ballroom
of the club at $50 o'clock. The fes-
Invites started when the people sat
down to dinner and did not end until
it was time to go home. Balloons
that were on the table were inflated
and in a short time the room was
filled with floating balloons. The
music at the dinner hour and for
dancing was furnished by the Alpha
String orchestra.
! Dave Young entertained with many
of his amusing Scotch stories Miss
Huldah Johnson, star of the Ginger
bread Man." rendered a solo and was
forced to give an encore. Andrew
Basso who has appeared in many T.
A. B. shows, also sang and in re-
Spouse to the applause was obliged
to give an encore.
Following dinner, President Leon
Sprague announced that silver low
ing cup would be given to the club
from out of town presenting the best
amusement stunt. The Hartford men
werss the first to entertain and al
though they claim they did not pre-
pare for such a stunt they entertained
we'll.
The New Haven Rotary club was
well represe nted and was next called
upon for it's stunt. This consisted of
a song and a cheer for the New Brit
ain club. Several other clubs en-
tered into the stunt list but the cup
was awarded to New Haven.
Presented With Banner.
Following the stunt feature DR..
Gertrude Kinsella, on behalf of the
women of the local club, presented
the New Britain Rotary club with a
, banner. The banner was of white
satin with black figures and bore
the inscription, Rotary Club--New
Britain Conn.,
DIR. sockman Talks.
Business is the king of occupa-
4! lions in America" DR.. Sockman told
those present He told how at one
time the clergy were thought to be
the leaders in society but today, he
asserted, the business men are taking
the lead.
In sansfing of society DR.. Sock
man sac that today there is a great
deal of injustice in the world. I'm
justice, just because the people of
society and others fail to understand
each other" he added. Zone of the
greatest undeveloped resources in the
United States is personality" the
| speaker said. I'VE should try to
understand each other more thor
oughly and if we see anyone in
predicament or In an embarrassing
situation try to place yourself in their
places before attempting to criticize
or do them an injustice" he said.
America today is now in its
awkward age Of morality the doc
tor stated. AS an example he cited
any American boy, who at the age of
iTOH Il 10 4 years, always appear "
be awkward His clothes never seem
to fit him. his feet and hands always
appear to be too large and the boy is
going through changes in life which
he is not accustomed to and which
make him awkward
America is exactly in the same po-.
sition, according to my way of think
ing" Dr. Sockman added. There is
greatness ahead of her and so many
things yet to be done by man that
she has Just got to grow up and come
out of the awkward stage
The one thing that will bring this
country out of the awkward stage, ac-
oording to the speaker is drill and
discipline The doctor explained how
this country was undecided about in
ternational affairs which are going on
abroad and how we stand on a
straight line and are not decided