Newark post., 1922-02-22
old Ben Franklin and Rotary


old Ben Franklin and Rotary
We live in day of Organizations, Clubs,
Conferences, COmmittees-We wonder with
Gerald Stanley Lee in "Crowds" how the
Man of Galilee ever accomplished so much
without serving on a Committee, organizing
some Welfare Commission, or attending
boost banquet.
Understand though, we are not con-
demning Clubs and organized effort. For to-
day, only by giving ones energy and thought
to cooperation and organization can much be
accomplished In fact Newark needs organ
lied effort for Community interest There
are brains, thoughts ideas and energy here
more general and with wider training,
travel and experience than any town perhaps
on the Peninsula. Yet there is no medium
for expression and action.
Browsing around the other evening we
ran across old Ben Franklin and through
his autobiography had pleasant chat with
him. We are partial, of course-he was a
printer, plus. He was great Club man, an
organizer. He criticized and laughed at his
enemies and was always starting something.
Just for instance, to this writing, he founded
the Junto, Club of twelve men, good and
true, "a copper of deeds who happened to
love poetry and ingenius with many little
Nicknackeries," a self taught mathematician,
a surveyor, shoemaker with a hobby for
astrology, a mechanic and others. These
fellows met once a week with Franklin, the
life and humor of all occasions. What they
accomplished then lives today in the whole
American Republic. They had lots of fun ,
and did things worth while Their order of
business is interesting and worth reading.
Aren't they worthy of emulation right here
in Newark today. They sound like Rotary
Gospel-perhaps they are. Who knows but
that Franklin and his Junto inspired Rotary?
Anyhow, Franklin would have been great
Rotarian who believe 'He profits most avho
serves best" And by the way, Rotary in
Delaware is celebrating this week-just
entering the manhood of power and influence
-18 years isn't it?
Here is the old Junto Program:
l. Haze yOu read Over these queries
this morning, IN order to consider What you
might haze to offer the Jumto, touching any
one of them?
2. Have you met aOith anything IN the
author yOu last read, remarkable or suitable
to be communicated to the Junto; particularly
IN history, morality. poetry, ph5sios, Travels,
mechanical arts, or other parts of knoWledge?
3. Do you knoaO of a felloV-citizen, aOho
has lately done a aUorthy action, deserving
praese and imitation; or aoho has lately CON-
matted an error. proper for as to be aOarned
against and avoid?
d: What unhappy effects of intemper-
ance haze you lately Observed or heard; of
'mprMdence, of passion, or of any other vice
or folly?
5. What happy effects of temperance,
OF prudence, of moderation, or of ahy other
Virtue?
G.. Do you think of anything at present
IN Vh1ch the members of the JuntO man be
servaceable to mankind, to their country, to
their friends, or to themselves?
Z. Hath any deserving stranQer ar,
r1red IN toaOn since last meetinq that uou
haze heard of? And a0hat haze you heard or
0bserUed of has character or n7eyitsa And
1Chether, think you, 1t lies IN the po7yer of
the JuntO to oblge him, or encouraoe him ns
he deserves?
8. Do yom kno1O of any deservinq uoa1uo
BEGINNER, lately set up, Uh0m 1t hes an the
Poaoer OF the JnntO IN any 1Cdy to encOuraoe9
g.. Haze you lately observed ony defect
=" the lo10S of yow country, of aUhich 1t qvoaId
0e proper to more the IeQislntuye for nm
amendment? Or do you k1loaU of ami beup-
fetal laaO that Is aUanting?
III. HGue yOu ldtely Obseryed ann en-
croochmeW on the Just liberties Of the
IL, IN Wh0t manner can the y2l,t0 ar
any OF ats members, assist you IN ann, of
your honorable designs? "
u. haze yO@ any aCeighty affair ON hand
IN Vh1ch yOu think the odUice of the .Ia,p,to
may be of service? "''''
Is; What benefits hare y0u 1atelu re-
ce1oeo from amy man not present?
"A. is there any difficulty IN matters of
opana0n, OF justice and injustice. qyhich o,o,,
Vould gladly haze discussed at this t;,uea ~"