Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-02
Evening Session

for the evening session and the MEM
bers listened to most interesting and
Inspiring addresses by DIR. Augustus O..
Thomas. State superintendent Of
sc hools and Mrs. Abbott, president OF
the association. Governor Baxter was
not present, and the greetings from
the executive department were ex-
tended by DR.. Thomas, who spoke OF
the deep interest that the Governor
has in the work of the association.
There was not a large attendance
in the evening. but for those present
it was an evening most probably
spent. Following the addresses, an
Informal reception was held in the
Hall of Representatives and at which,
time all the members met DIR. and
Mrs. Thomas, Mr.. and Mrs. Frederick
l.. Abbott OF SacO; X. J. Libby OF Au-
susta, recording secretary and the
corresponding secretary, Miss Lydia
X. Abbott of SacO.
In opening the meeting, Mrs. ABB
bolt said that she felt one Of the
greatest necessities of our time is the
need for good literature-the need Of
getting back to the old days when
there was less literature but it was
literature. She spoke of the delight
of childhood in the Bible stories, in
the rhythm of the Scriptures and in
the wonderful bedtime stories, al
though at times they were beyond the
child comprehension. The child loves
the things he cannot quite UNDER
stand. In concluding her remarks
Mrs. Abbott spoke of some Of the lit
eIature of the present day and of the
beauty of the poetry Of Alfred Noyes,
whom she had heard read some of his
poems at the dedication Of a chapel at
Lewiston. She then introduced DR..
Thomas as the next speaker.
Address by Or. Thomas a.
The world today needs character
more than it does brains, was the
point emphasized by DIR. Thomas,
State superintendent of schools. De-
veloping this thought, he pointed out
that the most gigantic mind that has
ever sprung from the laws of God
would be valueless without charac-
ter. No one word will define this
word; it means more than integrity.
or honor or honesty; it includes all
and others besides.
II do not believe this world is so
sadly in need of brains," he said
about all we need to do to confirm
our belief in the brains of the gen.
Grafton, is to take stock Of progress in
discovery and invention, in travel and
transportation, in business enterprise.
"We have spent great deal OF
time with the !. q. as we call it, the
Intelligent Quotient This in COM
mon language means brain power. In
my judgment we should spend some
time and show concern about the G.
O., or Character Quotient. I defy
successful contradiction to the state
ment that character has higher
commercial rating than mere brains.
an the equation OF values. brains
is the multiplicated and character
the multiplier. Ii Y is brains and Y
is character, the product is KY. To-
day we are gambling in characters.
If A wants job and applied to b. b
sends him to G for an idemnity bond.
G bets Il that A is honest, and 3 bets
he is not. If A defaults. c pays his
bet. 1t is impossible for A to get
an important position without his
guarantee. But it is not alone needed
in business. We are in need of 1t in
official places and in society.
Character is not found to be
negative element. 1t does not ocn-
sist of not violating the laws of the
land, in not committing wrong or
crime, in not transgressing. 1t is a
positive entity and requires action.
1t is found in home life, in student
life. It. is doing the task, the right
thing. getting the lesson assigned.
1t means manhood and womanhood.
The world needs it more than
brains"
That the address by DR.. Thomas
was greatly appreciated, was demon
strated by the hearty applause which
followed his remarks.
Concluding Session This Morning
The conference will be brought to
close with a business session at
o'clock this Saturday morning at
which addresses will be given by
DR.. f. =. Jones of the American Red
secretary of the Maine Public Health
Association.
The business Of the forenoon will
include the reports of standing COM
mittees. the report of the nominating
committee and the election Of officers
of the Associa ton.
1t is probable that the retiring
president, Mrs. Frederick p. Abbott
Of Saco, will be reelected to that
position. Mrs. Abbott was electead
at the head of the Association when
it was organized two years ago. and
under her direction and in a large
measure through her efforts the So
ciety has grown in strength and in
fiuence. The value of cooperation
between the school authorities,
teachers and parents as a means of
securing efficiency is becoming quite
generally recognized and this is be-
ing brought about by the work Of the
association.