Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-08
ROTARIANS HEAR
STIRRING TALK ON
| need COOPERATION

The pressing need of cooperation be-
tween GARDENERS business men and
the young men who wish to cast their
lot in life In the town of their birth
was stressed in a straight-from- the
shoulder talk delivered by Henry Hes
elton at the meeting of the Gardiner
Rotary Club held at the Johnson
House Wednesday noon. Mr.. Heselton
announced that it was not his personal
point of view that was offered, but as
nearly as possible an aggregation of
ideas of the young men of this city,
and young men in general. He asked
the following three questions: First,
Are young men needed in Gardiner?
second, What sort of young men does
Gardiner need? third, What is the at
titude of Gardiner toward her young
men, what is there here for young
men, and what is the attitude Of young
men toward Gardiner?
In commenting on the first question
the speaker showed that young men
are needed only to fill the places of the
older men for no matter how complete
is the control of the older men over
a situation, an industry or city,
there comes a time when he must drop
the reins. He pointed out that it was
the spirit of youth and confidence
that had caused the rapid development
of the West and Florida.
In reference to the second question
Mr.. Hesefton declared that of course
we needed honest, law-abiding, pro-
gressive youth. but that his point was
that whenever possible we want Gar
diner boys in Gardiner. If We bring
imported talent to take positions OF
responsibility i'm our civic. industrial
and political life these fellows will
stay with us and serve us well until
they have gained their experience,
and then they are very likely to offer
this experience to some other city to
which they owe allegiance and loyalty
as their home town.
Gardiner boys who come here 10
work with the idea of settling down.
making this their home, and the
basic feeling and reason for locating
here is loyalty to Gardiner. he is
likely to be the kind of fellow who
will fight for lasting civic benefits
and for the growth and Improvement
of the city. Mr.. Hesleton told his
listeners that they were all aware
of Gardiner boys who were officials
of the city of Boston, and in business
in Boston, New York, Chicago and
numerous other places, making good
in responsible positions and great
corporations. Every year Gardiner
boys leaYe college and make good IL
business and professional life.
In speaking of the attitude of
Gardiner people toward her young
men, Mr.. Heselton declared that his
listeners had heard remarks about
every one of the local embyro bust
ness men, particularly those who
have been fortunate enough to get
good education. The general idea
seemS to be that a Gardiner fellow
who comes back here to take up some
livelihood must be crazy, lazy or a
fool The attitude is false, and moi
that of a progressive city.
In spite of the seeming lack Of con-
fidence of Gardiner people in her own
opportunities for young men, there
are in Gardiner and suburbs 5 diff
ferent industries of considerable size
in which there are approximately -
positions which would check up as
good positions in any town or city
There are a number of merchants
doing an excellent business and there
are a number of private interests en-
gagged in various gainful occupations.
There could easily be a good number
forging ahead here in different lines
of work, and this is not taking INFO
consideration minute side lines of
some men who are already obtaining
substantial incomes from their MOI
NAL line of work.
Mr. Heselton declared that Gardi-
ner is certainly lacking in the sort
of thing that interests and attracts
young men. When college boys come
ha OK for vacations they must wander
the streets and drop in pool room
or hang around some store. The
critical eye of the college boy or girl
is very much like the critical eye of
the summer visitor who we want to
impress if We want Gardiner to grow
and the nervous energy and desire
for life and action of the school boys
is very much like the attitude of the
same visitor whom we wish to at
tract. 1t is not natural for the older
men after they get through with their
days work TO bother about keeping
the place alive, making it active and
attractive. They want to go home
and smoke or rest and drop into the
club for a few moments and go home
to bed. If the young fellows are Civ
en- the chance and support they will
have athletics, dances, entertain
ments, social life, they will make the
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