New Britain herald., 1927-03-19
DIGNITY PASSING
 INTO THE DISCARD
Prominent Men Being Addressed More Often by First Names

IS noticed by hut few persons. hu
 which has been the subject of somt
 discussion lately, has come to stay
 according to those who are posi
 tive in their op~ons. This is ths
 custom Of dropping titles and usinz
 4-st names among acq51aint4nces.
 The custom. according 10 many
 t- responsible 10 some extent 10 New
 Brifalu's reputation Of being an m,
 usually friendly city" The fact
 mt 1t is a friendly city is acclaim ,I by new corners almost every day aithoush there are some who con tsni that within the past few years The city has taken oue or two adopt. Il sons 10 its bosom q little too ra- aiIly, much to is eventual embar- r@ssD7 7en..
 That the custom os calling peo- ple by their first names, more popu- ar 10 date among the men than the
 omen, is growing more popular is .ean by tho fact that men. Who q -aw years ago would have been in sIlted by what might have seemed imp'r'inant familiarity, now adopt he new rule and seem pleased al sts effect.
 <, r Corbin, president Of the
 nion ManHfactW Co, and pres Aeat of the Rotary club. is Bert D his friends William r. Att" ood president ot the New Britain Trust To, is plain "Bin,' while John c. t.oomls, president Of the Conner eial Trust Co. never gets anything more dignitiel than Jack"
 Rev. William II, Alderson, who became popular almost overnight in this city, is never more pleased than when greeted by his friends, as
 Hello, Bill"
 Not only is this custom found among civic clubs, but if is citywide. Ralph II. Benson, secretary of the chamber of Commedce, although rot civic club member. says there ara more people in New Britain who call him "Ralph" than in any other place he eyer lived. This despite the fact that he is almost q new conner here.
 Postmaster II. E. Erwin, who is not connected with any civic club, is iust plain Pert" to his friends. If some one entered the office of Rep resentatire Erred" Rackliffe and asked for MT Rackliffe, they would be directed at once to the for rnor's father
 Even the mayor is not exempt, and is known to his friends as "Cuzzy.'
 A prominent minister whose name is Theodore. said to be quite pleas cd when his associates call him felt more highly complimonted than when addressed as Henry"
 Even the Catholic clergy is not exempt from the new custom. priest who recently removed 10 nearby city was addressed regular ly by d group of associates as "John,' while a fellow priest was called stan" almost exclusively by his intimate friends,
 The Rev. Dr John T.. Davis, at his height of his success in this city the psychological value of his custom and repeatedly request ed his practitioners and friends to call him nothing but John L."
 Chief Of Police William C. Hart md Fire Chief William J. Noble, oft times are called Chief" but with his exception get nothing but "Bill.' Just plain "BiN' is the familiar name of the local superintendent of he Connecticut Co, William J. Bry- tn; "Hcn" or Mae are names by which Superintendent B. II. Mcf.l- none Of the Connecticut Light and Power Co, likes 10 be addressed. Ted" is the only title T. r. NcAn- i life. the business manager of the 1 southern New England Telephone to. gets. while q gold plated derby i s offered 10 anyone who ever i reari the building inspector. A. x. i called anything but | Art" !
 prlil,a r. Parker. police commis- iouer. is known 10 his friends as SaUdy'
 J. VI. Ward, prominent insur- ,uce man. came here as "Joc' and i Joe he remained, Superintendent / Schools Stanley II. Holmes. end 1 ,rianipal W. t French of the Cen ral Jr.. High school. both men the cry personiflcation Of dignity "s- O@claiy to strangers, are known re- pertiyely as Stan and Carl
 Among the fominin" sex the us'om has taken hold and IS preaaing. Mrs Leon A. Sprague, ,irl Scout Commissioner, likes .orhing better than to bo known m0ng her friends is Hattie" The stn Mary l.. Curtin owed consider bic nf her popularity to the fact hat she sl4Nkad to he known as Miss "urtu,' The success of q Io- al business woman IS said by many Q te HG- partly 10 the fact that he is Just plain Hal"n Philips.
 While it seems a radical sucecs- on for the conservative Y. W C, , friends pf that institution have lggeatod 10 Miss Helen Hayes, the " secretary, that she can save ears in making friends by being -aton.
 Mrz Howard T.. Horton . popu- .r soloist IS known to more poo- jH hy hor nana Ruth Goodrich .or,ou than by any other ti'to. rUo a~ Girl Scou' lIrnctor. Miss Gladys fine, may not ha}a discovered it .t, but among those ~Io know her. sa is usuatlv designa,od as Gladys Although discipline at nursos
 utng school is said 10 be as rirt as in the army Miss Edna aafz, assistant 10 the liree'rass nf ' Jrsaa and instruc'ress In tha , aiming school at New Britain neral hospital Is known 10 her tends and admirers fexcopt those lrses who are euboTdlnatc 10 her
 their official staWs) as "Edhie.' \ former prpsIf4Gnf 1f tHr E.Jqf