The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-31
WORLD THRIFT
 DAY OBSERVED
Mutual Savings Banks Coz
 operate in Annual Program
l.OOO COMPETITION ON

Many millions of the earth's population will be reminded that this is World Thrift day. By radio. public addresses and the printed word, the meaning of thrift as g symbol of international peace and good will, is being broadcast today to the ends of the globe. World Thrift day is an annual occasion sponsored by the International Thrift Institute, of Milan, Italy, in cooperation with mutual savings banwks of the United States. No less than 5,40O savings banks are represented in the plan, holding the deposits abolt 50,0O0,000 people, of whom there are 13,500,- 900 in this country.
 This morning a host of school children all over Europe will join in singing a hymn to thrift" broadcast on short wave length from Warasw. It will be sung in a score of languages at the same time. seeking to impress young Europeans with the solidarity that comes from common purpose like thrift.
 One of the interesting aspects to a number of Americans will be the $1,000 competition which begins today, for the best film story embodying the basic idea of thrift. This competition will be decided on October 31 next year.
 But winning the $1,000 prize is not going to be easy. First of all, the film shall not be a publicity character, but must forcibly present "the educational moral inspired by the virtues of thrift" Then it also must be of an international char .acter, adaptable to many countries. Detains may be had from the In- ternationa1 Thrift Institute, Via Monte di Pieta No. II, Milan.
 The twenty-four countries parti- cipating are as follows: Argentina; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Chile Czechoslovakia; Denmark; Finland France; Germany; Great Britain; Holland; Hungry; Italy; Latvia; Luxemburg; New Zealand; Nor way; Poland; Roumania; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland, and the United States.
 Philip A. Benson, president of the Dime Savings Bank of Brook lyn, who was an American dele gate to, the Second International Thrift Congress at London in October 1929, said today:
 "It is a remarkab ble fact that the savings bank is know to the people of other lands and that there are 5400 savings banks in "A countries of the world. These savings banks recognize and celebrate October 31st as World Thrift day. It is a day on which the virtues of thrift and savings are emphasized. It is not a holiday, it is rather a day in which fresh inspiration from the lessons of thrift may be re- ceived.
 Thrift day is significant in that it shows world wide unity of interest among savers. There a real unity of interest that goes beyond national lines. Men every where recognize and claim the rights of life and liberty and the pursuits of happiness. These rights include the rights to save and possess the fruits of their labor. It recognizes the duties that these savers have of protecting others who are dependent upon them and in whose welfare they are inter- ested. It recognizes too the right that savers have to the mainten- ance of strong and trustworthy in- stitutions where their savings will be safe, where they will be free from the hazards and uncertainties of speculation.
 "The world would be a happier place to live in if the principles emphasized by World Thrift day were universally recognized and practiced. The goal towards which we are striving is a common one for mankind and World Thrift day in the year 1882. marks another mole-stone of progress in thrift education"