Page 12 - Past Presidents' Club Book 1

First A initial Com cation 13

unbounded success. It is unfortunate, perhaps, but true, that
most of the great things accomplished in this world are the work
of a few active men. yet it is possible ro unite the efforts not only
of a few, but all the men of this organization. I was impressed
with the remark of the Secretary when he asked that during the
coming year suggestions and complaints come to your Secretary.
A Secretary may be willing and able to aid you in your work and
at the same time he unable to secure the best results, not on ac­
count of vour inability to assist him but because you may be too
much occupied with questions that concern the immediate present.
If you could have a little receptacle into which you would put the
thoughts that come to you from time to time, and turn them over
to your Secretary, I assure you it would be profitable to you and
helpful to him.
As a boy I lived close to a beautiful meadow, and I noticed
after the haying season how round and symmetrical the harvesters
built the hay-stacks. As I looked from my window there was the
well rounded stack, just as made months before. Occasionally
1 would go to it and look on the other side. I would find it so
far eaten away that it was ready to topple over. The point of
view changed my impression of the object. The Secretary cannot
always present the point of view you desire unless you convey
to him what may be in your own minds. Show him your side of
the question.
T believe, as I look into your faces and read the intelligence,
the zeal and enterprise of the men engaged in vour business
throughout this nation, that if you have attained success amidst
the competition the business men of this country have had to en­
gage in. I am confident a little of that zeal and interest turned
my way, as your Secretary, will prove, as I said at the outset,
helpful to me and profitable to you.
I hope our acquaintance will ripen into a friendship, which
will be lasting. I thank you for the honor conferred upon me,
and assure you I shall have 110 other business to occupy my time
than the growth and prosperity of your Association. I thank von.
( Applause).
M r. M c I ntosh : The point made by Mr. Drury strikes me
as being one of the strongest we can have. W e have with us a