The Rotary Balita no. 788 (January 12, 1956)

SECOND DECADE (1929-1939)
During the second ten years of its existence, the Rotary Club of Manila continued to develop its service to the public, but its growth in members was not so great. During that decade the net growth was only eight, bringing the Club membership up to 120.

Yet fellowship was brought to one of its highest points under the leadership of a Rotarian George W. Wright, "Sky Pilot" George, a minister with the Union Theological Seminary.

Sky Pilot George was happily endowed with a full measure of wit and humor. On him finally devolved the task of introducing all visitors to the Club, with the exception of the guest of honor. And although Sky Pilot George invariably drew a laugh from the members, the laugh was never at the expense of the visitor.

Singing continued to improve and led to the formation of the "Manila Male Chorus" that gave numerous concerts in local theaters and over the radio, under the direction of Rotarian Leonard A. Cooper, an Army and Navy Y.M.C.A. Secretary.

There seems to be little record left of the activities of the Rotary Club of Manila during the period 1929-1932. One item however was found stating that while C. W. Franks, Secretary to the Governor General, was President of the Rotary Club of Manila, the Philippine Tourist Association, sponsored by Rotarians, was incorporated August 22, 1929.

During the latter year, Theodore L. Hall, better known as "Ted" became president and he placed special emphasis on the education of Rotarians in the fundamentals of the Rotary movement and many of the weekly programs were aimed at that object, several question and answer programs being held.

To further the program of Rotary education, President Ted held a number of meetings in his home, assembling a few of the more experienced members as well as the new members, where the various aspects of Rotary were discussed; these meetings became the forerunner of what is to day known as the "Homeside" meetings.

About this time the Directors of the Manila Club discussed the possibility of extending Rotary to other cities in the Philippines and Rotarian E. Stanton Turner, the General Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. in the Philippines, was authorized to form a club in Cebu and in Iloilo.

As a result of "Stan" Turner's efforts the Rotary Club of Cebu, sponsored by the Manila Club, was admitted to membership on November 28, 1932, and the Rotary Club of Iloilo, also sponsored by Manila, on April 27, 1933.

Ted Hall presented the Charter to each of these clubs.

It was during Ted's administration that the need for establishing better ethics in business and professional life in Manila was considered and, as a result, under the direction and guidance of various Rotarians, a number of "Codes of Ethics" were formulated and eventually adopted.

Another activity of the Rotary Club that was to bring world notice, was started during President Ted's regime, when Dr. E. L. Hall, a Rotarian from Shanghai, arrived in Manila and joined the Manila Club.

In Shanghai, Dr. Hall who was also known there as "Ted" had gained considerable renown as a singer. It wasn't long therefore before his services were in demand in Manila in concerts, churches and over the radio.

It should not be difficult to see the confusion that resulted. Ted the Telephone man got the credit for Ted the Insurance man's singing ability as well as most of his bills and perhaps vice versa. To correct this situation the two Halls talked the situation over and the Insurance Hall agreed to adopt the familiar name of "Ned."

Ned who had obtained his Doctorate degree at Columbia University, City of New York, by majoring in Philosophy and Vocational Education, proposed to Ted the idea of having various members of the Club write a thesis on their occupation which could be used by vocational guidance counselors in high schools and colleges in helping students in choosing a life career.

With the help and encouragement of President Ted, other Rotarians and prominent educators, including College Presidents and Deans, thirty-one booklets were published and more than 40,000 copies distributed.

On March 19, 1933, under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Manila, the Philippine Safety Council was formed.

Arsenio N. Luz became the first Filipino President of the Rotary Club of Manila, on July 1st, 1933, following Ted Hall and he sponsored definite plans to implement the "Manila Beautiful" movement that had been started some years before. These plans included the beautification of the Luneta and of the Dewey Boulevard.

These plans were showing definite results when the Japanese invaded Manila in 1942. Due to neglect during the war years and the destruction of the trees, shrubs and electroliers so that Dewey Boulevard could be used as an air strip by the Japanese, the Rotary Club of Manila found in 1945 that this work had to be started all over again.

President Luz made "Believe it or not" Ripley's book when Ripley found Arsenio to be the only poison he liked in the world and nicknamed him "Arsenic," a name which has remained to this day.

Arthur F. Fischer became President on July 1, 1934, and the Club, under his direction, sponsored a project to assist harelip persons, principally children. The Manila Club was inspired by stories first emanating from Iloilo, then under the presidency of Rotarian Alva J. Hill, of the good work being done there.

A case in point was when a girl, Miss Maximina de la Cruz, came and sang "Stars In Your Eyes" and a Tagalog song "Katakataka" for the Manila Club. After she sang, it was revealed that she was one of those who had been helped by an operation on her harelip and palate. Before the operation she had had great difficulty in speaking to such an extent that she could not be understood.

Under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Manila and under the direction of Irving Hart, better known as "Daddy" for his work among the leper boys and girls, an organization was incorporated under the name of the Philippine Band of Mercy to carry on the work of rehabilitating the physical defectives so that they might become self-supporting members of society.

The Philippine Band of Mercy thus started, is still carrying on the good work and Rotarians continue to work with and direct its activities.

It was during President Art's term that, through a peculiar set of circumstances as a result of several "incidents'' which eventually led to the Sino-Japanese War and which merged into World War II, the Fifth Regional Conference, originally scheduled for Shanghai, was offered to Manila and Manila agreed to become the Host Club.

President Art appointed Ted Hall as the General Chairman and it was due to his ability as an organizer and to his untiring efforts that the conference was the success that it was.

Rotarian Justice George A. Malcolm was the Conference Chairman "par excellence" and his leadership brought the conference to a successful conclusion.

From the library of Past Gov. Justice George A. Malcolm comes, like a message from the past, a copy of the book "Proceedings Of The Fifth Pacific Rotary Conference," Manila, Philippines, February 17-20, 1935. This was Rotary's thirtieth anniversary.

Pictures!! Speeches!! What memories they invoke. Twenty years have passed. Those who have not passed on have grown grey. Most of the landmarks recorded have vanished, lost during the occupation years. Names and faces long forgotten are brought back to memory.

How better could one include in this record of the doings of the Rotary Club of Manila than to quote from the "History of the Conference?"

"Late in 1932 or early 1933, Rotary International sent out a circular asking for invitations from the different clubs in the Pacific region for the Fifth Pacific Conference, which was to be held in 1934.

This question was taken up with the Directors and Past Presidents of the Manila Rotary Club, and it was decided that it would be inadvisable, from a financial stand point, to attempt to hold the conference in Manila.

"About this time the Manila Club received a request from Shanghai, asking that we endorse their application for the conference, which was done. On December 22nd, 1933, a telegram was received from Honorary Commissioner Peter Harris, asking that the conference be held in Manila, as it did not seem advisable to attempt to hold it in Shanghai at that time. The question was submitted to the Club, which authorized an invitation to Rotary International to hold the conference in Manila during January or February, 1935. This invitation was accepted, and the Club proceeded to organize a provisional committee, which was approved by Rotary International, and which, with but few changes, functioned to the end of the conference.

"Rotarian "J.K." Steele, of the Philippine Tourist Association, went to the United States and gave addresses before practically all Rotary Clubs along the Pacific Coast, extending invitations to the Conference. The Publicity Committee sent out to all the clubs in the Pacific region invitations and information regarding ship schedules, hotel rates, etc. Each committee, under the direction of Rotarian Ted Hall, executive chairman, made ample preparation and coordinated their activities which resulted in a well regulated and smooth running program, from the arrival of the main delegation to the farewell dinner dance on March 20th, which closed the conference.

"Chairman Ted Hall went to Hongkong to meet the SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE, register the delegates, and acquaint them with the program. Having advance notice of the visitors to arrive, the Hotel Committee had reservations for each of the delegates, and they were assigned their rooms before the ship docked at the pier.

"Being the first time that Manila Rotarians had ever had an opportunity to entertain a conference, they entered upon the task with some misgivings, but from the unanimous expressions of commendation from the visiting delegates it is evident that, from every angle, it was a great success, and should result in material benefit, not only to those who were so fortunate as to attend, but to the clubs, and nationals, which they represented.

"With smiles on their faces and good-will in their hearts, and exuding fellowship as warm as the typical Philippine sunshine on a February morning, 82 Rotarians and Rotary "Ann's," representing all nations bordering the Pacific, arrived February 17th on the SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE for the fifth. regional conference of the Rotary International.