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Our Early Presidents

"Mellowed Memories"

A REVIEW OF DUBLIN'S ROTARY CLUB PRESIDENTS By T. A. GREHAN

A mahogany tablet, commemorating the fact that the Dublin Rotary Club was the first Rotary Club in Europe and bearing the names of Past Presidents, was presented to the club yesterday on behalf of the Directors of Independent Newspapers Ltd. The Directors were warmly thanked.

Mr. T. A. Grehan, advertisement manager, Independent Newspapers Ltd., delivered a racy address on the Past Presidents from the first, Mr. J.H. Flemming, "a peaceable man of few words," to Mr. Kevin J. Kenny, with his habitual smile and his cheery outlook.

DEFT SENTENCES.

In a few sentences, Mr. Grehan deftly etched the characteristics of the line of presidents. Dr. James A. Walsh, "the shyest president, but an indefatigable worker for Rotary"; Mr. William Findlater, who paralysed Sir Harry Lauder with his biting humour ; Mr. K. P. McKnight, the first northerner to fill the chair, who was irritatingly punctual ; Mr. Richard White, "the most widely travelled president," and so on. In Mr. J. Robertson Coade they had their only singing president, "a bluff, good humoured ruler with a golden voice." Then came the late Mr. Robert Swirles, who loved Rotary, and loved Dublin.

He was followed by Mr. J. L. Stewart, "a star among stationers, but by no means stationary - in fact, a keen business-getter."

Mr. Alfred Fannin was "the epitome of conscientiousness and sincerity." He was succeeded by his brother, Dr. E. M. Fannin, and "both helped to move Rotary well forward during their years of office." The late Mr. Charles McGloughlin followed. His mind was ""perpetually perfumed with the enduring fragrance of kindly thoughts."

Mr. Phillip Lawrence succeeded him and immediately established himself a good president. Then came the big, bustling Mr. William McConnell, "the most convinced and convincing Rotarian this country has ever known."

The election of Sir Thomas Robinson brought to the chair one of their best-known men, "a model president." So, too, was Mr. Walter Beckett, a builder as well as president. Mr. Beckett loved the cause, but he detested speech-making,

What a difference was the intense Dubliner, Mr. Michael Rowan, who followed Mr. Beckett. If ever there was a president who had much to say to them, and certainly saw to it that it was said, it was Mr. Rowan. Major Bryan Cooper succeeded Mr. Rowan as President in 1926-27. "He was a great Rotarian, but, above all, he was a great gentleman."

Mr. Lional Smith Gordon took over from Major Bryan Cooper. Here they had the spectacle of a somewhat frail little man who was by no means frail. But Mr. Smith Gordon's frailty most certainly did not apply to his mental gifts. And so to the Rotarian who followed him - Mr. F. M. Summerfield. Few of them ever referred to him except as "Fred." Did not that give an obvious key to Mr. Summerfield's popularity?

Mr. G. J. T. Clampett followed him, with his "armour of logic and his fund of common-sense." The came Mr. Kenny ; and, last on the list, Very rev. Dr. Hanna, their only clerical president. He (Mr. Grehan) hoped that the same corner of Ireland would send them a few more men as racy, as human, and as delightful as this same counsellor.

"CHARMING."

Mr. P. T. Monford, President, said that not in his memory did he recall "a more charming address."

Dr. James Walsh, Second President of the Club, and the oldest living past President, thanked Mr. Grehan for his reference to his (Dr. Walsh's) term as President.

On the motion of Mr. Kevin J. Kenny, seconded by Mr. Archer, the gathering expressed their best thanks to the proprietors of Independent Newspapers Ltd, for their handsome gift.

It was also unanimously decided that Mr. Grehan's address should be printed and circulated amongst the members.

Rotary Past Presidents

As you are aware in many Schools and Clubs there is to be found a board on which is displayed the names of distinguished past pupils or those of past Chairmen or past Captains. A praiseworthy idea, and one that should be encouraged, I think.Why, for example, should this idea not be extended to Rotary Clubs ? Why not such a board for this Club of ours ? It would be a prised piece of furniture. It would certainly help to remind us that this Club is no longer an infant and that during its twenty-two years of existence many splendid men have occupied our Presidential Chair. I will leave the idea in your minds for the present.

We, Rotarians of Dublin, derive a good deal of satisfaction from the fact that ours was the first Rotary Club in this hemisphere. Rotary, as you know, had its beginnings in the United States, and in the City of Dublin was founded in 1911 the first Rotary Club outside of the American Continent. Whether we have written the name of the Dublin Club broad and high does not really matter so much. Nor is it of great moment whether or not Dublin has deserved the honour of being the venue of the mother Club of Europe. Don't let these points worry us.

What does matter and what does stand to the credit of our Club is this, that during every one of those twenty-two years, years crammed with world upheavals and by no means barren of domestic upheavals, Dublin kept the flag of Rotary waving. Through bright periods and through gloomy periods the Club has carried on its work, and president has followed president in one unbroken succession. To that fact surely we can look back with satisfaction.

Having been a member of the Club since its opening year, it has been my good fortune to have known every one of our presidents. Assuming your kind permission, it is my intention this afternoon to briefly review these men in the order of their year of office. To make this review an excursion in mellowed memories is my earnest desire.

As the total of the years mounts up, the outlines of the past naturally dim somewhat. I think, therefore, that this first day of a New Year is an appropriate occasion upon which to refresh our memories. Here, in my opinion, seems to be a happy moment for us to take a kindly, mellow glance back along this lengthening gallery of old friends. I am bold enough to hope that you will listen with interest to an effort at remembrance of this nature.

There have been, of course, periods of sorrow. It is inevitable that as the years pass away familiar faces pass away with them.There may arise, also, that feeling of loneliness we cannot suppress at the thought that some voices we used to hear so frequently in this Club and knew so well are stilled for ever. Yet, as a continuing member of this Club all these years, I can recall many creditable achievements in true citizenship, initiated, directed and carried through by this Club under the willing guidance of our Presidents.

The men we honoured as Presidents represented a wide variety of citizenship, a broad field of human activity. It can,also, be said that each of these twenty-two men was of a different mould of mind, a different personality, and had a different method of action and approach. Looking back over the list, however, you will agree that one and all of these men represented a very valuable asset in our community. They were men of integrity, they were men anxious to serve their fellow-men. I am sure they would ask for no higher title to remembrance from us, their fellow Rotarians.

So, today, on the threshold of this year, 1934, I ask you to accompany me in spirit on a brief survey of twenty-two men who have served this Club in the highest position at our disposal.

Our first President was the late Mr. J. H. Flemming. This somewhat narrow-cheeked, delicate little man is scarcely remembered today. He had hardly left the chair when death took him from us. He spoke few words, but the few he spoke were incisive and he spoke them with abruptness and an absence of fragrance. Flemming completely misunderstood Rotary, which I may was a fault which was shared by all of us in the early days of this Club. Flemming was a banker. He must have been an ideal one, I should imagine, at a time when bankers were not too approachable, but were, as now, men of unimpeachable honour. There is this record to the credit of poor Flemming, let us not forget it to his memory : He was the first President of the first Rotary Club in the Old World.

From a monetary man in the person of our first President we passed on to a medicine man in Dr. James A. Walsh, Flemming's successor. Although the shyest, most unassuming of men, our "little doctor" while in the chair was a timeless worker for Rotary. He did his job in that unostentatious way we colleagues of his liked so much. Isn't it splendid to see him here among us today. Looking him straight in the face before this lunch began, a member said to Dr. Walsh : "If you looked as well in 1912-13 when you were in the chair as you look today, well you have no cause to worry." That member spoke the whole truth.

When Dr. Walsh left the chair, the next occupant was responsible for an immediate and complete change in the atmosphere of our meetings. In other words, the helm of our affairs was taken over by the breeziest of skippers. As a matter of fact who did we find in the seat of the distinguished but one William Findlater.

William Findlater was, and still is, known to many of us as "Willie." He was the first of our great ones whom we dared to address so affectionately, or, if you will, so familiarly. Of course, the reason was because we felt sure that here was a case where most of us could safely risk it. That eminently historic name of his somehow suggested Scottish entanglements, even, though dating generations back. This is probably the explanation of Findlater's well-known piercing shafts of wit. These Scottish entanglements must surely have something to do with Findlater's battery of devastating and delightful bluntness. Once, in a reminiscent mood, he confessed to me, this was in Edinboro' (where, by the way, good Scotsmen are still to be found), that the cream of the Findlater stock came over to Ireland from Scotland and stayed.

Having known the unique head of the Dublin house for a good many years, I believe he told what could not be gainsaid. I was hoping he would not be present today while I said about him the things I have just said. Alas he is here as large as life, but it has been whispered to me that he has temporarily lost his voice. I sincerely hope this is only a momentary loss.

During the reign of William the Findlater we revelled in a beanfest of Finflater philosophy, unorthodox a good deal of it, but alluring all of it. Among Findlater's distinctions - he has quite a number about which he does not speak - was that of almost stunning Sir Harry Lauder in a five minutes speech full of cunning humour and delightfully itching sarcasm when seconding a vote of thanks to the great Scotsman, who happened to be our guest here some years ago. Before he took the chair we knew Findlater would be well worth while. He certainly was.

While Findlater was our first Dublin President, the late John P. McKnight, who followed, was our first Northern-born President. The distinction between the Dubliner and the Northerner was splendidly evident. McKnight was meticulous, imperturbable and addicted to irritating punctuality. He gave you the impression of being steeped in seriousness. He was not. He had a gift of dry and apt humour of a definitely entertaining nature. McKnight was a valuable asset to the rota of Presidents.

Richard White, McKnight's successor, is somewhat difficult to sketch.His presidential year was a very troubled one outside Rotary. It had little or no trouble inside, mainly because of White's occupancy of the chair. He was a somewhat reticent man. On his vast world roamings he was most extraordinary reticent. He had a gift of deep and winning sincerity combined with coolness and good judgement. I am not read up on the things White did not do, but of one fact about this solid President I am certain. He did not sing - certainly none of us ever heard him even try. Perhaps in that cool, quite, shrewd way of his he left this kind of thing to the natural-born singer, his successor, J. Robertson Coade.

Coade was our only singing President. And couldn't he sing. His year of office happened to coincide with that somewhat disturbing urge to be up and singing that struck these shores from the U.S. and sent us all nearly silly. Happily that wave subsequently receded before too much harm was done. We liked Coade for his golden throat. We liked him because, although an unbending disciplinarian, he was bluff, hearty, good-humoured and full of the business in hand How many of us wished that we could speak with that ringing, compelling certainty, that splendid directness and that appropriateness of language that always was Coade's. He did his best to make us sing - we were depressing beyond words. Coade gave it up.

Coade's successor, the late Robert J. Swirles, may rightly be regarded as one of our most "fatherly" of Presidents. He had a soft, noiseless, unobtrusive way about him.

He loved the Club. He loved Rotary, and it is true to say of him he was really in love with his beloved Dublin. He never raised his voice above a gentle, conversational tone, so that he was not an orator, but he had an engaging way of saying those precise things he always said so precisely. Swirles going from amongst left a gap.

The long service Rotarian, J. L. Stewart, who followed Swirles, was a man who writes the words "Stationer Stewart" over his well known premises in College Green - no mean name, I venture to say, to write up anywhere. Stewart is a recognised star among our merchant stationers, but none of us who know this keen business getter could think of him as a "stationary" person. By no means. A more all-alive, full-of-movement man in his line we in Dublin do not know.

J. L. Stewart's other claim to memory is that of being the only Scotsman President we have ever had. As befits all true sons of Scotland, Stewart always carried a valuable cargo of caution. As a fervent son of this land of Ireland my honest wish is that this seemingly inexhaustible mine of caution that is Scotland's may never give out and that men out of Scotland as forthright as J. L. Stewart may never cease to come to us.

There may be some doubts as to the existence of the monster in Lock Ness. A good deal probably depends on the state of one's mind. But of the existence of Stewart none of us have any doubts. He is just a normal sized man of the mildest manner. Mat his existence amongst us - well above water - long continue.

While Stewart was in the chair "Safety and Surety" was the slogan. None of us knew what the "J. L." in Stewart's name stood for , but we all knew what Stewart stood for, and that was hard solid work, perpetual watchfulness in the Club's interest, and a seemingly inexhaustible capacity for taking pains.

Then there came before us Alfred Fannin in Stewart's place. Alfred the Great we have read of, He was a fellow of daring and of sincerity. Our one and only Alfred was sincere beyond doubt, but I would not say he was daring. To us he was Alfred the Placid. Alfred was our handsomest President. I will spare his blushes by this sketch very, very brief. That will please him, as I have a conviction that "honourable mentions" are for from his liking. But before I pass on to his successor, his beloved brother, Dr. E. M. Fannin, I must say this of Alfred Fannin, that his conduct of affairs in the chair, like his presence, was distinctly handsome. The epitome of obvious conscientiousness and sincerity - that, I think, would aptly describe President Alfred Fannin.

It is sometimes said of medical men, as of many other men, that they frequently reveal a weakness to be among the select. In other words, to be in on the good things of this world. Rotary is one of these as you know, and a Rotary President is unquestionably our Legion of Honour. So, in the natural order of things, we selected the second Fannin, Dr. E. M. Fannin, for the chair, the only example in our records of two brothers becoming our Presidents.

Dr. Fannin had a fascinating trait which was characteristic of him alone among our Presidents. He was one of these seemingly easy-going, pleasant, in and out, and round about, kind of man that gave you the impression that he was letting things just slide their own way along. You were quite wrong. He may have looked sort of careless and gay, but, believe me, this cheeriest of cheery men was everlastingly all there. and didn't we rank and filers in the Club soon realise it. He was reputed to have a second "love" - golf, but not a great deal is known on that point. The medicine Dr. Fannin gave us from the chair unquestionably did us good.

The man who succeeded Dr. Fannin was one of whom many of us will speak with real reverence. Many of us regarded him as one of the most intensely human of characters Dublin has yet discovered. Need I say I refer to the late Charles McGloughlin.

Here indeed was a man apart, a kind man, a man of gentleness, of subtle brain and of penetrating mind. McGloughlin was a deep thinker, probably the deepest, and certainly one of the most practical Dublin Rotary has ever known. He was a tenacious listener, with the result that he had always a complete grasp of the trend of things. McGloughlin's was a mind that that was perpetually perfumed with the enduring fragrance of kindly thoughts. Unlike Coade, McGloughlin had a soft, an almost murmuring voice, a voice he rarely used except to offer an opinion or to express a thought, and ,as you know, McGloughlin's thoughts and McGloughlin's opinions were always a joy to listen to. His passing in the prime of life was a bitter leave-taking for a great many of our people.

Philip Lawrence followed McGloughlin in the chair. Almost immediately, Phillip established himself as a good President. His suavity saved us from occasional awkward moments, his common sense, too, was the Club's sure-shield. He could always be counted on to get us safely through troubled waters by pouring oil on them. Phillip knew more about oil than any President. I can still quite distinctly visualise his fine, mobile features as he gave us his rulings. When Phillip spoke, that was that.

Now let us imagine a brief but noticeable pause in this talk. Something "big" is about to happen. Two wide lofty doors slowly open. We stare with eager eyes. In there bustles to the chair the most convinced and convincing Rotarian this country has ever known - William McConnell, our William the Conqueror in very truth. Gentlemen, can any of you imagine putting the soft pedal on this great man McConnell / It could not be done. There is no pedal made that would be equal to the job. Of McConnell let me at once say this : no Dublin Rotarian ever deserved the Presidential chair so richly, for no Dublin Rotarian - surely few Rotarians anywhere - ever made Rotary such a life study. He surely must have given his whole waking moments to it, and Rotary is admittedly the gainer. None of us ever saw McConnell that he was not either scribbling Rotary notes, writing Rotary minutes, or talking --Rotary. He was eternally busy on his beloved Rotary. His eagle blue eyes saw instantly everything that a President should see and, I don't mind telling you today - McConnell is in America for the present - a good many things he should not see. While he occupied the chair our Club was world-known, for McConnell thought of Rotary in hemispheres, and his name and fame as a Rotarian really and truly went all over the Rotary world. As a torch-bearer of Rotary he travelled mote than any of our Presidents. Another McConnell claim to a niche in the hall of our immortals was the amazing length and the uncurbable fluency of language in the composition of his annual reports. He almost seemed to record the ticking of the clock. With William, a report assumed something approaching the proportions of Gibbon's "decline and fall of the Roman Empire". Every iota of Rotary happenings during the year went into these famous reports. Above all others of our past Presidents, Findlater used to look forward to the McConnell reports with almost childish interest.

So, the historic day that Big Bill vacated, the chair was given over to a period of relaxation. We sincerely regretted his going, of course, but we felt that we were entitled to a "breather".

In a way, we got a respite under the baton of Sir Thomas Robinson who followed McConnell. By "breather" I mean that under the kind but efficient care of Sir Thomas, this placid man of affairs, we Rotary youngsters of the McConnell era felt we were not "kept in" so often after school, so to speak. Sir Thomas Robinson brought to the chair one of our best-known public men. As we expected Sir Thomas showed himself to be a model President. His adroitness, aptness of speech, and perfect control of any attempt of intransigence marked him out as an ideal President. He knew perfectly how to run the school and not only that but under him we imbibed a lot of helpful knowledge which some of us probably needed badly at the time. Sir Thomas was also a true builder in Rotary, as he has proved himself to be in other walks of life.

So, too, was Walter Beckett, a builder as well as President number fifteen on our rota. Beckett loved his task, but I feel I am free to say he detested speech-making. If you do not believe this, search the Dail records. I don't think that in that temple of tireless tongues he ever uttered a sentence. If I am wrong then I must confess Beckett has deceived a good many of us.

What a difference in many ways was the intense Dubliner who followed Beckett. I refer to M. P. Rowan - known to Rotary fame as Mickey Rowan. If ever there was a President of this Club who had much to say to us and certainly saw to it that it was said, it was Rowan. He was frequently referred to as "Kado". I have never been able to ascertain how this name arose, but I do know that when in the chair "Kado" was always arising.

He was a ready, resourceful speaker, and during his term he enjoyed the grand distinction of being the only President who visited America on behalf of Rotary, and took his mother with him. Rowan's personality was quite original. His methods in the chair were of the same vintage. His activities were many. He was very vital, and while he occupied the chair those inside as well as those outside our ranks had no excuse for not knowing what Rotary stood for but also what Rowan stood for.

After Michael Rowan there came to the chair our most amazing President, our biggest President, our most remarkable President, a man that can be truly described as an absolute moving mass of personality, the late and ever-to-be-regretted Major Bryan Cooper.

Bryan Cooper's year was 1927-28. Let us of this Club never forget that period, for it gave us one of the really great lights in our history to date.

It is said of some men that, place them in any community they cannot for long be overlooked. We know only too well, and the thought saddens us, that Bryan Cooper was undoubtedly such a man. The captivating music of his Charming personality will haunt those of us who knew him as long as we live. Bryan Cooper was undoubtedly a most remarkable , a most loveable Irishman. He was a great Rotarian too, but, above all, he was a great gentleman.

It was truly said of Bryan Cooper that the moment he entered a room a blaze of brilliant lights seemed to turn on. All I will say that the day he left us for ever a blaze of brilliant lights seemed to have been turned out.

Lional Smith-Gordon took over from Major Bryan Cooper. Here we had the spectacle of a somewhat frail little man succeeding a man who was by no means frail. But Smith-Gordon's frailty most certainly did not apply to his mental gifts. It is my belief that this man possessed one of the most original, most resourceful, one of the richest minds that has ever been the gift of the President of this Club. While to those who knew him in a casual way his few and far between speeches gave the impression that he was splenetic, perhaps caustic and destructive, yet he was deep down a man with a genuinely constructive outlook. He hated "blarney". He was merciless with shallow thinkers. He left Ireland some years after leaving the chair, and I think we lost in his departure a man who might have risen to great heights in our councils. His talks were always redolent of sound reasoning and of raptured thinking. Smith-Gordon was also unique amongst our Presidents in rather a romantic way. He was the only one on our rota who took unto himself an all-American wife. He spoke tersely and, always, he spoke slowly.

That characteristic of Smith-Gordon's was so sharply in contrast to the speed fiend who next graced the chair. I refer to F. M. Summerfield, the ever present, probably the most "all-in" man who ever ruled the roost in this Club. By "all-in" I do not refer to anything to do with insurance. I refer to human activity in the general sense, for if ever there came into this community a man whose interests are so numerous as to be almost beyond reckoning, it surely is this terrible little 50-cylinder, ten engined fellow, Summerfield.

He is reputed to have a home in Sutton, but he doesn't sleep there. Summerfield, they tell you down in Sutton, "never sleeps" anywhere. He has no time. It seems almost believable to those who know this veritable menace to the peace of mankind.

Have you ever worried about his name. I have. I have always been interested in people's names, and this name Summerfield has quite naturally interested me a good deal. Once I suspected German entanglements. It surely must be an Irish rendering of Summerfeldt. Of course no sane person would ever accuse Fred of German nationality and up-bringing. Germany could not abide a Summerfield however much she could put up with a Summerfeldt. Fred most indubitably does not possess a German accent - and his command of the German language is a pure myth. Some little time ago I met a man at sea. He was the living image of Summerfield - face, build, accent, restlessness and all. I was so struck with the resemblance that I simply could not resist asking the man if his name happened to be "Summerfield."

Very courteously he replied : "No, sir, it is not Summerfield."

"Well will you pardon me if I ask you what your name really is."

"With pleasure," said the stranger. "My name is Winterbottom"

While Fred was our leader he certainly kept his foot on the accelerator.

In this he was different from G. T. J. Clampett, who followed him. You remember that intriguing habit of Clampett's of always gazing at the ceiling while addressing the Club. That trait, however, in no way detracted from Clampett's armoury of logic or his fund of enlightened commonsense.

Talking of commonsense, I now have pleasure in directing your attention to a sample of it as impressive and dependable as the Rock of Gibraltar, which Fred Summerfield and I gazed upon so long ago. Permit me to introduce you to Kevin J. Kenny - our Nelson pillar of sense and shrewdness.

Kevin and our present Lord Mayor have two significant things in common. Both went to the same school - that was where each learned the disappearing art of hand-shaking. But Kevin learned another art - almost disappearing too - that of smiling. I don't know how Kevin does it - I mean the smiling _ for I have seen that biggish little man wearing a smile when I knew well that he had good reason to feel anything but in a smiling mood.

Do you know, I would love to be on a sinking ship with Kevin. It would be a gloriously delightful adventure. Kevin would not only smile, but as well he would regale me with a howling best-seller of a story, and the sinking feeling would completely disappear. Kevin has a mine of good stories, yet while he occupied the chair here he kept them all to himself. I suppose he somehow or other felt his position too keenly to venture into levities. No man is quicker to sense danger than he. While handing us out law and order from the chair I must say he did it with a perfectly gloved fist. We really liked law and order and, what's more, obeyed both because Kevin was the dispenser.

Talking of good stories brings me to the end of my list, and also to the first and only clergyman who graced the chair - the Very Rev. Dr. R. K. Hanna. Like Summerfield, Kenny and many others, Dr. Hanna I am glad to say is still very much with us. He is one of those men so full of personality that he simply could not for long conceal that delightful genial self of his anywhere. As was McKnight, Dr. Hanna is from the North. Let us hope that the same corner of our Island will send us a few more men as racy, as human, and a speaker as this excellent counsellor. In the telling of a good, perfectly fitting story he had Kevin Kenny down and out every time. Dr. Hanna kept the house in the best of humour, and while he laid down the law to us it didn't matter two straws what the lunch fare was.

That concludes my excursion in mellowed memories.

I think it would be nice if all past Presidents present stood up for one moment while the Club gives them a good old Irish cheer.

(The following past Presidents then stood amid enthusiastic applause: Dr. Walsh, William Findlater, J. S. Stewart, Fred M. Summerfield and Kevin J. Kenny).

Before I sit down, may I express this hope: that when the whirligig of time brings around another cycle of twenty-two years that those men (and maybe women) who will then constitute this Club will be able to look back along that cycle of time with feelings as mellowed as I am sure ours are to-day.

I thank you very much.