NOTHING WITHOUT h-^' LABOR Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924087299750 NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR BEING THE MOTTO OF THE GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC LOCATED AT FREEVILLE, NEW YORK PRINTED BY THE CITIZENS IN THE FRANKLIN PRINT SHOP GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC WILLIAM R. GEORGE {"Daddy") Founder of the George Junior Republic NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR HE GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC is a village exadtly like any other vil- lage in the United States of America, excepting that in the Junior Republic the voting citizens are youths of both sexes from 16 to 21 years of age. The laws of New^ York State and such additional laws as the young citizens may enadr in their own meetings are the laws of the Junior Republic. In no single instance does this little community re- semble an institution. In fadt, the Junior Republic is diametrically opposed to the institution idea. To demonstrate how little the junior Republic looks like an institution absolute strangers motoring in this neighborhood will stop and inquire it it is one of the villages located in this vicinity. As the Junior Republic resembles an American village architecturally, so it likewise bears resem- blance in its social, civic and economic aspects. The motto of the Junior Republic is "NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR." This means that every young person residing in the little colony is compel- led to meet and battle with the unerring laws of political economy. NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR The United States Currency is the money in use in the Junior Republic. There is also a token money, aluminum, which is used in certain cases, in such instances the token currency is at par value with the U. S. Currency. The business relation between the young people and others connedted with the Re- public furnishes the best kind of commercial training. Several trades and occupations are taught in the Junior Republic. AGRICULTURE in its various forms is a distinc- tive feature. Usually a graduate of the College of Agricukure at Cornell University engineers the va- rious farm acftivities. The history of the Junior Re- public siiows a good percentage of its ex-citizens now operating farms of their own or acting as farm man- agers or employees. The farm has an area of 400 acres. A large herd of Holstein cattle, several teams of horses, a large and a small tractor, and other up- to-date machinery aids materially in making the farm work interesting. GARDENING furnishes employment for a num- ber of the young citizens and at the same time gives them wholesome ideas of thrift and love for plant life. CARPENTERING next to Agriculture is the oldest of the Junior Republic occupations. The young car- penters under the direction of a most capable in- NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR structor who has occupied the position for years have construdted several of the buildings in the little village and made necessary repairs upon them from time to time. PRINTING is without doubt the best equipped industry in the little colony. It has been rated by experts as one of the best under the Trade and In- dustrial Division of the Education Department of the State. The shop is called "The Franklin Print Shop." It sends out to nearby cities and villages its salesmen, who are the young citizens, for orders which are put out by the student printers. Several modern presses and other equipment enable the instructor to carry on a commercial enterprise. He is at the same time an employer and instructor. BAKERY is an important industry producing first class baked goods. It not only keeps the Junior Re- public supplied with these necessities but also manufadtures bread, cookies, etc., which, like the printing, are sold in nearby cities and villages. PLUMBING at the present time is in somewhat of an embryo state, but it is one of the industries which the Junior Republic trustees are planning to place on a substantial basis. The care and development of the buildings and grounds constitutes an occupation which furnishes employment for both skilled and unskilled workmen. [7] < CO U Pi a; o z 3 o o P3 D P-, UJ Pi 1^ O Z w O oi O w O O X to H g 5 < ai w H NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR This particular line of work furnishes an opportunity for individual expression not excelled in any of the other occupations. THE STORE in the little Colony is the center of interest. Practically everything furnished in a vil- lage store may be secured diredtly or by order. This furnishes another opportunity for the employ- ment of citizens as clerks but its principal usefulness is the stimulus it gives the economic and social act- ivities of the community. THE SCHOOL, both grade and High School work, is carried on in the Junior Republic under com- petent instrudtors. A college preparatory course is taught. Citizens of the little community frequently enter leading colleges directly from the Junior Re- public School. Commercial Training and Domestic Science work, under special instructors, are being car- ried out successfully. THE HOME LIFE in the Junior Republic is one of the most charming features of the little colony. The Cottages in which the various families reside are of various sizes, shapes and degrees of equipment. The families differ numerically, ranging from five to fifteen residents. Some ot the cottages are for boys and others are for girls. A nice motherly lady lives in each cottage. She is not a matron presiding over a dormitory; those words express "Institution" condi- [10] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR tions and manner of regulation; instead she is a com- bination of a good mother and boarding house keeper If the members of the household do not like the rules she makes they may go to some other cottage. If she does not wish a certain individual to be a member ot her family she may tell him to get quarters elsewhere. In some cottages where the price of accomodations is lower the board is simple although sufficient and the lodging plain. Other houses have a more ela- borate menu and sleeping rooms and the charge for board is higher. Token money to secure board and room in any of the homes is secured through labor of some sort about the place. Generally the work has no commercial value; it rarely justifies pay- ment in U. S. Currency, the reward for such effort being token money or a check paid according to the excellence and quantity of the product. At this point it will be in order to state that the financial rating* of a parent has no bearing on the value of the board and lodging his boy or girl receives in the Junior Republic. A boy residing in the Republic village, who had a poor home or no home at all before he came to the community as a citizen, may occupy one of the finest cottages by virtue of his thrift, while the son of a millionaire may be in jail for vagrancy. The attachment of many boys and girls for their Republic home is sometimes as strong as that found in homes cemented by blood ties. [11] -•»-, w < X U uu X H NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR RELIGION As the Junior Republic is a village and not an in- stitution, church and state are separate. Catholic, Protestant and Jew have equal rights in the Junior Republic; the alacrity or tardiness with which the upholders of the various religious faiths rise to their Opportunity and responsibilities is a matter resting entirely with themselves as it would in any commu- nity. The religious life is strong. The beautiful chap- el given by a friend for religious services is used alike by Protestant, Catholic and Jew. RECREATION Athletics play a large part in the Junior Republic. Baseball, football, basketball, tennis are among the sports which command attention at the little colony. The players of the Junior Republic meet the var- ious high schools and other teams for miles around. When playing out of town they are usually accom- panied by a group of their fellow citizens who do valiant service as "rooters." Several ex-citizens of the Junior Republic have played football with leading college teams; like- wise a few have played professional baseball after leaving the Republic and two of them ultimately be- came major leaguers. A large gymnasium is in the little colony and this furnishes an opportunity for many and various rec- [14] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR reational and social events. Frequent entertainment, receptions and community dances form enlivening features of the Junior Republic life. On these occa- sions not only those connedted with the Republic village are present, but selected friends from places near and remote. Likewise the Junior Republic cit- izens are frequently the guests of friends at some entertainment outside the Junior Republic. One of the principal ideas of the Republic is to have its cit- izens mix with the right sort of people of the world at large instead of holding them in approximate seclu- sion and furnishing only theoretical instruction on the matter of world contadt. SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT By far the most pidiuresque feature of the Jun- ior Republic is its system of Government. At the age of 16 a boy or girl becomes a voting citizen of the little commonwealth and hereupon is given all the responsibility of a person above the age of 21. The town meeting is the outstanding feature of self- government. It is held monthly and on these occa- sions new laws if necessary are enadted and public policies are discussed. Not only township funcftions are operated in the Junior Republic but in certain instances it is necess- ary to perform some of the higher executive duties of the country and the state. For example, a youth in the Republic convidted ot such a serious [15] ■Si ,->-^ 21 A COURT IN SLS.SION AT THE JI'NIOR RErLlBLIC" The ju^iuL- liic^T was .1 law sclio^l j^raduare and rhi'n iHcamc I 'nited Stares Mar^h INAUGURATION OF JUNIOR REPUBLIC PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT NINE \ TARS AGO The young man at the extreme left, the retiring president, gave his life for his country as lieutenant in the air ^ rvhre Between tl e fellow taking the oath as presidint and the young w<^;nan waiting to be swurri in as vice-president is the judge of the Junior Re- public, who also gave his life for his country. After grailuating from the Albany Law School and being admitted to the bar he enlist- ed in the 27th Division, was commissioned lieutenant, and was killed in action. NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR charge by his fellows that under ordinary circum- stances the state would take him in custody is handled by his fellows through their own township government. The principal officer is the President. There is also a Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, who in addition to indicated duties, form a Board of Com- missioners who control matters relating to prison dis- cipline and police and health regulations and other public service affairs. The Judge presides over all courts both civil and crim.inal. The Distridt Attorney looks after the legal inter- ests of the Junior Republic and prosecutes offenders. A chief of Police, keeper of the prison and such other officials of both sexes as are necessary to the preservation of law and order are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The Courts, Police Station and Prison form a dis- tinct and effective method of readjusting youth who are delinquent. The fact that the offender is dealt with by his peers takes away the usual romance which accompanies wrong doing. Self-Government and other common sense ideas placed in operation in the Junior Republic have ac- complished results that have sometimes approached the miraculous. At the present time a new and unique method of dealing with delinquency is being [17] N U T H I N G W.I THOUT LABOR tried out in the Republic. It is known as the Socia^ Sanitarium and its results are quite remarkable. Should success continue let us hope that the idea may ultimately be adopted by the state. The method of operating the Social Sanitarium would re- quire too much space and would also divert at- tention from the thought of the Junior Republic, therefore descriptions of the method will be with- held in this booklet. WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CITIZENSHIP Boys and girls of all classes and conditions of so- ciety are accepted. The applicant may come from the city or from the country, from a rich home or from a home of moderate circumstances; a poor home or no home at all; and previous to his entrance to the Republic he may have been good or bad. Positive types are particularly desired. Applicants must possess physical and mental capacity. As the Republic can do so much for youth from such a va- riety of circumstances of life, it is essential that no one group monopolize the population of the little commonwealth. To that end, the cosmopolitan char- acter of the place is maintained somewhat as follows — approximately one-third of the population are resi- ■jl eti<- I dents of the Republic through their own volition. This "^ I includes young people who are working their way [18] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR through school, preparatory to college entrance, those learning a trade or those residing in the Republic be- cause it is the one place in the world where they can have opportunity of complete self-government and likewise a chance to see what they could do if thrown upon their own resources. This latter group some- times contains young people from well-to-do or rich homes. Another third are in the Republic at the will of parents, guardians or societies. In this group are a number of boys from well-to-do homes who have been expelled from various boarding schools. Al- though they are the despair of school masters they are good material for Junior Republic Citizenship. Some of the girls in the Republic are placed there by societies organized for the protection of young women. These girls are well meaning but need some stimulating force like the responsibilities of self-gov- ernment to bring out the best there is within them and the Republic gives them the opportunity. The final third of the Republic population is the one which brings much fame to the place. This is not strange after consideration of the history of the boys who make up this group. They are young fel- lows who have committed some serious offenses and have been found guilty and sentenced to some prison or reformatory. Then instead of sending them to the institution the Judge will announce that he will [19] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR suspend the carrying out of the sentence if the Junior Republic administration will accept the offender as a citizen of that place. Favorable reply coming from the Republic management, the boy is soon entered as a full-fledged citizen of the Junior Republic. This fellow as well as every other person who enters the little colony starts out with a clean slate. Whether they have been good or bad pre- viously is of comparatively little moment. What they make of themselves after their arrival is of vastly more importance. Strange as it may seem; many of the young people who have entered the Republic under suspended sen- tence have turned out to be some of the most splen- did men and women. A college education may not typify perfection, but at least it is an indication of worth. Some of those who entered the Republic as a refuge from a state institution later graduated from college and became influential personages in their communities. Ex-President Roosevelt sums it up in the follow- ing excerpt from his article on the Junior Republic; "A boy who has gone wrong because he has too much steam in his boiler, so to speak, is admitted to a full equality with the boy who has never gone wrong at all; and the most extraordinary thing is that he is about as apt to turn out a first-class citizen, not merely of the Junior Republic, but of the large Republic, the Republic of the American Nation, [201 NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR when he graduates into it. The only persons exclud- ed are those who go wrong through infirmity or feebleness of will, and this exclusion is in itself sig- nificant." No one is committed to the Republic by the courts. Their time of residence in the little col- ony is dependent on the nature of their admittance. Boys or girls who enter the Republic through their own volition leave whenever they desire. Youth placed in the Republic by parents, guardians or so- cieties leave whenever the person or the society send- ing them desires them to depart. Youth in residence under suspended sentence leave whenever the Judge or his delegated agent permits. Of course if any one is in the Republic prison at the time those having control over him wish him to return the request is not granted until the prisoner is freed from the Republic prison by the Junior officials. ■^ A complete copy of this Editorial by Ex-President Roosevelt was published in the Outlook in January 1912 and is herewith printed on following page. 21 ,>■ Qi i- < or rf. C CO r J ^ V Pi ,, UJ _J -1 2 T3 C '^ v> t i^5^ V. ■-^f'l'.-r^ '^ •,^.. -.--,. >- (,\ .MN.XSIL M BliILUlN(; CHAFtL GYMNASIUM BUILDING CHAFEL 'DADDY'S" HOME MOTHER GEORGES COTTAGE THE HAVEN, GIRL'S JAIL THE MASSACHUSETTS, BOY'S COTTAGE THF, GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC, FREEVILLR, N. V. SCHOOL AND ADMINSTRATION BUILDING k- THK GEORGE JUNIOR RI'.I'L'BMC, FRKFAI l.l.l'-,, N. V, SCHOOL AND ADMINSTRATION BDlLDlNc; SI'IIM'LL COTTACJi; FORBl-S HOSPll'AL OLD HOTEL HOVVLANIJ HOUSE I'lONEER COTTAGE BAKERV THE GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC Editoral by THEODORE ROOSEVELT Published in the Outlook, January, 1912 RECENTLY visited the Junior Republic, or, as it is usually spoken of because of the man who founded it and is chiefly respon- sible for its success, the Qeorge Junior Re- public at Freeville, N. Y. I had expected to be pleased and interested, but my inter- est and pleasure far outran even my expectations. A boy who has gone wrong because he has too much steam in his boiler, so to speak, is admitted on a full equality with the boy who has never gone wrong at all; and the most extraordinary thing is that he is about as apt to turn out a first-class citizen, not merely of the Junior Republic, but of the larger republic, the republic of the American Nation, when he graduates into it. The only persons excluded are those who go wrong through infirmity or feebleness of will, and this exclusion is in itself significant. Mr. George's theory is that any boy or girl, man or wo- man, of sufficient strength of character can by practical ex- perience as a responsible and independent citizen be taught, or, to speak more accurately, teach himself or herself, that good citizenship is the only kind of citizenship worth hav- ing, even from the individual's own standpoint. The place is a manufactory of citizens, men and woman, and I do not know any place better worth visiting, nor any place better calculated to produce in the mind of the visitor a healthy modesty about drawing conclusions too rapidly from any one set of observations. [23] ■.N O.T HING WITHOUT LABOR The Republic is an educational institution of the most valuable kind, and it develops in those who attend it a really passionate loyalty, a loyalty which I think on the average surpasses that felt by the undergraduates or graduates of any college with which I am acquainted; for the average gradu- a'te of the George Junior Republic feels, as he has a right to feel, that he possesses a diploma better than any he could pbS'sibly have gotten from any other institution in the world; ■ and he feels a corresponding sense of pricle, and of obligation so to cany himself that the Republic will in its turn have reason to feel pride because of his after career. But, in addition to being an educational institution in the ordinary 'sense of a school of applied industry, it is also a s'chool which gives the most invaluable training in the fundamental duties of citizenship. I had been told before I went there that the boys and girls literally governed them- selves, that there was practically no government whatever from outside; biit I-have not been able to realize that the statement was to be taken as exactly true. ' The boys and girls live in cottages, or boarding-houses, and in each cottage or boarding-house (those for boys as w.dl as girls) there is.a matrofi, who exercises a certain sup- ervision over the cooking and the care of the rooms; in the case of the girls this matron is called the house-mother, and there is a rule that the girls do not leave the house at night. But, as far as J could find, this was literally the only rule imposed from outside, and its observance of health and good conduct: in the cottages or boarding-houses depended entirely upon the action of the boys and girls themselves. They make the laws and execute them through their own elediive officers.. Neither any of the matrons, nor Mr. George, — save as one of the judges, when an appeal is carried before him — I 24 J NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR nor any one else except the boys and girls, has any power whatever. The boys and girls all vote (women suffrage is accepted as a matter of course in the real democracy of the Junior Republic), and they are responsible for every law and rule and for the carrying out of every law and rule. The effect has been astounding. Everyone is busy, every, one is courteous and self-respecting, and, moreover, after a very short period in the Republic almost every boy and girl accepts it all as a matter of course. An offense com- mitted by one of their number is thought to be an offense not against some outsider or outside body, with whom or with which they have no special connection, but against themselves. The punishments are real and very severe. In the prison the cells are steel cages, the work is hard, the supervision is severe and continuous, and the guards have no sentimental hesitation in chastising recalcitrant prisoners. Only the boys are kept in this prison; the girls, who of course are more easily handled, have a prison of their own. The offenders are apprehended by the Junior Republic's own officers, tried and acquitted or sentenced by the Junior Republic's own courts, and punished under the dired: super- intendence of the authorities of the Republic — who, by the way, I found to my intense interest, have themselves fre- quently spent months in the jail, to which they were con- demned before having learned better ways. The inmates of the prison while I was there were being worked hard at useful employments; they were fed with an abundance of healthy but not dainty food; when not at work they are confined in steel cages. It was real imprisonment, real punishment. But when they were once out of prison the punishment was through. The atonement was accepted as complete, and the boy took a fresh start on his own merits; and if he made [25 1 NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR good, the facS; that he had been in prison was not held in the slightest degree against him. No boy is forced to work; but if he does not choose to work, then he does not eat. It occcasionally takes him some days to realize that this is a fact and not an abstract theory with which he is confronted; but he is taught the fact by actual hunger, and then he goes to work. There are ample opportunities for him to earn his own living, but the work is real and hard, and is paid for in pro' portion to its value, each worker standing on his individual merits as shown by his skill and industry; the boys them- selves insist on a course which develops and rewards indi- vidual efficiency. Drones and idlers are not tolerated; they are allowed to quit work if they wish, and if they work bad- ly they are discharged; and then they find that starvation is not very far distant. Of course this Republic is not only of very great interest in itself, but it is of very great interest as illustrating a prin- ciple. It is extraordinary to see how successful the boys and girls have been in absolutely managing their own affairs. With the trifling exceptions that I have above noted, their self-government is absolute. On two or three occasions they have steered close to very serious danger, but have always come out all right in the end. On Sunday there is always Sunday school, and always, or almost always, church, which is conducted now by Protes- tant clergyman, now by Catholic priests, even by Jewish rab- bis, sometimes all three officiating the same day — for who- ever cares to attend. Nobody is obliged to attend, and they certainly do not come from a class much given to church going; but, apparently just because it is a matter of choice and not of duress, the great majority of them attend the [26] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR Protestant or Catholic services, according to which they belong. The various persons I met, Protestants, Catholics, and Jews, take an intense personal interest in the work, and their influence for good is all the stronger because neither those who exercise it nor the boys and the girls themselves are more than dimly conscious of its existence. I believe this Junior Republic has done an immensely valuable work. I believe that the principle it exemplifies can be widely ap- plied; but I believe also that in order to make other similar institutions work as well as this has worked there will be need for just such self-sacrifice, such zealous and intelligent interest and guidance in each case, as, for its great good for- tune, this particular Junior Republic has found among cer- tain men and women of a not too common type. It will be well if we apply widely the principles in accordance with which the Junior Republic is managed; but it is just as nec- essary for us as individuals to apply in practice the qualities which have enabled the men and women in question to be useful to the Junior Republic. [27] w O < H h- O u o D O X D 2. < O UJ O < o u In O CO uS O < H o u C/5 H H w D U < < HISTORICAL SKETCH R. (Daddy) GEORGE, the founder of the Junior Repubhc idea, was born on a farm near West Dryden, N. Y. "When he was a boy 14 years of age his parents moved to New York City. Thereafter he spent his vacation at his old home in the country. In his young manhood he engaged in business for himself. The nature of the occupation was such that he had considerable opportunity to study social conditions in the big metropolis. His interest centered chiefly in children and one day in the year of 1890 he conceived the idea of soliciting the aid of the Tribune Fresh Air Fund to give a few dozen of the poorest of his young friends a two weeks outing in a camp at Freeville, a little railroad center near his old home in the country. The people con- nected with the Fresh Air Fund consented and the idea was carried out. Great interest was aroused in the enterprise and the "fresh air camp" at Free- ville became a mecca for local tourists. A large num- ber of children were brought several succeeding years. Finally Mr. George became appalled at the tendency of the youngsters which he took on these outings to estimate their good time in the country on the basis of the amount of clothing, produce etc. which they took back to the city at the end of their vacations. Further study convinced him that both the children and their parents regarded charity as their right and [30] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR for that reason he concluded to give up the work; but the genuine poverty in some cases led him to re- solve to try one more year in which radical experi- iTLentation to destroy the blight of pauperism would be attempted. He found the remedy through the introduction of a few dozen picks and shovels in his fresh air camp. The youngsters met the procedure with hostility. They refused to work after a day or two when the glamor of the new tools had worn away. To meet this problem, Mr. George required the boys to do work with these tools before they re- ceived clothing or produce to take back to the city. When they finally surrendered to his inexorable will in this matter, a veritable miracle took place. They became interested in and suggested laws for the protection of the property which they had ac- quired through labor. Courts of justice in which they took the main part followed; one or two became public officers and zealous enforcers of the laws; grum- bling and discontent disappeared and the entire crowd of fresh air youngsters of 1894 returned to New York City happy in the fact that they took back with them property which they had earned by the labor of their hands. Focusing the result of the radical measures which had produced such happy results, "Daddy" George, as the children called him, easily evolved the idea of establishing a self-government community the fol- [31] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR lowing year along the lines of an American village. In fact it was the apparent line of least resistance and the inspiration came to him in the thought of a "JUNIOR REPUBLIC." On July 10th 1895, the first government of the youth, for the youth, and by the youth was estab- lished. One hundred and forty-four boys and girls from New York City were the pioneers. They came for the summer months only. Instantly the eyes of the world seemed to be on the place and the obser- vation of the press and public were generally favor- able. When the summer was over the group of boys upon which so much public attention had been placed returned to New York City. But the possibilities of the idea taking permanent form was so alluring that "Daddy" George and five boys remained in the place and formed the nucleus of a great permanent educational experiment. Cold, hunger and other discomforts that always follow in the wake of pioneering were their lot, but they held on tena- ciously and the world knows the rest of the story. :32' "WHAT BECOMES OF THE CITIZENS" Approximately 2000 young people of both sexes have passed through the Ju- nior RepubUc since its inception in 1895. Among this group now engaged in the world's work are doctors, lawyers, minis- ters, college professors, authors, editors, civil engineers, social workers, superintendents, army and navy officers, actors, contrartors, merchants, manufartur- ers, business managers, government officials, professional baseball players, teachers, trained nurses, a substantial list of men and women, in business for themselves, own- ers of farms, and a lot of high grade mechanics, salesmen, policemen, soldiers, sailors, skilled laborers and last but not least hundreds of wives and mothers presiding over happy homes who are rearing a lusty lot of American patriots. A glance at the war record of the Junior Republic citi- zens and ex-citizens is inspiring. Eighty-seven per cent of the boys of the Republic be- tween the ages of 18 and 21 enlisted in the army or the navy at the outbreak of the war. Many of the ex-citizens enlisted in the Canadian, English or French armies before the U. S. declared hostilities. Frank Clark of Corning, N. Y. joined a Canadian reg- iment and was the first man of his company to make the supreme sacrifice. Corporal R. Derby Holmes was not only a valiant fight- er in an English Regiment and victim of a serious wound but he wrote a thrilling book entitled "A YANKEE IN THE TRENCHES" which has a large circulation. [33] Ne5 THING WITHOUT LABOR Capt. Henri Omessa of the French army was three times seriously wounded before he was finally killed. At Arras, he received the Croix de Guerre, and twice again was he decorated at Verdun. A review of the several hundreds ot ex-citizens of the Re- public who were eligible for service in our army does not show one single slacker so far as we can discover. They were in all branches of the service. Those who went "OVER THERE" gave a good account of themselves. Lieutenant Timothy O'Connor, an ex-President and Judge of the Junior Republic, later graduate of the Albany Law School, admitted to the bar at 21, and regarded by all who knew him, as a youth of unusual ability, was killed while in command of Co. M 108 Reg. 27th Div., in the battle of La Selle River. His citation read, "For great personal courage and inspiring qualities of leadership while in command of his company, even after being mortally wounded this officer's last words were for the men to con- tinue the attack." Nearly a score of ex-citi:ens were killed or died of disease and there were other citations and Croix de Guerre given to Junior Republic lads. There were at least a dozen Captains and Lieutenants; one of the latter, Lieut. Carroll Moore, an aviator, was killed while on scout duty. But the boys of the Republic were not the only ones who did valiant service. The girls of the Republic between the ages of 16 and 2 1 organized themselves into a military com- pany, wore uniforms, drilled like soldiers, and went to Syracuse, N.Y. where they lived under military regulations and worked zealously in munition facHiories. [34] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR A short time ago questionnaires were sent out to the first fifty ex-citizens of the Junior Republic. They are now men and women of mature age with settled convictions about their experience in the Junior Republic. Following are part copies of several that were returned. For obvious reasons identities were not disclosed, and where names and initials were used the writers expressed their eager consent. The quotations are made to reveal firsthand evidence from for- mer citizens to prove the remarkable value of Junior Repub- lic training upon all who are fortunate enough to obtain it. We have complete data concerning our past citizens; and serious-minded students of our work and other well-wishers are welcome at all times to this information, our ex-citizens being eager and desirous of aiding them and proud of their experiences here. One citizen who was a "cop", District Attorney, Judge and President in the Junior Republic replied to the question: "Who should be admitted to the Junior Republic ?" in these words: — "All boys and girls about 16 years of age, regardless of creed, color, nationality or of the social scale in which they originate, if the Republic can take them." He believes the Republic should"emphasi:e that trade or occupation tor which the individual is best fitted, but all social exper- ience should be uniformly developed." In his own exper- ience he says the Junior Republic "stimulated in me the de- sire to i.mprove my mind and my desire and capacity for leadership. It taught me self-reliance, and intellectual as well as economic independence. It made easy the transition from childhood and youth to the responsibilities of mature years." H. E. M. records that he held the position of judge while in the Republic, states that after leaving the Republic, en- [35] X I T3 Q O O o M- ' ■ ^11 if i ^^ Ifcur i i' -J r, 4.; i-y _Li; H c -r •^ - -r; '^ .;i ;= y. / tji :r "3 i- ■- -: ?- 4^ ^ =^ -^ -n -r .r u -.(< •-^ O .'^ X ■y. ^ E- ; H o c^ ^ ~, X u; ?- ^ ~. o y ~. >■■ 'J w 5 ir^=# ►^.1^ w y. ~ 2 < "'■ ^ r ':: z v: y. NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR tcrcd Ohio Northern University and since that time has practiced \a\v in the city of Cleveland. His military service shows he was a member of the Legal Advisory Board, Officer A. P. L; Four minute-man; and Secretary War Act- ivities Board during the war. His answer as to who should he admitted to the Junior Republic was "mentally alert hoys and girls, especially those surrounded by an environment tending toward the development of dangerous citizens." His reply to what the Republic had done tor him was summed up in five words, "knowledge of business and government." B()^■S BA.SKKT BAI.l, TKAM, iqzi-z R.\tk R.iu: <,,',>igr l„i \I.H,-Ii/-, I'oach, ■■I'hi.-t" Aubrpv, C.innlCM "Gloomy" \'on Gl.ihn, "D.hi.lv" Tiont Rnu: I'aiil Or RrMlT, II, lu.!,.! R.int'ol.l, \l,lx Wrini-lpin. [ :;s 3 NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR S^.'^'^ 1 ^ 1 % 1 ^L 1 ;4«l^^^^^^H| F^Hj 1 ^^ ' -'W ^ ^._. i 9 I^Bi > 1 ^ ^^' ,..^ ,-^?*M M^^^^K 1 GIRLS BASKET BALL TEAM, 1922 Back Row: Lila Moore, Loui«e Green, *'Daddy", Miss Cora ijreene, Coitch, Hazel Twitchell, Edith George. Front Row: Clara C'rumm, Leona French, Sadie Tomarkin. He did not state that he had been a Nominee for Congress on the Progressive ticket and although unsuccessful made a fine showing at the polls. J.W.H. — States that he held the positions of Secretary'of State and Treasury, was Judge and President while at the Junior Republic. Records after leaving the Republic that he entered Cornell Civil Engineering College^and graduated from there in 1910. Located thereafter atU. S. Engineers of- fice, Memphis, Tenn. which involved construction work on [39] NOTHING WITH OUT LABOR the Mississippi. Since 1919 construdiion engineer on large building, the cost of which required the use of seven figures in the dollar column. J. W H, wrote the statement more modestly in the questionaire. This is his reply to the question — Value of the Republic to you. "Ability to judge mankind, learned to sympathize and get along with men in any class, the value of working for a living, resourcefulness." He did not add in his last comment that resourceful- ness had led him to rise to an unusual emergency and save a long stretch of levee on the Arkansas side of the river opposite Memphis during the floods of 1912 when others had failed. The way he brought loyal service out of a mob of unwilling idlers both white and black, who were driven by the police of Memphis on board a steamer and sent across the river as unwilling laborers to meet a des- perate situation, would furnish a "Movie Thriller." When asked how he did it he replied, "From experience I got on the Football Field at Cornell, but still greater my training at the George Junior Republic." LOCATION The George Junior Republic is located at Freeville, Tomp- kins County, New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes Section of the State, at the Junction point of two branch- es of the Lehigh Valley Railroad system — the Auburn Division, and the Elmira and Cortland branch. Accessible by automobile on improved state roads from all directions — Cortland, Ithaca, Auburn, 0\\-cgo and Binghamton. VISITORS Visitors are always welcome at the Republic. There are no barriers about the grounds and no rules as to hours. [40 1 NOTHING WITH OUT LABOR The sign near the entrance ot the Junior Republic makes the following announcement: / Five Minutes STOP FOR ) Five Hours Five Days Or as much longer as you desire. This statement expresses the hospitality of every "citizen" and adult connected with the little colony. The Republic Inn, built on Republic grounds, yet far enough from the center of ac!tivities to permit quiet seclu- sion is open throughout the year. It is equipped with all modern conveniences. Rates are reasonable. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION Boys and girls above the age of sixteen years and under twenty-one of sound mind and body are accepted. Occas- ionally young people are accepted below the age of sixteen years, but the number is limited. Applications for admit- tance should be made to the Superintendent of the George Junior Republic, Freeville, New York of whom all details can be learned. If literature is requested, inclose twenty-cents. ASSOCIATION, MEMBERSHIP, ETC. The George Junior Republic Association under whose management the Republic is operated, is incorporated under the laws of the State ot New York. Its trustees are successful business and professional men and women with varying political and religious beliefs but all are united when it comes to the matter of straight unadulterated Americanism. Anyone paying $10 or more annually becomes a sustaining member of the Association, $500 pays for a life membership. [41] NOTHING WITHOUT LABOR LITERATURE There has been much written about the Junior Republic. Nearly all the principal magazines contained articles on the subject a few years ago. "The Junior Republic" written by Mr. George and published by D. Appleton & Company, and "Citizens Made and Re-Made" in which Mr. George collaborated with Lyman Beecher Stowe, published by Houghton -Mifflin Company, furnish complete description of the enterprise. FINANCES The expense of running the Republic is borne principally by voluntary contributions. Payment for the board of citi- zens by parents, guardians or societies is the second source of revenue. Sales of products from the bakery, farm prod- ucts, and a few other things add somewhat to the Republic receipts. A small endowment furnishes a meager amount to the annual budgets. Friends of the Republic are desirous of increasing efforts toward an endowment fund.. There is certainly a need for carrying out such a measure. No money is received from the State for any purpose excepting some money for a portion of the salaries of teachers. Money is alvvays in demand for the extension of the work. Every year is apt to find the Republic with a cash deficit. CONTRIBUTIONS It is the earnest desire of the Association to increase its membership. Contributions of any amount will be grate- fully received. All checks may be made payable to the Treasurer of the George Junior Republic Association, First National Bank, Ithaca, New York. ;42" 3 'Si 2 Z CJ a. pa a: c c a O