lEx ICtbrtB SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this hook Because it has heen said "Ever'thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned hook." SoK (0 Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library A HARVEST of THOUGHTS on CIVILITY From every quarter conies the wish that civility may be impressed on all phases of social, commercial and industrial life with the same measure of success that has made it synonymous with coach service PUBLISHED BY THE FIFTH AVENUE COACH COMPANY 605 West 132ND Street. New York Winners of Prizes in the Fifth Avenue Coach Company 's Civility Contest $150.00 and "Judge's" $50.00 Agnes O'Gara Ruggeri An Index of Civility $100.00 Ai.ax St. John ColthursT Service Is Not Servitude $50.00 by United Cigar Stores Company Alice M. Kautz New York Needs Civility ... $50.00 Agnes M. Conklin A Vital Spiritual Force 9 Margaret B. Gross A Trial of Strength 10 Margaret Bali Incivility Inexcusable 12 Helene Walsh Proof of Civic Pride 13 Orison Swett Marden Greatest of Investments 15 $25.00 Laila Connor fc What a Change, If— If M. V. Carthuers An Ancient Virtue — A Modern Need 17 Winifred Stuart Gibbs Password to Citizenship 19 Timothy M. Carmody Outspoken Friend-Getter 21) Theodore Huebener The Highroad to Happiness 21 $10.00 M. C. McConkey Highly Specialized Business Asset 22 Herman Montagu Donnek Singles Out the Superior 24 C. C. Chapin Pays to Wear Manners Every Day 25 Clarence J. Shearn, in Creates a World Citizen 26 Samuel W. Strauss Heaven's First Law 27 Edwin Ruthven Gives New Viewpoint on Life 28 J. C. Long "Please" — An Old But Seldom Used Word 30 H. E. Friend No Royal Robes About Civility 31 Cyril J. Goddard Makes Star of Mere Actor 32 Elbert Robb Zaring Coach Company— Civility's School on Wheels 33 $5.00 Franklin Snow Caters to Everyone's Comfort 35 Mrs. Edward W. Stitt Courtesy Invaluable Asset to Corporations 36 Rose G. Connett Day Begun With Smile Reaps Reward 37 Elizabeth M. Clark Gospel of Human Relations 38 Mignon Quaw "A Little More Than I Am Paid For" 39 Frank Dorrance IIopley A Way to Roll Away Anxiety 40 Winners of Prizes i?i the Fifth Avenue Coach Company 's Civility Contest Ray H. Everett Think Less of Right— More of Duties 41 J. L. Woodland Asset that never Goes into Bankruptcy 41 Evelyn Reid Jenkins .Everyone Should Sow Seeds Everywhere 41 Ellery Livingston Allen Teaches Love of One Another 42 Mrs. Curtis C. Grove Nuggets of Purest Gold 42 J. E. Massey Consideration Begets Consideration 42 F. W, Overhiser Like Advertising, It Pays 42 Charles E. Bruce Should Be National By-Word 43 Joseph Conniff Life's Finest Lubricant 4:: Frank Frey Politeness at All Times, Its Aim 4 4 James H. Lezotte Important Factor in Reconstruction 4 4 RoswELLiS. Britton Service With the Smile Wins 4 4 Hugh Wilgus Ramsaur Community Spirit Its Cradle 4." John E. May It's the Little Things That Count 4.". Dinkie Guy Frazier Associates Factors in Promotion 4'; Jean Bosler Chamberlain Heart the Way to Man's Purse 46 Abraham Deutsch Leaves An Indelible Impression 4 7 L. B. Everett Nothing Left if Self Respect Goes 4 7 Frederic Ludlow Luqueer A Deep Will of Kindness 4 7 Smith E. Allison Welfare of Public Now Essential 4S Helga R. Mortenson Incivility Not Less Than Disgrace 48 Ethel Young Say "Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Ma'am" 48 Belle C. Howard Respect for Others Its Keynote 49 George J. Jervis Sets Example for Children 49 H. M. Purrington Most Courteous the Most Influential 50 H. B. Blauvelt Makes Men Equal Regardless of Wealth 50 Patrick Leyden Singles Out the Unthinking Minority 51 Mrs. H. G. Chataix Well Worth Campaigning For 51 Laura Greex Noyes Halts Self-indulgence and Hysteria 52 R. E. Fielder Sure Sign of Good Fellowship 52 Carol H. Chapman Big Cities Need Civility Most 53 S. W. Marvin Based on Self Control 53 Olive Stevenson Boor, Self-Confessed, a Failure 54 Stanley W. Ayres City Wide Campaign a Vital Need 54 F. Grinnan Handmaiden of Naturalness 55 Eleanor Fitts Courtesy Is Innate and Evident 55 George Gordon Spreads Sunshine Along its Way 50 Howard B. Stevens E'ased on Divine Command 5G Robert Stewart Sutcliffe Resolve: I Will Spread Civility 50 Harriet Clay Penman Shall the Humble Monopolize Civility? 57 John Martin "To Give and Take for Kindness Sake" 57 A. H. Sutphin A word Full of Meaning 57 Helen Egan Let All Join For Big Drive 5 7 Dr. A. Mann Three Keys to the Heart 58 Mrs. Henry Abrahamson A Way to World's Kinship 58 Values of Civility as Expressed by Leaders in Various Fields 00, 61, 62, 63, 64 To The Public DO MOVEMENT of recent years has taken so firm a hold on the American people as that having as its objective a more widespread practice of common cour- tesy in daily relations. From very small beginnings it has reached out in a thousand and one directions, until today we find most of our large corporations following the example set by this company and steadily striving to inculcate in their personnel the idea of kindliness and consideration in all busi- ness and personal intercourse. In its own organization the Fifth Avenue Coach Company feels it has achieved a very high standard in this direction but even more gratifying has been the response of its patrons to an appeal to help the men who man the coaches to be civil and courteous, by being civil and courteous themselves. For the successful coor- dination of effort thus accomplished we are thankful indeed. It has so aided us in the administration of our service and the successful carrying out of our policies that we seriously want others to enjoy the same benefits, and so the campaign for universal courtesy has with us become a continuing effort. YYe arranged the Civility essay contest because we wanted some specific reactions from our own people and from the public. We got them ; sixteen hundred of them in less than two months. We are giving you some of the best of them and feel that you will find in them much to interest you. To the editors of Judge and to the officials of the United Cigar Stores Company, this company is grateful for the helpful cooperation given. In the many contests that we have conducted in the cause of better ideas in thought and practice, none has been more successful than the contest just closed. To all of those who helped make it so we extend our sincere thanks. Fifth Avenue Coach Company John A. Ritchie, Pres. Four An Index of Civility By Miss Agnes CVGara Ruggeri CIVILITY — the virtue that oils the wheels of life, and the absence of which causes the whole machinery to rumble and jar ! it makes even toil palatable; it takes the sting out of the word "boss." and raises the worker from a slave to a fellow-man. Takes Sting It is powerful. Used by a tenant, it can make the landlord Out of Word forget that he is listed among the Pontius Pilates of the world, and used by the landlord, it can mystify and frighten the tenant with dread forebodings. Introduced into the Mack Sennett comedies, it would forever do away with the custard pie, and if frequently encountered in married life, would destroy the domestic relations court. Without it, what chance would Cleopatra have had with Caesar or Antony, and how far would Antony have gotten with his funeral oration if he hadn't opened with it ? It was the serpent's most powerful weapon in the garden of Eden, for if Eve was anything like the rest of the sex. that apple could not have been rammed down her throat by force. And if Eve herself had bullied Adam, would he have eaten it ? If ex-Kaiser YVilhelm had had even a little of it. the war would probably not have occurred. It is powerful enough to kill hate and charming enough to KiUs Hate av(1 create love. It has made the French nation popular throughout the civilized world, despite a peculiar style in mustaches. It was used so extensively in connection with duels that delicately nurtured girls could view unmoved, except for an enjoyable moistening of the eyes, the spectacle of a graceful matinee hero inserting six inches of cold steel into the ribs of the best villain on Broadway, even when men were scarce. Realizing its value, our modern prize fighters endeavor to duplicate the civilitv of the ancient duellists Creates Love Five THOUGHTS ON CI V I LIT Y by shaking hands — but the effect is not the same; there is some, tiling- wrong with the hands. If it were not for the civil manners of toreadors in general as evidenced by the specimens in Spanish literature and opera. rms the wou ^ not tne Spanish people long since have lost interest in a Family brutal sport? But the good manners of the toreador, opposed to Circle the bad manners of the bull, have won the day. Yes. civility, like the quality of mercy, increases the power or the charm of "him that gives and him that takes." It is courtly in the lover and becoming in the beloved, welcome in the husband and flattering in the wife, dignified in the father and docile in the child, gracious in the grandmother and adorable in the grand- children, altogether delightful in friends and associates, and, alas, uncommon in our general intercourse. Let's remember that if we enjoy meeting it in others, they enjoy meeting it in us, and PASS IT ALOXG. Service Is Not Servitude By Alan St. John Colthurst Gives Nation Its Greatest Weapon polltan. 1HE practice of civility is the scientific and persistent ap- plication of a high ideal to commonplace affairs, supple- mented and controlled by an understanding sympathy. In it is, therefore, involved not only a practical idealism typically American but also a heartfelt enthusiasm which should be cosmo- Xew York is the emporium of America, but though its export may be Xew World ideas, its chief import is the base elements of the Old. In sheer bulk this import so far exceeds export sup- plies that the result is a debasement of the whole physical, mental and spiritual currency of the state. America is the dumping ground of nationalities, and it is her superhuman task to sub- merge them in the nation, to swamp individualism by patriotism, self-assertion by Christianity. Patriotism is a national ideal, Christianity a cosmopolitan ideal, but both have a common weapon in civility. The wielding of this weapon is the task of a superman, for his enemies are leeion. The upbringing and debased national char- acteristics of this polyglot state: the exhaustion entailed by the recent moral and mental strain of patriotism; the post-bellum generation which has not experienced realities; but above all, the almighty dollar which demands of its devotees greed, cruelty and Sir THOUGH T S ON CIVILITY despair, for life without money is a despicable existence in this western Babylon. Yet in spite of the forces arrayed against it, this weapon is all powerful if properly applied, for it has as its essential the ^^ntl^ess gigantic strength of a manly and cheerful meekness which win- its positions by peaceful penetration. But Rome was not won in a clay, and meekness is not acknowledged as a mark of nobility by a generation nourished on force. It should, therefore, be the criterion of education in the schools, that the training of character is more important than the development of the mind, that self-development means self-control, that morality is more than moralizing, and that mechanism run riot leads to barbarism. There is little to be said for a mechanical existence, still less for a bad example ; civility is chiefly appreciated in the home, but parents need outside support. The greatest handicaps to moral uplift are fear of morbidity and fear of neighborly opinion; both can be overcome by co-ordination of effort. The keynote of edu- cation should be altruistic cheerfulness, while the press and the poster should accustom the public to its advantages until civility becomes as reasonable as "Instant Postum." Helps Parents Meanwhile, doubting parents have only to step onto a crowded to Teach coach to be convinced of its effectiveness. "Nothing succeeds like "Manners" success," and the greatest possible impetus to a civility campaign is the example of the men who traverse the length and breadth of New York. They have discovered that service is not servitude, and that the Statue of Libertv is the hallmark of eood cheer. New York Needs Civility By Miss Alice M. Kautz NEW YORK CITY needs a civility campaign: To speak for the many who, bruised by incivility, can't speak for themselves without endangering the liveli- hood of their families : To expose churlishness, robbing day of joyful and vigorous "Grindtiw^f enterprise and night of recuperative sleep and reaping a bitter, Axes" solitary dotage; To allure to the exorcism of discourtesy by good-will in the service of others and in the compensation of service to ourselves; to a larger use of thought and effort and no cold-cash payments barren of sroodwill ; Seven THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY To discourage the misuse of courtesy in the "grinding of axes'' and its companion vice, than which no other is more corrupt- ing, contempt for the personality of "the other fellow" ; To impress upon the plastic minds of the young, the inefface- able image of winsome, cheering civility ; To encourage the rendering of such a quid pro quo in the civility game as shall broaden interest, by quickening an apprecia- tion of the contributions of our foreign-born element to our full- ness of life, and of the vastness of our population, and by creat- ing a livelier concern and sense of responsibility for the operation of all departments of government and the complexion of our foreign policy ; To awaken us, in our search for the causes of incivility, to Rapacity tne menace ot * such conditions as : "gangs" of children out of the of Cliques bounds of home discipline through the helplessness of parents un- acquainted with our language, institutions and customs ; and ir- responsible floating population of men, homeless through choice or economic pressure ; an irresponsible leisured class the reckless- ness and impunity of whose transgressions of the law are ever in the limelight : the manifold menace bound up in the inadequacy of our housing provision, public schools, public thoroughfares, public parks, and lines of transportation ; the mistaken policies of large industries that would treat workmen like materials and tools; the feverish race to get something for nothing — bargains in com- Awakens^ modities and jobs; the insolence of office and the rapacity of legislative cliques and special interests for the spoils of govern- ment ; the public's indifference to the care of public property and the duty and privilege of exercising its right of suffrage; and the disposition of all of us to preach so much better than we practice; To point the truth that any citizen's share of common privilege in a well-equipped, well-governed city is more valuable to him personally, as to the united citizenry, than special privilege in an improverished city ; Axn finally to popularize that most hopeful, inspiriting in- door and outdoor sport of watching for unusual manifestations of civility and fine civic spirit. Broad Civic Spirit Eight THOUGHTS OX CIVILITY A Vital Spiritual Force Bt Agnes M. Conklin "Let gentleness my strong enforcement be." —As You Like It CIVILITY, courtesy, manners — the fundamental of these is thoughtfulness of other people. If we grow less thoughtful of others and more thoughtful of self, the disaster is a national one, because it strikes at the heart of our democratic ideal Unless men are willing to retard self in the interest of the whole, democracy cannot be successful. Civility and its kindred qualities are the elbow-rubbing evidences of the attitude of democracy which yJJJJJJJ* we feel is so peculiarly our national pride. The growing disregard one-Time of these amenities in the everyday lives of the American people Chivalry should cause every serious-minded man and woman to consider the reason why we have lost our chivalry and the inevitable con- sequences of this slipping from grace. If we consider the problem in New York City, we shall find three fundamental causes for the lack of civility — overcrowding, commercialism, and the new spirit of social and political freedom. Overcrowding is the least controllable of these factors. In all sorts of public conveyances, particularly in the subways, people are herded, and this in itself opens the way to uncivil behavior. Morale is weakened because of the keen competition in the interest of personal comfort, the temptation of proximity, and the loss of individual dignity which is characteristic of any scramble. In a drawing room where there is no pushing, no pressure of time, no sense of "beating the other fellow to it," men are polite; destroy that atmosphere as one does in the subway, and man becomes an animal engaged in primitive struggle. Commercialism in American life is also a force destructive of civility. The reason is that the controlling forces of commer- cialism are materialistic rather than spiritual. Everywhere in busi- Crushes Greed ness we see principles sacrificed for the love of gain. If individual and Elevates profit supplants justice and honor, civility, too, must bow before character financial success. The difficulty here is our measure of success. We speak of a man as being successful only when he makes his business pay enormous profits or when he earns a large salary. This is a crass estimate of success. When we change our standard so as to measure success by a man's character and moral effective- ness, civility will become part and parcel of life. There has been rampant among us, especially since the war and the passage of the nineteenth amendment, a new spirit of social and political freedom. It is not necessary to mention free- Nine THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY dom in connection with men because that is an old story, but certain freedoms are new to women. We see the effects of it in the school girl's freedom of dress and manner and in the older woman's desire to smoke and drink and to be less reserved than formerly. Isn't it a strange thing that women, in the exercise of their freedom, should adopt men's vices as a sign that they arc free? Again this is a result of our standards. Men encourage this showing of freedom because it entertains them ; let them change their standards and frown upon the exhibition and laxness will again become rigidity. This sense of freedom on the part of the woman has freed men, at least temporarily, from the necessity of civility. Definite Admitting these causes, what is the remedy? We must put a Trade Value premium upon civility by including it in our estimate of in- to Business dividuals. Let no man be considered successful unless he is worthy in character. Let us consider less the extent of his success financially and pay more attention to his means of attaining success. When we reward the school child, let it not be in terms of per- centage, which preserves materialistic competition, but let it be a measure of the child's service and thoughtfulness of others. The hopeful sign is that civility is being recognized as a commercial asset ; in other words, trade value is placed upon it. The step beyond civility as a business factor is the acceptance of civility as a necessary spiritual force. Given the chance, civility will prove its own case. A Trial of Strength By Marcaret B. Gross MY dictionary defines civility as — 'The state or quality of being civil; propriety or courtesy of behavior in social intercourse; absence of rudeness" — shows it to be, as I suspected, a cool and neutral thing, intellectual rather than emotional. Enhances Although preferable to rudeness, as a quality, by itself it is Life's Finer ster ii e j t becomes active only when supported by other qualities. ua i res These qua ii t i es may De g 00 d or bad. I have seen civility turned into the subtlest of insults, the most delicate of compliments. In the American, it varies somewhat with the sections. In the East, it is cool and careful; in the West, it is open and eager; in the South, it is mellow and friendly. The reserve and caution of the Easterner, the spaciousness and generosity of the Westerner. Ten THOUGHTS OX CIVILITY the warmth and hospitality of the Southerner, color the civility of the sections so far that it becomes a stamp by which men can be placed. The meaning of civility, then, depends upon the man who practices it. The quality of civility is affected by the age of the civilization that produces it. In the Oriental, it is a finely-polished instrument perfected by centuries of training. In the younger races, it is still comparatively crude and clumsy. It is influenced by the temper of a race. What a contrast between the civility of the Latin and the Anglo-Saxon ! The extent to which civility is practiced often depends upon the economic condition of a country, as we saw during the War. While labor was scarce and wages sky-high, what rudeness and intolerance we met in those who served us. Xow that conditions are slowly growing more normal, how the practice of civility is increasing around us. A complex thing, then, this quality ! Affected by the tem- perament of the individual, the state and age of his civilization, his race, his economic situation ! And yet, how simple a thing in fact, recognized by any man in any situation. Although easy to know, it is often far from easy to maintain. The man who can be civil under the pressure of rudeness or in- justice from others has poise and self-control and a sense of his own dignity. And if to his civility is added a pleasant or a friendly attitude, how often the discourtesy he meets will melt away. For civility warmed by friendliness is as infectious as laughter or measles. If I were trying to persuade a doubting employee to practice civility I should first point out the economic reward — the satisfied patron, the reputation for courteous and efficient service. Then I should demonstrate to him the contagiousness of civility, that it could become a sort of game to see how many irate people one can "readjust" by one's influence. There is also, of course, the effect upon one's own character, but I hardly think that every man would be moved by that con- sideration. Lastly, I would convince my employe that a test of civility is as much a trial of strength as any bout of fisticuffs. If a man or woman attacks you unjustly, is rude or unreasonable or actively belligerent, and you allow yourself to be plunged into the same mood, you have yielded to the other's influence — you are the weaker of the two. If. however, you can preserve your own poise, and tend rather to calm the other man instead of warming up yourself — then you are the stronger. There are certain people who seem to find joy in life by Maries Progress of Nations Creates Poise and Self -Control Will Prove It's Own Case Eleven THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY quarrelling, fighting, scratching along, always in an atmosphere of fire and brimstone, forcing their way by making the rest of us so miserable that we yield anything in reason to get them quieted. But most of us, I believe,, prefer tranquillity and good will, 'if -Control a,1(1 tlle measure we rece i v e depends upon what we give. Civility Id iioiancc bv its elf is not enough. Add to it friendliness, an active friendli- ness that will take the trouble to relieve tense situations, save strained tempers from giving way by some kindly or humorous remark that clears the air and you are pretty sure to find yourself in a rather agreeable world. A difficult world? Most certainly! But with friendliness as a sword and civility as a shield, it is a poor sort of man who cannot make his way ! Incivility I nexcusable By Margaret Ball THE teacher sees incivility as a sign of imperfect education; the soldier, as a military offense; the lawyer, as a cause uwres for litigation; the clergyman, as sin; the doctor sees it as imperfections svmp tom of disease. Working all together, these professional of Education ' 1 , , . ° , ° * , F gentlemen strengthen the conviction of the ordinary human being that only when everyone is civil shall we have reached a normal standard of living. Just now the physicians are presenting the most exciting theories about the cure for incivility. If their views prevail after further research we may find ourselves impelled to endow a founda- tion for the medical promotion of civility. Then incivility will be a cause for hospital treatment, and we shall all recognize it as a preventable and therefore a wholly inexcusable disease. If it is true, as the doctors are saying, that a set of tiny glands, some of them hardly larger than a pinhead, determine our reac- tion toward everything around us, we may in time adapt ourselves to metropolitan life by very simple methods. The powerful little Quells ] 1(K \y in the middle of our heads is said to pour into our systems a precious trickle which gives us the persistence to carry forward a task undertaken at the bidding of another gland in the front of our necks. And if the persistence runs low, and the restless secre- tion keeps urging us on to activity, we are apt to become irritable and take out our temper on our neighbors. Let them send for the doctor — when these matters are thoroughlv understood — and let Tempers Twelve THOUGH T S O N CI V I LI T V the doctor get his pay from the municipal fund for the promotion of civility. A fascinating theory this, especially when the simplified sketch of the performances of two glands is filled out by an account of the aberrations of all the others. But looking back on earlier Jit fitly t o trained courteous intercourse among the members. The family of the past was often like an autocracy with the head a ruler whom the other members feared and obeyed. I do not think the child today, generally speaking, is less Fourteen T H O U G H T S OX CIV 1 LI T Y respectful than in the past, but he is less restrained, more frank and intimate with his parents. The disrespectful child is found in the families built on the Bolshevik plan. I believe the principle which makes the individual the social unit with no family obliga- imbues Child tions would disintegrate the family and, then, finally disintegrate with Res-pea society. I conclude that disrespect and discourtesy in a family ror Elders are evidences of disintegrating influences and that the absence of civility in any society is evidence of unhealthy conditions at its root or in its very making. Civility is the evidence of healthy social conditions. Greatest of Investments By Orisox Swett Mardex, Editor Success OXE day last January, one that all Xew Yorkers will recall as the day of the worst blizzard the city had experienced in years, I was a passenger on one of the Fifth Avenue coaches. The coach being full inside, I mounted to the upper deck. To save the conductor the necessity of coming up to collect my fare. I paid him before going up, for the storm was increasing in violence every minute. It was impossible to hold an umbrella, for the wind was blow- ing a gale of seventy-five miles an hour ; huge plate glass windows were being blown in all along the line, and the biting sleet dashing in my face almost blinded me. Imagine my surprise then, for I Touches Heart was the onlv passenger aloft, when the conductor came up and and Calces Who u 1 1 .1 . v • w . t ,vi World Kin handed me a newspaper, saying that it might protect me a little from the storm ! Xo doubt this was only one of many thoughtful acts that marked Arthur Brown's daily journeyings up and down the avenue, but it touched me greatly. Civility is a great investment. It sells more goods, wins more customers, carries more passengers, makes more friends, gets more credit, than any other human quality. When civility is coupled with ability, as it usually is. it is a marvelous combination. Just think what it has done for Charles M. Schwab ! It has placed millions to his credit, fastened to him, with hooks of steel, a multitude of friends, and made him popular the world over. Civility is a valuable asset in any employe. Multitudes of young men and women who have appreciated its value have been advanced over others of greater ability who neglected to cultivate it. Fifteen THOUGHTS OX CIVILITY A lack of willingness on the part of an employe to accommo- date or please the public may not only cause personal annoyance or discomfort, but it may also mean serious loss to a concern. I know of two railroads in the West on one of which there was such a spirit of indifference, snobbishness and insolence on the part of the employes that it not only caused the passenger service to drop off, but it also affected the freight traffic, both of which diverted Traffic to tne Vly ^ nnc > where every employe was instructed to be as Over polite and as helpful as possible to passengers ; to try in every way Courtesy's possible to please patrons of the road. Lines Whether in the business or in the social world, a courteous manner, the practice of civility on all occasions, is what marks the difference between the gentleman, the gentlewoman, and the boor or snob. A little courtesy goes a long way in making life easier, happier, and more successful for all of us. Like love, it speaks all languages, opens all doors. It does not need an introduction anywhere. Every body, rich and poor alike, respond to its magic influence. What a Change, If — By Laila Connor Occupies as Little Space as Possible W I I'- ll'' [F IF HAT a wonderful place New York would be — 1 F every passenger in a coach, trolley or subway would do his best to occupy as little instead of as much space as possible ! every such passenger would keep both feet on the floor instead of sticking at least one of them out in the aisle for other people to stumble over; the one who gets first into a two-passenger seat would realize that the second occupant of the same seat is entitled to occupy half thereof instead of overhanging into the aisle and thereby obstructing passage ; more folks would realize that they must not expect a hundred- dollar-a-week degree of efficiency from a ten-dollar-a-week man ; they could remember that although every man in his place is as good as any other man and entitled to the same considera- tion — still there must be a difference between places, and that it just naturally takes some longer to accomplish a given task than others; Sixteen THOUGH T S O N CIVILITY IF every employe, salesman, policeman, conductor, waiter, etc., could understand the fundamental difference between civility and servility, cheerfully practicing the one without danger of descending to the other ; IF every such employe could come to know that in 1922 as well as in the Biblical days of old, the "soft answers turneth away Turns Away wrath." Wrath With IF the long out-of-date word "sir" might be occasionally revived Soft Answers for the sake of civility ; IF people in general would stop once in a while to ask them- selves whether they are really in a hurry or only think they are; in particular, whether they have not in fact plenty of time to be civil to everyone with whom they come in contact; IF those who are waiting for service from another (whether it be waiter, bellboy, salesman, stenographer or telephone operator) would put himself in the other fellow's place and try to under- stand his difficulties and impediments, there would be more consideration shown those who are working for a living and, IF we could face fairly and squarely the fact that all utility em- ployes and public servants are — like file rooms and post offices and politicians — just as good as the public make them and just as bad as people will stand for, the fact being that, after all. most people who come in constant contact with others are really a kind of human resultant, having been battered into the shape you see them by long exposure to such contact and its inevitable moulding influence. What a great place New York would be if all of these things came to pass — if the man in the street could know that "CIVILITY MARKS THE MAN. LACK OF IT, THE FELLOW." An Ancient Virtue — A Modern Need By M. V. Carthuers CIVILITY is an ancient virtue — old as the world itself — which, in this rare generation has become sadly obscured Steps On by disuse. It is such a rara avis, that when encountered on ^° Man s ... . Toes the highway, introductions are in order. "TTT is about as unknown as the Dodo bird — not so much because people are actually lacking in politeness, as it is the fault of Life's rush and hurly-burly. Everybody wants to reach Tomorrow Seventeen THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Makes the 'End Seat Hog" Give Room Warms the Cockles of the Most Calloused Heart before Today is over ; so we prod this man, push that, step on the toes of the next — all in our frantic efforts to arrive first ! VERY likely the bombastic god, Go-Getter, is largely to blame; some people excuse discourtesy on the grounds that the wheels to Get-There always crush somebody, but that is scarcely logical, since it's the man at the wheel, who directs, and does said damage. TTT takes no more time to "remember your manners" (as our grand-parents say) than it does to give a harmless fellow- traveler a Jack Dempsey in the ribs. Furthermore, it consumes no more strength to coo like a whole aviary of Doves, than it does to roar like an enraged Lion ! TT OOK out for Number One, is the slogan of the minute. Youth ^ and old age jostle each other for front seats in Life's Meiry- go-round. Who cares what happens to the other fellow? 7T F we could only see ourselves as others see us, that might make some difference ; the End-Seat-Hog would probably feel ashamed of his piggish propensities, and the Bargain Hunters among women who excel in rudeness, would not look attractive in the mirrors of reality, when wrestling for a ninety-nine cent hat. MM HE world does move; some folks are desirous of hitting up •"■ an Eight-cylinder gait, stepping on the gas for more Speed. Nobody wants to take other people's Dust, to be sure, but why not give others a chance to park their cars and enjoy luncheon and the scenery en route, nevertheless ? Pedestrians are likewise en- titled to the Side-walks. There's no better place to practice civility than when traveling, be it by train, trolley or motor-coach — whether you are traveler or conductor. A Leg-up and a Helping Hand, now and then, are worth more than two pokes in the back of a lagging brother, nor is the Time Schedule thus unduly interfered with ! It pays to be courteous in Life's Everyday Traffic, for who knows? ^7"OU might accidentally show a little politeness to some queer, Old Party — and then, wake up one morning, to find yourself heir to his fortune, just because YOU were "the only civil man or woman" said old party had found, after combing the whole city! Courtesy (like discourtesy) is confined to neither sex nor age; its range is boundless, its opportunities infinite, and its results — even when met only once in a dog's age — calculated to warm the cockles of the most callous heart ! Therefore, Cultivate Courtesy ! Eighteen THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Password To Citizenship By Winifred Stuart Gibbs TO THOSE of us who have reached the age where we can "look before and after" comes the realization that we have a definite responsibility toward our young people. The reac- tion from the old-time repression was natural, but the pendulum is in danger of swinging temporarily too far in the opposite direction. Taught in the nursery that they are the most important factors in world progress, these young folds of ours are in danger of los- ing their perspective, not to mention their manners. It behooves us, then, to face a situation largely of our own making, and to pass on to our unconsciously arrogant youngsters that Heaven born gift of imagination, the power to see through the eyes of another, and to feel through that other's sensibilities. More especially is this needed in these days of unstable public morale. Since the entire city would benefit by such an awakening, there should be a City-wide campaign. Results would be cumula- tive and self-perpetuating. If we plant the little acorn of civility today, the sturdy oak of courtesy will spring up, to shade our citizens of tomorrow. That such sheltering shade will be needed goes without saying; probably the coming decades are to be the most critical of our young and so far vigorous national life. A tentative plan for a city-wide civility campaign follows: Gives Power < Retrospection Relieves the Charged Atmosphere City-Wide Civility Campaign Object of Campaign. — The object of the campaign would be to rouse the interest of the entire city, and to show how close is the connection between civility and civic prosperity. Organization. — Civility being one of the important elements in the daily life of the Boy and Girl Scouts, it is suggested that these non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political organiza- tions be asked to provide the machinery for launching the campaign. The Chief Scout Masters would be invited to zone the city, according to their own working forces. First Steps. — A parade down Fifth Avenue, reviewed at the Public Library by civic authorities and invited guests would be one excellent way of rousing public interest. A series of speeches at Town Hall would add to the strength of the campaign. Groups to be Reached. — Active cooperation should be sought from the schools, the press, the public service corporations, street railroads, etc., the churches, women's clubs, men's clubs, Leads to a Higher Citizenship Nineteen T H O U G H T S N CIV I LI T V department stores, theatres, motion-picture houses, hotels, municipal departments and all other groups likely to be inter- ested. These could all be reached through the Scouts. Ultimate Aim. — The ultimate aim of the campaign should be to establish "CIVILITY" as a permanent pass word to citizen- ship in New York. C) I' TSPO K E X F aiEND-G E ITER Enr Timothy M. Carmody Cultivates Hunger for Knowledge EVERYTHING the human race knows that is worth knowing, has come from knowledge. Knowledge is the child of educa- tion, and the great director of our minds. It is the fountain- head, from whence all things, good or evil, flow into the human mind. We cannot do a thing", without first knowing what it is we want to do ; and we cannot do it well unless we are taught how to do it well. Knowing how to do it, is knowledge, gleaned through the activities of the mind in drinking in an instructive lesson on how to do it. This is fact. To contradict it is wasted force. This holds true of all things that the brain of man can conquer. To be courteous, refined, gentle, civil, and well-mannered, requires train- ing and study. Training and study are the two basic principles upon which these traits are founded. Before they occupy a place of prominence in our character, they must have established themselves primarily in our minds. Then there is a hope that we may advance I say we may — because people don't always do they know to be right. Some people have to be ingf the right thing. Others see that it is the along those lines that the thin shamed into custom to do a certain thing and follow suit in order to be in style. In a good many cases the old idea : "When you're in Rome, do as a Roman does," seems to be the predominant factor in their arriving at a conclusion. It is evident, therefore, that training and example are the two essentials drawn up some ideas that have occurred to me Recognizing this fact I have as being- worth Indicates Good Breeding and Nobility of Character Suggestion i. Follow the example of the ''Subway Sun." or the "Elevated Express," by having posters on one or two windows, bearing on the subject. Cull passages, sentences, anecdotes, pieces of poetry, or pointed paragraphs from some of the great authors on what civility is ; what it stands for ; what it accomplishes for those who practice it: what a wonderful friend-getter it is, and how its possession is the surest indication of good-breeding, refine- Ticcnly THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY merit and nobility of character. The patron will read this new innovation with interest and unconsciously or otherwise carry away the drift of the idea. Suggestion 2. This is a substitute for the first if that is not satisfactory. The rear window could be permanently utilized for Lights Way a civility sign or motto. A brief sentence or remark, changeable from Rocks at weekly intervals would just be the thing. This window adapts 0/ 1 ulgarity itself nicely for the purpose, as it faces passengers getting on or off, and will act as a kind of courtesy lighthouse ; warning them of the rocks of vulgarity. Suggestion 3. The transfers used by the company could be made the medium of spreading the gospel of civility, by having instructive lines on the subject printed on the backs of them. This method will bring a closer bond of friendship between the conductor and the patrons. In fact the transfer could be renamed and called: CIVILITY COUPON; so as to harmonize with the general idea involved. Suggestion 4. Stimulate competition among the men who man the coaches to be more civil and affable by having a roll of honor, whereon the names of those worthy appear. Design a pretty civility chevron to be worn on the sleeve and given only to those f, do l us J ] ' e . , , • , , , Garb of the who stand the strictest test, and measure up to a required standard Man Who of manners. Distribute them once a month or more frequently if Wears It necessary. This will create a healthy rivalry among the men at very little expense to the company. Any man taking pride in his uniform will be anxious to have that decoration on it. Conse- quently he will do nothing to retard his chances of meriting one, and having it will be in duty bound to remain a good example of civility to all. The Highroad to Happiness By Theodore Huebener Lubricates Friction and ^ IVILITY" is derived from "civilization" — that complex system of society under which we live. Like an engine this intricate machinery will not function efficiently unless 'smooths wheels it is well oiled. Friction is as destructive to society as to steel, of Society The lubricant for the latter is oil, for the former, Civility. Through the terrific haste of modernity much of this lubricant has been lost. We encounter evidences of incivility daily in the street, the train, the store, the theatre. Twenty-one THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Encircles a Nation with Sympathy and Understanding Fundamentally, incivility is due to a wrong mental attitude : it is caused by lack of regard for a person as a person. An inferior is treated with a lack of civility; a superior with an abundance of servility. Civility considers everyone as a person, and, accord- ingly, never violates the sacredness of personality. To overcome the wide-spread lack of civility is no easy matter. It involves the marshalling of the strongest forces in the com- munity — press, pulpit, school, and motion picture — for a vigorous campaign. The newspaper could preach civility through editorial, cartoon, photograph, and special article. The church could exert a powerful influence for civility through sermon, Sunday school, society, and bulletin. The school could bring civility not only to its 900,000 pupils, but also to the parents and relatives of the latter. The skillful teacher could weave Civility into every lesson and strive to make it the normal condition of the classroom, thus impressing the rising generation with the importance of this virtue. The neighborhood shop could help with a Civility placard ; the motion picture theatre could spread the message on the screen. Large firms would doubtless be willing to take up the matter per- sonally with their employes, as the Fifth Avenue Coach Company has. Civility could be urged upon the employes and made a definite element in rating or for promotion. Naturally, those promoting the movement must themselves set good examples. Should such a city-wide campaign be undertaken, it would not be long before neighboring towns would be affected by the move- ment. The civility idea would spread rapidly and gradually the whole country would take it up. This would prove an inestimable blessing, as it would tend to remove friction from daily intercourse and promote svmpathy and understanding. Evervone would be happier and brighter because of the spread of civility. Highly Specialized Business Asset Bt M. C. McConkey Elevates Coach Men to Examplars of Courtesy WE PROVINCIALS who voyage through New York really see something beside the Bowery and do something beside stretching our necks toward the top of the Wool- worth tower; we notice folks. Especially we notice folks who are civil toward us, with a very agreeable recollection afterward. And then we tell the folks at home all about it. So of course when they go to New York, they try to get the same delightful experience. I can say that in no case has there been a recoil from my friends Twenty-two THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY for my recommendations of the civility of the employes of the company conducting this contest. We outsiders are not great in number compared to the New Yorkers whose city we invade but we come to spend. Yes, civility pays ! Then how increase it with sellers of goods or service and how increase it among buyers ? For I must confess some provincials act as though they had never met civility. Buyers must learn to teach this lesson by giving their business to civil salesmen and sellers must do the same for civil buyers. Further, we must remember that in retail selling the buyer is usually an individual and the seller a firm, acting through indi- vidual salesmen of goods or service. How shall we encourage these individual salesmen? It seems to me that we must provide some way by which the individual buyer can reward personally the sales- man who shows him courtesy. That is the only advantage of tip- ping. This advantage the buyer can get without ruining the sales- man's morale if we suppose that the employer will first furnish the buyer with discount slips, with which to reward the courteous salesman. The latter could redeem them in privileges of shorter hours, longer vacations and so on, but not in money. It might be even better for the buyer to put the slips in a general receiving box rather than give them to the salesman, avoiding much personal solicitation. And why might we not extend the same idea to buyers?. Buyers could be graded according to courtesy. If the reports from several salesmen agreed on a high rating, the buyer could be granted extensions of credit and other privileges. But he should not know the results of the gradings — only in a general way that he was being graded, and feels the effect. The sellers can keep track of buyers by comparing records. But this is practically impossible to the buyers on an effective scale. And that is where voting contests and essay contests help the buyers. For they rightly figure that the firm progressive enough to carry on such advertising of civility, will be progressive enough to insist on civility towards the buyers of their goods or service. Public Buys from Civil Salesman Bxiijs and Sells Commodities of Life with Ease Twenty-three THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Singles Out the Superior By Herman Montagu Donner Assures Foreigners of America's Respect for Their Rights Exhibits Proof of America's Good Will to All People SAID a pretty wit of some modern day : "An Englishman enters a room as if he owned the place; an American as if he didn't care a darn who owned the place." A lot of shrewd observation lies in that, and it is almost invariably received by listening Americans with a chuckle of that intense self-satisfaction so characteristic of us. But, when we come to analyze the anecdote, does it in reality justify such a complacent reception on our part? If we pause to reflect, we gradually realize that the owner of a place naturally exhibits a proper and active concern for the appearance of his property and for the comfort and welfare of the dwellers therein, whereas the man who swaggers in carelessly, even defiantly, betrays a lack of consideration for the rights of others that makes doubly conspicuous and obnoxious the patent determination to assert his own supposed privileges as the "equal" of any other person living, thus betraying his own essential infer- iority to all those possessed of better breeding than himself. It is this characteristic attitude of "not caring a darn" for the opinions or feelings of others whose ways and habits are different from our own that has gained for Americans in the minds of most foreign nations a reputation for churlishness and bad manners that we should endeavor by every means to eradicate as speedily as possible now that we have, through the agency of the world war, been brought into so much closer contact with the nations across seas. Undoubtedly the war has itself greatly increased our tendency, especially on the part of the youth of the land, to insist upon greater freedom of individual action at the expense of the comfort, or even the rights of others, which tendency, in its intense mani- festation, becomes crime, and in its lesser, incivility, boorishness. That great numbers of the young men who went through years of savagery and slaughter should have become callous to the finer feelings and graces of mind and bearing is scarcely surprising: It has been so after every great international upheaval, and will undoubtedly be even worse after the next, should mankind ever commit the mad and suicidal folly to permit another war. In addi- tion to the unsettling force of a career of wild adventure during which life itself became a gamble, came a certain carelessness of any authority not based on force. Another cause of the subse- quent decrease of respect and deference either to age or culture, is to be found in the immensely increased importance of the labor- T went y-f our THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY ing classes and mechanics due to the vast importance of the role played by them through the war, and their keen appreciation of the credit due them for the successful maintenance through their unremitting efforts of national integrity, and their consequent insistence on more adequate remuneration, and with it a recogni- tion of their social equality with the "intelligenzia," and ''equality" naturally more apparent than real. Little hope for a remedy for all this self-assertiveness is to be found save in some such movements as that started by the Fifth Avenue Coach Co., to be conducted in the first place by educa- tional authorities, parents' associations, ministers of the Gospel, heads of industrial establishments and of labor organizations, writers, and newspaper proprietors, the details of which should be concerted Uplift worked out by carefully chosen representatives of the various pro- fessions and commercial bodies and labor organizations meeting together at stated intervals for a review of conditions. Offers Wide Program for Pays to Wear Manners Every Day C. C. Chapin JOHN ALOXZO SAWYER has been a sort of joke on me. The way bad luck just won't go near that man! Young Sawyer lives two floors above, in this same house; and we, when we moved in, first wondered who the favored folks could be that never had complaints about their can. Their garbage neatly emptied, while the rest of us just cussed and raved about the stuff the man forgot — their milk all nicely covered, never soaking up the dust — their ice chunk never broken — well, it almost seemed unjust. And then we heard them say their pipes were hot ! This John Alonzo Sawyer has. it proved, a job near mine; in fact we found it's in the same concern. And down in his depart- T < 1 1 11 • ,i • r i • Startles th ment 1 d see here and there a sign the boys inclined to favor him: uncivil by all up and down the line; no splurge, you know, but just the small Contrast good turn. One night my wife announced she knew why things fell Sawyer's way. She said: "That isn't pull, and 'tisn't tips." She said : "This Mr. Sawyer wears his manners every day. He's never sore or grouchy. When there's something nice to say he says it, other times he shuts his lips." If was such a silly notion that I answered, just for fun: "Well, then, suppose I try your Sawyer plan! I'll wear my Twenty-five THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY tiptop manners all day long, for everyone. Then after, say, a fort- night, we can see if I've begun to blossom forth as fortune's darl- ing son !" Stretches So off I went next morning, and I kept it up all day, and Into^ears cver ^ ^ tliat week > ancl next week t0 °- flowery talk, you of Success understand, for I'm not built that way; just common, plain polite- ness, only no time out. And say ! It's downright funny what the stuff will do ! They haven't made me partner yet, nor knocked off half my rent, but just in smoother days the fool thing's paid. The joke's on me, but try yourself, you'll find out what it's meant; that fortnight stretches out to years for all that I'll prevent. It's a queer old world, but seems that's how it's made. Creates a World Citizen By Clarence J. Shearn, Jr. EPICTITUS relates how one, upon bearing clothes to a pirate who had been cast ashore and nearly killed by the severity of the weather, was reproached for doing good to a bad person. "I have paid this regard," said the benefactor, "not to the man, but to human nature." And thus it is, indeed, with the civil man, for he discharges a duty to that community of which he is a member. Gason says well, that "if a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a citizen of the world" ; but if one be civil to his fellows, his manner bespeaks a goodness of nature and a nobility of vision which marks him apart from the man who is courteous by habit. The very parentage of the word "civility" indicates that the quality is one of a citizen. And in that a certain complaisance and civility of manner make for good order. He who practices these refinements aids in that government by which he is benefited. That civility is unnecessary is the thought of an unreasoning person, for it makes for harmony in the family, order in the city, and peace among nations. Thus civility is worthy of maintaining, though the path be sometimes difficult to tread. Consider the civil man, and emulate him, for he is the reasonable man. He who is reasonable will remain civil and unruffled with the ill-tempered; for just as we do not become enraged at blind men, who cannot distinguish the light from the shadows, so we should not revile those who are mentally blind, and are unable to tell right from Discharges Duty to the Community Eliminates Snarls and Ruffles of Distemper Twenty-six THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY wrong. And when a civil man is attacked by one of ill-will, he will remain polite, for it is the nature of a beast to bite back and snarl; by doing so a man relinquishes that quality which marks him as a being apart from the beasts : his mental restraint. And finally, if civility at times be difficult, the words of the philosopher should be borne in mind, who said: "Choose the best life; for custom will make it pleasant." Heaven's First Law By Samuel, W. Strauss IYILITY — thy meanings well surmised — An attribute of folks CIVILIZED! Our aim should be to justify repute That marks us off from prehistoric brute: Tis well to perch upon the highest plane, To live in action and in speech urbane, And though we sometimes make our path the scene Of nice behavior which we do not mean, By practice we may often thus enact A virtue which we don't possess in fact ! Where eager streams of human traffic meet, At work or play, en route and in repose — In shop and stall, on trolley, coach or street, In short, wherever lordly Commerce goes — The clash of crowds, with social fret and stress, Proclaims the need for mutual gentleness. Alas, that is the universal plan The greater feeds upon the lesser man, Engendering — through competition's strife — The seeds of discontent in dailv life ! "Marks Us off from Prehistoric Brute" Observe the planets and the peaceful stars, How no disorder all their conduct mars. Though speeding swift and violent through space They fail in neither dignity nor grace. And — minus every jar and contradiction — Proceed serene, unvexed by horrid friction. 'Tis only man whose turbulence of soul Obstructs the vast politeness of the whole. Forgetting while the lamps of heaven shine That Adam's image also was divine. Proclaims the Xced for Universal Plan Ticentu-sei'en THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Sooths the Vast Machinery of Man "Order is heaven's first law," and man should seek To ratify the same (not over-meek, Rut most deyout, his daily wits employ To make his journey one of cheerful joy) — So will he prove him worthy of that scheme Wherein all sways to one concordant theme: Where titan spheres and .tiny atoms move Less noisy quarrel and unruly shove. For civil usage, since the world hegan, Has soothed the vast machinery of man. So whether enterprised in bloody joust. Intent to lay your neighbor in the dust. Or — meshed in traffic's ruthless marathon — You resolutely hither press and yon — Go, triumph, but bethink yourself the while To pass the other fellow with a smile. The knights of chivalry a long ago Used gracious manners when they slew the foe Remember then to knife your enemy With every aspect of CIVILITY ! "Marks Winds of Custom" Conclusion — look about you as you go To mark the winds of custom, how they blow — How everywhere the churl of low degree Is branded by his lack of courtesy, Take special pains to be considerate. Let life be genial — graciously content. Since only slaves and fools bid hurriment ; LIVE AND LET LIVE — IN SWEET CIVILITY A PEOPLE FINDS ITS ARISTOCRACY ! Gives New Viewpoint ox Life By Edwin Ruthven (With Apologies to Don Marquis) OXE hears so much of civility lately. I wonder whether it will be a new cult and whether it will be worth while for our set to go in for it. Dad brought home a booklet to Converts Even » . ° . . Fothergill Finch mother from the rifth Avenue Loach Co. which goes into the civility idea at length and offers a prize for essays on the subject. It seems to me it is a wrong idea. If these conductors and employes go in for it they will think they are as good as we of Twenty-eight T H U G H T S OX CI V I LI T Y the better classes and really it won't do at all. I am much perturbed about it and before going to bed tonight I will commune with my inner self and decide what my duty is in the way of stopping it. Fothergill Finch and I always try to put such people in their places when we ride on a public conveyance. And really it is getting to be so exasperating how many of them lately do nothing but smile at us. Surely they should know by our curtness that we are of a superior class. Sometimes honestly it looks as though they were laughing at us. The insolence of it ! Dad and mother are so ordinary. They both are always going to a lot of trouble to do things for other people. Dad even says good morning to the ash man. And I was shocked one day to Induces Dad to find him talking to the coach conductor about his children, so JJJJj^Jj^JJJf 18 plebeian and coarse ! What must they think of him ! One night in a trolley car father could have had the seat next to me. but he actually took oft" his hat to a foreign woman and offered her his seat, and I had to sit there with her. I was so upset th#t I was too nervous to make my speech on "Society's Duty Toward the Lower Class" at our uplift meeting that evening. A little man stepped, on dad's corn, too. in a street car and jostled him. and instead of speaking sharply to him. he smiled and said, "Perhaps I could give you a little more room, friend.'' And mother is just as bad. She has a pleasant word for everyone, no matter who they are. All our neighbors run to her* with their troubles and mother tries to help them. They both Paves ^ VaL) to have hundreds of friends and everybody likes them. They lecture Even Talk to me sometimes because I keep away from our neighbors. Really Neighbors! one has to, you know. They are not in our set and one must uphold one's own class. How else would they know I am superior to them? The world is getting so degenerate our clique has decided. Xo reverence for us of the upper class. And they actually look straight at you and smile and ask for what they believe are their rights. Every night before going to bed I ask myself: "Have I elevated myself above the common people? "Or have I failed?'' Tv:enti/~niuv THOUGH T S ON CIVIL! T Y Please" — An Old But Seldom Used Wokd By J. C. Long Transforms Shag Fave and Hair Puller Into Gentlemen Inaugurates New Era Wherever Adopted FOR centuries the Stone Age Men's Club had been trying, un- successfully, to hold a meeting. Again and again Shag-Face, Bone-Crusher, Hair-Puller and otner leading citizens would gather to discuss plans of protecting property, avoiding unneces- sary neighborhood quarrels, and defending the dry land. Within five minutes the conversation would break up amid skull-smashing and bloodshed. Every time this happened the monkeys would gibber with glee, and the dinosaurs would shake their huge sides with laughter at man putting on such airs and thinking he could get away from the law of individual greed. One sunny day, however, the club made its tenth attempt at a conclave. The members sat on long piles of rocks. Eye-Scratcher presided. "Move along, and make room," said Shag-Face to Bone- Crusher. "You can't order me about/' retorted Bone-Crusher in an ugly voice. The monkeys gibbered. The dinosaurs shook with laughter. Eye-Scratcher sighed. This was always the way the meeting started, and the way it broke up. Was there any way of getting around these social difficulties? "Move along," roared Shag-Face, then added with the air of discovering a new word, "Please." "What does that mean?" the members cried in chorus. Shag- Face himself could not explain, but everyone felt relieved; and Bone-Crusher moved without making reply. "Thank you," said Shag-Face with new inspiration ; and the gathering hammered rock upon rock in thunderous applause. When the tumult had subsided, the club found that it had a newcomer in its midst, a figure clad in white, radiating a peacef'* 1 coolness. "I am Civility," said the figure. "The two words Shag-Face discovered today will always summon me. I will bring you peace and happiness. When I am with you, the power and well-being of man shall increase without end." The convention continued. It made agreements between families. It established mutual contracts with regard to the water supply, and the salt licks. Not wishing to strain the new-found power of cooperation too far at the first conclave, the club post- poned the discussion of marriage until the following week. Sunset came. The members started for their caves. All Thirty THOUGHTS OX CIVILITY reached the start of the narrow trail at the same moment. Who should go first ? Hair bristled and eyes reddened. "After you," said Eye-Scratcher to Hair-Puller. Thus ended the first meeting of the Stone Age Men's Club, and thus began its limitless program. No Royal Robes About Civility By 11. E. Friend 66 T"OU can't teach an old dog news tricks." All wrong. An ]Y old dog may be taught new tricks, if the teacher exercises the same patience that one gives to a puppy. Civility is not inherited. It's passed along either by training, environment, or desire. Too much time is relegated to the other arts, professions and trades, and the fine accomplishment of the manner of doing things is neglected. Children in their elementary Scatters classes should be taught that the letters of their A B Cs represent Prosperity affection, benignity, and civility, instead of ass, beast and cat. Along Its lath If civility carried with it a commercial compensation similar to that of the practice of law, or the conduct of a beef packing enterprise, the art would be followed by many applicants for scholarships. Trouble is. that no premiums are offered for fine feelings, and the average person merely does things in a sufficiently courteous manner to avoid adverse criticism, or a term in a penitentiary. In hotels where the gratuities are the largest, one finds the more pronounced expression of civility. Waiters are compelled to carefully respond to guests. Their positions depend upon their attitudes, quite as much as upon the number of hours devoted to Provides Xovei their work. Basis f° r Civil TT c . ... ... . . , .... Service Ex- Unfortunately, a similar condition is not evident in similar am i nat i on institutions dominated by municipal officials. No premiums are placed on courtesies, and the public is subjected to the individual characters of the men who serve them. All wrong. Civil service examinations should include a given number of points for profici- ency in manners. The phrase "thank you" spoken by one who is served, is as important as the phrase "please" spoken by a servant. It is all reciprocal. Smiles, attentions, considerations and observations for people who depend upon others' aid, should be subdivided and analyzed, and the importance of each subdivision should be pronounced with its respective value. Thirty-one T H O U G H T S ON CI V I LI T Y Introduces American Gentleman in Any Uniform A fine example of systematic civility is conducted by the traffic department of the New York police department. Each officer carries a book of information denoting street numbers and public buildings. This rule has no part in the prevention of crime. It is in a sense not necessary, but it is most inspiring in its sugges- tion that civility may be systematized, and not relegated to the individual whim. The American gentleman may be found in uniform serving the public as a guard in the subway ; he may be observed even as a dancing attendant at a cabaret. That is the trouble. Too much dependency is placed on the individual, and until a regular train- ing is applied, relief from barbarism cannot be expected. Any one seeking the definition of a gentleman will do well to consult a modern dictionary, or observe the conduct of a Fifth Avenue Coach conductor. Makes Star of Mere Actor By Cyril J. Goddakd Plays Leading Role in Life's Theatre Doubles Up With Charity All Through The Day I AM an actor. My name is average man. I play a part hi two great productions. In the first, called the "World/* my role is insignificant. I am in one of the mob scenes. No one notices when I make my entrance, or what I do on the stage, or when I may make my exit. My part in the world is played in the Treatre of Oblivion. But I play in another production. I am an important char- acter in it ; in fact, the most important character in it. The drama is called "Life," and I have been cast for a particular part by the Great Producer, because no one else can play the part as well as I can. There are only two characters in this drama of "Life," one is my neighbor, and the other, of course, is myself. My neighbor assumes several different personalities in this play. At one time, my neighbor is my wife, at another time, my child ; in a scene where I labor my neighbor stands beside my work-bench, he is my advisor and my guide ; when I climb the heights of gladness, he goes with me, and when I stumble into the vale of misery, I am conscious of the solace of his company. He means everything to me, and without him, my part would be a failure. My neighbor is human like myself. He has the same m.ture, the same feelings, the same craving for sympathy, the same smiles and tears, the same hopes and fears that I have. And that our aspirations may not bring us into conflict, our Great Producer has Thirty-two THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY written across the prompt-book of our drama the word "charity," to guide us and to make our relations cordial, and in a footnote D ^arms of explanation is the sentence, "The one form of charity most Contrad ^tions frequently demanded in the daily scenes of 'Life' is 'Civility.' " core Civility is a public acknowledgment of the existence of some one else on earth except myself. It is a sign that I am not selfish and that I am not indifferent to the comfort of others. It reflects honor on the dearest woman of my life, my mother, for it is an evidence that I am well-bred. "It costs nothing and buys every- thing." It makes my relations with my neighbor double pleasant when he responds to it, and if, perchance, he is perverse and contradicts me in word and deed, civility is the only weapon which will dis- arm his insolence. Although he may not respond to kindness or care to become acquainted with unselfishness, I shall, nevertheless, give him an example of it, since the best way to preach a virtue is to practice it under adverse circumstances. Coach Compaxy— Civility's School ox Wheels By Elbert Robb Zaring WHAT society in all its phases suffers most grievously from is friction. As long as an axle is greased, a joint oiled, a shaft lubricated, machinery is going to perform at its maximum with practically no hurt. Likewise, so long as that finest of lubricants, civility, is applied to human relations, there is going to result the maximum of accomplishment with the minimum of wear. Friction hurts. See that fellow pulling at his eyelash and lid and weeping tears of distress ! An offer of assistance reveals the fact that a cinder has struck his naked-eye and refuses to be ousted. A mere point of contact, an infinitesimal surface of irri- tation ; and the whole body is thrown in to distress. All sorts of devices are worked to remove the irritant, for no ease is assured until that little black speck is expelled from the system. We have seen the same effect produced in a coachload of passengers by the entrance of a grouch or a boor. He is the cinder in the eye, the thorn in the flash ; and no place in the world is so liable to cinders or thorns as a public conveyance where folks — strangers mostly — are thrown into juxtaposition. On the other hand, such a circumstance offers the most splendid opportunity to .display those qualities of fine gentlemanliness and womanliness so Accomplishes Most with Least Effort Admired by All High Thinking People Thirty-three THOUGH T S ON CIVILITY admired by high-thinking people. One cannot possibly ride down Fifth Avenue in a fairly well-filled coach without a challenge, un- conscious though it be, to play the gentleman or lady in some civil word, or act, or pleasant attitude. Come to think of it, the campaign for civility inaugurated by the Fifth Avenue Coach Company is one of the most commendable undertakings that has come to our attention. It has its returns financially? Oh, yes, for courtesy is, as we remarked, like oil on the axle ; but far above mere money returns is the tutoring of society in the gentle art of pleasant and courteous contact. The ethics of it bulks large. Let a shop girl, a society woman, a clerk or banker alight from a bus feeling guilty of a positive incivility of speech or act, or let such be conscious of even a failure to perform the slightest act that presented itself, and see how it colors the whole day and Pays the withholds from such a relish all too rare. On the contrary, let Richest him alight at his destination with the sound of a "thank you" D fa*^bife's rm £ m £ ^ e tinkling bells within for some word, or gesture, or Market ever so slight but with kind intent, and the music of it will last the day out. Pay? Of course it pays, pays in the richest dividends on the market — a consciousness of having made your little coach-world a trifle brighter and happier. The Fifth Avenue Coach Company has opened a School of Civility on wheels. A paid fare is a matriculation. Every matric- ulant should finally become a B.C. — Bachelor of Civility. Thirty- four THOUGH T S ON C I V I L I T V XX the following pages the reader will find excerpts from a number of other essays submitted in the con- test, each one of which was worthy of publication in full, if space permitted. These gems of thought on the subject of civility were culled from the mass so this work might be as near an anthology as possible. CATERS TO EVERYONE'S COMFORT By Franklin Snow IT IS the writer's belief that this paper should briefly suggest steps toward great successes in this line, rather than to review past performances. We suggest : s BacJc ,1, tt r j ... <e tvho are rude in public but when in their homes adhere to the strictly conventional etiquette, to be good fellows and mix well both forms of Civility, Fifty-two T 11 U G H T S ON CIVILITY BIG CITIES NEED CIVILITY MOST By Carol H. Chapman 6 /f^\ IYILITY" is a nice word for a slogan — a good, sturdy, U a crisp-sounding word lacking that suggestion of frills and leisure that tinges our notions of ''courtesy." Primarily the word conveys the idea of citizenship and its duties but its present scope includes courtesy, politeness and good breeding. Modern life needs Civility's saving grace; big cities need it most of all. Honest Civility invariably gets results because it is the human touch, the "this means you" element needed to neutralize the cold, Conveys Idea dry urge of industry. Film syndicates and magazine editors recog- ot the Duties ' of True nize the drawing value of simple human nature themes. The great citizenship American advertising system points its pictured finger at you, per- sonally. With similar directness, Civility touches the mass through the individual. The salesman who considers our means, the patient conductor, the traveler who does not blame the motorman for the exigencies of traffic, all become human beings like ourselves with a bit of soul to soul consideration that unfailingly "gets across." BASED OX SELF COXTROL E'y S. W. Marvin IN domestic life, public life, in the relations of employer and employe, Civility removes obstacles to progress, and supplies the necessary lubricant to prevent friction and increase energy. How, then, can we acquire this valuable asset, this essential power for good? First. By habitual self-control. — Many harsh words, many rude acts, are the result of a hasty temper or selfishness. The old proverb, "A soft answer turneth away wrath," does not imply a false humility or a service manner. To hold fast, and smile and give a quiet word instead of a Appears^ at "grievous" word has many times disarmed an opponent whose weapons were abuse or haughtiness. Servants Second. By putting yourself in the other man's place. — You may have an easy road, a good digestion, loving home companions, agreeable business associates. The public service is recruited largely from the ranks of men who do not enjoy all these advant- ages ; their daily duties are strenuous — wearing on body and mind. Yet there has appeared of late years among the transit employes, policemen, firemen, and even street sweepers, an ever increasing degree of Civility which is most inspiring. Let this difficult achievement receive recognition, not the casual recognition of a slap on the back and a cigar now and then, but the real recognition of "doing likewise." Its Best Among Public Fifty -three THOUGHTS O N CI V I LI T Y Exhibits Qualities of Great Man by Constant Observance BOOR, SELF- CONFESSED, A FAILURE By Miss Olive Stevenson THE broadest, firmest foundation for Civility or courtesy is character. The most practical reason — why for constant acts of courtesy is found in the duty one owes one*s self — which is at the same time the greatest service one can render those whom one loves and the greatest service one can render the world — and that is, the building up of splendid character. So it is that we see that the really great man who has accomp- lished things and won the honor of all is the one who is the most courteous, the most thoughtful as to the little niceties of conduct, the most considerate of others. The same qualities that make him a great man in other respects make him a courteous one and so round out his character. For the same reason the boor stands self-confessed a failure as a man. Quite evidently he lacks the qualities necessary to great- ness. The man full of self-importance advertises the fact that no one but himself considers him important. The exacting, complain- ing man advertises the fact that people do not respect, or cnre enough for him to vield him unexacted service. CITY "WIDE CAMPAIGN A VITAL NEED By Stanley W. Ayres NO OXE lives to himself; Civility, or the lack of it, is the adjustment which each one makes to this inescapable cir- cumstance. Behavior is compulsory, and it may be one Clearly G f decency and consideration for others, or it can be utterly selfish Character ^ n( ^ disagreeable. Which ever direction it takes, and mode of of Person . & . . , , .... r . , ' , indicates expression, it is the clear indication ot the character of the person exhibiting it. Perhaps the standard of service set up by organizations of public utility is as pervading an influence in the daily life of the people as can be mentioned, with their demand that all employes shall be at all times polite and considerate. This city-wide Civility campaign must be waged; by the organizations already at work, with a new consecration to the pressing need; by the individual who every day, at every turn, and in all circumstances, has opportunity pressed upon him ; by all for the sake of the present so far as that can be accomplished, but for the children who are to make the city of tomorrow, and must carry forward the city, the state and the nation, and in whose hands will lie its honor and safety. Fifty -four THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY HANDMAIDEN OF NATURALNESS By F. Grinnan WHY is it that Civility flourishes of its own accord in Europe, while in America, and particularly in supposedly civilized Xew York, it has to be prompted by deliberate Civility campaigns ? Surely courtesy should be innate and spon- taneous — almost unconscious — here as it seems to be abroad, and if it is not there must be something radically wrong either with ourselves or with the way we live. The trouble lies essentially, I believe, in the terrific pace at which we live. In the hurry to make money or find amusement, time is everything, and time-saving devices of the utmost value. The means is everywhere subordinated to the end, even when the means is a human soul and the end merely the acquisition of some material possession or the indulgence in some hackneyed form of Flourishes Most amusement. Those who serve the public and those who are served ? L ? nd °J Read . . . . F . . ... Smile and are time-saving devices, machines, cogs in the system of attaining Helping Hand our ends, whatever those ends may be. The recent attention called by the coach company to the children of the coach men was an excellent step in the right direc- tion, for it did more than anything else could have done to stress the human factor in public service. In any Civility campaign isn't this the idea to play up? Minimize the idea of mechanical, sterotyped contact in our public life, and present those who serve and those who are served to each other as individuals, human beings, and the natural contagion of a ready smile or a helping hand may be depended upon to do the rest. COURTESY IS INNATE AND EVIDENT By Eleanor Fitts AT heart we are not a bad-mannered people; at heart our men are chivalrous, our women sympathetic and tender. In a crisis we are never lacking in those finer elements that go to make life what it should be. But once the crisis is over, Evokes what we are back at it — the old fear of being natural, of what people ** Natural and will say. It is only in lands where naturalness abounds, where B,ave in Men people are not concerned with what the next person may think, that Civility flourishes. Isn't it ridiculous that we, who are known as the bravest of the brave, should be anything but natural, should ever for a minute have a thought for what anyone else will say? Why not stop it now? Why not make this a real democracy? It can be done and another Civility campaign will never be necessary. Fiftp-fivt THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY A SPREADS SUNSHINE ALONG ITS WAY By George Gordon LADY passenger seated inside a coach was seized with a sudden desire to post a letter at the sight of a box as the coach drew up at a Fifth Avenue corner to give crosstown traffic the right of way. The temptation was great and the lady excitedly asked if the conductor would wait while she disposed of her letter. He smiled broadly, said, "Give it to me," deposited the letter and returned to the coach. The lady was effusive in her gratitude, the joy registered on the face of the conductor unmista- Starts | 3 j e> anc j ever y passenger in the car gave evidence in one way or H in°BanTc anotner of having experienced a thrill of pleasure at this simple of Good Deeds act. If you would have your face glow as did the face of that con- ductor, if you would sense the joy of continuous harmony in your relations with your fellowman as does he, start an account in the Bank of Civility now. Watch the small leaks; obey your finer and more charitable impulses each and every time. Get a taste of per- fection and know the reward. Invest in the bonds of human fel- lowship and collect your dividends. Try it and see if it is not worth while. Spreads Notice that Gentleman is Not a Theory BASED ON DIVINE COMMAND By Howard B. Stevens AFTER all, this noble idea is only putting into practice the divine command "Live and Let Live." Nothing but good results can possibly follow. You industrial engineers and scientists, this is a plea to you to cultivate the commendable attri- bute of Civility, which, as Webster puts it, is "decorum of be- havior in the treatment of others, with attention to their wants and desires." Your industry is bound to be benefited, your con- science will be clearer and you will be giving this old world of ours a real boost up the hill of progress. RESOLVE: I WILL SPREAD CIVILITY By Robert Stewart Sutliffe LET'S form the S. P. C. — Society for the Propagation of Civility. Membership is open to all. The only requirement for eligibility is to resolve with one's self to spread Civility and courtesy to all with whom we come in contact, by our own example. Let's issue to ourselves a certificate of membership hav- ing inscribed upon it the following: "To err is human, to forgive divine." "A gentleman is a condition, not a theory," Fifty-six T H O U G H T S O N CIVILITY SHALL THE HUMBLE MONOPOLIZE CIVILITY? Br Harriet Clay Penman IS IT not just about time that the preaching to the army of employes that serve in one or another capacity, were made a Boosts double barrelled affair to act on the manners of the public? Industry up Why should the clerks, the telephone girls, the elevator operators. ^ ^l 8 ° f the motorcoach drivers, the office help and the Hod Carriers Union have a monopoly of the good manners in America, where they say our evidences of breeding are often frayed at the edges? Let us all take a turn at "please" and "I thank you!" "TO GIVE AND TAKE FOR KIXDXESS SAKE" By John Martin My kindly acts and words to you ; Your kindly thoughtfulness of me ; To give and take for kindness sake This is CIVILITY. A WORD FULL OF MEAXIXG — By A. H. Sutphin Civility ! What's in a word ? Much, indeed, in this word Civility. Good cheer is found therein ; helpfulness, happiness, friendship, character, profit, all these are bound up in Civility and are set free by him who is civil, for his own benefit and that of others. Civility is simply being kindly disposed to all, offering kindly helpfulness, speaking courteous words, and avoiding all that is surly or rude or unkind. LET ALL JOIX FOR BIG DRIVE By Helen Egan Give to the public school teacher more power in dealing with wayward pupils. The attention of parents and teachers must be Gives Teach directed to this menace, otherwise a campaign such as is on. and no More Power matter how successful, is after all only a tonic to the grown-up in Handling plants which have already a settled' position. Children I would strongly recommend a meeting of heads of all organ- izations, professions, churches, the press, etc., to urge and formu- late plans directed towards this end. Without cooperation little can be accomplished. Fifty-seven THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY THREE KEYS TO THE HExiBT By Dr. A. Mann To directly bring home to an individual a moral precept, it must be draped and trimmed in such a way that the point of view must be deductive. In other words criticism is not hailed with delight by anyone; therefore, reasoning by way of the Ten Com- mandments is not likely to be received with outstretched arms. The key to a child's heart is through its imagination. To youth — the theatre. To adults — experience. A WAY TO WORLD'S KINSHIP ! My Mrs. Henry Abrahams* >n "Civility, my son." I said. Ws Worth "Is pride in self within— its Weight It limits neither rich nor poor to Gold And makes the whole world kin. to Rt ad This Volume Through Again! "There is no limit to its charm. W rath flees before its sway : Its wisdom, gentle in the strong. Helps weakness on the way." Fifty-eight Values of Civility as Expressed by Leaders in Various Fields HEN the Fifth Avenue Coach Company published its pamphlet on "Civility" the object primarily was to arouse interest in the essay contest so the widest field of thought on the subject might be obtained. This booklet is the result. We venture the opinion that it will take its place beside other volumes on the family book shelf. Distribution of "Civility" led to other and more far-reaching- results. School teachers and the heads of large educational institu- tions wrote for additional copies to distribute among their pupils and to institute Civility campaigns in the schools. Directors and general managers of some of the largest indus- trial institutions in the country commended the movement and sought information to inaugurate similar campaigns among their employes. Our patrons' views were sought on a city-wide campaign on Civility. Some of the essays answered the inquiry. The real answer, however, must be action. Where will the movement begin ? Who will father it and when will it be begun ? The Fifth Avenue Coach Company is prepared to lend its cooperation to such a movement. Fifty-nine THOUGHTS ON CIVILITY Attitude toward the traveling pubic is one of the points which this Company stresses in empoying and training men for work on the ears and quite naturally your very successful Civility Campaign has aroused and holds the writer's in- terest. May I ask whether you issued a set of printed instructions on civility and treatment of passengers to guide your employes. Any addi- tional literature on the subject of training or outlining prize contest will be appreciated by the writer. —John E. Whiting, Employment Manager, Philadelphia Rapid Tran- sit Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Why comment on your leaflet, "Civility"? It speaks for itself. If it would not look bad for courteous Southerners to step up to New York and win all your prizes, I would have the first 75 of my con- ductors I meet write essays on Civility, and, without doubt, win the $1,000, but I believe in encouraging home industry, hence will not urge our men to "butt in."— IT. B. Flow- krs, Second Vice-President and Gen- eral Manager, United Railways and Electric Company, Baltimore, Md. I have just finished reading your very remarkable little booklet en- titled "Civility One Thousand Dol- lars in Prizes." There is so very much of good in this booklet that we believe it would help very much, indeed, if everyone of our officers and employes could read it — E. E. Morris, Treasurer, Fidelity Savings Trust Company, Kansas City, Mo. I have run over the essay (Miss Alice M. Kautz) and am quite con- vinced that in making the award the very best judgment was shown by the judges who passed on the competing contributions. It is al- together likely that we will use Miss Kautz's essay in the United Shield, our house organ, with the idea of conveying to the people in our or- ganization some important evidence that civility is one of the things which is going to come into this community sooner or later. * * * I am delighted to have our Com- pany included as a charter member in the proposed "Society to Pro- mote Civility" and I assure you we will do our best to bear our honors meekly and deservedly— C. R. Sher- lock, Vice-President, United Cigar Stores Company. I am in possession, through the distribution of your conductor, of the pamphlet on "Civility." It is so much in line with the excellent spirit of your interesting organiza- tion that a praise of it would ap- pear useless. * * * As the contents of the pamphlet goes far beyond local suggestions or prize competition, I wish to send (100) to a number of school boys and girls. They are the growing generation— always interesting, but too often lacking civility, which by far is not only a mannerism, as some people believe, but is an essential of any civilized society.— A. Freed- kricks, U. S. -France Financial News Corporation, Gl Broadway, N. Y. We would be glad indeed to place a copy (of the Civility pamphlet) in the hands of each of our 600 employes, if they are avail- able. We feel that the subject mat- ter of this booklet is well-worth reading, even if the person reading same does not endeavor to win one of the contest prizes.— J. C. Cos- tello, Chattanooga Railway and Light Company, Chattanooga, Tenn. We appreciate the fine work you are doing along Public Relations lines and we should like to co-op- erate in the promotion of this con- test. * * * As you know we are firm believers in the doctrine that courtesy is a business asset. It is more than this but there is no question but what its dollars and cents value is real.— H. W. Casler, Assistant to Vice-President, New York Telephone Company, 15 Bey Street, N. Y. We are very much interested in your theory of Service and Civility, and are constantly working toward that in our organization — Mrs. J. W. Sinsheimer, Educational De- partment, Bonn: it Teller and Corn- pan y, N. Y. We are in hearty accord with your civility and courtesy campaign and would be only too glad to co-operate with you in any way possible. * * * We have en- deavored to foster among our own employes the spirit of courtesy and civility which your campaign is endeavoring to promote generally. — H. W. Carlough, Executive Man- ager, Terminal Barber Shops, N. Y. While in New York recently I was very much impressed with the politeness of the men operating your Fifth Avenue Coaches. I should be very glad to learn Sixty T hi U G H T S X C IV I LI T V from you what your methods are of instilling the courtesy idea in your men ; and especially to learn the details of the "Thank you" campaign you have had.— F. H. Hill, Vice-President, Water, Light and Railroad Company, Elmira, X. Y. I think you may safely claim to have the transportation system that shows most civility to its custom- ers. My only complaint is that there are too many customers. I have frequently waited patiently or impatiently on a corner with coaches crowding past me, everyone full. * * * I have read with interest your very well-written booklet and it seems to me, it covers the ground so well that I should like to send a copy to each of my thirty salesmen and I propose read- ing it to my inside people. * * * By all means keep up your cam- paign for civility on the part of your employes and customers. I believe it pays and it certainly is a welcome change from the run of things.— Carroll Dunham Smith, Carrol Dunham Smith Pharmacol Company, X. Y. One of your Civility campaign pamphlets fell into my hands through the courtesy of Mr. George Weaver, Superintendent Division No. 4. It interested me greatly. Would it be possible for us to secure a thousand of them to distribute among our messengers in New York City? — Henry V. Mil- ler, Employment Manager, Mes- senger Department , Western Union Telegraph Company, X. Y. Your recent "Civility" campaign has won our interest. We are do- ing a similar work among the executives and employes— and be- tween these two and the public— for public corporation. * * * It is a great power toward correct understanding and the preserva- tion of a corporation's assets against attack through lack of un- derstanding of an organization's desires and purposes. It humanizes. —Printing Arts Company, Indian- apolis, Tnd. I am in receipt of your favor of January 4th, extending a special invitation to the employes of Ovington ETothers Company to participate in the "Civility Con- test" that your Company will con- duct. We believe it is a very good idea and if you will send us 150 pamphlets, we will be glad to dis- tribute them to our employes. — L. T. Pease, Ovington Brothers Com- pany, X. Y. The writer was in New York during the month of August and was very much impressed with your campaign for courtesy. We have a large institution here, and feel that we could make an effort sim- ilar in our store, and if it is not asking too much, would like to have you send us some of the printed advertising matter and as much of the plan as you would care to give us. — N. B. Goldstein, The Hrr~feld-Phillipson Company, Milwaukee, Wis. You will be interested to learn that the Women's City Club at its last meeting expressed by vote, its appreciation of your "Civilitv Con- test." This attempt to mitigate the dis- comforts and the debasements of traveling- under conditions of scant public civility— so noticeable since the war— and to turn the traffic, as it were, in the other direction, has the endorsement of this civic group of 2,500 women. We express to you our endorse- ment of this effort on the part of one transportation system to es- tablish courteous and forbearing relationships between the men in charge and those who are carried.— Mrs. Walter Kruesi, Executive Secretary, Women's City Club of I truly think that you havo started something worth while and am very much interested in having the clubs take up this movement, especially in the schools.— Mrs James C. Patrick, President, Kan- sas Federation of Women's Clubs, Santa Fe, Kan. Your booklet "To Promote Civil- ity" is one of the best that I have seen as a business proposition. While you do not try to hide your purpose to create better service among your own men yet the book- let is put upon such a high plane that it is worth reading by those who may not be interested in your immediate purpose.— I. Harvey Brumbraugh, Juniata College, Huntington, Pa. I have read with interest and hearty approval your pamphlet, "To Promote Civility." The young folks of today have Sixty-one T HOUGH T S N CIVIL! T Y to a very great extent drifted away from the fine old virtues of respect and obedience to parents, and modesty and courtesy in their contacts with each other and the general public. I should be glad, indeed, to place one of these booklets in the hands of each student now in the col- lege.— R. Strowbridge, Principal, Browne's Business College, Brook- lyn, X. Y. Thank you very much for send- ing me your little booklet on Civil- ity. I have 484 boys and would like to put it in the hands of each one of them. I often take your coaches when I am in New York and I have been more than astonished by the civil- ity with which I have been treated. * * * Such courtesy as this in our country is marvelous.— M. A. Abbott, Head Master, Lawrence- ville School, Lawrenccville, X. J. You ara doing a splendid service for this generation in your cam- paign for a wide-spread practice of civility. Nothing is so badly needed at this present time, es- pecially amongst the rising genera- tion, as courtesy and the practice of civility. We trust that the booklet may have far-reaching ef- fects on our young men here, both in the lessons taught in the promo- tion of courtesy as well as interest in the prize contest. — A. A. Murphree, President, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. Your communication concerning "Civility" is at hand. I thanK you for sending it. It seems to me your scheme is an excellent one and I shall be more than giad to suggest that our students become interested in it. — Dr. Franks Harvey Green, Headmaster, The Pennington School for Boys, Pen- nington, X. J. You are undertaking a very com- mendable work. * * * i wish to thank you for your courtesy in calling your effort to promote ci- vility to my attention.— O. D. Mathewson, Principal, Lyndon In- stitute, Lyndon Center, Vt. I have read your booklet entitled "To Promote Civility" with great pleasure, and believe that this pro- posed contest will become a cam- paign of education that will do vast good. I should be very glad to receive fifty copies of the little booklet for distribution in our dormitories that students may have the opportunity to enter such a contest, and, re- gardless of the contest, know what the Fifth Avenue Coach Company is doing to promote civility throughout our country.— J. STAN- LET Durkee, President, Howard University, Washington, D. C. I am greatly pleased with the ideas set forth in the brochure "To Promote Civility."— Dr. John O. Spencer, President, Morgan College, Hillcm Road, Governs. Baltimore, Md. I read your article on "Civility." I heartily endorse the article and feel that it will do much good toward bringing about the much needed pleasanter relationship De- tween the individuals who make up the general public. I am sure that the expression of your atti- tude in this matter is well worth while.— D. C. Sugge, President, Livingstone College, Salisbury, X. C. I have read carefully your pam- phlet on Civility and I shall be glad to have more copies to hand out to our students. I want to congratulate you on your campaign. It is one of the finest tilings that has been done in New York City. We do need train- ing in the art of civility, and the fact that you have had the courage to undertake and carry on this campaign gladdens the heart of every New Yorker who loves his city and who is interested in man- kind and the advancement of civili- zation— Jeannette Hamil, Director, Ballard School, Young Women's Christian Association, 610 Lexing- ton A.veune, Xew York City. I have read with much interest the little book entitled "To Promote Civility." If you would care to send me copies, I should be glad to place them in the hands of our young women. * * * I am sure that all of them would enjoy read- ing the book.— Dr. Frank D. Blod- gett, Adelphi College, Brooklyn, X. Y. I am much interested in your campaign to promote "Civility." I have read your booklet tnrough and shall be glad to receive copies for distribution among our pupils. It is certainly pleasant to realize that in these days of "rush and Sixty-two THOUGHTS OX CIVILITY .scramble" there is at least one company with respect enough for the feelings of others to start a campaign with such great possi- bilities, and I certainly hope you will succeed.— Thomas Curtis, Prin- cipal, Curtis Business Training School, 140 Fort Green Place, Brooklyn, X. Y. I have your letter of the 7th and was very pleased to receive a copy of your booklet "Civility." We, also, desire to do our utmost in promoting civility with everyone with whom we have contact, among the students and with the outside public. — Herbept J. Haxson, Direc- tor, State Trade School, Bridgeport, Conn. In this school for the past few years we have made a special point of developing habits of cour- tesy throughout our student body. Certainly, the American public needs education along these lines, and I feel that you are doing a splendid service in the emphasis that you are giving to this matter. —Henry C. Pearsox, Principal, Horace Mann School, Teacher's Col- lege, New York City. I have read the pamphlet with great interest and sympathy. I was for many years the operating officer of a considerable number of gas companies, scattered over the length and breadth of this country. In that position I laid all possible emphasis on civility on the part of employes. "Honesty is the best policy." * * * We can also say Civilitv is the best policy. — Dr. Alex C. Humphreys, President, Stevens In- stitute of Technology, Castle Point, Hoboken, X. J. This letter and booklet on civil- ity and how to promote it are great. The idea is fine.— Rev. Eugexe C. Webster, Principal, The University School, 899 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. I am very much interested in the movement which you nave on foot.— William J. Clark, President, Virginia Union University, Rich- mond, Ya. I have read your little pamphlet on the Promotion of Civility with much pleasure. Few things are more important than to teach young people in school and college the requirements of good breeding which manifest themselves in un- varying courtesy and civility.— Rev. Lorix Webster, Rector, Hold- erness School, Plymouth, X. H. I have read the contents of "To Promote Civilitv" with great in- terest. The move seems to be a most worthy one, and should meet with a ready response from the public. Too much cannot be said of the value of civility and I am especially glad to see the other side brought out, that is, the need of civility on the part of the patrons as well as the employes of the company- Alice G. Smith, As- sistant to the Director, Xorth Ben- nett Street Industrial School, 36 Xoi-th Bennett Street, Boston, Mass. I believe that the time has come to use every means possible to promote civility among all classes — and particularly from younger to older pcopie. I am glad to note the movement you have inaugurated in your own administration along this line. — Gaylord Wm. Douglass, Headmaster, Wilbraham Acaaemy, Wilbraham, Mass. We received your letter together with the pamphlet on "Civility." This is a most excellent plan and one that should be carried out. — J. Henry F/urxett, Business Mana- ger, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. I believe there are very few things more important in this coun- try and at this time than earnest efforts to promote civility and the unselfish consideration for otners which lies behind it.— Carletox L. Browxsox, Dean, Tl'e College of the City of Neio York, Convent Avenue and 139th Street, Neio York. I am obliged for your letter of January 24th, enclosing pamphlet describing the contest you are hold- ing. I shall have pleasure in post- ing information about this contest, and shall be glad if you can send me copies of the pamphlet for dis- tribution to the students. — J. W. Cuxliffe, Director, School of Jour- nalism, Columbia University, New York City. I have been much interested in your pamphlet on civility and would appreciate 100 copies. * * * I am sure the members of Sixty-three T HOUGH T 6' ON CIVILITY our staff will find as much In- terest and suggestion as I have.— E. R. Johnstone, Director, The Training School at V in eland, N. J. I am thoroughly in accordance with your effort to promote a wide- spread practice of civility. I have read your booklet to our students. T believe that it is very much to the point at this particular period of the world's history— J. T. T. Hundley, President . Lynchburg College, Lynchburg, Va. In arousing some appreciation in the minds of people at large of the desirability of more evidence of courtesy in all walks of life, the Fifth Aveune Coach Company is doing a very real service. — Russell R. Harmon, Secret am to the Presi- dent, Dartmouth Collrae, Hanover, N. H. I wish to express to you my ap- preciation of the effort you are making to promote a better under- standing and greater mutual cour- tesy between the general public and those who serve them. It is cer- tainly an effort in the right direc- tion, and one in which every thoughtful person should be glad to join. — (Mrs.) H. N. Hills, Princi- pal, Stuart Hall, Staunton, Va. The influence of your Civility campaign has been so far-reaching that it ought to be continued. Just the fact of having that word "Civil- ity" on all your coaches has set up a new standard of courtesy in a great many business concerns, has created a grea? deal of interest, and has spread to many other cities. I would suggest that its continu- ance would pay the biggest kind of dividends not only in its influence upon your own coach lines, but in its inflence upon many other con- cerns and upon multitudes of other employes. It will result In better understanding between employers and employes in a great number of cases. Personally, I never saw a passing coach with that splendid face, that it did not suggest to me very great possibilities. I wish it could be continued. Thank you personally for the great influence of this splendid civility campaign, and thank you for the privilege of contributing a manuscript.— Orison S. Marden, Editor of Success. The psychology of our day has not sufficiently emphasized the necessity or the importance of courtesy and civility, either in priv- ate or public life. As a daily patron of the Fifth Avenue Coach Company, I have watched with intense Interest the growing ease with which your men have formed the habit of using a pleasant and optimistic tone and manner as well as words. I have often noticed the reac- tion of this method on the temper and manner of the traveling pub- lic, and I am glad to write you, not only of my personal approval of this civility campaign of yours, but also of my conviction that you are not only contributing a valua- ble element to your own staff of employes, but that you are giving some very needed instruction to our far too self-centered traveling public. Keep at it along the same old lines. Your educational principle is a sound one.— Frank Alvah Parsons, President, Netv York School of Fine and Applied Art, N. Y. Si.rty-four FROM THE PRESSES OF THE AUDUBON PRINTERS BROADWAY ANP 1 67TH ST.