FRED SMITHS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 56, 8 March 1937, Page 3

FRED SMITHS

"A UNIVERSAL ORDER"

"Point is given to the recent paragraph on America's habit of forming quaint associations by the news that on January 13 the proceedings of the Alpha Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective and Completely Universal Order of Fred Smith were broadcast from New York, says' the "Manchester Guardian." The founder of this order, an advertising man named (of course) Fred Smith, chanced to encounter three other men of the same name on one occasion in New York. He decided that such an opportunity for a new sodality must not be missed, and he formed the 8.P.C.U.0.F.5., which grew within a fortnight from one to thirty chapters. As to its being "universal," however, there may be doubts. In 1931, for instance, it was stated that in Key West, Florida, there .was not a single citizen named either Smith or Jones.

But Mr. Fred Smith has hit upon a nation which for association purposes seems to have scarcely any limits. City directories, census returns, and telephone books would yield virtually anyj collection of like names an organiser might want. He would then be faced with the pleasant task of inventing a badge' for the new association- and a slogan which might respectively be worn and shouted at the breakfasts, smoking concerts, and jamborees generally of the members. A little confusion might be expected in calling on speakers; all being of the same name, some method of differentiation would have to be found. Eventually, perhaps, this necessity might break uri the association. No one would mind very much.