THE ORIGIN OF ROTARY.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Srn,—In the Spectator of May 3rd the origin Of Rotary seems to be referred to Chicago and the year 1905. Let me
call your attention to the fact that in 1897 London already had a Club of similar, if not identical, character. In 1897 I was in London in connexion with the affairs of a large American Life Insurance Company, of which Mr. D. C. Halde- man was the representative for Great Britain. In dining with Mr. Haldeman at the City Liberal Club in the summer of that year he told me of his membership in a Club composed of one representative from each trade, profession or industry. He felt honored that he, an American and the representative of an American institution, should be the member for the important Life Insurance business. He mentioned the weekly dinners and the five-minute talks each member was expected to make on the characteristics of the particular activity in which he was engaged. In fact the conversation arose from the fact that at the next meeting it was to be his privilege to address the Club on the mysteries of Life Insurance. I do not know if the particular Club in question still exists, but there probably will be many of its old members who can add. further details as to its relation to what after- wards came to be called Rotary Clubs.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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