A.A.'s Country-wide News Circuit

The seven original members of the Passaic, N. J., Group spoke at the first anniversary there last month. The thought was expressed that success in the growth of membership has been of educational value to the city. Interest and backing of clergy, doctors, and good coverage by a daily paper are reported as having helped. Interest on the part of a reporter resulted in friendly, intelligent, sympathetic columns stressing the spiritual foundation of the 12 Steps. The Rev. F. R. Edward Dowling, S.J., of St. Louis, Mo., was principal speaker at the third anniversary of the Marshalltown, Ia., Group at the Hotel Tallcorn recently. Four Marshalltown men representing industry, law enforcement, the clergy and medicine spoke briefly summarizing the A.A. program with regard to their vocations. In the afternoon Father Dowling conducted a Cana Conference and a smoker was given at the hotel for visitors.