These members, who served during the war, were recognized and commended individually by the government for their work: Front row, left to right:  William B. Washburn, Harry Hyman, John M. Thornburgh, Harry R. Ryder (secretary), J. Pike Powers, Jr. (chair), E. G. Stooksbury, J. Bailey Wray, Melville B. Melendy, Robert P. Williams. Center Row:  Edward F. Walsh, D. C. Webb, J. W. Hudson, C. Raleigh Harrison, C. M. Boyer, K. E. Steinmetz, A. E. Mitchell. Back Row:  Norman B. Morrell, S. O. Houston, Joel H. Anderson, W. T. Kennerly, George E. Helm, Daniel J. Kelly, Roy E. Vale, Roscoe Ward, I. L. Graves. Not pictured:  J. Arthur Atchley, R. A. Brown, H. V. Carson, Charles T. Cates, Jr., Allen Frierson, John W. Green, Fred C. Houk, Henry Hudson, Sam E. Hill, J. Alvin Johnson, James G. Johnson, C. P. Jones, John M. Kelly, W. E. Miller, R. E. Mooney, Malcolm McDermott, B. C. Ogle, L. D. Smith, Hugh M. Tate, Horace VanDeventer, Will D. Wright, T. Asbury Wright, O. L. White.

The Four Minute Men, a nation-wide association of volunteer speakers, was organized June 16, 1917, for the purpose of assisting the various departments of the government in the work of national defense during the continuance of the war, by presenting messages on subjects of vital national importance to motion-picture audiences during the intermission.  The subject matter was prepared and the speaking was directed from Washington under authority of the government.

The Knox County division of the Four Minute Men was organized in September, 1917, to further this patriotic work.

The topics spoken upon by the Four Minute Men were matters of national importance connected with the war plans of the government.  They were assigned by the director in Washington for a given period of time, usually from one to four weeks.  The topic to be used at any given time was determined by a consideration of what was uppermost at the time.  Many false rumors, the result of enemy propaganda, also were corrected and explained by the Four Minute Men.

The aid of the Four Minute Men in the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and other patriotic drives was invaluable.  The importance of participation in them was deeply impressed upon the minds of all audiences.  Addresses were made not only at the theaters, but at many popular gatherings in the city and county.  The speakers were in great demand, and they always responded to the calls upon their time and their services.  They proved of invaluable aid in popularizing the war to the mass of people, and in explaining its causes and purposes.  The efforts of the government found through them a most valuable publicity arm.

The work of the Four Minute Men was enhanced greatly by the cooperation of the managers of the local theaters, who gave them every possible assistance and courtesy.  The speakers, who made almost nightly addresses, delivered their appeals during the intermissions between reels.  Pastors of churches, principals of schools and managers of public buildings also cooperated in this important government work by opening their doors to these speakers.  The effectiveness of the appeals was heightened by the time limit set upon the addresses and the definite program outlined from Washington.

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