Bethlen Naptár, 1956 (Ligonier)
The work of six decades
BETHLEN NAPTAR 145 Without further explanations we may evaluate the importance of such step, and the results of the first four years by the following figures: Membership in 1936, January 1 .................................. 12,720 Membership in 1940, January 1 .................................. 20,865 The Home Office, which in the beginning was located in rented quarters, soon moved to its own Kossuth Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. The convention in 1939, held already in Washington, reelected the first centralized staff of officers unanimously, we may say in recognition of their achievements. This same staff was serving during the next five years. Because of traveling difficulties during the second World War, the convention due in 1943 was postponed until 1944, and held in Ligonier. This meeting elected Dr. Ferenc Újlaki as full-time president, and György Borshy-Kerekes as secretary, replacing István Molnár who retired after serving several decades, and reelected the other two officers, Imre Király and Ödön Vasváry. Of course, the results achieved during their term could not have been accomplished without the existence of an efficient field organization beside the administration. Let us mention here with pride the names of those who in this decade through their diligent efforts have earned a recognition in promoting the work of our Federation, in cooperation with our local representatives: Rev. Emil Nagy (deceased), Rev. Gyula Melegh (deceased), Miklós Kovács (deceased), Gusztáv Kovács (deceased), Mihály B. Tusai (decesed) and among our still working district managers, Pál Szentmiklóssy; also Rev. István E. Balogh a former district manager and later the director of our Veteran’s Bureau in Chicago. The Sixth Decade. World War II., naturally, caused considerable losses to us, since hundreds of our young members served in the armed forces and a large number of then died a hero’s death. Although according to the war clause of our certificates we were not bound to pay their life insurance, we have voided the war clause and paid the corresponding amounts to their beneficiaries. We again have given proof of the fraternal spirit of our Federation. Our Exemplary help to Hungarians outside of our Federation will be told by our officers in another part of this publication. The records of the American Hungarian Relief will also furnish the data for this information, and the many refugees whose immigration to these shores we made, and are still making possible. The convention in Cleveland was held in commemoration of the Hungarian struggle for liberty in 1848-49. A festive meeting and a special celebration was held in which the representatives of the already arrived refugees took part. As in the past our Federation was again among the first ones keeping alive the memory of those heroic times and promoting the Kossuth cult in order to gain the sympathy of the American public in favor of the Hungarians in Europe, suffering by the new horrible war. Otherwise the convention had not much to do. There was no need for changes in the administration, and the promotion results have furnished convincing proof of our persevering activity. Due to the economic conditions,, certain rate adjustments were made, but these have not affected our old members. The convention unanimously reelected the entire staff of officers, being convinced that everything was in good order. In 1952, we had another convention in Ligonier. By this time our membership grew to more than 30,000 and our assets to five millions. The most important subject was the establishment of a pension fund for our officers, employees and full time organizers. The meeting accepted the Pension Plan with complete understanding, since throughout the nation, it became a general practice for factories and organizations to establish such funds for their workers. To this fund, contributions are paid not only by the treasury of our Federation but by the beneficiaries as well, in proportion to
