Fraternity-Testvériség, 1952 (30. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1952-12-01 / 12. szám

17

IN PLAIN AMERICAN

A monthly page conducted by Edmund Vasvary

WHO WOULDN’T LIKE TO BE in the shoes of a real communist behind the Iron Curtain? The Czechs just the other day hanged eleven of their comrades, none of the run-of-the-mill variety, but all formerly high standing party functionaries, cabinet ministers, generals and the like. Somebody remarked, very much to the point: the communists have only a past, never a future. How about it, Comrades Rákosi, Gerő, Weil et al? Yes the past! As Adam groans in Madach’s immortal “Tragedy of Man’’: “That past! If I could only forget it!” The past has a very unpleasant characteristic: whether we want it or not, it always return. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to remind all the Communists of today of the story of the African chief, who had some sort of an anniversary? His faithful tribesmen wanted to surprise him with a suitable gift—and they presented him with a new boomerang. And after that the life of the worthy chief became intolerable: he tried to get rid of the old boomerang—but to no avail. Whenever he threw it away, it always returned to him. There is a very serious lesson hidden in this simple tale.

THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE in the incredibly sadistic behavior of the Communists: none of their leaders can be blind to the fact that sooner or later they loo will be liquidated. Evidently cruelly and murder becomes their second nature to such a degree, that they are delighted even when they themselves are tortured and sent to the gallows. On the basis of their own alleged confessions this can be about the only explanation of the ecstatic joy with which they are pleading for their own execution. Well, "suum cuique"—as the old Romans said. Let everybody receive what is to his own taste.

THE TWO GIANT ORGANIZATIONS of the union workers, the A F of L and the CIO, by a curious coincidence of the almost simultaneous deaths of their old leaders, already have new presidents. They are able and brainy men, and according to the commentators, they are apt to be more aggressive than the old leaders, Green and Murray, used to be. The new Secretary of Labor will be also a union leader—so organized labor really has no reason to be dissatisfied with the incoming administration. The personal qualities of the new labor leaders, rightly used, may be a real unifying power for the workers and the nation. This is what everybody is hoping for. Will these momentous changes result in the organic unity of the great union organizations? No one knows this yet, but there are strong indications that the work of the new leaders will be instrumental in bringing into perfect balance the two great balancing powers of labor and capital, in the interest of furthering the American system of free enterprise.

CHAPLAIN CASUALTIES: The Defense Department published the list of its chaplain casualties in Korea. So far 12 regimental chaplains' names are on the list, 7 prolestants and 5 Roman Catholics out of these, seven were killed in action (4 protestants and 3 catholics) and the rest are reported missing. The following Protestant denominations are represented: The Episcopal church with 2 casualties (one killed the other one missing) and with one casualty each: the Methodist, the Naze- rene, the Disciples of Christ, the Baptist and the Church of God. They kept faith unto death!

THE NEW KILLERS are appearing already on the American scene. We mean the new 1953 automobiles, which in many cases appear with new and much more powerful motors. For instance the new Lincoln (Ford product) has 205 horsepower, which is 40 horsepower more the 1952 model had. Cadillac will increase its power 200 and Chrysler will be forced to do the same. It is undeniable that there is a horsepower race among the auto manufacturers and some newspapers are already decrying this wholly unnecessary tendency. The larger cities already are anticipating longer lists of accidents. It is true that the cause of most accidents is not the auto, but the person behind the steering wheel—but why put even more effective weapons into the hands of those potential killers of whom we have already too many?

WIDESPREAD SPECULATION follows af fhe end of each year the question: who could be called the man of the year? In the field of American public life many are voting for General Eisenhower or for his former opponent. Governor Stevenson, some for lesser known personalities. In our American Hungarian Life we never tried to single out anyone this way. But, if were asked I would nominate without hesitation the late Louis Szántó, who although dead, still lives and will live for many years in the loving memory of all those, who had the good fortune to know this modest and great hearted man.

AND WHOM WOULD I NOMINATE as the “American Hungarian Woman of the year? Nobody else but that fine lady from Philadelphia, Pa., Mrs. Louis Uj- házy who suggested that the American Hungarian’s give blood in memory of the 100th anniversary of Louis Kossuth’s visit to the United States.

AND WHO WILL BE the man of the year for 1952 in our own Federation? Undoubtedly the one who gave to all us the most effective service during the year. Probably he never will be nominated by anyone, but we hope that whoever he might be will be around for a good many years to come.

TESTVÉRISÉG