The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1977-08-01 / 8. szám

August, 1977

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

Page 3

Béla Báchkai:

The Present Orphanage

$18,000 was collected for this purpose by László L. Eszenyi, controller of the Hungarian Reformed Federation. Fourteen young people applied, but of these, only two were able to pay full tuition. Seven would have required a full scholarship and the remainder a partial scholarship. So the dream of many died. Perhaps it would have had greater success if tried again later.

As long as we’re reminiscing, let’s consider what’s happened in Ligonier either directly or indirectly because of the Orphanage. In 1924, the first Home for the Aged was dedicated and Ligonier was on the way to becoming a gathering place for Hungarians in America. In 1967, the Bethlen Freedom Press was organized as a division of the Bethlen Home. Important new works like “The Ravasz New Testament” by Bishop László Ravasz, a translation of the New Testament into modern-day Hungarian, were published under the auspices of the Bethlen Home.

In 1974, the Bethlen Freedom Press was disassociated from the Home and, as a private firm, became Bethlen Press. With this change, came the birth of this magazine, the Eighth Tribe, for your enjoyment and to serve the American-Hungarian community. All these happenings sprang from the opening of the Orphanage over half a century ago.

The closing of the Orphanage, and many Hungarian churches as well over the past few years, should indicate the importance of this magazine to all of us as a means to remember the past, serve the present and build for the future.

S.E.C.

SECOND HISTORIC MARKER HAILS CALIFORNIA’S MAGYAR PIONEER

Ágoston Haraszthy

The fastest growing metropolis in all the United States, San Diego, now finally has a fitting monument that emulates its first elected official, Ágoston Haraszthy. It took San Diego only 75 years to reach a population of three-quarters of a million, having had only 17,000 people in 1900. But an ideal deepwater harbor predestined it to become the headquarters of our Pacific Fleet, and two World Wars hastened San Diego’s burgeoning growth to its present size, with another million living in its suburbs and environs.

Long a choice by admirals and other Navy “brass” as a haven for retirement, San Diego’s balmy climate also favored natural, scientific and industrial development unmatched anywhere. Balboa Park (named in honor of Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa, discoverer of the Pacific Ocean, who was executed in 1517 in a plot of jealousy) is a 1,400 acre midtown paradise of lush tropical vegetation, with an incomparable Zoo which draws tourists from abroad as well. A leading center of Oceanography, the Biological Institute of Dr. Salk, creator of the polio vaccine, are hut a few of the research facilities of universal importance.

Two world conflicts hastened the growth of San Diego’s industry to an unprecedented degree. Even the controversial B-l superbomber was to be built in its General Dynamics plant. But the timely Solor Division of International Harvester, also is located there. Burrows, Control Data, Honeywell, build computers based on Hungary-born “Johnny” Neuman’s principles. Bendix parts may he found in almost every automobile and airplane worldwide. Subways geared to 21st century conditions and already in operation in San Francisco and more recently in Washington, D.C., are products of Rohr Industries. And Lindbergh’s monoplane, “The Spirit of St. Louis,” opened up the skies for lightning-speed travel, thanks to the San Diego Ryan works.

Through the generosity of a Grand Old Lady, Mrs. Katalin Finta, of Los Angeles, the Hungarians of San Diego received as a priceless gift, one of the last masterpieces of her departed husband. It is a replica of the life-size relief, showing Haraszthy holding a cluster of grapes, with scenes of harvesting them both in the new and the old world; the original plaque