Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. július-december (23. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)
1940-08-29 / 35. szám
Paee 8_________________________Verhovayalc Lapja Random Notes On An Eastern Trip STATE FRATERNAL CONGRESSES August 29, 1940 By STEPHEN HUZIANYl Oh Sunday evening, July 21, [ stepped from the train at the Pennsylvania Station, Pittsburgh, to be greeted by Albert Jozik, whose guest I was to be at his McKeesport residence. Since my visits were mostly with Verhova y members, Albert suggested I make a brief resume of the trip. The genuine Magyar hospitality end generosity on the part of Mr. Jozik. and that of his kind patents, are worthy of the highest praise. They spared nothing to make my visit a most pleasant memory, one which I shall always lecollect with joy and gratitude. Through Mr. Jozik I had the pleasure of meeting personally a number of Verhovay members and contributors to our Journal and, believe me. I was impressed with Iheir calibre and their active personalities. * * * MONDAY, JULY 22 My tour of sight-seeing included McKeesport, Pittsburgh, Duquesne, Braddoek and other towns. A close friend of Mr. Jozik, Francis Carroll, very kindly took us about in his car. Mr. Carroll showed me every consideration possible, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. I am no less indebted to Uif hospitality of young Mr. and Mrs. John Flaherty and Miss Germaine Oeler. also friends of Mr. Jozik. TUESDAY. JULY 23 In the early afternoon I had the opportunity to see Mr. Da i ago, our Supreme President, and discuss matters with him. A fine person, Mr. Darago has a high regard for Verhovay youth, and expressed his desire to see the young members carry on the work of the founders of our organize fi Oil. It was also a pleasure-to meet Mr. Janossy, assistant editor of the Magyar Section of our Journal. in the eveuing, McKeesport Branch 395 held its monthly meeting. presided over by Elmer J. Halas, I attended the meeting in the company of Mr. Jozik. It was gratifying to see such a progressive branch, truly a credit to the Verhovay name, and the par liamentary yet friendly procedure in which the meeting was carried on. In dwelling on the entry o. the Chicago Hungarian Young Peoples Club into the Verhovay as Branch 503, as well as on its social and athletic activities, it was mv privilege to convey to Branch 295 the sincere wishes and fraternal greetings of Branch, 503. Some of the officials and mem hers whom I had the pleasure oi meeting that evening included President Elmer J. Halas; Secjé(ary Julius Lenart. Margaret A. Kovács; June Stoyka, Helen “Pinky” Coydan; Ethel R, II;las. Alex Mészár, Jf.; Stephen Dobos; Margaret Kanyusik; John Sabo, Jr.; Libby Norman; ‘ Marie Sand: Helea Ganyu; and Alexander J. Coydan I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Halas, President, and to Mr. Lenart, Secretary, for their kind words as to lily contributions I shall .endeavor to coma up to their estimates of my work, though it will be a task, to say the least. (John Sal»o, Jr., who lives in Wilmerding, Pa., and who is an ardent, supoovter of the Journal. was to have arranged a large party for the following Sunday— with Magyar music played by real gypsies—to be held, at his resi dence. Unfortunately, I was not .then in the Pittsburgh area and could not avail myself of this promise of a good time. This is the only regret I experienced on my trip.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 2f A discussion was held in Pittsburgh with Denis C. Kurjak, who had recently returned from Finland, w here lie had served in the Russo-Finnish War as an officer in the Finnish SISU .brigade. At the Arrows Photo Studio (the Kurjak headquarters) I met Edward Kiírjak, an official of the Vertovay Overseas Club; Barna Kurjak, the photographer, and his family; Frank Bacsó; and others. The welcome accorded me at the Kurjak domicile is typical of Magyar brotherhood. Towards evening we motored with Edward Kurjak to New Brighton, Pa. Mr. Jozik accompanied us, as it was the purpose of this visit to pay our respect to and visit Miss Helen Vestrocy, regular contributor to the Journal. Miss Vestrocy and her parents were most cordial. A visit was then made to the neighboring Blalio family, where we met Miss Helen Blalio. the singer of the Y'ouugstown program. Our profound thanks go to both families for tlieir graciousness. THURSDAY, JULY 25 It was a sweltering day and a warm evening, but this did not prevent a gathering of young men at the Kurjak studio. The Arrow' Photo Studio was the scene of friendly arguments and debates wherein participated just about every one present. Discussions in' eluded history from Arpad's time to the present blitzkrieg era. Denis, Barna and Edward Kurjak were the excellent hosts. Others sitting in at this session included Albert Jozik. Stephen Black. Joseph Brevak, Frank Mihok, Frank Bacsó, Ernest Erdeky and Alex Goydan. FRIDAY, JULY 25 There was a steady downpour in McKeesport towards evening, thus detaining for two hours Mr. Jozik and this writer from a supper engagement at the Erdeky residence in Pittsburgh. Never theless, Ernest and Kalman J. Erdeky were very induigent about our tardiness. There, in a most delightful residence reminiscent of an ancestral Magyar mansion,, supper was served to the group assembled, which included Mrs. Ernest Erdeky, Miss Yolanda Erdeky, Ernest Erdeky, Kalman J. Erdeky. Dennis C. Kurjak -and Stephen Black. William Kölnit, a Verhovay gogetter of the first rank and Barna Kurjak arrived later in the evening to join us in our discussions. It was a pleasure to meet Mr. Kohut, since we had already formed and carried on a literary friendship. SATURDAY, JULY 27 The Kurjak brothers took me to their large farm in North Washington, Pa., about 55 miles north of Pittsburgh. The trip took us through some mighty nice scenery, natural beauty prevalent among the Pennsylvania mountains. Several days were spent here, outside our returning Sunday evening to Pittsburgh to meet Reverend Disimachek, who was to be at the picnic sponsored by his parish. But the Reverend had already left the grounds when we arrived rather late in the evening. We went back to North Washington. There Denis and J spent our time in walking about the beautiful wooded land of the Kurjak property. Returning to McKeesport on Tuesday evening, Mr. Jozik had a schedule yet to be filled. We went to visit the Halas family, paying our respects to Mr. and Mrs. John Halas, who had done considerable work for the completion of the Hungarian Room at the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31 I took leave of Mrs. Jozik, whose residence was a home to me during my slay. A very dear friend of Albert Jozik, Leonard Mendlowitz, journalist, then drove me to Pittsburgh. A final, parting word was had in the Verhovay offices with the most kind and benevolent Presi dent Joseph Darago and Secretary John Bencze; also Treasurer Michael Varga. Talk on various topics was had with Colomau Revesz, Auditor and the Editor of the Journal. We also discussed the betterment of the Journal. Mr. Revesz is ever obliging and cordial, both personally and through correspondence. Denis Kurjak, Barna Kurjak and Albert Jozik took me to the Pennsylvania Station where, in the early evening. I left Pitts burgh, homeward bound. I had fresh, pleasant memories to keep me company on the long journey westward. Thus I have in my mental album the reminders of not only those mentioned be fore, but also that of still others, particularly Alex Goydan and his kind mother. I will never forget their tireless efforts to make my visit thoroughly enjoyable. I could well continue the list of splendid people who gladdened my visit East, so I shall defer my appreciation of them to another time. Everybody was too good to me and, I must say, 1 was overwhelmed. BRANCH 157 SECRETARIAL NOTICE WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS I wish to make notification that Mr. John Kondrath resigned from the secretaryship of Branch 157, Waukegan. Illinois, on July 14, 1940, and that I, Mrs. Viola Hanson, have succeeded Mr. Kondrath as secretary of said branch. Hereafter dues are to be paid to me, and those wishing to discuss and be informed on Verhovay matters are to communicate with me. Please communicate with me in the ENGLISH language as I do NOT understand the Hungarian language. Fraternally yours, MRS. VIOLA HANSON, Secretary 157 624 Lincoln Avenue Waukegan. Tllionis. By E. W. THOMPSON, Supreme Commander The Maccabees We are ia firm believer in the State Fraternal Congress. When the first State Congress originated, does not seem to be a matter of fixed record, although we find that mention is made of a State Association in the state of New York and in the state of Ohio iabout 1896. Indiana State Fraternal Congress was officially founded in 1898, but it is a known fact that it existed several years prior to that date; in the early 1900’s there is mention of an organization in the state of Illinois; and Missouri seems to have had an organization as far back as 1895 from exhibits and records in the reports of the National E’raternal Congress of America. As tax legislation increased, proposing a tax premium income, the State Fraternal Congress increased in importance because of the value of its influence in preventing adverse legislation. In the National Fraternal Congress of America’s record of the session of 1936, the Honorable Bradley C. Marks of the A.O.U.W. of North Dakota, upon request of J. B. Baker, Secretary of the Michigan State Fraternal Congress, made a motion which was supported by E. W. Thompson, tliat a State Fraternal Congress Section be embodied in the laws governing the National Fraternal Congress of America, and the motion was unanimously adopted. This added significance to the State Fraternal Congresses, and seems to have acted as a great incentive for the creation of Congresses in states which formerly did not possess such an organization, and to have rehabilitated the states that had for several years Congresses in existence. We believe that it is a perfectly natural condition as time has advanced, that there should be a multiplicity of State Congresses, to successfully meet and combat the many complex problems in the several states in the way of adverse legislation. An organization of such character can bring much influence to bear upon state legislators in a more effective way because of their local character, than outside influence of a national or international organization. We are thoroughly convinced, that if there was nothing else to the credit of the State Fraternal Congresses up to the present time, except their successful combating of adverse legislation, that this in itself, would be sufficient to amply justify their existence. There iá no disputing the direct influence that they can. bring to bear upon legislators and state officials in favor of the interests of the fraternal beneficiary system. We would call attention to the splendid organization that some states have developed, like that in New Jersey for instance; where not only the fraternal beneficiary societies have been united in a Congress, but where the organized forces of voters has been extended to include all fraternal associations, including the fraternal benefit, as well as the social fraternal institutions. This organization of this great army of voters can exercise a powerful influence in behalf of the fraternal cause. We have been impressed by the social and fraternal possibilities of the State Fraternal Congress. For illustration, we can take n certain State Fraternal Congress which has a “get-together” meeting once a month, when they enjoy a banquet and sit around the festive hoard to discuss all matters pertaining to the well-being of the system. They usually have one or more good speakers on these occasions, of national or international prominence; these gatherings are well attended, and it has been the means of cementing into a fraternal fellowship all the fraternal interests of the state. In visiting the State Fraternal Congresses in the several states, I have been amazed on occasions, to note the exhibition of drill teams and the exemplification of the spirit of mutual rivalry in the various features of programming with adult, as well as with junior members, through organized forces of this character, in pointing the way for new avenues of social and fraternal activity, and for cementing permanently the good will and assurance of mutual cooperation of the forces of fraternity. These demonstrations are colorful, and instructive. In this class of public demonstrations and pageantry, fraternalists and the public are alike favorably impressed and made fraternal conscious. Nothing, in my opinion, can take the place of the well organized and directed State Fraternal Congress. They cannot function, however, without the support and financing of the various units of the national and international associations, represented in the National Fraternal Congress of America. We feel that they are of sufficient importance and essential service, that they should be given liberal support and lent every possible encouragement. (Unless all organizations represented in the National Fraternal Congress of America, are willing to support the State Congresses, they cannot prove as efficient and serviceable as they otherwise should be. We consider that they are the first line of national and international defense, and worthy not only of our favorable consideration, but of our undivided support.-------------O-------------DATE OF CHICAGO CHILDRENS DAY PICNIC MOVED UP The Family Basket Picnic, featuring CHILDREN’S DAY. scheduled originally to be held on August 25, has been changed by its sponsor, Branch 96, Chicago, Illinois, to SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 1, 1940. The event will be held ia Jurgensen’s Woods No. 2. Thornton, Illinois, and will begin at 10 A. M. Games and contests of various kinds have been planned for the entertainment of the children, and there will be free refreshments for the youngsters. Admission is FREE. FOLLOW THE ARROW TO THE VERHOVAY CHILDREN’S DAY PICNIC. --------------o-------------ECONOMY has frequently nothing whatever to do with the amount of money being spent, but with the wisdom used in spending it. —Henry Ford
