Verhovayak Lapja, 1941. január-június (24. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)

1941-02-13 / 7. szám

Page 5 : H LET US BE GUIDED BY THEIR EXAMPLE February 13, 1941 TWO GREAT AMERICANS Verhovayak Lapja Sunkist Southern California By ALBERT STEINMETZ In today’s article the “sunshine of California” will be missing, but I am 1 hoping that it will return next month. What do I mean? Just read on! There are many people to whom the very mention of “Sunny California” sounds like magic. I, as well as any sensible man, will echo the warn­ings of California’s officials and Chamber of Commerce, tourist bureaus; that while attractions for tourists are unlimited, anyone seeking employment is advised not to come to Southern Califor­nia, as natural attractions have already drawn so many ’ capable, experienced people : that even the present de­mand is more than satisfied. True that Horace Greeley advised: “Go West, young ' man, go West!” But that was scores of years ago. Today—I am in the know— you take a big chance when you leave your home to seek a new one out West. Yes, there may be quite a few who do find employment here in certain lines of . work (especially in Defense industry now), but they have had some local help,, a good friend to get them work, or some other “pull.” Take Hollywood for ex­ample. How many talented young folks (both sexes) come here with high hopes, and perhaps with a few hard earned dollars in their pock­ets. The majority of these talented would-be stars have already heard that it’s tough to get into the movies, but they take that chance any­way. Once they arrive in Hollywood their cash soon dwindles. They must eat, they must live, and very shortly they find out that the studios are fenced in with very high walls, and there’s not gate crashing to be done, talent or no talent. You may think that you’re the tops, but there is al­ways at least another per­son who is better than you are. We have the finest musi­cians here, great artists, actors, craftsmen of all types, dress designers, danc­ers, entertainers, etc., but believe you me, many wish that they had never taken the chance to make Holly­wood. Once they’re here they lose faith if they can’t find some sort of employ­ment. Many try to get on relief if they can get it (?). Some would work for a few miserable dollars, try to keep their courage, earn enough to go back home. Many good boys and girls, broken in spirits, become bad boys and girls. Perhaps this helps to explain why Los Angeles has an unen­viable reputation in crime. Many of these former good boys turn to hold-ups, petty larcenies, automobile thefts —yes, even to murders, while many beautiful and former good girls make the dives of the slums, becoming “B­­Girls,” stopping men in beer saloons for drinks, etc. To prove that this is not just idle talk, I refer to a recent clipping from a local paper. It is the 3d Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, July through September, 1940, issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Quote: “Los Angeles led the na­tion, or placed second in thefts of all kinds. Although only 5th largest American city in population, Los An­geles placed first in numbers of burglaries, first in grand larcenies (over $50), 2d in petty larcenies, in robberies and in auto thefts.” To give you partial sta­tistics: Burglaries: (1) Los Angel­es 2,487; (2) Chicago 2,474; (3) New York 1,958. Grand Larcenies: (1) Los Angeles 1,139; (2) Chicago 990; (3) Detroit 295. Petty Larcenies: (1) De­troit 7,388; (2) Los Angeles 6,107; (3) New York 4,555. Robberies: (1) Chicago 1,240; (2) Los Angeles 506; (3) Detroit 469. Auto thefts: (1) New York 2,872; (2) Los Angeles 2,017; (3) Chicago 822. Los Angeles was far down the list for murders and aggravated assaults, statis­tics showing: Murders: (1) New York 89; (2) Chicago 73, (3) Philadelphia 33; (4) Los Angeles 19. Aggravated Assaults: (1) New York 715; (2) Cihcago 409; (3) Detroit 297; (4) Los Angeles 147. All these crimes in 3 short months. WHEW! So it is not all roses— and sunshine—even here in Sunny California, as you can readily see. I’m not in a very rosy mood when I write these facts, but we all must remember that good comes with bad. O, if we could have a “Shangrila” here on earth—a crimeless, trouble­less, diseaseless place in which to live! Facts are facts, and be­cause all of these were in my heart, I felt "that I must write the whole truth, Sun­ny Southern California as is, good and bad. I promise to discuss the good side of Sunny California again in my next article, after spread­ing this gloom today. Just one more serious set­back to Los Angeles County is the reckless driver. Never elsewhere have I seen so many crazy, reckless drivers in my life. Here is the record of deaths by automobiles in Los Angeles County, for 1940: 1026 (and many thous­ands injured). . (Think! those of you that do not as yet have any life insurance.) They blame poorly lighted streets, etc., but in many cases I should blame “poorly lighted minds” and careless “full of spirits” heads at the wheel. I dare say many “killer-drivers” were let go and never held. At last local press and police authorities are awak­ening and already cleaning up vice, and are trying to curb death on the local highways. May they do a good job and succeed! ATTENTION! VERHOVAY MEMBERS OF NEW YORK COME ONE!! COME ALL!! FREE ADMISSION! THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO THE VERHOVAY EVENING SOCIAL Sponsored by THE YOUNG HUNGARIAN AMERICANS Of Branch 394 AT OUR NEW VERHOVAY HOME located at 231 EAST 77th STREET, NEW YORK CITY Tel. RHinelander 4-9180 EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAY of the month MUSIC! - REFRESHMENTS! DANCING! - GAMES! - GLEE CLUB! Please be sure to attend. ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE RESOLUTION: More Attention to the English Journal

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