Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)

1943-10-14 / 42. szám

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g&ge *_______________________ Verhovayak Lapji*

A VISIT TO THE NATION S CAPITOL

A Business Man In Washington

== By STEPHEN HUZIANYI ---(Continued)

CM the Gotham Limited I found myself going over the schedule of officials with whom I was to confer. In common with the many business men converging on Washington from all over the country, I wondered how my mission would fare in this maze of government offices and agencies.

The next evening the train pulled into the Union -Station in Washington. The Union Station, at the intersection of Massachusetts and Delaware Avenues, is a monumental structure. Its massive columns and arches, its proportions and dimensions are an impressive gateway to the Capital City.

My attention was arrested by the many hundreds of men in the uniform of the army and navy, coming to and going from the trains.

Going out of the station, I could see the Capitol not far away, with the magnificent dome. Washington was planned by Major L’finfant, the skillful French engineer to whom this city owes its picturesque and spacious arrangement. I believe the Major would be astionished to witness the amazing development of his plans and layout for the nation’s capital.

It was sultry, with the humidity above 90 degrees, and I now turned my attention to getting a taxi-cab to take me to my hotel. The thought of a reserved room made me feel somewhat relaxed, because I was forewarned in Chicago of the overcrowded situation of hotels in the capital, and had prepared for my stay.

While there were over one hundred taxis, there were hundreds of people watiting to get a ride, for they load each taxi that goes out, each carrying a sign such as “Dowtown Hotels”, “Connecticut Avenue”, and so forth. Many people were in the same predicament as I, because you invariably wait for the taxi to fill up, with passengsrs going in your general direction, before it starts. My hotel, the Wardman-Park, was some 7—8 miles distant, and there weren’t many passengers going that way so I had to wait a bit. After what seemed like hours several people, going in my direction, got into my taxi.

The streets are as crowded as Chicago’s State and Madison Streets on a Saturday afternoon, only that the traffic in the capital seems to move more rapidly. And the Avenues are broad and of a dignified planned appearance, trees lining them on either side.

But let me tell you something of a visit to the government buddings and the spirit prevalent among the people there. I observed this closely the next day and on ensuing days when my business calls and appointments were made.

Take, for instance, the area where most of the government buildings are situated. The fact is self-evident that just about everyone walking on broad, tree-lined Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, or on Jefferson or Washington Drives, is a government employee, who goes quickly and quietly about his business. Not much attention is paid to the passer-by. Somehow you sense a feeling that these men are important in their work.

Now let me mention, as an example, a visit to one of the so-called Temporary buildings. These buildings, painted a sort of grey and of pre-fabricated construction, are a block long, mostly two stories high, with wings extending back towards the opposite street. As I approached the building from one side, I noticed a sign pointing the way to the “Visitor’s Entrance.”

Several- armed guards stood in the vestibule. I was asked

STABILITY PROGRESS

Careful, conservative and sound Investments assure the STABILITY of Verhovay’s furds and securities, thereby giving full confidence to members and prospective members.

Verbovay’s encouragement and promotion oi social movements within and among its branches is in keeping with the spirit of true FRATERNALIS M.

With its assets making sizable gains yeai after year and its membership increasing by leaps and bounds. Verhovay sees before itself a definite future which spells PROGRESS.

SOCIABILITY rather than frowned upon Is regarded as essential to the well-being of Ver hovay life and activities.

SOCIABILITY FRATERNALISM

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VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

345 FOURTH AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA.

to register in an adjoining room. Six to eight girls there were registering business men who came from all over the country to discuss their problems with the particular division of the War Production Board that is responsible for certain phases and regulations of their plant’s war production. At the time about 20 men were being registered, and so I stood in line. My identification was complete when my name was taken, credentials shown, company name, and an “X” entered in a square alongside “brief case,” and the time of my arirval and whom I wanted to see. The young lady, telephoning the gentlemen with whom I had made my appointment on the previous day, clamped a “Visitor’s” badge in the lapel of my coat, and directed me to my destination.

I entered upon a discussion of my troubles with the official and the ascociates to whom I had been referred. They explained that it took a while to trace certain forms I had sent for processing a:-.d authorization. While the check-up was being made a good many problems were discussed relating to the mechanism of the Controlled Materials Plan, under which most all war plants are operating. In this way, the business men who come to the WPB are appraised of the problems of the government.

Still other problems to be ironed out were referred to another division having jurisdiction over the matter. A particular official was contacted by -telephone. I was assured that he would discuss my case and see that proper authorization was given. To him I went and found after an hour’s talk, that the forms were located and that the analysts would process it and authorize what I had requested.

It was similar to my visits to other governmental buildings. Most of these are situated in the same area, near the Capitol, extending for many blocks away. Some of these buildings are known as Temporary “R” Building; Temporary “E” Building; Temporary “O” Building; Temporary “V” Building; and so forth. There is no air-conditioning in them, such as in the new Social Security and Railroad Retirement buildings, and I found it pretty warm.

All in all my visits to the many government buildings left the impress-ion in me that the government officials in the main were certainly exerting all their efforts toward helping business men along with their war production problems, ironing out the socalled kinks, and explaining thoroughly what can and what cannot be done under the WPB regulations, conservation and limitation orders. And it was these various questions that I had ironed out to my satisfaction, my appeal also being authorized by the Appeals Board, in the shortest possible time.

The main objective of the War Production Board is to see that no one tries to hamper the production of tanks, guns, planes and ships for our fighting forces.

With the main business at hand satisfactorily concluded, I had a little time to visit with officials at the War Department, in the Pentagon Building, Arlington, Virginia — which is a short ride across the Potomac River from Washington, D. C. As I rode the taxi, I took the opportunity to observe the scenery in naturally beautiful Rock Creek Park, which led through several underpasses, and along a scenic and historic route.

As I neared the building, standing alone in the distance, with hardly any other building near it, I looked at a massive structure. It wasn’t a skyscraper; only a building about 4 stories high, but very long, having 5 sides, as its name pentagon indicates.

Several large parking areas were noticed, some thousands of cars and large busses, which transport employees in the building to and from Arlington, Va., Alexandria, Va., Washington, D. C., and other cities.

Once inside the building, I saw a block-long vestibule, several registering desks, numerous armed guards, and a drug store almost four times the size of any in Chicago. The building is air conditioned. The errand boys could be seen on three-wheeler tikes chasing among the corridors, on their way to far off departments, delivering mail.

At the registration desk I had to wait until Major Whitney, with whom I had the appointment, sent an escort, as otherwise there is no admittance to the inner offices. There is this one entrance for visitors, with about 10 doorways, and 2 armed guards to each, who search your brief case.

There are 7 cafeterias in the building, and one officers’ dining room, where I had the pleasure to dine with Maj. Whitney and Lt. Corona. I was told that there are about 30,000 officers and civilians working in the Pentagon. It is a city of its own, with various entertainments and amusements provided by the people who work in it.

This constituted almost the only diversion of the trip to the capital, but was thoroughly enjoyed by me. When I left for home with the successful conclusion of my business with the government, I felt that all was well with my country and that the close cooperation of companies such as I represented and the greatest government in the world makes for an unbeatable combine ihat will direct not only our future but that of the world.

pay for insurance when you can't afford to take a loss.

October 14, 1943

THE

MAIL-BOX

Louisiana Maneuvres Sept. 24, 1943, J

Verhovay Journal 345 Fourth Ave.

Pittsburgh, Penna.

Dear Editor:

You will remember me as the “Lovable Love Lyrics’* poet (I hope). But poetry is the last thing I think of now. i ■'

Just wanted so say “Hello”, and ask you to send me the Journal; also a few back copies, if you don’t mind. Thanking you, now, I am

Militaristically,

Pvt. JOE VARGO.

■--------------v--------------- -BRANCH 361 Cleveland, Ohio

The Verhovay Ladies’ \ Branch will sponsor a Benefit Party, October 17 J in the Verhovay Hallj Buckeye Road. Half the profits will be turned over to the Committee collecting for ambulances. |

We ask all members to please be interested in this affair, and to bring their friends, as this is a worthwhile cause. All are invited. We are soliciting for hostesses, and would like to have as many as possible at our Party. Please call Mrs. Vassy at SK-3162, if you would like to be a hostess.

Fraternally,

Mrs. JOHN PHAN, : Chair-lady, ‘ Mrs. LOUIS VASSY, Co-Ghair-lady. a --------------v--------------- |

BR. 366 MEMBER * WOULD APPRECIATE SUPPORT

I am a Verhovay member of Branch 366, ClevelandJ Ohio. Recently, I was nominated for councilman of Ward 16; and, am now running for election Nov. 2. I ask all Verhovay Members in the ward to please support me for council. :

In 1933, I was one of the | organizers of Branch 366;! I am also the publisher of the Buckeye and Woodland Hills Press, 8917 Buckeye Road. I am of Hungarian descent. j;

I have always been acitvs in branch activities at the Verhovay Home on Buckeye Road. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Fraternally yours,

JACK P. RUSSELL.?