Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1944 / Verhovay Journal

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May 11, 1944

THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND--------------------- BRANCH 430 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Verhovay Journal

By

P.F.C. William C. Kohut

Familiar Pittsburgh Scenes:

The Hungarian Professional Society of Pittsburgh continues to present outstanding programs to

Hospital in Atlanta, Ga„ and studied some phases of surgical work as it applied to his work in the medical corps. After three months of schooling in the hospitable South, he returned to his original station, Camp Knight in Oakland, California.

During the early part of April, Pfc. Lou Horton was home on furlough and was lucky enough to meet up with his brother home from the Navy. They had a nice

ts members and friends; programs p eeting. Lou writes me from Camp

that are different and unique in their make-up. Only the finest kind of cooperation among the officers and members make this progress possible.

On the 29th of April at the YWCA Metropolitan Headquarters on South Dithridge Street, the Society presented another extremely worthwhile evening to its members and their friends. Mr. Joseph

G. Bercsi talked about Gasoline and its manufacture, while Mr. Ottmar Von Fuehrer, Staff Artist, Carnegie Museum, used as his theme "Through Oil Lands of Europe and Africa; Italy, Hungary and Rumania.” Two motion pictures obtained from the U. S. Dept, of Interior, Bureau of Mines, were shown. One of the pictures dealt with the manufacturing of gasoline from beginning to end, while the other showed various scenes from European capitals and oil centers. The performances of Mr. Bercsi and Mr. Von Fuehrer were excellent.

Later in the evening, the musical portion of the program was presented. It featured Sándor Feigler, violinist who played RESIGNATION by Charles Daacle Opus 59. He was accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Joseph G. Bercsi.

* * *

Another bond drive is in the offing, and the Western Pennsylvania Hungarian War Bond Committee will once more reach and pass its goal. We’ve all got to help by purchasing one additional bond. It will bring victory that much sooner. Our Verhovay organization will be far more active in this bond drive than it has been in past drives. As I understand it,-the organization is in this drive body and soul.

MILITARY VIEWS:

My good friend, Johnny Rotz sent me a V-Mail from England recently. He writes, “I am now stationed in England and from what I have seen so far I can truthfully say this country is really beautiful, Bill.” "Bill, I’d appreciate the paper very much. I haven’t seen the Verhovay paper for a long time.” I’m sure going to do my best to get a copy to you occasionally, John. Congratulations are due you, too, on becoming a "Sarge”.

The ole desert fox, Captain Steve Nemeth is at it again, and this time he is spending much time out at Camp Erwin, California, right in the heart of desert country. I’m not quite sure just what his duties are, but I guess it has something to do with the shifting of the sands. That elusive fifteen day furlough is just around the corner for Steve and Alice and one of these fine days they’ll be surprising us with a Homestead appearance.

Dashing, young Eddie Kepes of Sq. Hill, now a Pfc. in the U. S. Army, medical corps, spent some fifteen days at home during the month of April. For a while he was stationed at Lawson General

Shelby, Miss. "I sure did have a very nice time while home. Was terribly shocked to hear our priest (Rev. B. Ivancso) died. He was a swell fellow, too.”

A special delivery from an old friend, Stevan V. Szabó, from merry England was happily received some months ago. He is with the Salvage Depot there and considers his work fairly interesting. He writes that his trip overseas was comfortable and that he didn’t experience the unpleasantness of seasickness. Steve, before his term in the Army, lived at 1107 McClure Street, Munhall.

A nice letter came in the early part of this week from Supreme Auditor John Sabo U. S. Marine, stationed at a Marine Air Base down South. John is moving right along in his work as a Marine and should be in the midst of new developments shortly. I’m quite sure John will leave nothing lacking whenever he tackles a difficult Marine problem.

HOMESTEAD CHATTER:

The sudden and surprising death of my close friend and confident, Rev. Basil Ivancso, pastor of St. Elias Magyar Gr. Cath. Church of Homestead, Pa. on the 18th of April proved quite a shock to me. After being closely associated with him for the past ten years, his sudden departure was difficult to accept. It was but yesterday that I sojourned at his vineyards near Tokay in Hungary, and underwent that strenuous climb to the top of the "Kopás” with his son, Miklós.

He laid in state in the church until Friday, April 21st, when his burial took place. Some fifty odd priests along with his cousin, Bishop Basil Takach, and the entire congregation took part in the burial services. He was laid to rest in St. Elias Cemetery, a burial ground that he so efficiently had put into excellent.condition during the past few years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. E. Ivancso here in Homestead, and one son and two daughters in Europe.

* # *

After spending a month at the Springfield Army Air base in Springfield, Illinois, where her husband is serving with the U. S. Air Force, Mrs. Sumner Marshall, Jr. returned home. However, her stay at home was cut short by a quick trip to the hospital and an appendectomy operation. I visited young Mrs. Marshall, Jr. (Gloria Thomka) while she was at the hospital and found her improving rapidly from the effects of her operation. Now I understand she is home and making plans for the near future when she will be able to move about as in the past.

* * *

I was immensely pleased at the response to our call to meeting at TOM’S CANDY SHOPPE, 8th Ave., and West St., Homestead, last April 21st. Quite a few members stopped in to take care of their premium deposits and quite

a nice meeting was held. The next meeting at Tom’s will be held on Friday, 6 P. M. to 8 P. M. sharp, May 19th. Please arrange to be there if you have premium deposits to make.

* # *

Here is the latest up-to-the minute list of Branch 430 servicemen: Stephen Black, Arpad S. Chontos, William Chontos, Paul J. Fedor, Joseph J. Hasak, Jr., Louis Horton, Joseph J. Kasmer, Julius Kasmer, Jr., Stephen Kasmer, Edward L. Kepes, John H. Kertes, Bill Kohut (yours truly), Edward A. Kurucz, Michael Kurucz, Jr., Ernest Ladanyi, William Lewis (Lajos), Frank M. Lengyel, Bill Murdzak, Bert A Nagy, Louis J. Nemeth, Stephen A. Nemeth, John T. O’Brien, Joseph M. Orosz, Dr. L. T. Sabow, Emery Sera, Frank A. Sherman, Andrew N. Timko, Robert Zelleznick and Johnny A. Katrincsak. Exactly twenty nine members or roughly twenty-five percent of the Branch is serving Our Country. Yes, a nice record indeed.

IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS

"Go West, Young Man,

Go West”

The recent decision of the Board of Directors on expansion obtained at their meeting in Pgh. on March 18th, 1944, is worthy of note. It appears to me as though the facts and figures presented by Al Steinmetz in his column “Sunny California” sometime ago have borne fruit. A1 campaigned for sometime for an expansion westward into prosperous California but his appeals fell on deaf ears; but now the story is different. We’re expanding until we’ll cover the United States completely with branches in every state. Another method of expanding which we shouldn’t overlook is in the servicing our public with different type policies, and different types of insurance, i. e. health, accident and hospitalization. The last mentioned type has been requested by many of our policy holders as well as non-policy holders.

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The English edition of our Journal now comes under the watchful eyes of our good friend and member, Rev. Farkas \V. Rettman. The good Reverend is well known in newspaper circles and should very efficiently handle this delicate task. His predecessor, Miss A. Nyers, done extremely well considering the cooperation given her by those surrounding her. I am quite sure that I ,as well as my fellow contributors, will be happy to work with Rev. Rettman in the publishing of an outstanding English edition. However, it is always with a great deal of satisfaction that I recall the very efficient and outstanding newspaper work performed by our mutual friend, Albert Jozik.

* * *

When the Board of Directors inaugurated a new system in distributing the Journal effective January 1, 1944, they inaugurated a period of discontent and unpleasantness among the huge Verhovay membership. If they were to venture forth today and inquire from the members about their receiving the Journals, English or Hungarian, they would run into a hornet’s nest. For the past four months, the system has been a complete failure and deliveries either are made one week late or not at all. Complaints reach me

Page 5

from California, Washington,

C. and other stations. Many o» our boys in the service are no. receiving the Journal due to the new system. I thlak it high time that steps be taken to eliminate the complaints and bitterness caused by the introduction of this new system of distributing the Journals. It has not worked and therefore needs revision.

(NOTE: Kindly see editor’s note following this article.)

* # *

The Verhovay is to be commended for the last few articles on the American Hungarian Federation and its role in the present world conflict. Articles such as these not only enlighten many of our older members but also clearly outline for the benefit of the thousands of young members Hungary’s position and stand in this great conflict. They also throw light on the activities of the organization duly chosen to re-, present American citizens of Hungarian birth throughout this land of ours. There are many smaller organizations, churches, etc. who do not own membership in this great organ of Hungarian solidarity. Now is the time to join the American Hungarian Federationand further your cause as well as the cause of your fellow man.

* # *

There can be little doubt that Adm. Nicholas Horthy, regent of Hungary is held prisoner by the Nazis. His freedom at this time is entirely out of question, which is regrettable. His firm opposition to Hitler and his designs on Hungary led to his downfall, but we hope not for long.

* * *

Cutouts: “Shiner wants turtles deferred”—those two turtles at bottom of the mash barrel, the mountaineer moonshiner explained to raiding deputies, were "essential employes.” They stirred the mixture while he attended to other duties.” — Paul Lukas recently celebrated his 16th wedding anniversary and presented his wife with a locket carrying the inscription: "For service far beyond the line of duty during 16 trying years.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE.

We have received many complaints because of the mixup in the mailing list caused by the introduction of the new system by the Board of Directors. Tne difficulties of our readers are fully appreciated, however, and the situation already has substantially improved since suggestions were offered pertaining to this matter in the Official Announcements of the April 13th issue of the Journal.

Again we urge all branch man agers who hear of any difficulties in this regard, to request the mailing list from the Home Office. The branch manager will kindly check the mailing list and note after each name and address whether the member should -receive the English, the Hungarian, or both Journals. As soon as the mailing list is returned, it will be corrected according to instructions, ending all further cause for complaint.

We are sure that our membership appreciates the substantial saving that resulted from the introduction of the new system. There are many English-speaking members who have no earthly use for the Hungarian Journal and vica versa. By sending each member only the Journal he desires to receive we save something like

20,000 copies and hundreds of dollars every month. So, please, let us know your preference; everyone will receive the Journal he prefers, or both of them if so

and there will be M4

lore trouble.

The other matter referred to by Jur contributor, Mr. Kohut, per tains to the late arrival of the

Journal. We must ask our good

members to BELIEVE us that this situation is due to circumstances entirely beyond our control. The English Journal as well as the Hungarian issue are mailed always on the same day, even at

the very same hour.

We believe it will further the understanding of the situation on part of our readers if we take a little more space her.e to explain the entire procedure followed ia the publication of the Journal.

The Journal is set, proof-read and stereotyped at the shop of the "Associated Hungarian Weeklies” in Detroit, Mich. That work is finished by Tuesday evening preceding the date of publication. The printing itself is not done in .the same shop but is sublet to another company which works with immense machinery that turns out a Journal the size of ours IN A SINGLE HOUR. Naturally, that company does not print the Verhovay Journal alone but SEVERAL SCORES of newspapers and magazines. A certain time is allotted to each newspaper and magazine every day and every week. Since the Journal is printed in about an hour, that much time only can be allotted to it, and that hour is part of a necessarily strictly observed working schedule. The completely finished stereotype af the -Journal is delivered to the printing company every other Wednesday at the same hour; th* printed paper leaves the press 0« the same day, always at the same hour. It is immediately returned to the "Associated Weeklies” which, again, is a company that turns out a score of weeklies so that it, too, works on an hourly schedule. After the finished Journal has been addressed according to the schedule, it immediately goes to the Post Office where It also arrives every other Thursday morning at the very same hour There can be no delay in any phase of the entire procedure because rt would offset the entire schedule of the involved companies which would almost amount to a major catastrophe.

The delay occurs AFTER the Journal has been accepted by the Post Office. The Journal is a "second class matter.” “First class mail” has the right of way and second class matter is handled only after the first class maii has been disposed of. The Post Office of the United States does a marvellous job under very trying conditions. Everyone knows that the Post Office is overloaded today, and that the increased load is handled by reduced personnel. Hence the delay suffered by »II kinds of “Second” and "Third Class Mail.” Therefore, as far as the date of delivery is concerned, no improvement can be hoped lor until the termination of the war So let us blame the Japs and Nazis for our Journal troubles— what long hands those fellows havel—and until victory comes let us simply accept the fact that in war-times delivery will be mad. only 3—4—5 or 6 days after publi cation depending on the distanc and other factors that contribute to the delay.

THE EDITOR

Evil is a fact not to be explained away but to be accepte, not to be endured, but conquered It is a challenge neither to ou reason nor to our patience, bu to our courage,

—-John Haynes Helm*D."esired,