Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
May 30, 1945 Verhovay Journal Page 3 SUNKIST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECHOES By Albert B. Steinmetz Member of Branch 525 Circumstances demand more or less that I pick up my pen and continue my articles for my many readers and friends, for all indications point to the fact that a very busy future lies ahead for yours truly,—more so> since the Verhovay is now here in California, in fact. Very few people knew that I had to beg and beg the Verhovay Home office for six years—and even now, at the last meeting of the Board of Directors there were two “young directors” who had the “narrow-mindedness” to vote against the California expansion. I was more than surprised to read of these two gentlemen’s dissenting votes. And we always blamed the older type leaders of the Verhovay! I can assure the Verhovay Directors that due to their cooperation and “broadmindedness” they can expect much of Sunny California. The time has come to discard any attitude that we here in California, may be called belligerents or the type of people who may hurt our work here in the west. Those of you, “directorgentlemen” who have have never been in California, can’t even comprehend the work that we must do here — and how many of you know anything about conditions here? For nearly seven years I begged you: California is a virgin territory and the Verhovay must expand! Now the Verhovay is here. You want my help, you expect much of me. In turn I shall expect you gentlemen to cooperate with the future Verhovay leaders in the southland, whoever they may be. You lost much in the last six or seven years and You lost much especially during the last two years — but all that may be repaired for the benefit of the Association as a whole if You’ll have patience and confidence in us. You entered a new territory. The war is nearing to its conclusion. True fraternalism, true friendship and understanding is needed in this great metropolis. You, gentlemen back in the east, have no idea of what lies ahead of us here — work, work and more work. And this work cannot be mixed with politics, nor religious prejudices for these, in my estimation, would damage the cause of the Verhovay. We will have to sell fraternalism and not just promises — if we can do that, the Verhovay will be sold to many people. We cannot belong to any group in particular and if some prefer to do so, whether in the political or religious life, the Verhovay name, that of the Association, must be kept free from that. At least, that’s the way it’s going to be in California — or else, I’ll change my name. Perhaps this will be food for thought for the Verhovay in general. I mingle with the public, the people in general, both big and little. Here in California we all have one deep sentiment — and I must get that off my chest and you must print it as it is written if you want the Verhovay to succeed in California, and if you want the Verhovay to succeed all over the country. With the ending of the' war l see the approach of a New Era. Is the Verhovay prepared and ready to meet this New Era? We all can see the changes in this world. Why can’t we see then, that the average man and woman wants fraternalism, true understanding and the total lack of belligerency in each other? You sent Mr. Alexander Gyulay — your ace—organizer— to the south-land. He has a difficult task, especially now with tight gasoline rationing, Don’t expect miracles to happen at once, but don’t give up either! Look for big things to happen here in Verhovay circles . . . By the time this article sees print, the Verhovay membership here will be organized in two new separate branches, 524 and 52S. — I don’t know who will take over either branches’ active leadership. Whoever will, will have his hands full! I’m sure that even here in California we’re not supermen just hard workers. Personally, I think Mr. Gyulay is OK. I can’t say that I know him well as yet. He may have faults just as you and I. I like Verhovay Sportsmen of Branch 164 (Continued from Page 2) plant superintendant of the Richter-McCall Co. by the Public Printers of the United States for efficient work done in our war effort. Incidentally, Member Sabo is one of the advisors of our Jubilee Book which will leave the press before the summer is over. The American-Hung arian Relief with it’s three chapters in Chicago is doing it’s best to help the people of Hungary in their struggle for a new life. It is gratifying to know that members of Branch 164 not only take part in Chapter 43 but are amongst the leaders in the Central Committee of Chicago. Member Redlich is the Executive Secretary of the Central Committee while Member George Striker serves as the Recorder. Serving with the Board of Directors of the Central Committee are Secretary Kunstadt, Rose Topercer, William Feifar Jr. and Dr. Alex Friend. Member L. Barna and S. Ehas serve as members of the Finance Committee. Secretary Kunstadt and William Feifar are in charge of our Branch’s collections so please call on them and give generously. It is a part cf our war effort to help the unfortunate who felt the killing blows of our common enemies, the Germans and the Japs. Being a Publicity Agent for Branch 164 has no bearings to my yearly income tax report. My only compensation is my good will planted in my readers. Some times it works and sometimes it is a failure. The failures we like to forget but if one of my ideas goes over .that means more to me than any financial compensation. The $100 Bond Club in connection with our 7th War Loan Drive has started with a bang and it is gratifying to be able to add more names to my list of $100 Bond Buyers for the 7th War Loan Drive. My new members are the William Feifar Jr., Spieler, Adelman, BaczUrik, Petmore, Kunstadt Jr. Mervy and Kertesz families. We have many more pledges to buy bonds from members before the drive closes. I shall continue to print the names of the $100 Bond Buyers and the longer list I have, the better I’m going to like it. Because V-E Day has come and gone we must not let up now. The more Bonds we buy brings V-J Day that much closer and the day of total Victory when our boys will come home to stay. To help the boys that are over there. Buy, a Bond; Say a prayer. Just me, MARGARET STANGRET, Publicity Agent. 1427 So. Sawyer Ave. Chicago, 23, 111. him so far I promised to help him and the Verhovay all I can in my limited time, but I must also ask for Verhovay’s help. I am glad to report that Mr. Gyulay is working dilingently every day — and I shall tell you the truth about him and of the Verhovay work from time to time, regularly. I shall be glad to report item’s of general interest of the Verhovay members of the two new branches. Besides that, look for Special Scoop News. . . stories of famous Hollywood people as I met them and learned to know them. Look for a very-very special and highly interesting story, perhaps in the next issue already, aboift the famous movie star Béla Lugosi, to be followed later by one about the charming Miss Ilona Massey, and, if you wish, many others. Let me know your wishes. I might let you all know that yours truly was promised long ago that when the Verhovay comes to California, he would be the first to' sign up and so we wrote up Mr. Zoltán V. Szabados, e ditor-publisher of the “California Hunagrians”, our weekly newspaper. So it is with great pleasure that I announce him to be our first Californian new member in branch 525 of the V.F.I.A.— while Miss Helen is the first new applicant for membership in branch 524. More about these branches later and all about the old and new members of the Verhovay. Greetings to you from an old “stand-by” who is slowly being released from war-work and quickly being absorbed by Verhovay work, if you please. I am kidding — I still work long hours and the Verhovay comes after the 1 overtime. Priorities, You know. REMARKS OF THE EDITOR. Our distinguished columnist specified that his article be published “as is”. Because of the importance of the work going on in California and also because of the sincere esteem in which we hold our fellow-member Albert Steinmetz, his wish has been complied with. At the same time we find it necessary to append a few remarks in order to forestall the_ developments of- any “belligerency”- which may easily result from the sharply worded but well-meaning statements of our Southern California columnist. It is necessary, first of all, to explain the attitude of the two dissenting directors who were motivated by everything but “narrow-mindedness” of which they are accused by our distinguished columnist who, perhaps, forgets that he is as far from Pittsburgh than we are from California and that, as a result, he knows as little about our present difficulties as the directors know of the situation in California. It is our belief that the various views can be given jus tice without forming a detri mental judgment as to the motives that led either party to the opinions expressed. It was stated in the Minutes of the Board of Director’s meeting that two directors cast a dissenting vote because they felt that war-time conditions are not. conducive to success in a field just to be opened at that time. That was their sincere opinion. None of the directors disagreed as far as expansion of the Verhovay is concerned. The disagreement concerned only the time. The question is one solely of the budget of the organizing de partment and has nothing to do with the desire of the directors that the Verhovay proceed on the road of progress and expansion We feel that by making a defininte statement to this effect, our friends in California will be prevented from feeling that any of the directors discriminate against them. The second statement with which we want to go on record, concerns Mr. Steinmetz’s appeal that the Verhovay work in California must be kept- free of politics or religious prejudices. We agree with him wholeheartedly, especially when he adds that such course must be followed all over the country if the Verhovay is to be kept on the road to success. This editor feels that hhe raising of such a demand in itself casts a reflection upon the Verhovay. Especially so, because the Verhovay is the only nonpel itical Hungarian Fraternal organization which at the same time also fully adheres to the principle of religious freedom to the full extent of its meaning, namely that we concede that according to this principle our members have the full right to be also irreligious if such be their preference or conviction. I Such freedom is the essence of I the principle of religious liberty. \ The Verhovay accepts members I regardlesss of nationality or re- j ligion. The By-laws clearly ex-1 press that the Verhovay cannot | and will not limit its membership j to any one nationality or re-J ligious denomination. Naturally, we have convictions which are fully compatible with the essence of I liberty, we often express in editorials concerning important national affairs and historical events. But our convictions are. strictly confined to the tenets of the principle of religious and political liberty. The Verhovay does not belong to any particular political group or party. Out utterances on events of national importance are always expressed in a way which is in harmony with the principles of liberty and justice. The majority of the mem-, b er ship of the Verhovay hails from Hungary or descended from Hungarian immigrants. Therefore; we have a special interest in the» fate of Hungary. However, all we ask for Hungary is what wé enjoy here in this blessed land': Liberty and Equality. We never ask that such Liberty and Equality be granted to Hungary at the expense of any other, nation in the neighborhood of Hungary. For that reason, regardless• of what nationality many of our members may be, they can all agree with us on the truth of our convictions as expressed in our editorials. Ex-; ception to such agreement will come from, those only, who followj a nationalistic instead of the-; humanistic school of thought. 1Í The third and last statement; i which must be appended to MrA Steinmetz’s interesting article '■ concerns his appeal for cooper-: ation on the part of the Ver-fj\ hovay. In this respect let it bed clearly understood that thejj officers and directors of the Ver-%j hovay have never denied their cooperation to any of the mem-^ bers who by their efforts have^ j proven their loyalty to the cause'; of fraternalism for which thej-j Verhovay stands. Kindly observe paragraph 1 c of the General Provisions in the- By-laws which states: The seal;. cf the Association is a symbol cf two clasping hands in the $ center. . . This symbol stands': for something that is real. It means that the Verhovay will extend a helping hand to all, who work for the progress of the®] Association in the interest of the'ty membership as a whole, and'for the furtherance of fraternal g, thought. We assure our friends - in California that they will re- ] ceive all the help necessary. Let us add that we are deeply J grateful for the enthusiasm of Mr. Steinmetz and the Calif omia- Verhovayans. Wé assure them ■ that we are sincerely and deeply interested in their work and all news items will be printed faithfully. These “editor’s remarks” were unduly long but they had to be ' written in the interest of frater- ■ nalism, friendship and understanding which are as near to 3 our heart as to the loyal Ver- .. hovay heart of our good friend and fellow-member, Mr. Albert v Steinmetz. TO THE CONTRIBUTORS The next issue of the Journal will be published on Wednesday, June 13. Contributions for that issue should be in not ‘ater than Juae 6, Wednesday, Contributions should be typewritten, on one side of the paper on'y, double-spaced, and aot exceed 1200 words, o> 5,000 letters Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL. ENGLISH SECTION, 345 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 22, Pa.
