Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
I Page 2 Verhovay Journal June 12, 1946 MAGNIFICENT — SUPERB — UNFORGETTABLE! (Continued from Page 1) Ernest Kunstadt, Chicago, 111., Geza Perey, Cleveland, O., Lapis Tarcay, Cleveland, O., John P. Kelemen, Dayton, O., Bela L. Kolos, Detroit, Mich., Ernest Palos, Detroit, Mich., Andrew Barta, Lorain, O., Zoltán Szabados, Los Angeles, Cal., Charles Klein, Milwaukee, Wis., Hugo Kormos, New Brunswick, N. J., Adam Simon Jr., New Brunswick, N. J„ Frank Göndör, New York, N. Y., Laslo I. Dienes, Perth Amboy. N. J., Dr. Aurel Acél, Philadelphia, Pa., Andrew Fay-iFisher, Pittsburgh, Pa., Albert Fiók, Pittsburgh, Pa., Coloman Kaldor, St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Eugene Pataki, South Bend, Ind., Miss Gladys Orosz, Trenton, N. J., Anne Gerenday, Trenton, N. J „George Kemeny, oldest American Hungarian writer and poet of national fame, Edward Bohner, representative of the International News Service, and Henry F. Uettmann, editor of the Verhovay Journal. Following the introductions, Mr. Bencze paid tribute to the thirteen founders of the Association and to those of our, predecessors who had carried on the traditions established by these Hungarian immigrant miners in Hazeltcn. He told how the Association, founded with a capital of only seven dollars, developed into a national organization with 22,871 members ten years ago and 54,500 members today. Even though the Association started out with no capital assets at all, she never failed in meeting her obligations toward the membership and today, her position is more secure than ever before. With nearly 8 million dollars worth of assets, the Verhovay is today one of the strongest and safest fraternal societies. VERHOVAY’S STRENGTH Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz was the next speaker. Greeted by a great ovation, he began: “Wherein lies the greatest strength of the Verhovay? Not in that our Association has a membership of 54,500, nor in the assets totalling nearly eight million dollars. The secret of our strength lies in those one hundred eighty-eight fellow members who made the supreme sacrifice and to whose memory the Verhovay Building will be dedicated this afternoon. It lies in those men and women who as officers of their branches had proven the» leadership. It lies in the Michael Kovats Liberty Ship, the Verhovay Hospital train, the Pic, John Nagy ambulance plane, the 6,000 members who had served with the armed forces, the two million dollars worth of War Bonds owned by the Association, in our participation in and contributions to the American Hungarian Relief movement. These represent Verhovay’s fraternal record and in the loyalty of the Verhovay’s membership to the fraternal principles lies the secret of the great strength of our association.” Supreme Treasurer John Szalanezy, the next speaker, presented a highly informative report on the investment policies of the Association and the financial results obtained during the last five years. This report is printed separately in this issue and our feliow-members are urged to give it close attention. His explanations of this rather involved subject were heard with | great interest and helped the audience to appreciate the true magnitude of Verhovay’s success in maintaining an unusually high valuation surplus. VERHOVAY’S AIMS Deputy Auditor Mrs. George Lawrence Emma Phillips was called upon next. The warm applause greeting her was a tribute to her contributions as officer to the advancement of the Association since 1943. Parts of her highly instructive address follow: “In its varied activities the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association has consistently followed two distinct aims: first, to serve its members in every way and, seccnd, to give the best insurance protection at the least cost to its members. To emphasize the latter aim, it is easily understood that there is great neces sity for a department to continually analyze the operations of the organization as a whole. The auditing department is this watchdog, since it controls expenditures through the maintenance of records and preparation of reports and statistical information which enables the officers of the organization to properly know at all times just where the Association is heading. With the Association progressing from month to month, naturally, the detail work has increased. In order to enable our Association to fulfill its duties with greater efficiency and speed, a Remington Rand Punch Card System was installed upon occupancy of our new building. This system will benefit the Branch and District managers as well as the entire membership. This installation should be carefully reviewed upon ycur tour through the Home Office Building. Considering Verhovay’s services to our members, it should be noted that the Association has paid $1,819,098.61 in death benefits and $792,015 in disability benefits from 1941 until April 30, 1946. At the March meeting of the Board cf Directors it was voted to pay the full face value on certificates for war casualties. In other words, the War Clause Rider was waived. Our total disbursements for war casualties amounted to $148,700—for 188 members of which amount $12,- 089.07 represent payments to 12 beneficiaries for certificates containing the War Clause Rider. This was just another added feature of true fraternalism practiced by our Association. At our recent examination held by the Insurance Departments of the states of Pennsylvania and Michigan, the following Was incorporated in the report submitted by the examiners: ‘From ycur examiners’ observation of the conduct of the business, the association’s affair appear capably administered. Its assets are well diversified, the larger part thereof being of liquid nature. Provisions have been made for ail known liabilities. The association exercises due care and fairness in the treatment cf its members and their beneficiaries.’ The examiners’ report adds that “the Association is prompt in the payment of all claims.” Comparing the years of experience we find that our Association’s assets totaled $4.694,135—• at the end of the 55th year and during the period of the last five years they have increased by $2,959,923, giving a grand total cf $7,654,060. At the end of 1936 our membership was 22,871 members. During the last ten years net increase of 31,613 members was recorded bringing our membership total to 54,484 at the end of April. It can be noted, therefore, that We have made MORE PROGRESS during the past ten years than during the first 50 years of the Association’s existence. May I at this point mentien that during the contest just ended, 3,015 certificates were issued in the total amount of $2,408,450. As far as net increase in the membership is concerned, We fjnd that during 1945 we had a net increase of 1,000 members while during the first four months of this year we have attained a net increase of 1,192 members. Not only is our country passing through a period of reconversion but the Verhovay is doing likewise. During the past few months of this year over a hundred certificates were converted into either higher amounts of insurance or into higher classes. In addition to that, we find that many juvenile members are cancelling their termcertificates and replacing them with ordinary types of membership certificates. This type of reconversion is a great asset to our Association and certainly to the advantage of our Juvenile Order. With the foregoing remarks, it is again emphasized that the Verhovay F. I. Association is fulfilling in every way its distinct aims of, first, to serve the members in every way possible and, second, to give the best insurance protection at the least cost to its members.” Stormy applause rewarded our Deputy Auditor for her excellent report. OUR VETERAN SUPREME AUDITOR. An impressive demonstration took place when Mr. Revesz introduced Supreme Auditor John Sabo Jr., who having been elected to this office by the last Convention could not assume his duties because he had first to answer the call of his country. He entered military service on November 2, 1943, served with the Marine Corps and spent 14 monts overseas, in the Pacific theatre of war. He was honorably discharged just a few days, before the anniversary celebrations and made his first official appearance as Supreme Auditor on this occasion. When the thunder of applause greeting him abated, the Supreme Auditor extended his greetings to the assembly in Hungarian and then delivered the following address in English. “Ladies and gentlemen: I have been assigned' the task of summing up what the speakers before me had said. You have heard the inspiring reports of our Supreme President, our Supreme Secretary, Supreme Treasurer and Deputy Auditor. It is a source of great satisfaction for us to know that the administration of the Association is in such capable hands. I especially want to pay tribute to my assistant, Deputy Auditor Mrs. Phillips- Lawrence for the splendid way in which she carried on for me in my absence. At this time I publicly go on record expressing my thanks to the members of the Board of Directors who were so gracious in making it possible for me to return to my position at the conclusion of my term of military service with the United States Marine Corps. These gentlemen can always depend on my cooperation in the administration of our Association. The arm of the Verhovay is long and reaches far. In proof of this statement I would like to point out an interesting incident which occurred on the German battlefront. Two American soldiers became the best of friends when learning that they both were members of the Verhovay. This fact came to light when one of them' saw the other reading a copy of the Verhovay Journal. One of these two soldiers is my brother and the other the son of Mrs. Gal, manager of Branch 361 of Cleveland, Ohio, who is with us today as one of the contestwinning guests of honor of the Association. This little incident proves that no matter where you may be, you will always find members of the Verhovay. Verhovay fellowship meant much to these young men who were called upon to serve thencountry all over the world. They had received many inspiring proofs of the support rendered to them by the folks at the home-front. The Verhovay as a whole and the branches of the Association had made important contributions to the war effort and the morale of our armed forces. Encouraged by the wholehearted support by their folks at home, these men had carried on courageously and with determination until victory was attained. One hundred and eightyeight of our fellow-members had made the Supreme Sacrifice in this great struggle and as final tribute to their heroism the Verhovay F. I. Association is going to dedicate the new Home Office to their memory. Thus the Verhovay Building will always stand as a symbol of supreme loyalty and we who are working in that building, will be inspired by their example to fulfill our obligations to the full measure of devotion. In behalf of the second generation membership, I wish to express my thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to the older members of the Verhovay for making it possible to work hand in hand with you for the advancement of our organization. YOU PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE, and your planning is now bearing fruits. Unlike many other fraternal societies, you have made it possible for the young people to work together with you and, thereby, to learn what fraternalism means. We deeply appreciate the opportunity you afforded us and we want you to know that we will never fail you.” The Supreme Auditor’s words came from the heart and went to the hearts. The ovation following his address was a sincere compliment to the spirit of our second generation membership and their outstanding representative, Supreme Auditor Jchn Sabo, Jr. BRANCH-OFFICERS HONORED. In accordance with time-honored custom, presentation of the “Verhovay Acknowledged” title with the Silver Medal and the Citation was made at this occasion. Vice-president Joseph Szalay conferred the title to Joseph Bozsik, a member of Branch 71, Duquesne, Pa., whose services as branch-officer for more than a quarter of a century, earned him the recognition by the Board of Directors. John P. Kelemen, director, presented the award to John Toth, President of Branch 71 since 1931, whose valuable contributions to the advancement of that branch were given public recognition by this act of the Board. The third branch-officer scheduled for promotion at that time would have been Dennis Palfalvy, manager of Branch 452, Colliers, W. Va. He drove to Pittsburgh to attend the celebrations but due to difficult drivingconditions was unable to arrive in time. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS. Mr. Revesz called upon the Rev. Father Chernitzky, editor of “Our Paper”, an interdenominational weekly of New England clergymen. This grand old man travelled all night to attend the anniversary assembly, but due to pressing duties had to return to Bridgeport, Conn., the same evening. “I ought to say—said Father Chernitzky—what brides are expected to say: ‘This is so sudden . . .’ But I am happy to say a few words cf greeting to the members of the Verhovay F. I. Association which is closer to my heart than many of you would think. For I have known Verhovay, the man after whom your association is named, personally. He was a poor man, just like most of us, but through diligence, intelligence and determination he advanced and earning the confidence of his countrymen was chosen their representative in the Hungarian parliament. Therein lies the symbolic similarity of his life-history to that of your Association. I congratulate you to your success and wish you God’s blessings to your future endeavours.” « AMERICAN FRATERNALIST CONSIDERS THE VERHOVAY. Mr. Arthur S. Hamilton, Secretary and Manager of the Fraternal Monitor was then introduced and called upon to speak to the assembly. “Before leaving for your celebration of the sixtieth anniversary —said Mr. Hamilton—it occurred to me that it might be interesting to see what your society had done in the last ten years. I know you had made excellent progress. To me it was a pleasure to, find that between January 1, 1936 and January 1, 1946, Verhovay had doubled its stature. In spite of the world's most destructive war, steady progress has been made year after year. It reflects great credit on those who have the responsibility of managing its affairs and also on the loyalty and efforts of the local officers and members. As an old friend of the society I have seen a degree of team work that is an inspiration. That team work is the cause of this larger society and this beautiful headquarters. Let me venture the prediction that the next ten years will record another doubling of its business. I think that is a conservative appraisal of what you can do and I may be understating, rather than overstating. Here is what I found in comparing 1936 with 1946. The fact3 are from your official reports to our statistical books covering all (Continued on Page 3)
