Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
1 fJL_________________________Verhovay Journal INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS ON HUNGARIAN RELIEF WORK M CANADA ALBERT STEINMETZ California Reporter It was my good fortune to attend the Canadian-Hungarians United Relief .Asociation’s second yearly conference held in Hamilton, Ontario, on June 16th. Knowing (something about the American Relief work in general, I was anxious to see what the Canadian-Hungarians are doing. First of all, I learned that there are about 60.000 Hungarians in Canada—scattered from coast to coast. Ten months ago they united and since then their motto is “Unity to Help.” The Canadian government granted them a charter to collect for the War-torn Hungarians on March 31st and from April 1st to June 16th, within V/?_ months, they collected ^ a total of §60.628.00, of which they have already spent §48,300.00 for I million multiple Vitamins, 1 million sulphathyazole, 30,500 bottles of Viosterol, • 11,450 packages of Nutrin, 7 tons of Pablum baby food, 1 billion units of penicillin and 10 thousand pairs of army shoes. These •have already been shipped from Canada through the Red Cross. It is quite some deed — from the Canadians—in such a short time, ft would mean aproxi mateiy §1.00 per capita for the Dominion’s Hungarian population. Who else did this in the United States? In any one state? The Conference was orderly and well attended by 244 delegates from Winnipeg to Montreal, and about 100 special guests, including yours truly from the U. S. A.—Los Angeles, that is—I was given the floor and gave them the Verhovay’s and my own warmest greetings and best wishes for continued success. My brother, the Rev. Charles Steinmetz, Pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church, did the introduction and the mention of the Verhovay in connection with my visit there. Highlights of the Conference were—the nearly 100% re-election of officers including Mr. Bert Tőrök, President and Rev. Charles Steinmetz, co-president. They elected 9 vice-presidents and a lotal of 69 officers throughout Canada. * September 15th was set aside for a nation-wide Women’s Day *—in all localities—all moneys collected on that day will be specially earmarked for the Hungarian Children of Hungary. Adopted unanimously and cabled at once in my presence was the following resolution: Tu The “Big ,Four” Foreign Ministers’ Peace Conference. Paris, France. Gentlemen:—--Canadian Hungarians of all religious, cultural and political organizations, -numbering _m ore than, fifty thousand souls, are united and legally chartered by- Ottawa to give all possible aid to the war-destitutes of Hungary through the Red Cross Societies of Canada and Hungary. ______ —Today, on the 16th of June, 1946, 244 delegates, representing all of the Canadian Hungarians from. Coast to Coast are gathered together to hold their second annual conference in the Royal Connaught Hotel, in the City of Hamilton, Ontario. Now, as one I Body, they arc hopefully and I eagerly are turning their attention to the Peace Conference in Paris. The Hungarians of Canada learned with deep regret that the Foreign Ministers’ of the Big Four, meeting in Paris were unable to reach an agreement. Had an agreement been reached the world would have been closer to total peace and a definite opportunity for a democratic development would have been provided. We feel that such an opportunity is the only n cans of enabling Hungary to r ie from the ruins of war and to build and maintain a living structure of peace. With the reopening of the conference, the Canadian Hungarians earnestly hope that no difficulties however great will at this time lead to the postponement of a just settlement for Hungary among other Nations. It is commonly known that liberated Hungary has done everything in her power to redeem herself and prove her faith in the democratic way of life. This has been clearly shown by the _way _in ..which .minority groups -Within -Hungary -have been assured their equality and their political, cultural, religious and economic freedom. They call on the representatives of the Big Four to guarantee that Hungarian minorities receive the same just treatment Wherever they may be situated. They respectfully call the attention of the Representatives to the conditions under which Hungarians are at present existing in Chechoslovakia. They submit that the Six Hundred Thousand Hungarians in Chechoslovakia are being deprived of any opportunity to profit by an example of the democratic way of life. If such a guarantee can be provided they are hopeful that a reciprocal agreement in the matter of boundaries between Roumania and Hungary in Transylvania can be worked out. They would also hope that a just and lasting settlement in such instances as that of the City of Sopron would be effected. In view of the present dangerous economic conditions in Hungary, they strongly support the Hungarian Government in its request for the return of goods and funds that are at the present being held in Austria and elsewhere—All of which is re spectfully submitted on behalf cf the Conference—with the assurance of our confidence and good wishes. Very sincerely yours, BERT TÖRÖK, Pres. CANADIAN HUNGARIANS, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! Keep up the good work. Help now while the need is great! POSTSCRIPT BY THE EDITOR: A few remarks, partly in the way of a reply? seem to be in order. Albert’s highly gratifying report ought to cause some deep thinking. According to modern estimates, there are more than half a million naturalized Hungarians in the United States, not including their native descendants. Were they to match the generosity of the Hungarians in Canada, the treasury of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., should have received more than $500,000—during any period of 2% months cf its operations. We have before us the First ANNUAL report of the Relief Treasury, covering the period from April 1, 1945 to March 31, 1946. During this period a total of $323.523.39 were received in cash and an additional $211,038.- 95 worth bf clothes, medicaments, food, etc. Since the Canadian report deals only with cash, we can use only the first figure for purposes of comparison. This figure represents an average donation of 50 cents per capita during the ENTIRE YEAR. Thqt means that during any period of 2% months, the American Hungarians _ in the U. S„ contributed an average cf ONLY TEN CENTS per capita. It should be remembered, however, that the Hungarians in the U. S., generally speaking, are far better off than- their Canadian brothers. Yet they gave TEN TIMES AS MUCH as the American Hungarians in the U. S. On the other hand, we find SOME comfort in the fact that there are Hungarian settlements in the U. S., where the slogan “Unity To Help” is followed. In those settlements we note results that are far higher than those attained by cur Canadian brethren, and that is. as it should be. The spirit of Unity to Help prevails in. several Hungarian settlements, small and great alike. Ampng the small ones we mention with pride the Relief chapters operating in Star Junction, Pa., Alliance, O., and Phoenixville, Pa., whose donations to the relief movement average $10 per capita during the peried mentioned. Los Angeles, Cal., New York, N. Y., Buffalo, N. Y., are among the leading cities with similarly generous contributions to their credit. These settlements prove that there is nothing wrong with the American Hungarians in the U. S., and that excellent results can be attained among them, provided that the SPIRIT OF UNITY in relief-matters prevail. It is proven by these settlements, furthermore, that the spirit of unity in relief-matters prevails only in chapters where there are leaders who have the confidence of the public. The results -achieved in these chapters can be matched anywhere in the United States, provided the leaders as well as the public forget their religious, political and party differences, thinking of nothing but the undeseri bable misery of the Hungarian people. If that were the case all over our country, the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., could report FIVE MILLION DOLLARS instead of the miserly $323,523.39 contributed so far. Undoubtedly, .Canadian Hungarians have their political, religious and social convictions just as much as the American Hungarians in the United States. Their real achievement, therefore, lies in the establishing cf unity in relief-matters. American Hungarians in the U. S., ought to appreciate and follow the marvelous example of Canadian Hungarians. We can’t ^fford to play power-politics with the very lives of our kin in Hungary at stake! A brief report should also be given in reference to the cable sent to the Big Four Conference in Paris. During the middle of June the Prime Minister of Hun-July 10, 1946 PREPARED The book salesman knocked at the door of Mr. Jones’ house. “Nothing today,” said Mrs. Jones, firmly. “But, madam,” he insisted, “I have something here that is bound to interest you. “The Husband’s Friend, or Five Hundred Reasons for Staying out Late.” “What makes you think that book would interest me?” asked Mrs. Jones, angrily. “Well,” said the salesman. ‘T sold a copy to your husband on his way to the station this morning.” * DON’T WORRY! The wife of an almost bankrupt businessman said at breakfast: “Will you post this letter for me, dear? It’s to the jeweler, countermanding my order for that $5,000 necklace. You’ll be sure to remember?” The eyes of the harassed businessman lit up with jcy. He seized a skipping rope that lay with some dolls and toys in a corner and said to his wife: “Here tie my right hand to my left foot to help me remember.” * MORONS A Hollywood producers received a story entitled “The Optimist.” He called his staff together and said: “Gentlemen, this title must be changed to something simpler. We’re intelligent and know what an optimist is, but how many of thise morons who’ll see the picture will know he’s an eye doctor?” *■ NOT NOW Gruff father (to son): “Why don’t you get out and find a job? When I was your age I was working for $5 a week in a shop, and at the end of five years I owned the shop.” Son: “You can’t do that nowadays.They have cash registters.” TIME NO OBJECT TO DRUNK A policeman came along and said: “What’s the ide? Move along.” “Sh, s-sh,” said the drunk. — “This ish where { live.” “Then why don’t you in?” “Los my key.” “Why don’t ring the bell?” _ “I rang' it an hour ago.” “Then ring it again.” “To hell with ’em. Let ’em wait.” * FREE TRANSLATION A man was killed by a train near a country village, and an inquest was held. The jury consisted of villagers unused to such proceedings, and the ccroner, wshing to be helpful, advised them to bring in a verdict of “felo-de-se.’ Having retired to consider their verdict, some argument arose among the jury as to what the coroner meant. The foreman soon settled the difficulty. “This eorener chap,” he explained, “knows what he’s talking about. He’s had these jobs before. It he says the dead man fell in the sea, he fell in the sea.” A few minutes later the jury filed back into court, and the foreman announced the verdict, “Found drowned.” * * PAYS TO BE CLEVER A minister and his wife were discussing two men who were in the news. “Yes,” said the minister, “I knew them both as boys. One was a clever, handsome fellow; the other a steady, hard worker. The clever lad was left behind in the race, but the hard worker —well, he died and left $300,000 to his widow. It’s a great moral.” “Yes,” replied his wife, with a smile, “it is. I heard this morning that the clever one is going to marry the widow.” gary, Ferencz Nagy, and three members of his cabinet, visited President Truman and the Government of the United States in Washington, D. C., for a discussion of the problems facing the Hungarian nation. With a sense of deep gratitude to the Government of the United States, we are happy to report that their request for the return of the funds and goods held by the U. S., in Austria, had been granted. That, together with an additional lean to be granted, assures the stabilization of the Hungarian currency, now . worthless (the rate of the dollar being today over two trillion pengoes), and the reconstruction of ec.nomic life in Hungary. The happy news was broadcast to the Hungarian people by transatlantic radio by Ferenc Nagy, prime minister of Hungary LIKED HIS FOOD PROPERLY SALTED “This food tastes terrible. Did you salt it?” “Yes’m, but I never used that brand before. It was called Epsom Salts.” * CAUSE FOR EXCLAMATION Doctor: “Wait, you’re too quick. I didn’t tell you to say ‘ah’.” Patient: “I knew. I just caught ,'i glimpse of your nurse.” * A man was accused by a friend cf insulting the minister by asking him to pray for his floating kidney. “Why that was no such a insult! What’s the matter with askin’ him to pray for a floatin’ kidney? Las’ week he done prayed for the loose livers!”
