Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
September 24, 1947__________________________ VerflOVCty Journal PAGE 3 THE CONVENTION STORY (Continued from page 2) After a few seconds the chairman announces that Frank Molnár rewarded the Association with TEN APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP! Fervent applause greets the announcement and, of course, the devoted donor. * * $ The Committee of Appeals, having: adjourned for the day, enters the asembly hall. A few seconds later the members of the Committee of Expenses return, too. They are ready to make their report which is heard immediately by the assembly. The Per Diem Fee Issue. The Committee recommends that each delegate be paid a fixed fee of $250.00, regardless of the duration of the Convention, and traveling- expenses. It recommends further that the Convention vote $18 per diem fees for those on official missions. Its final recommendation is that extra pay for traveling time in excess of 8 hours be raised from $1.25 to $1.50 per hour. Chairman Kolozsvary announces that the Board of Directors, at their last session, adopted a resolution recommending that the members of the assembly be paid a flat fee of $125.- 00, regardless of the duration of the Convention. He puts the two motions before the assembly for discussion. The fees of the delegates always had been one of the biggest issues at every Convention. This one is no exception. The first really stormy debate of this Convention is about to develop. Some delegates recommend a flat fee of $200. The recommendation of the Board of Directors has hardly any followers on the floor. It soon develops, however, that the principle of the fixed fee is not favored by the assembly. The best argument against this principle is put forward by a delegate who points out that if the Convention should conclude its business in short order, the delegates, receiving either of the higher amounts recommended, would be1 accused at home of having robbed the Association. Another good argument is that those having to travel several days would be discriminated against as they would receive the same amount as the representatives living nearby. More and more speakers arise recommending that per diem fees be paid. Some recommend $18, others $20, $22 and a few even $25. Chairman Kolozsvary is hard put to maintain order. The first signs of tiredness appear on his face. Still, he is firm. He explains the recommendations, overrules the more excited elements and struggles hard to drive the asembly to a decision. The question of flat fee versus per diem fees is put to a vote. The fixed fee principle is defeated by 83 votes against 59. But it is impossible to proceed further. Which of the per diem fees is to be adopted cannot be put to a vote, or, rather the votes cannot be counted. It is way past five o’clock. The party having rented the hall for the evening already is waiting at the door. Finally, the chairman gives up and the meeting adjourns with the first big issue of the Convention left pending-. The delegates leave. The matter is discussed by everyone. Most of the observers seem to agree that the Convention will vote in favor of a $26 per diem fee, that recommends- ) tion being the most generous one. However, we are a bit doubtful about their conclusions. Somehow we feel that these delegates will not take an unfair advantage of their position . . . Tomorrow we shall know . . . The Third Day. No one is absent from the plenary session on Wednesday, September 10th. The meeting is called to order by chairman Kolozsvary who still shows signs of exhaustion from yesterday’s stormy battle. He is determined, however, not to let things go out of hand. Firmly he lays down the law. The debate had been closed last night. There will be no discussion, nor will any new recommendations be accepted. The matter on hand is ready for a vote. Still, some persistent delegates manage to be heard on matters of order and urgency. But the session is surprisingly calm. The delegates seem to have made up their minds. They will not stand for any dillydallying. Secret ballot? No need for that. They are not afraid to vote openly. Roll call vote? The motion fails due to lack of support. A commendable attitude. The vote is taken. Order prevails throughout the procedure. The recommendation that the delegates be paid $18 per day receives only 17 votes. Fifty delegates vote in favor of $20, while 31 vote in favor of each the $22 and $25 proposal. The second recommendation having received the highest number of votes, the delegates shall receive a per diem fee of $20 for each day of the Convention. The chairman’s ruling is accepted with applause. There is no debate. There are no challengers. Everybody seems satisfied and happy. Not a trace is left of yesterday’s turbulence. Peace prevails. The recommendation of the Committee of Expenses that a* $18 per diem fee be paid to those on official missions, is adopted smoothly. Why two dollars less than the delegates are to receive? No one seems to know, but the decision of the overwhelming majority is calmly received. Youth speaks up. Vice-President Charles Young requests the privilege of the floor. He wishes to present a resolution adopted by the delegates representing the second generation membership. He steps to the microphone and starts to read the Resolution in Hungarian. The American delegates supporting the motion arise in a body. It is an impressive presentation. Charlie is a grand guy but he is handicapped. His Hungarian is good enough for everyday usage, but the formal and intricate text of the resolution has him flustered. As he concludes, the second genera tion representatives take their seats and a request is made from the floor that the resolution be read for the second time. Chairman Kolozsvary makes a few humorous remarks. “It seems’’, he says, “the young folks are in too much of a hurry to bury the older generation, even though we are not quite ready yet to de-WOMEN 3852 YEARS OlD-OOYOy SOTER THESE HINNY fEEUNSS? du« to this functional ‘middle-age’ cause? suite from hot flashes, nervous Irritability and weak, tired, hlgh•tanmf f aaUngs-then da try Lydia aßfdfaG.GfyrtA/wttCi 1. Ptokham1» Vegetable Compound to relieve such symptoms. This great medicine is /amotu for this] Taken regularly—Pinknamo Compound helps build un resisto ance against such Inladle-ag* distress. Thousands have reportsi benefltl IV» also a m*no«tto maohig tons. Worth syta#. VlOITABLV CAMROUND part . . However, he grants that the second generation delegates must have had some serious reason for taking this action. Therefore, he requests Dr. Kovats, a member of the group, to read the Resolution again in order that the entire body may clearly understand its contents. Dr. Kovats proves an excellent reader. He makes a well emphasized presentation, repeating some of the more significant passaged. As he concludes, the entire body applauds . . . The Convention is favorably impressed by the first concerted action of the second generation delegates. The text of the Resolution follows: “We, members of the second generation American Hungarians, respectfully submit the following resolution for acceptance by the honored Convention. WHEREAS, we, representatives of the American branches, having been duly delegated to represent such branches, have come to this Convention to fulfill a duty, WHEREAS, such representation having been given to us by the older generation whose wisdom and foresight anticipated that a time would come when they no longer would be here to guide us, WHEREAS the older generation having always indicated their desire to advance qualified members of our generation to ultimately replace their elders in this organization, and WHEREAS the rights and privileges thus given to us have been adopted into our by-laws to wit: “In the English speaking branches only those members of the respective branches who are American born, or who have received their education in American schools and speak the English language fluently are eligible as District delegates”, THEREFORE, we, the members of the second generation, hereby resolve that such rights and privileges shall never be taken away from us, THAT such rights and privileges are part of our heritage and if jeopardized by any resolution of this Convention all our efforts made in the past for the advancement of the Association would be nullified. 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THEREFORE, respectfully ask this Convention to uphold and adhere to its bylaws and not to effect any changes in its provisions pertaining to the second generation membership, by which we would suffer loss of any of those rights and privileges which are held dear to us. We ask for a vote of confidence. This vote will reinstate the shaken confidence of our group.” There is no objection to the principle of the Resolution ivhich is unanimously carried by the assembly. Tremendous applause follows the adoption of the resolution re-affirming the rights and privileges of the second generation membership. Still, many of the Hungarian delegates wonder what prompted the action of the second generation representatives. We have a hunch that a test case is imminent. Any experienced observer knows that the presentation has been timed . . . A Memorial. Chairman Kolozsvary announces that the newspapermen attending the National Convention have presented a memoria! to be read to the assembly. Secretary Uray reads the memorial in which the representatives of the press assure the Convention of their benevolent interest I in the procedures. They pledge their wholehearted support to the cause of Veaiiovay fraternalism and its (Continued on Page 4)
