Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)

1947 / Verhovay Journal

September 24, 1947

____________________ Verkovay

THE CONVENTION STORY

(Continued from page 4.)

long delay. Never before in the history of the Verohvay has the task of the Committee of Appeals taken up three full days. A very serious situation must have developed, and he urges the assembly to patiently await the developments.

Not all of the delegates are of the same mind. Some demand that an ultimatum be sent to the Committee demanding that unless they complete their task within the hour, they be recalled and the case be adjudged by the Convention. Moderation, however, prevails in the end. Let the Committee conclude its task.

While waiting, chairman Kolozsvary requests George Szecskay, Hungarian poet from Pittsburgh, to address the assembly. A letter from delegate John Demko is read. He requests the Convention to remember the 50 th anniversary of George Szecskay, as a writer and poet. It is only fitting that the delegates of the Verhovay pay an appropriate tribute to this man who has been the founder of Branch 87, Passaic, N, J., and for many years an officer of the Association. Chairman Kolozsvary conveys to Mr. Szecskay the good wishes of the Verhovay membership and, then, Alexander Gondos is heard. Mr. George Kémény, the foremost poet of Hungarians in America, is congratulated upon his election to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Still no news from the Committee of Appeals. The delegates realize that one Committee may as successfully block the Convention as if all of the delegates had been assigned to committees.

Finally, the meeting is called to order by the chairman. The report of the Board of Directors is next on the schedule of business. Óf course, only those parts can be discussed which do not require the presence of the entire assembly. Still, some progress is made.

Hungarian Relief.

It was to be expected that the directors’ report pertaining to the actions of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., will give cause to some discussion. A member of the New York delegation objects to the withholding- of the monies contributed to the support of Hungary’s orphans. He feels that such action by the directors of the relief movement is contrary to the sentiments and intentions of American Hungarians. He demands an explanation of the reasons because' of which these monies had not been forwarded.

Supreme President Mr. Bencze explains that the directors of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., are acting in accordance with an agreement made between them and Mrs. Tildy. The funds will be forwarded as soon as such request will be made personally by Mme. Tildy.

Some objections are raised in reference to the expenses inaprred by the meetings of the directors of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc. Mr. Bencze, Supreme President, and Mr. Kunstadt, chairman of the Auditing Committee, volunteer information which is satisfactory to the assembly.

The trip of director Falussy is discussed. Strong objections are voiced by several representatives. Mr. Bencze replies: “The Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, when voting $25,000 toward the support of the Hungarian relief movement, urged through the Verhovay Journals all American Hungarians to join us in rendering aid to the unfortunate people in Hungary. There were many,

however, who maintained that the relief shipments will not be distributed impartially, and that some of the most needy groups of the nation will be discriminated against. We felt it w-as our duty to find out whether or not these relief shipments had been distributed in accordance with the instructions of the Hungarians in America. Director Falussy had been appointed to go to Hungary, there to secure as much dependable information as possible concerning this problem of vital importance. Mr. Falussy returned with the assurance that the relief-shipments had been distributed, without discrimination, among those in greatest need of immediate assistance.

One of the delegates criticizes the report of director Falussy that had been printed in the Journal. In his opinion that report had little, if anything, to do with the reliefmovement. He feels it has harmed and obstructed rather than benefited the relief movement.

Mr. Falussy arises to the challenge. He makes the following statement :

“The delegates knoio very íveli that I went to Hungary as a member of a committee of three. This committee issued a detailed report acounting in full for every cent that had been sent to Hungary. In the Verhovay Journal I have described ONLY MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. You know, also, that we have created a reliefcommittee in Budapest and that this committee had been charged with the distribution of future relief-shipments. This committee is entirely independent of all influence by the azithorities. All this has been included in my report. If the fellow-member has not read it, I am sorry.

I was entitled to a per diem fee of $15. This I have accepted. Hoivever, a room in a hotel in Hungary costs $8.00 per a day. Meals run as high as 8 to 10 dollars per day. I do not expect to be paid for what I had to spend in excess of my per diem fees. But since it has been brought up on the floor, I will admit that this trip has cost me personally more than $1.400.

The journey to Hungary has not helped my health either. I have lost 15 pounds. It took me some time to recover.

1 went to Hungary because I had been sent by your directors. I related my experiences in the Verhovay Journal because T felt it my duty to do so. Had the delegates seen what I have seen they would understand why I feel as I do.

.4s the chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., I attended many a meeting. For this, too, I receive a per diem fee of $15. I never mentioned it before, but since it has been brought up on the floor, 1 am telling you

Journal

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that I alivays have handed these fifteen dollars over to the Hungarian orphans' fund, as soon as I received it.

And note—there are some who tell you that I had made a pleasure trip to Hungary?! All 1 can say is: I thank you!"

A tremendous ovation folows the bitter words of director Falussy. It is a demonstration of absolute confidence. All objections are silenced. A fully convinced assembly approves this part of the Boar-d of Directors’ report.

The “overpaid” Marine.

There are some cheerful moments, too. The fact is mentioned in the Board of Directors’ report that Supreme Auditor John Sabo was called to the colors before he could assume his office. He spent more than three years in the Pacific theatre of war. One pf the delegates arises to ask: “Did Mr. Sabo receive his salary as a Supreme Auditor while serving with the armed forces? Because there are some rumors to that effect . . .”

Hilarious uproar interrupts the speaker . . . everybody laughs . . . and that’s as good an answer as the unanimous exclamation, “NO”!, by the members of the Board of Directors.

The action of the Board of Directors to have the portraits of the hero dead members of the Verhovay made by artist Hugh M. Poe and- presented to the next of kin, meets with the wholehearted approval of the entire assembly.

Thanks are voted to the officers of both the Workingmen’s Sick Benefit Federation and the Verhovay

F. I. Association for effecting the merger of the two organizations.

Promotion in California.

Great interest is evidenced for the directors’ report pertaining to our promotional activities in California. The report of the Board states that results have not come up to expectations. Several quesions are asked from the floor. Delegate Alexander Gyulay, recently resigned District Manager of California, is requested to explain the reasons of what the directors’ report terms “disappointing results”.

Mr. Gyulay makes a splendid speech. Describing the truly appalling difficulties he had to face when entering an entirely new territory during war-time conditions, he concludes asserting that the results are anything but discouraging. The assembly is very favorably impressed. Prolonged applause follows his fervent plea for the continuance of our promotional program in California.

Mr. Bencze is requested to speak of the possibilities in California. He affirms Mr. Gyulay’s statements and assures the delegates of the future success of Verhovay’s program on the west coast.

The assembly, by unanimous resolution, charges the Board of Directors to be elected with providing for the continuance of promotional work in California.

A wire from the First Hungarian Club of Homestead, Pa., is read.

The assembly resolves to hear Dr. Tibor Kerekes, secretary, and Emery Király, treasurer, of the American Hungarian Federation, on Friday morning at 10 o’clock. A discussion of this matter shall follow afterwards.

It is 5:30 P.M. No news from the Committee of Appeals, except that they may be detained for another day. A disappointed meeting adjourns for the day . . .

The Fourth Day.

One of those sticky, stifle, humid

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days of which Pittsbu\gh has become famous. Unfortunately, the delegates are banned, for the second day, from the air conditioned English Room. The Gold Room, in which the session is held, is much smaller and hot! The assembly hall is packed.

Chairman Kolozsvary calls the meeting- to order, roll call is read, the Minutes are heard and approved. Greetings are received from Branch 45, from the former Manager of District 11, and from Branch 14, whose members express their appreciation of the honor of the Convention chairman having been elected from among their delegates.

The discussión of the Board of Directors’ report is continued. The matter of the Verhovay homes is on the table. Why has the Detroit Home been sold ? Because the branches could not cooperate. The Detroit branches are assured that if they are willing to work together in peace, and a suitable building is found, the profits realized from the sale of the former Verhovay Home will be turned over to them as a gift by the Board of Directors.

Why has the Cleveland Home not paid more toward the reduction of its indebtedness? Vice-President Szalay replies that business was none too good, which is too bad. Let’s hope things will pick up.

What about the legal controversy in which the Hazelwood Home had been involved ? That has been amicably settled at last.

The explanations are satisfactory and this section of the directors’ report is approved.

A motion of urgency presented by the group of American delegates demands that the Committee of Appeals be recalled in order that plenary sessions may be held. The appeals shall be heard in the evening hours. The motion is adopted" — but it seems doubtful that it will be carried out as there are rumors that a decision is imminent.

What happened to the dividends?

The report of the Board of Directors states that dividends had been declared last year for the first time since 1943. The Board regrets that the dividends had amounted to much less than expected by the membership.

The main reasons of the passing of dividends for two years and the subsequent reduction of dividends at the end of 1946 were: 1.) the revaluation of the reserves of all 4 and 3V2% membership certificates on the 3% American Experience Table, as required by law, which made it necessary to set aside a reserve of $400,000, 2.) the requirement of the Insurance Department that dividends be computed on a scientific basis and 3.) the increase in the costs of management.

Mr. E. T. Knodel, Actuary of the Association, appears before the assembly and explains the matter of dividends in great detail. Folowing his lecture, numerous questions are asked from the floor which he answers with scientific thoroughness. It develops that dividends may be derived from three sources: a.) savings resulting from a lower than expected mortality rate, b.) in(Continue on page 6)