Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
VOL. XXIX. NOVEMBER 27, 1946 31 NO. 22 Relief Committee’s Report Reveals Conditions and Relief Committee Meets President of Hungarian Republic Needs in Hungary . . . The Board -of Directors of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., met in Ligonier, Pa., on November 11th, Monday, to hear the report of the Rev. Francis Ujlaky, President of the American Hungarian Reformed Federation, associate chairman of the Board, Verhovay director Aloysius Falussy, chairman of the Executive Committee, and Mr. Arthur Dobozy, secretary, of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., members of the delegation sent to Hungary t0 study the effects of the . aid rendered up to this time by the relief movement and the possibilities for facilitating operations to the end that the most urgent needs of the Hungarian people be met by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc. The meeting, originally called to Pittsburgh, was held in Ligonier, Pa., because of the hotelstrike in our city, but the representatives of the more than 100 active chapters from all over the country were notified in time and, as a result, all of the directors and officers of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., were present to hear the joint report of Messrs. Dr. Ujlaky, Falussy and Dobozy. The detailed and lengthy report was thoroughly discussed and the recommendations of the Committee to Hungary were unanimously adopted by the Board of Directors. Highlights of the report are quoted in the following. 25 DAYS IN HUNGARY “Your committee left on Sept* ember 21st and arrived in Budapest on September 24th, in the evening. Mr. Martin Himler was kind enough to drive us from Vienna to the capital of Hungary. Ours was not an easy task considering that we had only three and a half weeks’ time to spend in Hungary and our difficulties were increased by the lack of transportation facilities and other complications. However, we feel that we have succeeded in getting a sufficiently clear picture in order to enable us to make constructive recommendations. First of all, we visited the American authorities and had several conferences with Ambassador Shoenfeld, the members of the American Military Commission, especially Lt. Col. McClain, M. D., discussing the various aspects of the relief problems. A thorough examination of our Budapest office led to the conclusion that it had been managed correctly and in full accordance With our instructions even though it often was handicapped in its operations. Members of the various social institutions as well as the government authorities attested to the proper functioning of this office. Due to the low exchange value of the dollar, however, we found it necessary to reduce the running expenses of our office in Budapest by cutting salaries and discontinuing fees heretofore paid for the handling of Pennicillin supplies.'” “Our office functions in close cooperation with the Hungarian Committee of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc-, several sessions of which we had opportunity to attend. This Committee consisting of the representatives of the various secular and religious social agencies with the officials of the National Welfare Department and the City of Pittsburgh attending in advisory capacity, operates wih an awkwardness which is the natural result of such a set-up and, therefore, your committee emphasized at several meetings the necessity for greater efficiency in the distribution of supplies. Up to now the Committee in Hungary used lists prepared by government authorities, when distributing supplies. We succeeded in changing this practice so that hereafter the Hungarian Committee will be able to operate more independently, making up its own lists on the basis of data to be furnished by the authorities. We are convinced that there is need for an American representative in Hungary, authorized to act speedily and independently in matters of distribution and close supervision. At any rate, we have done everything possible to facilitate the handling and distributing of supplies.” AMERICAN RELIEF EFFECTIVE “Reports concerning the distribution of earlier shipments where released from time to time. Pennicillin supplies, taken to Hungary by your committee, are being distributed at the • present- We have visited the Penicillin Department of the Frigyesi Clinic and found that the supplies are being carefully administered. Present supplies will last until the end of the year. Approximately 40% is alloted to hospitals in other parts of the country. Production of pennicillin already has begun but prices being prohibitive, poor patients cannot avail themselves of this life-saving product. However, the pennicillin supplies of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., are available to them, free vóf charge. Of the food-products shipped to Hungary, baby-foods have been distributed lately, under the supervision of the American Military Commission, while other supplies are now being distributed by our Hungarian Relief Committee, among the institutions of Budapest and other cities. Clothing was given first to the inhabitants of Borsod county while supplies have arrived while we were in Hungary, are being distributed among the people of Bereg, Zemplén, Szatmar, Szabolcs counties, these parts of the country having suffered the most The historic event of the representatives of American Hungarians meeting the President of the Hungarian Republic is captured on this picture. President Zoltán Tildy, former pastor of the Reformed Church in Szeghalom, is seen shaking hands with the Rev. Dr. Francis Ujlaky, director Aloysius Falussy standing next, while Arthur Dobozy, third member of the delegati n, unfortunately does not appear on the picture. President Tildy presented director Falussy with an official letter to the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. The document, dated in Budapest, on October 17th, 1946, reads as follows: “In behalf of the democratic Hungarian Republic and the longsuffering Hungarian nation I extend to the members of your Association my thanks for the sacrifices they have made toward the Alleviation of the people’s needs. It meant much comfort to us to know that our brothers in distant lands sympathize with us and have done their utmost to help us in cur privations. The Hungarian nation shall never forget ycur brotherly helpfulness. ZOLTÁN TILDY, President of the Hungarian Republic.” in consequence of the war- In some exceptional instances, clothing was furnished to institutions in Budapest. We have every reason tó believe that the shipments of the American Hungarian Relief, Inchad contributed a great deal to the alleviation of the most distressing needs. Medical supplies, clothing and food sent by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., as well as by thousands of American Hungarians in gift packages, had more than material effect. This was well expressed by the Mayor of Miskolc who, referring to the distribution of clothing in Borsod county, said “The gifts of our brothers and sisters in America gave new courage to the Hungarian people. The will to survive and to rebuild the country took the place of despair caused the conviction that they had been forsaken by everyone. American Hungarians extending a helping hand across the ocean, not only helped to alleviate physical needs, but gave the people a spiritual lift, too, at a time when they, will need all their strength and more, for the approaching winter is awaited with undescribable anxiety." COMMITTEE COVERS LARGE TERRITORY “We had opportunity to confer about conditions in Hungary with the President of the Hungarian Republic-—whom we also accompanied on two of his trips—and the Prime Minister. We visited the State Department, the National Welfare Department, the Department of Agriculture, Catholic and Protestant dignitaries, the offices of the UNRRA, Prof. Szentgyörgyi, the Mayor of Budapest, and the following cities: Cegled, Kisújszállás, Szekszard, Kiskunfélegyháza, Szeghalom, Miskolc, Disgyor, Szolnok, Mezőkövesd and Pecs. A special trip took us through 18 almost completely demolished villages in Fej er county, between Szekesfehervar and Sárkeresztes. We tallied to the authorities as well as the people and tried to get as much information as possible from the peasantry, the laborers and the middle class. We studied the life in the cities and the villages, visited hospitals, social institutions, schools and churches. We spoke over he air to the people of Hungary and explained to them our work in their behalf. Compared with Austria, for instance, Hungary is very much alive, determined to rebuild, undaunted in the face of many, seemingly unsurmountable difficulties. Substantial improvements were made during the last six months. Hungarian ingenuity worked miracles. In spite of undescribable difficulties, insufficient food and the lack of clothing, the people are clearing the streets of ruins, repairing their homes and building new ones. Roads are being opened and transportation is improving day by day. But the desperate condition of the impoverished nation could improve much faster if trade with neighboring countries could be reestablished and raw-materials made available. Though a variety of goods can be purchased in stores in the cities, there is very little money in circulation, and unemployment is very high especially since the recent discharge of 225,000 laborers and 150,000 civil employees. The State is so poor that it is impossible to provide for the most elementary needs of the people. Though most of the livestock and farming implements had been lost, there is noticeable improvement. However, the returning war-prisoners, refugees and—last but not least—Hungarians evicted from the neighboring countries add to the immense burden of the nation.” THE MOST URGENT NEEDS The acute need for medical supplies, with the exception of a few special medicaments, seems to have been eliminated. By the end of the year we shall know whether or not further Pennicillin shipments will be needed. Foodstuffs. Though the harvest was far from being bountiful, due to the lack of farm-machinery and complications arising from the distribution of land, the need is desperate only as far as powdered milk, fats and flour is concerned. Clothing, shoes. There is a desperate shortage in shoes and clothing all over the country. Though October was quite a cold month, a great many bare-footed children were found attending schools. Working shoes and shoes for children are urgently and desperately needed! And the public will be requested to donate mainly heavy-duty shoes, in good condition, in order that no monies be wasted by transporting unusable goods. (20% of the shoes contributed by the UNRRA were entirely useless!) It probably will become necessary to purchase shoes in order to Continued cn Page 2
