Verhovayak Lapja, 1951 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1951 / Verhovay Journal
CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Delegates re-elect National Officers, two Vice-Presidents and seven members of the Board of Directors.—Suggestions offered by Deputy Insurance Commissioner Oncar Kottler adopted;— 12-member Board to stay. — Differentiation between American and Hungarian speaking branches eliminated. — Representation broaefened by waiver of Sick Benefit membership requirement. — 5-day convention first irt Verhovay history. The XXII. National Convention held on Monday, September 10th and the following days, at the Hotel Roosevelt in Pittsburgh, Pa., will g<* down in Verhovay history as the.first 20th century, streamlined convention of the Association. There were many who doubted that this convention, confronted by an unusual number of highly controversial issues, will be able to complete its business within one week. But the delegates did better than that. They completed their business by the end of the fifth day and with great pride in their accomplishment adjourned on Friday, September' 14th, at 9 p.m. And let no one think that this convention was being railroaded into rushing through its business. Everybody had his say. No one was denied the privilege of the floor. Still, it was over in five days, due mainly to the cdmirable self-control of the delegates and the efficient manner in Which the sessions were conducted. GUESTS OF THE CONVENTION In addition to 99 delegates, four National Officers, 13 directors and the three members of the Auditing Committee, the Convention was attended by the representatives of the press: Eugene Szebedinszky representing the Amerikai Magyar Népszava’ Hungarian daily newspaper, Alexander Gondos, representing the ‘Szabadság* daily and Coloman Kaldor, President of the: Hungarian Weeklies Association, who were officially invited to cover the proceedings of the National Convention. Editors László Dienes and John Kerekes from New Brunswick, and George Szecskay, noted Hungarian author also were present at several sessions. The Field, Supervisors and District Managers of the Association also attended upon invitation by the Board of Directors. From time to time the proceedings of the Convention were interrupted to receive outstanding representatives of American and Hungarian fraternal organizations. The first to honor the National Convention by his presence was Mr. Oscar Kottler, Deputy Insurance Commissioner of the State of Pennsylvania, whose important message to the opening session made a deep impression on t.’^e delegates. INSURANCE DEPARTMENT’S SUGGESTIONS ADOPTED “Four years ago,” said Mr. Kottler, “you legislated wisely but not sufticiently. Already at that time I called your attention to the great waste of funds caused by your usual two-yveek conventions. I have attended many conventions of societies far larger than yours and I can say that the task that is before you can be completed in three days.” The Insurance Department, continued Mr. Kottler, examines every society^ m the state every third year. The examination, due this year, has been timed so, that its conclusions could be completed before the Convention. The examiners have found everything in perfect order, but again the Insurance« Department must point out that due to the refusal of past conventions to take definite steps for strengthening the Expense Fund of the Association, the problems arising- out of the insufficiency of the Expense Fund have grown to the point where they must no longer be neglected. A series of, decisive measures for remedying this situation, are included in the proposed amendments to the By-Laws recommended by the Board of Directors and the National Officers. These proposals already have been approved by the majority of the branches as well as the Insurance Department. He strongly urged the Convention to adopt the proposed amendments to the By-Laws and to make them the law of the Association. In conclusion he pointed out that being a frequent visitor to the Home Office he is thoroughly acquainted with the quality of service rendered by the National Officers and the Home Office. “Considering the value of their services and the responsibility your officers are burdened with, I must say that you are paying them far less than other organizations of similar size. It always was my theory that I must pay my employees more than they could earn elsewhere, if I expect them to do a good job. Strict economies are a necessity hut you should net start economizing on your own workers.” Though it is an old Hungarian custom to applaud such advice but do nothing about it, This convention was different. It not only paid the tribute of a tremendous ovation to Mr. Kottler but also accepted his advice and in its subsequent actions complied with every or.* of his requests. w Mr. Kottler was introduced-by National Secretary Coloman Revesz, President of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress and following Mr. Kottlers impressive address, Vice-President Dr. Andrew Kovács expressed the appreciation of the assembly for his guidance. OFFICERS OF UNITED RUSSIAN ORTHODOX BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICA HONOR NATIONAL CONVENTION One of the most pleasing interruptions of the proceedings was provided by the appearance of the National Officers of the United Russian Orthodox Brotherhood of' America.This was the first time in the history of the Association that a convention was honored by the visit of the representatives of a fraternal society of other than Hungarian background. Messrs, George Lesko, President, John P. Pazey Secretary, and Philip lirabar Treasurer of the U.R.O.B., were ushered into the convention hall by director Aloysius C. Falussy and introduced to the delegates by National Secretary Coloman Revesz. Conveying the greetings and best wishes of their society to the Verhovay Convention, President Lesko first of all emphasized that the members of their brotherhood are not of Russian origin. They came to this country from the Carpathian borders of the former Austro-Hungarian empire. Speaking first in English, and, then, to the surprise of the entire assembly in excellent Hungarian, he spoke of the meaning American liberty has for those who came to this land from the old world. He spoke of the pride each nationality group must hold for its fraternal organizations and paid tribute to the Verhovay as one of the most respected fraternal societies of foreign origin in the country. “Everyone of Hungarian origin should be a member of the Verhovay,” declared Mr. Lesko amidst tremendous applause. JUDGE TAPTÍCH, A CHAMPION OF FRATERNALISM The Hon. Francis Taptich, Judge of the Allegheny County Court, an old friend of the Verhovay introduced by National Secretary Coloman Revesz, was given an enthusiastic welcome by the delegates. “If every one of your members would secure only one new member a year for your society, how soon would you double the membership of the Verhovay?’', asked Judge Taptich stressing the duty of all fraternalists in helping build their societies. ‘“There are many great and excellent insurance companies operating in our country,” he said, “ but none of the largest insurance companies is as big as a fraternal society because the members of a fraternal society care for one another.” THE ‘BIG FOUR’ OF AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FRATERNALISM The Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, the Rákóczi Aid Association, the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and the American Life Insurance Association of Bridgeport, Conn., are often referred to as the ‘Big Four’ of the American Fraternals of Hungarian oi-igin. This convention again provided an opportunity for the ‘Big Four’ to meet when the national officers of the other three appeared before the Convention. National President John Bencze did the honors introducing the Rev. Dr. Francis Újlaki, President, Albert Fiok, Vice-President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation, and the Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy, director of ihe Bethlen Home, the well-known Old People's Home and Orphanage maintained by this organization in Ligonier, Pa., Peter Suta, President and Stephen Szegedy Secretary of the American Life Insurance Association, Albert Kocsis President and Joseph Vasas Secretary of the Rákóczi Aid Association, and finally the Rev. Stephen Balogh, Secretary of the American Hungarian Federation. “The hearts and minds of all Americans of Hungarian origin meet here .today,” said the Rev. Dr. Újlaki, “and the sowers and reapers rejoice together. We of the older generation can look back with happy pride upon what has been accomplished because we have proved by self-sacrifice what can be accomplished. Let us work together for the future growth of what we have built together.” The Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy pointed out that the building of the new $110,000 Old People’s Home in Ligonier has been made possible by the generosity of the members of all Hungarian fraternal societies. “Our dream is,” he said, “to hold together the Americans of Hungarian origin in order that they may find a better life in the creations of the Hungarian heart. May God grant the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association to be the first and greatest among- us in the practising of brotherly charity and mav God grant us the privilege to care for many more brothers and sisters in the Verhovay as well as the American life Insurance Association and the Rákóczi Aid Association in our Home, for it is God’s will that we shall help one another.” Joseph Vasas greeted the convention as the Secretary of the Rákóczi Aid Association, but also as a member of the Verhovay. “May this convention do a good job,” he said, “in order that the Verhovay may continue its position of leadership in the life of Americans of Hungarian origin. From your success depends the success of the rest of us, because if one of us declines, the same fate is expected for the others.” Referring to the proposed merger of the Rákóczi Aid Association and the American Life Insurance Association, he stated that “recently the Convention of the Rákóczi made decisions of historic importance that may well be of great influence upon the entire future of Americans of Hungarian descent.’ Responding to Mr. Vasas’ address, National President John Bencze declared: “I would happily descend to the grave if I could live to see the day on which all of the Hungarian fraternal societies unite. . .” to which the Rev. Stephen Balogh, when taking the floor on behalf of the American Hungarian Federation made the following reply: “Apparently, President Bencze expects to live for another 129 years . . ” President of the American Life Insurance Association Peter Suta, speaking in English, expressed his best wishes to the National Convention and urged the delegates to adopt the recommendations of their officers and directoi’s as the best way to assure the success of their task. THE AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FEDERATION Describing the American Hungarian Federation as the nation-wide service organization of all Americans of Hungarian descent, the Rev. Stephen Balogh, Executive Secretary declared: “The Federation is not a secret political organization but the heart and soul and goodness of all good Americans of Hungarian descent. If there, would be no American Hungarian Federation, it would have to be established here and now.” American Hungarian fraternal, civic and religious organizations form (Continued on page 2) +
