The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 21

21 pC Li HEFFERN AN Says: Seward Befriended Irish 100 Years Ago and Even Whigs Forgave Him f3 1 (r- f- i' 6-r-gSf jCr KVi -n Some time ago this column published a reference to the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Reilly of Flatbush. Since that time more than a few of my readers have asked for a similar description of like celebrations in their respective families.

Mr. Reilly's celebration involved a neighborhood story: it's setting was a typical South Brooklyn block at the turn of the century. Because MISS HOBSON and MRS. FERRIS discuss the current status of poetry and the story of I FEATUB'pc XVl the League. country and a free public ichool education.

Firm Foundation "It is from such roots that Gene Reilly, Tessie Fitzpatrick, and myself have sprung. Those Irishmen and women who had suffered such hardships in Old New York in the 1840's had passed on, and the Irish who lived on E. 12th St. In the 1880's were the children who followed them to America after the famine years. Due to a truly wonderful heritage, namely, clean bodies, clean soul, high ideals and principles, and a liberal publio school education, they were splendidly equipped to rear families of their own.

Notwithstanding that they lacked in those days every known comfort and convenience which we enjoy today and laboring under such handicaps, their sons were manly and chivalrous and their daughters chaste and dutiful. They themselves were sober, industrious men and women, who lived exemplary lives for their children to emulate. The type of an Irishman as described sometime ago by a prominent newspaper columnist on a Manhattan paper was unknown on E. 12th St. "It is the Gene Reillys and Tessie Fitzpatricks who are truly representative of the Irish race in Amer if Brooklyn 1 EAGLE THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1940 She Dedicated Her Life To Helping Other Poets Dorothy Hobson's League to Support? DOROTHY H0BSON, missionary in the field of poetry (standing), with Mrs.

Joseph W. Ferris, who is chairman of the League to Support Poetry's first poetry musicale to be given next Thursday afternoon, set poetry to music. EARS TO THE GROUND By CLIFFORD EVANS Film Stars Wear Ordinary Glasses to Hide From Fans; Adonis to Surrender to Amen When Joe Adonis, front-paged as the boss racketeer in the East, returns to Brooklyn from his Florida hideaway in the very near future, he will voluntarily walk into Prosecutor Amen's office and surrender himself. tra in the Bowman Room at the Biltmore. Ellington's Victor recording of "You, You Katharine Cornell and Francis Lederer in "No Time for Comedy," opening tonight at the Majestic Theater here.

You must see Henry Travers' line in "Primrose Path," at the Albee, "The world would be lots better if there weren't any people in Crosby's revival of the delightful "Maybe" (Deccah.The Summer-y feeling you get dining at Ville-pigue's out in Sheepshead The song "The Rhumba Jumps" in "Higher and Cantor's "Little Curly Hair in a High Chair" on a Columbia The atmosphere of Greenwich Village of old at the Village Barn. Elevator Ride Quiets 2-Day Hiccough Case Akron, Ohio (U.R An Akron physician has lost a case but found a "cure" for hiccoughs. The patient suffered a severe siege for twe days, then decided to consult his doctor. He took an elevator to the physician's office, and was surprised to find that his hiccoughs had disappeared. "I'm sure the elevator ride was the cure," the physician said.

Poetry Society of America, is one of the judges; the poetry classes at Harvard and Yale are included among distinguished poets and teachers who make up the list of judges; also Alfred Kreymborg, John Gould Fletcher, Robert Hill-yer (Harvard), Helen C. White (Wisconsin University), Blanche Colton Williims (Hunteri and many others. Groups enrolled in the league include the Manhattan College Poetry Workshop, the Rochester Poetry Society, Edith Lovejoy Pierces Poetry Group in Chicago, Mabel Poscgate's Group in Cincinnati, groups at Boston University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Oregon, the University of Utah, the University of Wisconsin and many private schools and single individuals. Distinguished poets have Indorsed the league.

Said Padraic Colum: "It deserves well of poetry lovers for its enterprise. The books are well chosen and well presented." said Alfred Krymborg: "It is high time that some group made a practical attack on the wretched problem of marketing poetry." Said John Gould Fletcher: "You have a right to feel proud of the poets you have taken up." Brooklyn sponsors of the league and of the first musicale include Magistrate Jeanette C. Brill, Mrs. John Henry Hammond, Mr. and Mrs.

Huntington Woodman, William Slater of Adelphi Academy and the heads of all private schools in Brooklyn, the Rev. Dr. John H. Lathrop, Justice Lewis L. Fawcett and many others prominent in social and civic affairs.

dinner at The Biltmore, found the attendant outside the banquet hall soundly asleep. "So," Davis cried, "you've been eavesdropping!" Manhattan Beach opens on Saturday Friends of Paul Lockwood, ace on the Dewey staff, say he is looking for the Postmaster General Job in the event his present boss moves to the White House Leo Slutzky is the latest to be mentioned for the Democratic nomination for Assemblyman from the 14th A. D. The elaborate roof which covered the Luna Park Pool for many years will be torn off. Luna opens on May 29.

In the Apples In May Recommended: The new apple drink in the Hotel St. George Bermuda Terrace, the Inside of the apple being cut out and filled with liquid refreshments which you sip ard follow by eating the The singing of Phyllis Jeane with Long Islander Sleepy Hall's Orches that setting was part of my own background, I was able to give color to a news item, which I could not impart to other like events. Had I complied with numerous requests of this character my column rules would enclose a recital of social events in which such skill as I possess would not be valuable. In Little Old New York The story of Mr. Reilly and his very interesting family, however, has brought me one letter of deep historical significance.

Joseph J. Hoiweii oi isi Milton was, memory serves, commissioner under the late Mayor John F. Hylan. His youth was spent in E. 12th Manhattan, where Mr.

Reilly and his bride went to the altar, 50 years ago, writes Mr. Holwell. In Peace and Amity 12th St. of the 1880's may not have had such notable families as those who lived at the turn ot the century on 55th between 4th and 5th Bay Ridge, but few streets could match the men and the women who lived on the former street for nobleness of character. With the exception of a few native-American, German and Jewish families, native Irish Catholic and Protestant families were dominant.

And all lived together on that street in peace and amity. "Some day I would like you to pen something about the Irish who were forced to emigrate to America because of the potato famine of 1845-6-7 and who had to establish new homes in this strange land before their children could follow them. Both of my parents were among the thousands of Irish lads and lassies who came here in 1849. Michael J. O'Brien, of the American-Irish Historical Society, has performed a wonderful task of research work in describing the part the Irish played in Colonial and Revolutionary Days, but in so far as I know no one has written about the Irish of the 1840's, who came to these shores practically penniless and with the exception of a very few without any knowledde of a trade.

They were unwelcome and a political party (the American party, or more popularly known as the Know-Nothings) had been organized some years previously to prevent them holding either appointive or elected public office or their children being admitted to the free public school system. But thanks is due to a Whig Governor of this State, William H. Seward, and later Lincoln's Secretary-of- State, for the successful fight which he waged for the native Irish and their descendants that they might enjoy the benefits of participation in the government of their adopted Eagle Siaff photo -Helping to promote the Brooklyn Heights Garden w. lilt UUIUEH XeV HELEN WORTH Poetry, a Truly By JANE CORBY the hills Came walking two; One was Spring And one was you; But both so lair I never knew, Though my love for both Was sweet and true And made me sing, Which one was you And which was Spring. Dorothy Hobson wrote it.

Dorothy Hobson, who loves poetry so much that she has dedicated her life to helping other poets. Four years ago she founded The League to Support Poetry, a project which has been her dream for ten years, and the movement she has started has swept out of Brooklyn and spread, irresistibly, to almost every State in the Union. Literary clubs, English classes in colleges and schools throughout the the country are enrolled in the league. The league plans to publish each year, on a royalty basis, four or more individual books of poetry, selected by an editorial board of distinguished poets, critics and teachers of poetry- Each group in the league agrees to buy one copy of each book published, the cost being divided among the members. Brooklyn Project Because it's a Brooklyn project, Brooklyn born and bred, prominent Brooklynites are backing the league with a series of "poetry musicales," to be given by well-known poets, musicians and stage folk.

The first will be held in the St. Felix St. Playhouse on Thursday afternoon, May 16. The musicales' committee has Mrs. Joseph W.

Ferris as chairman and Mrs. John E. Jennings as co-chairman. Mrs. Ferris and Miss Hobson, going over plans for the first musicale at Mrs.

Ferris' home, 251 Hicks paused long enough in the fluttering of pages of poetry and poetry set to music to discuss the current status of poetry and the story of the league. Missionaries of Poetry Said Miss Hobson: "I dreamed of being a missionary to India when I was a little girl. Now I find plenty of missionary work to do in the field of poetry. I found out for myself how hard it Is for a poet to get his poems published book publishers seldom publish more than one or two books of poetry a year, and they do that only to round out their lists. They expect to take a financial loss on the poetry! "I found, too, that there are many 'vanity' publishers, petty racketeers who publish anthologies, for instance, soliciting fees from poets to have their work included, or who publish books of verses for those who can afford to pay to see their own poetry in print.

The unfortunate result is that the market is flooded with verse of uncertain merit printed at the writers' expense. "The league is trying to improve these conditions by encouraging the formation of groups throughout the country for the enjovment of poetry and, with the help of its aisunguisnea judges, Dringing 10 public attention the work of gifted poets." Spring Theme of Musicale Said Mrs. Ferris: "The theme of the first musicale is to be Our guest artists will include Ezra Stone, young Broadway actor and the 'Henry Aldrich' of the radio 'Aldricli Alfred Kreym-borg, poet and dramatist, whose verse-play, 'The was broadcast from the Hayden Planetarium over a nation-wide hookup and who has just received a grant from the Carnegie Foundation for the purpose of writing a book on the poetic drama. Cordi Corsine. concert artist and teacher, will direct the music by a string quar- Brooklyn Project tet.

He is the only American pupil of i i internationally known contra-bassist." Brought I'p on Poetry, Music Dorothy Hobson, in private life Mrs. Alfred Fitzgerald, Is the daughter of Dr. A. Augustus Hob-son, Brooklyn Baptist minister, New Testament scholar and writer on religious subjects, and was "brought up on poetry and music." She discovered Keats at the age of 14, thinks all the great poets have contributed something to the literature of poetry, doesn't think we "could do without any of them, whether or not they are among those it is fashionable to like." She works as a statistical typist, spends all her leisure on the League to Support Poetry, of which she Is the director as well as founder. Nancy Ford is secretary, Ann C.

Fox, librarian at Manhat-tatn College, is treasurer. The Poet's Friend Poets deluge her with manuscripts, with pathetic queries: "How soon can I get my poems published?" Poets in remote sections, poets in cities beg her aid in getting their works into print. Many show real poetic fire, others show all too plainly that they are mistaken in thinking themselves poets. The manuscripts are carefully sifted, and those which exhibit even a spark of merit are turned over to the board of judges for final decision. A.

M. Sullivan, president of the Give Cashmore Second Annual Medal of Malta Borough President Cashmore was awarded the second annual Medal of Malta presented by Corp. Joseph McGovern Post, 487, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at installation ceremonies of the post last night in the Park Plaza, 1530 Pitkin Ave. Municipal Court Justice Jacob S. Strahl made the presentation.

The medal, awarded to "a citizen of outstanding achievement in the community," was presented last year to District Attorney O'Dwyer. Among more than 200 persons attending were Sheriff James V. Mangano and Mrs. Ada Goldberg, Americanization chairman of the Kings County Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Officers installed were Jack Gottlieb, commander; David Glllman.

senior vice commander; Carl Cohen, junior vice commander; Abraham Klein, chaplain; Samuel Hornstein, Judge advocate; William Stollop, quartermaster, and Irving Mattis and Emil Abralovotz. county delegates. Well Supplies Power Jo Pump Its Water Payette, Idaho (U.R) Payette city boosters think they have a close approach to perpetual motion in their city-owned well. It not only produces water for irrigation but also the fuel by which the pumping equipment is driven. A huge supply of gasoline-con- tpnt natural eas underlvine a nearby valley is responsible for the phenomenon.

An ordinary auto- mobile motor is used to pump the water. It is first primed with or dinary gasoline to start the water containing natural gas up the pipe lm- City official say the unique system has saved nearly $3,000 in the past year. They All Want the Family Car at Same Time-Brother, Sis, Dad; Who Should Have Priority? ica. They are to be found everywhere in this happy land of ours, devoted husbands and fathers, and equally devoted wives and mothers. They are rearing splendid families like the Reillys, are making upstanding citizens and helping to perpetuate this country's free institutions.

I know of no foreign race who has so quickly assimulated the spirit of America than the Irish and their descendants. We of Irish descent owe a great debt to our grandparents and parents for their many sacrifices that we might enjoy the things which we enjoy today. Their names may have been erased from the record of man, but so long as a descendant of an Irishman lives he will know that his mission in life is to carry on the traditions o. nis forebearers." Among Famous Irish There were Irish immigrants before the Revolution, the Sullivan Brothers, John, who as Major General commanded his division that met the shock of Cornwallis's grenadiers and Highlanders and de Heiste's Hessians in what is now Prospect Park, and James who was Governor of Massachusetts, Montgomery who died at Quebec, Commodore Jack Barry, the "Father of the American Navy," Carroll of Carrollton. The "rising" of 1798 in Ireland sent another wave westward in which gvere the Emmets and the McNevins.

In the '40s when Irish economics and political distress was deep, and culminated in the rebellion of '48 led by Brian Boru's descendant, Samuel O'Brien, esting. Says Hone in October, 1842: Whigs Take Up their Cause The "American" or "Know-Nothing" party was formed to stop the growing political influence of the newcomers, most of whom had joined the "Republican" party of Jefferson. Numerous riots grew out of this condition, and Hugh McLaughlin, the old Democratic boss of Brooklyn, won his leadership by his championship of the immigrants; he himself was of the older Irish stock and was, as his father had been, a native. The first of the prominent Whigs to take up the cause of the newcomers was William H. Seward, later, as Mr.

Holwell says. Lincoln's brilliant Secretary of State. There is a paragraph about him in the diary of Philip Hone, the old New York Whiji Mayor, which is interesting. Says Hone in October, 1842: Seward's Niche in History "Governor Seward now that this gentleman is about retiring from office the people of the State seem willing to give him credit for the talent which he certainly possessed in an eminent degree and some of his own party ceases to cavil at some of his public acts and pass complementary resolution at their political meetings. It has been said, and I think not without reason, that he has courted popularity a little too much, especially in some injudicious concessions to the Roman Catholics.

I believe he was" always influenced in those measures by good motives, by a sincere desire to serve the cause which Is supported by his political friends and which we Whigs at least, must uphold as the people's cause." Such was a Whig's estimate of the greatest Whig statesman who was to become Lincoln's right hand in the management of foreign af fairs during the Civil War. Fugitive Gets Ride Back niP) f.nntiv Km chose the wrong motorist when he thnmheH a ride At t.h ttheel waji JamM A' Humphrey' who promptly drove him back to uie Farm. Oscar Lewis is angling for the Oscar Lewis is angling for the Republican Supreme Court nomination this Tall Highlight of the forthcoming "New Paces" will be a take-off on Julie Haydon's role in 'Time of Your Life," the Pulitzer Prize winner. Noland will do the take-off The bus company which ran express service from mid-town to the World's Pair last year will not operate that line this season Although George Jessel agreed to let Lois Andrews take a Job in the chorus of "Keep Off the Grass," there wasn't any Job offered her There is a Goldberg's Chinatown Restaurant on 2d Ave. When the Hotel Bossert Marine Roof opens on May 16, Maestro Eddie Lane will lead the musicians.

Incognito Motion-picture stars on a Gotham gander from Hollywood have a new way of dodging autograph hounds. They wear ordinary glasses instead of the smoked ones Vivian Mallok, one of the prize winners in the Brooklyn Glamour Girl Contest held last year, is now in Brown Derby show Canada is building a munitions factory which will rot be ready for use until 1941. Subtlety A major life insurance company Is wooing accounts with an all-Chinese program on a small radio station Tiffany's, which never had its name on its premises all these years, now has a huge sign in front of its new 57th St. address One of the waiters in Ruby Foo's has an understanding with the management that he is to have off every day the Dodgers play in town. He is an old friend of Pitcher Vito Tamulis and a real Dodgers fan At the Castleholm Restaurant, a Swede was talking to a friend.

"I've got the most unusual sounding Job in the world now," he was saying, "I buy bottoms." Lyle Talbot, a star of "Separate Rooms," overheard him. "You mean you buy freight space on ships, don't you?" Talbot asked. "Yes," was the answer, "but in these days of military secrecy, one has to be subtle." Around Town Two of the police lieutenants recently found guilty in departmental trials are appealing their cases. Criminal Lawyer Leibowitz Is handling one appeal, Senator McNaboe the other Hotel McAlpin Maestro Johnny Messner knows a weather forecaster who was transferred because the climate didn't agree with him Paula Lawrence, the song satirist at Ruban Bleu, was Orson Welles' leading lady at one time The Radio Rogues, "Hellzapoppln" comics, report that the house detective at their hotel has a new theme song, "I've Got My Eyes On You." Santiago Marin, waiter at Reuben's, is an ex-prize fighter. As Jimmy DeSola he fought Bob Pastor.

Eavesdropping Unless something drastic happens to Lepke while he is behind bars he will not spend the rest of his natural life in prison. Because there is a hot seat waiting for him in Sing Sing Meyer Davis, first to leave a dull speech-making Club to Protect Hunters Montgomery, Ala. (U.PJ An Alabama Sportsmen's Club has been founded here with the avowed purpose of fighting convictions for game law violations in the courts of the State. battled cry for freedom (or peace; in this case the words seem interchangeable) strikes a sympathetic chord. For the years are not many (though some have been long) siiice the days when just such warfare waged as to who, and when, should use the family car in my own home.

Fortunately the setup was a little different, and therefore more easily solved. What do other families do? Perhaps some of them will give us their solutions. My for yours, would run like this: Essentials must necessarily take precedence over non-essentials, therefore the car should be at your disposal, without argument or dispute, for shopping, meeting all trains, special occasions for the younger child, and your own social engagements. (Without second sight or a crystal globe, I am, nevertheless, certain that as busy mother and housewife, those occasions are few.) Dad Has Priority "Dad," who pays the bills, is entitled to the car for his Saturday afternoon golf and his Sunday tours, WHENEVER he wants it! This leaves sister and junior, wljo must learn that it is a privilege to be alloowed th. use of the car, and that appreciation for this can be shown by settling their differences peacefully, between themselves.

Your entire problem stems from two things, the acceptance of a car, as In many families, as a necessary part of home equipment, and the usual generosity of American parents. It would probably benefit your children in many ways, and add to their spiritual growth, if they could be made to see the situation in that light. Best wishes to you busy mother for a real solution and "Happy Motoring." HELEN WORTH. Dear Helen Worth The domestic crisis that is facing our little household seems trivial, indeed, beside the real needs that are put before you but it has been the generous response on the part of yourself, and your readers, to the problems of others that inspired me to seek a solution to ours. The simple truth is that our budget allows for one car which must be stretched to meet the needs of four drivers in the family: Dad, who never wants to drive the car except for an occasional Sunday outing; myself, who must depend upon the family barouche for shopping expeditions, toting the younger child hither and yon on special occasions, and meeting the sister, who is a full fledged driver, and Junior, whose junior license permits him to drive anywhere except in the city, which, since we live on Long Island, gives him quite an area.

Junior gets his regular license in June. So We Wrangle The supper table each evening is the scene of a wrangle that has Just about got me to the point where I'd like to sell the car and get back to the peace and quiet of buses and walking! Pouting and arguments meet my explanations that I do have to have the car to keep the household running. Sister and Junior are everlastingly battling for rights to the car and with Summer coming on, and Dad's Sunday drives about to interfere with beach expeditions, the situation is due to become more complicated than ever. Not only I but my whole family would appreciate knowing how other families I'm sure theresmust be many have settled the problem of car privileges. MOTHER.

Essentials First My Dear "Mother" Your em MORE FORSYTHIA FOR BROOKLYN- the borough's official flower, club, the Garden Place Association and the Kemsen Street! AssociQtion plant forsythia a tennis court on Henry 1 1 between Remsen and Jorofemon Sts. Left to nght are Carl L. Racknagel, treasurer or the Brooklyn Heights and! CnrArri Plnro Mrs Anrlrpw I finmnru rl fko CnrAn w.w--, Place Association, and Mrs. John Selden Tennant of thel In Brooklyn Heights ijardcn Club. 1 mi -mini i fr milium.