PAGE TWO
Or How to Doll
BROADWAY AND MAIN STREET
Stealing Coal for Old Mother,
By BILLY ROSE
Up a Snowman
If the man who was yard detective at the East River tugboat
terminal 40 years ago will drop around to my office, I'd like to pre-
sent him with a pair of down-front tickets for the show playing at
my theater.
What did the yard dick do to rate these front-row ducts? Well, I can’t
answer that one without sketching in a bit of my bumptious background...
The year Senator Taft's pop be-
came President, the Roses were
living in a rail-
road flat on the
lower East Side
—four rooms in a
row, each with a
window that
leaked cold cli-
mate. Our central
heating system
consisted of a
squarish stove in
the kitchen, and
the cost of coal
being what it was (15 cents a bag),
it was seldom that the home fires
were burning.
Most of the time I went around
the house with a lady's stocking
stretched over my ears, but when
it got so blustery that even that
didn’t help, I would stick an old
flour bag into my pants, ease my
way into the yard back of the tug-
boat terminal south of Manhattan
bridge, and swipe as much coal as
I could carry from the piles used
to fire the boilers of the tugs.
Then, as now, 1 was built
close to the ground and fast as
all get-out, so 1 usually got away
clean as a clinker from the yard
detective—an oyster-faced little
man whose idea of a good time
was to catch two coal thieves at
once and knock their beads to-
gether. :
One murderously cold February,
I was stuffing an old sack with
choice chunks of anthracite when
the dick sneaked up and caught me
blackhanded. :
“Don‘t ya know what happens to
kids who steal?” he said.
I could have told him they get
warm, but decided not to.
“Don’t tell me—let me guess,”
he went on. “Ya got a poor old
mother and unless ya bring home
some coal she'll catch her death
of cold.”
“How’d ya know?” I said.
“I also suppose yer old man
Billy Rose
hasn’t worked in six months.”
“It ain't that long,” I said, ‘but
he don’t make much even when he
does work.”
“A dozen times a day I hear the
same story,” said the yard detec-
tive. “I know it like I know my
name.”
Suddenly, to my unbelief, he
handed me the bag of coal and
walked away. “Don’t let me catch
ya again,” he said.
As I got to the gate he yelled,
“Wait a minute,” and scaled a sil-
ver dollar in my direction. ‘“May-
be this'll help out.”
I picked up the buck, floated out
of the yard and kept floating until
I came to a vacant lot on Rivington
street where a bunch of my pals
were making a snow man.
“Did ya get it?" one of them
asked.
‘Nothing to it,” I said.
We used two lumps for the
eyes, a large chunk for the nose,
ca few smaller pieces for the
mouth, and there was enough
left over for a row of buttons
down the front and a belt clear
around the middle.
What did I do with the dollar?
Well, there was a little cutie on
Rivington street who had never
given me a tumble, and so I of-
fered to buy her a het chocolate at
Slifkin’s ‘drugstore.
‘You mean you got money?’ she
said.
“I not only got for hot chocolate,”
I bragged, “but for movies and
after, maybe, ice cream.”
“That wouid be peachy,” said the
little doll, flashing the kind of
smile that in later years I had to
give up diamonds to see . . .
Well, there it is, the nasty little
secret I've been harboring for 40
years. I won't go as far as to say
it’s been keeping me awake nights,
but—well, I'd feel a lot better if the
old yard detective were to pick up
those down-front ducats. |
Boy Scout Troop 281
Plans Barn Dance
Boy Scout Troop 281 is planning
a Barn damce for Parents’ Night,
to be held in Dailas Borough School
early in June. Members met Mon-
day night for their regular session,
then played ball in Deven’s Field.
Next Monday, emphasis will be
placed upon marching practice for
Memorial Day Parade. To insure
good marching, all troop members
are urged to. attend.
| Nesbitt Auxiliary
Meets Next Friday
fas Shavertown chapter of Nesbitt
‘Hospital Auxiliary will meet at
the home of Miss Ruth Boston,
Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown, Fri-
day, June 2 at noon. Members
are asked to bring sandwiches for
lunch before the sewing project
starts.
THE POST, FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1950
.
This Is Where
We Lived
BY LORETTA OLVER
<
For a few months services were
held in the schoolhouse. Then the
new church was built, and dedi-
cated on January 26, 1911 during
the pastorate of the Rev. J. L.
Thomas. The rededication service
was conducted by Dr. H. C, McDer-
mott, then District Superintendent.
Money for the project was given
by the Conyngham family, under
certain conditions they laid down.
Wm. J. Robbins was the contract-
or, and McCormick & French the
architects. There were other gifts
at the time of rededication; the
bell, from Mrs. John: Conyngham;
a reed organ from Mrs. Louise Nor-
ris; and the beautiful window de-
picting Christ as the Shepherd, still
in the church, from Toby Creek
Lodge No. 1978, 1.0.0.F. Rev. John
S. Crompton, grandfather of our
local Dr. Richard Crompton,
preached the first sermon in’ the
new church.
Since then under the leadership
of many pastors, the Church has
grown greatly in membership and
influence. As for physical facilities,
a permanent parsonage was pur-
chased in October 1918, when Rev.
John R. Austin was the pastor, the
church was enlarged in 1931, and
a two-manual Moller pipe organ in-
stalled in 1932. A newly redecor-
ated church and a parking lot was
rededicated this May 7th, under
the leadership of the Rev. Robert
T. Webster.
Rev. John L. Thomas, pastor at
the time the new church was built,
was only one minster who has
His faithful and prompt attendance
to duty is well remembered by the
family of the writer, for on his
first pastoral call, he sat on an
unpacked carton in the parlor. His
enthusiasm in conducting a relig-
ious service is also remembered.
He loved the gospel song “You
May Have the Joybells, Ringing in
Your Heart”, and had it sung over
and over again. During his pastor-
ate here he bought a plot of land,
where he built a home and lived
after retirement. Unléss he were
ill, he attended church every Sun-
day, either supplying some pulpit,
or walking down the hill to Trucks-
ville. On week’ days he loved to
work in his yard. His lawn was
always cut, sometimes very early
in the morning, for Rev. Thomas’
“Shouting Methodist Lawnmower”,
acted as an alarm clock to one of
his neighbors who sometimes liked
to sleep late. And, in the after-
noons, he developed a very boylike
and masculine devotion to base-
ball, going to many games. Some-
times, too, he and the Rev. Joshua
Brundle, another retired Metho-
dist saint, could be heard singing
gospel songs.
(Continued From Last Week).
ID YOU SAY, or did you think that the crash of guns, the
rattle and crackle of small arms, the deadly thudding of
grenades, the swish of irridescent water against the sides of
blacked out ships, the scream of dive bombers, the shrill
insistence of boatswains whistles, the trilling whirr of rockets,
the blunt crash of bombs, the shrieks of dying men, are all in the
past?
Most folks think that those days are layered over with the
press of current events and the pressure of day to day living in
peace and what goes for security these days.
Yes, most folks think the hell and horror of war is over. Most
people are glad that the stink and the mud and the terror is all
part of history now.
But it isn’t—not at all.
THOSE THINGS live today almost as fresh and terribly terrifying
as they were five, six or seven years ago. Those things happen
again every night and tear the soul with as cruel slashes as they did
helped to make church history.
= § on the beaches of a thousand islands, in the hedgerows, mountain
passes and deserts of the fronts all around the globe.
The hurt and the memory of the hurt still lingers. In the minds
of the men whose bodies and minds were torn in the holocaust the
recollection never grows dim.
J Those thousands who have spent every day since then in
hospitals have had to live close to it. They have not had the grace
and goodness of civilian life to spread a thin veneer of insulation
over scars and burns of those days.
OH, I KNOW HOW easy it is to forget things which are painful
to remember—unless such have been branded so deeply that )
conscious thought is never free from the ugly recollection. y
Thus it comes as a shock, a hurting shock to hear that more
than fifty two thousand disabled American veterans have been in
the hospitals for an entire year without a single visitor.
The gray walls, the gray corridors, the gray bathrobes, the
gray ceilings and the gray faces of the patients in the veteran’s
hospitals are so easy to forget. So easy to put out of mind in the
rush and color and goodness of life in these United States.
But we must not forget. We must not forget so soon. We
| promised a lot of times that we wouldn’t forget them. Now it is
time to pay the debt— and it is a real debt.
! IT IS THE TIME NOW when the veteran who has been
awarded a compensation payment under the law is looked upon as
3 A a tax liability and moves are under way in both houses of congress 4
{ X to effect some economies in this part of governmental expense.
BEY This, too, is further evidence that we are forgetting.
i Good to relates the fact that the Disabled American Veterans
i [ (the DAV) are organized in order to help each other, No other
; program or project is on their agenda. The idealism of the organ-
Ra ization is not left to walk on clouds. It is practical and hard headed
. in its approach to the problems of the disabled veteran. Of course
there are some mistakes made, but they are few and hundreds of
worthy, needy and honest veterans are honestly helped.
So it behooves us who are fortunate to remember—to remem-
ber that the war isn’t over—that it won’t be over—that it comes
back again and again and: again, into the lives of those it hurt in
body and mind.
Fifty two thousand completely forgotten disabled American
veterans is a national disgrace. Add to that figure those other
hundreds of thousands who still bear the burden of war with a tiny
money payment as compensation.
THATS ALL FOR TODAY: —Don’t forget those who can’t forget.
=J. M. Hazlett, “Sounding Off", Pauls Valley Democrat, Peuls Valley, Oklahoma,
winner of Disabled American Veterans annual newspaper column award.
{
THE DALLAS POST
“More than a mewspaper,
a community institution”
ESTABLISHED 1889
Member Pennsylvania Newspaper
Publishers’ Association
A non-partisan liberal
progressive newspaper pub-
lished every Friday morning
at the Dallas Post plant
Lehman Avenue, Dallas
Pennsylvania.
Entered as second-class matter at
the post office at Dallas, Pa., under
the Act of March 3, 1879. Subscrip-
tion rates: $2.50 a year; $1.50 six
months.. No subscriptions accepted
for less than six months. Out-of
state subscriptions: $3.00 a year;
$2.00 six months or less. Back
fesues, more than one week old, 100
Single copies, at a rate of 6c each,
can be obtained every Friday morn-
ing at the following newsstands:
Dallas— Tally-Ho Grille, Bowman's
Restaurant; Shavertown, Evans’
Drug Store; Trucksville—Gregory's
Store; Shaver's Store; Idetown—
Caves Store; Huntsville— Barnes
Store; Alderson—Deater's Store;
Fernbrook-—Reese's Store.
When requesting a change of ad-
dress subscribers are asked to give
their old as well as new address.
Allow two weeks for changes of ad-
dress or new subscription to be placed
on mailing list.
We will not be responsible for the
return of unsolicited manuscripts,
photographs and editorial matter un-
less self-addressed, stamped envelope
is enclosed, and in no case will we
be responsible for this material for
more than 30 days.
Nationa! display advertising rates
68c per column inch.
Local display advertising rates b60c
per column inch; specified position 60c
per inch.
Classified rates 8¢ per
Minimum charge b50c.
Unless paid for at advertising rates,
we can give no assurance that an-
nouncements of plays, parties, rummage
sales or any affairs for raising money
will appear in a specific issue. In no
case will such items be taken on
Thursdays.
Preference will in all instances be
given to editorial matter which has not
previously appeared in publication.
Editor and Publisher
HOWARD W. RISLEY
Associate Editor
MYRA ZEISER RISLEY
Contributing Editor
MRS. T. M. B. HICKS
Sports Editor
WILLIAM HART
word.
ONLY
YESTERDAY
From The Post of ten and
twenty years ago this week.
Ten Years Ago In The Dallas Post
May 24, 1940
Jane Knecht, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Ray Knecht, Dallas, was
married to George Strickland of
Plymouth on Friday, May 17, at
Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. The
couple willy reside in Plymouth
Township.
A freak bolt of lightning trav-
elled all around the Nulton house
in Centermoreland. The bolt is said
to have pased within six inches of
Mrs. Earl Nulton’s head, but nobody
was injured.
Tuna-fish, 15¢ per can; beans, 6
cans 25c; sugar 6c per pound.
Items From 1930
Two unsuccessful attempts were
made Tuesday night by unknown
persons to burn the old covered
bridge which spans Bowman's
Creek at Orcutt Grove, near Noxen.
Billy Sutton reports seeing a doe
early one morning this week in the
open fields back of Ralph Rood’s
house.
Postograf Manufacturing Com-
pany this week received orders for
machines to be shipped to Tampico,
Mexico.
[3 =~
eT TERE SERRE oJ
Poet's Corner
=~ —8
SPRING BOUQUET
Miriam Herbert Williams
Hands clasped tightly behind his
back
and a sparkle in his eyes
He asks me to guess what he is
hiding there
And it's sure to be a prize—
Is it a fish that he has caught in
the brook .
Or a riddle for me to explain
Or is it a choice bit of candy he
saved?
Never the right one to name!
“Do you give up”, he proudly asks
As I cant’ guess it time after
time.
I have to “give up” because I'd
never guess
It’s a bouquet of dandelion.
Back Mountain Girls
Win Honor at Seminary
Kathleen Ferenbach, Hillside, has
been selected associate editor of |j
the “Opinator’”, Wyoming Semin-
ary’s weekly magazine for next
year. Usually poking fun at herself,
Kathy has a delightful way of giv-
ing any subject a humorous turn.
Sylvia Doane was chosen a mem-
ber of the Board.
v
The Book Worm
The Parents’ Shelf
Disregarding the time honored
Board of Education applied to the
Seat of Learning to make your
children smart, parents do need
tools. Tools for that most demand-
ing job in the world—child guid-
ance. Since parents aren't auto-
matically endowed with great wis-
dom and infallible instincts they
must seek these tools thru reading.
The Back Mountain Memorial Li-
brary has many of the answers on
its Parents’ Shelf. These tools are
many and varied. Our Children,
compiled by Fisher and Gruenberg
is particularly thorough in most
phases of child training. The Child;
His Nature and His Needs compiled
by the Children’s Foundation is
another excellent book treating the
whole child. The Child From One
to Six is a gevernment publication
that solves many problems in a
concise and matter-of-fact way. It
is excellent.
An outstanding best seller found
in the library is The Mature Mind
by Dr. Harry Overstreet. It should
be required reading for all par-
ents. In the first half of his book
Dr. Harry Overstreet deals with
psychological factors and in the
second half he discusses problems
and their solution thru actieve-
ment of ‘a true maturity. He dis-
cusses the influence of radio, news-
papers, advertising movies, the
church, and schools on our mental
growth. He says that educating
for maturity and not for prejudices,
fears and egotisms is all that can
save us and our children. It's a
thought provoking book and one
that helps solve problems, not
merely point them out. Fadiman
says, ‘Some books entertain, some
instruct. This one really helps.”
A Manual for Baby Sitters by
Lowndes is of interest to parents
and sitters alike. Some of its ex-
amples are enough to discourage all
concerned. It is well worth looking
into.
For pleasant summer afternoon
reading the three Ellenwood books
are tops. It Runs in the Family,
There's No Place Like Home and
Just and Durable Parents make up
a trilogy of family life that gives
you child psychology in its most
painless and delightful form. James
Lee Ellenwood can teach very
pointedly in a clever way. You
learn and you like it!
The Dallas Borough P.T.A. added
three books to the shelves this
year. Life With Family by Jean
Grossman tells of the many ad-
justments that must be made by
the family group. Growing Togeth-
er by Bachman is another whole-
family story. These are both very
readable. We Learn From Children
by Pratt is an interesting account
of young children in an ideal school
set-up. It is hoped that other
P.T'A's and Book Club members
will add to the Parents’ Shelf and
make it an outstanding feature of
the library.
So to arms—parents! and when
the young fry get too obstreperous,
you can throw the book at them.
~~
Tr
TO A LITTLE BOY
He walked along with daddy
Holding his firm strong hand
Stumbling, reluctant, he followed,
His heart sensed an inner
command.
So little—wide eyed with wonder
At all he saw as he walked,
Afraid to unclasp daddy's finger;
In his stuttering gait, he
talked.
He talked away up to his daddy,
So little, but so filled with faith.
But daddy did not always hear him;
Little legs were short, so, his
breath.
At last he grew tired and weary,
He halted, our laddie dear,
And he looked way up to his father
And said, “Carry me, daddy
dear.”
Oh, how much like Life's strange
journey,
As we move through the halt-
ing throng,
We too have need of a Father
And a faith that is true and
strong.
A faith that holds in our sorrows
A faith in our Master's plan,
As he leads by a sweet compulsion,
And guides with a firm, gentle
hand.
Alice M. Curtiss
WHO?
WILL BE THE LucKEY WINNER
OF A COMPLETE
Sunday Dinner
WV Barnyard Notes
JACK STERLING SUCCEEDING IN TOUGHEST SPOT IN RADIO—
HE’S THAT EARLY-RISING FELLOW WHO FOLLOWED GODFREY
Dont’ ever try to tell Jack Sterling that the people of New
York and vicinity are unfriendly.
Short time back, Sterling was selected in.a nationwide comb-
ing of personalities to take over during the early-morning hours on
WCBS for none other than Arthur Godfrey, who had been broadcast-
ing at that time for more than seven years. It was one of radio’s most
impressive assignments. (WCBS, 6:00-7:45, EST. Mon thru Sat.).
Tough spot? Of course . . . but Sterling's easy-to-like style
brought a flood of encouraging letters and phone calls from listeners
and people in radio and advertising circles. They made a newcomer
from Chicago feel right at® home, in New York. He's humble
and grateful for the reception.
Thirty-three-year-old Sterling was born June 24, 1915, he says,
“In Ma Brown's Theatrical Boarding House in Baltimore, Md. I lived
there for four weeks and then went trouping with my family . . .
until I had to go to school.
“My mother and father were on the stage and I was almost
raised in the theatre. Even did my first vaudeville act at the age
of seven on the West Coast,” he recalls. “I was in blackface. Opened
with a song, did a few routine gags and closed with a dance. I
thought I was a star.”
He was no prodigy, however. Brought up in a theatrical at-
mosphere, he learned to be at ease on the stage and he knew his
way with a line or song. His folks had the Garden City Four quar-
tet and later their own stock company. During the summer months
Sterling and his sister joined the folks wherever they were play-
ing. They were schooled by private tutors and in public schools.
Jack had two years at Ripon High School, Ripon, Wis.
When Sterling was 15, he went out on his own.He felt he had
a world of experience. He was six feet tall, though skinny and
looked a lot older. At 17, he was juvenile lead with the John D.
Winninger stock company which played many small cities and towns.
He became a leading man with other road shows. His biggest char-
racter lead was the one made famous by Frank Bacon in “Lightnin’.”
Then came the depression and he did odd jobs...even sold silk
stockings from door to door. He wound up in vaudeville on the
West Coast,
“I guess I did what was needed to kill vaudeville forever,” he
chuckles,
“After that I was a night club emcee. I have never figured it
out, but somehow I landed in Peoria, Ill. An announcer friend of
mine at WMBD there asked me to be a guest on his show. I was
paid $7.50, and was called back for more roles on dramatic and
variety programs. Then came a break. I went to WTAD in Quincy,
Ill, as assistant manager and program director. I liked radio and
decided to make it my career.
“From Quincy, I went to KMOX in St. Louis as producer, di-
rector and emcee for some of their top shows including ‘Quiz Of
Two Cities’, ‘Open House’, ‘The Land We Live In’, ‘Saturday at the
Chase’ and ‘Quiz Club’.
“In November, 1947, I was called to WBBM, Chicago as produc-
tion director. When WCBS was searching for a man to take God-
frey’s place, I cut a record and now I'm here. It sounds simple, of
course, but ten years of hard radio experience went into that audi-
tion record. I'm glad WCBS executives liked it, because I'm happy
to be in New York. It's not easy to follow in the footsteps of a man
of Godfrey's stature but it is a great opportunity. Everybody has
been swell to me since I started. i ce
STATISTICS: Has brown eyes and curly brown hair . . . is six
feet tall and weighs 190 pounds . . .His moustache is a throwback
to the days when he was trying to make himself look older. Keeps
it now because he is used to it . . . Hardest job he ever had—once,
with a stock company, he played leads, sang between acts and
played in the orchestra. “Versatility rather than talent was the
number one requirement,” he laughs . . . Has a dozen alarm clocks
in his apartment. They go off at five minute intervals so that he will
be sure to get to the studio by 6:00 AM each day . . . When asked
what he hopes to accomplish in his present position he replied jok-
ingly: “Ulcers, and I'm willing to sacrifice sleep and breakfast for
the job. Anyway, who can eat at such an hour?” . . . Plays golf,
tennis . ... likes football and baseball games , . . Cooking is his
main hobby and he admits that he is pretty good at it. His favorite
recipe is for spaghetti. He got the know how for it from an Italian
fiddle player he once worked with . .. Says his main talent is for
sleep . . . Most embarrassing moment in New York—On the first day
he went to WCBS (Nov. 1, 1948), he got two sponsors messed up—
My-T-Fine Pudding and Ideal Dog Food. Nobody got mad at him
for that and everybody had a laugh. “I remind myself now by saying
‘My-T-Fine Pudding is ideal and Ideal Dog Food is mighty fine’ ”
. . . His approach to his job is simple—‘Listeners are human beings,
aren't they? I try to talk like a human being, that’s all.”
Fishermen Get Pike Clay Pigeon-Shoot
Charles
and McKinley Long,
Jesse Hann and Herbert Peiffer,
Sweet Valley came back from Can-
ada last week with more Northern
and Wall-eyed Pike than they know
and Wall-eyed Pike than they knew
At Loyalville, June 4
Lake Township Game Protective
Association will hold a clay bird
shoot Sunday afternoon, June 4,
at Dewey Martin Farm, Loyalville.
BLACKTOP
DRIVEWAYS—SIDEWALKS
PARKING LOTS
TENNIS COURTS, ETC.
ROAD GRADING
DALE PARRY
DALLAS 417-R-3
FREE
3-IN-1 OIL
Get Yours Today
BOYD R. WHITE
Limited Supply
MAIN ST., DALLAS
363-R-4
Alfred D.
“As near as your telephone”
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Bronson
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
SWEET VALLEY, PA.
KAIERS
Dallas Highway
JOHN R. BIRKBECK
DISTRIBUTORS
Of Quality Beers
GIBBONS
465 Main St., Luzerne
RUPPERT
Phone 7-7636
See Hislop’s Ad—Page 9
REESE
a