mladinski list
MESEČNIK ZA SLOVENSKO MLADINO V AMERIKI
JUVENILE
Issued monthly for the Young Slovenes by the Slovene Nat’l Benefit Society at 2657 S. Lawndale ave., Chicago, 111. Entered as second-class matter August 2, 1922, at the postoffice at Chicago, 111., under Act of August 24, 1912. Annual subscription, $1.20; half year, 60c; foreign subscription, $1.60.
LETO XIV,—Št. 12.	CHICAGO, ILL., DECEMBER, 1935	Vol. XIV—No. 12.
Katka Zupančič:
BREZ MOČI
J^APLJE na vejah— kako se blešče!
Pa veter popihne— po biserih je . . .
Mirkec je dečko od nog do glave; pa lučka ugasne— pogum odpove.
Tak je ta Mirkec! Na videz—juhej! ga skušnja otiplje— ostane—ojej . . .
Jelka Vuk:
NAŠA MUCA
^AŠA muca
bela, kakor štruca, mehkotačka, mehkodlačka je poredna kakor muha. Vsako reč poduha, se obliže, rep podstriže in zagode:
Vrrrbam, skrrrb ’mam, vam narobe vi, ljudje, nerode, vsak je dan!
Vrrrrrrbam . . .
V šoli je miren, poslušen in vse; pa sosed pomigne— po pridnosti je!
Ljubi resnico, odkrito srce; bojazen ga stisne— pa laž izpove.
JOSEF LUITPOLD:
KIZAGOTAMI
v
se VO trati boš podil vesel, in še boš trgal rože, še boš pesmi pel!” —
Ko drugi dan jo zoro v svet razlival, je ležal sinček bled in ni več živel.
Kizagotami je otroka mrtvega dvignila in naglo v vas po svet se napotila.
Od vrat do vrat ves dem potrta leta:
“Kaj res nihče ne ve tolažbe ne nasveta?”
Vaščani so uzrli mater in otroka in vse zgrabila groza je globoka:
“Potrpi, draga! Vprašaj še sosede, mi nimamo rešilnega zdravila ne besede.”
Tako od hiše spet do hiše teka.
Pred zadnjo sreča Budo, vernega človeka.
“Gospod in mojster, ti mi bol uteši,
pokaži mi koren lečen in sina ž njim mi reši!”
“Resnično ti povem, nič več ne boš jokala.
Gorčično zrno le boš poiskala.
A zrno naj ti v taki hiši podelijo, kjer vsi, ki so jim dragi, še živijo.”
Od vrat do vrat potrta mati leta:
“Kaj res nihče ne ve tolažbe ne nasveta?
Z gorčičnim zrnom morete otroka mi oteti, a vsi, ki so vam dragi, morajo vam še živeti!”
“Kaj govoriš, prijateljica?” so ji govorili. “Nam vendar sina v vojni so ubili.
A meni mati je umrla. Meni fant, nevesti!
Joj, meni mož! In meni suženj zvesti!”
Domov je s trupelcem odšla Kizagotami in v svojem vrtu grob izgrebla je z rokami. In ve: ni hiše je na zemski obli celi, da v nji bi vsi, ki so jim dragi, še živeli!”
(Poslovenil MILE KLOPČIČ)
Katka Zupančič:
Izjema
Medved se dolgočasi pred svojim 'brlogom. Pride lisica.
“Dober dan, stric! Veliko sveta sem videla. Me hočeš poslušati?”
Medved jo nahruli: “Zgubi se, tepi-ca, ki samo lažeš in lažeš in grdo la-žeš!”
“No, bom pa lepo lagala; ali pa bom za spremembo govorila resnico, če tako želiš?!”
“Resnico, ali pa nič!” zarentači medved.
“Meni prav!” Tako reče lisica, sede, lokavo pomežikne in začne:
“Poznam medveda, ki mu ga ni para pod solncem. Velik je ko gora in močan — hu! in lep je, prava krasota. Dolga gosta dlaka se mu svetlika, da kaj.”
Lisičje oči božajo oguljenega medveda, da se temu debela glava kar zamaje od ugodja. “Dalje, dalje!”
“Skratka, vsega zavidanja je vredna njegova zunanjost. Ali tudi po duhu je velik in močan in lep. Pa hraber! Ah, lev je miška proti njemu! In moder šele, moder! Naj večjemu modrecu tega sveta bi lahko upravičeno rekel tepec.”
Medved pohrkava od same zadovoljnosti.
“Pa pravijo medvedke svojim možem: ‘Oh, zakaj niste taki, kakršen je on? Sto in stokrat bi nam bili ljubši!’ In pravijo svojim mladičem: ‘On vam bodi vzor!’
“Ali medvediči si ne upajo k njemu ker se boje njegove vsestranske veličine. In medvedje nočejo k njemu, saj bi bili spričo njega kakor svečke proti solncu. Zato živi sam zase in osamljen dasi je zelo gostoljuben. In radodaren Svoj zadnji založaj — pa kaj to! — krasni kožuh bi slekel in ga dal potrebnemu, samo če bi mogel. Sovraži le
eno, to je — laž; ljubi samo eno, to je
— resnico!”
Lisica u/molkne.
“Saj nisi še končala?” jeclja medved mehko.
“Ne, nisem. Oddiha potrebujem za konec, ki je najlepši.”
“Ali pa je to tudi vse resnično, kar si povedala?”
“Resnično! Tako resnično, kakor resnično te bom zdaj čehljala, če smem
— jaz nevrednica!” In že ga čehlja za ušesom ter gleda zamaknjeno pod nebo, kakor svečenica, ki opravlja sveto delo.
Medved se topi od sreče. Končno se domisli: “Počakaj,” pravi in odmenca v brlog. Vrne se z velikim purjim bedrom. “Na, tetka, privošči si.”
Medtem ko lisica obira bedro, si misli: “Kjer je bilo eno, bo tudi drugo, če kaj vem!” Po prigrizku leže in pravi: “Saj dovoliš, da nekoliko podrem-ljem. Ti pa se medtem veseli konca povesti in odganjaj muhe.” V medvedovem varstvu brez skrbi zaspi.
Ko se nasmrči, jame stokati in se zvijati, kakor da bi jo lomil krč. Medved ves zaskrbljen vprašuje: “Kaj ti je? S čim ti naj pomagam?”
“Še drugo bedro, da bo pomirilo prvo! Brž, brž!” hiti lisica.
Medved nima časa pomišljati, ampak skoči po zaželjeno. Krč seveda takoj popusti in lisica počasi pospravi bedro do zadnjega vlakenca. Nato se spravi na noge in pojasni medvedu: “Poizkusiti moram, kako me noge drže!” Oddaljujoč se momlja potihem:
“Ena, dve—ena, dve—ko bedak resnico zve;
Ena, dve—ena, dve—tetka beži, hehehe!”
“Kam, tetka, kam? Nisi še povedala konca,” jo medved opominja obzirno.
“Konec? Saj res. Konec! No da, začne se tako, kakor se je začela povest:
Poznam medveda. Enega samega, ki je vreden svojega imena. Vsi ostali so čisto navadne, skrajno zabite, neotesa-
ne in do budalosti domišljave mrcine. Ena sama izjema je! In ta izjema — nisi ti . . . Zal mi je, toda hotel si resnico, ki pa je ne moreš prenesti.”
Za trenotek se še popase na razočaranem, do smešnosti poparjenem medvedu, potem pa jo še pravočasno od-kuri.
Mile Klopčič:
V SPOMINSKO KNJIGO
i.
(Mali Radi)
V	ŽIVLJENJU taka je navada,
da dan za dnem v preteklost pada.
In zmerom spremlja te velika nada in nekaj sreče, nekaj tudi jada.
Vse to jo čaka, ko nerada ali rada stopila bo v življenje mala Rada.
II.
Pa naj življenje še tako trdo koraka, mladega človeka vendarle še vse na svetu čaka. Treba je kljub vsemu mnogo dobre volje in v hudih urah misliti: “Bo že še bolje!”
Ivan Jontez:
Prebujenje v deželi palčkov
p OD visoko goro v deveti deželi je nekoč živel v prostrani votlini delaven rod pedenj-množicev palčkov. Votlino so razsvetljevali razni dragulji, posejani v obilici po skalnatem oboku in stenah. Palčki so se bavili z brušenjem demantov in biserov, ki so jih nato vdela vali v razno lepotic je. Prodajali so ga ničemernim ljudem devete dežele. V zameno so dobivali žito, sadje, sukno in sploh vse za svoje vsakdanje potrebe. Denarja niso marali, ker ga niso potrebovali.
V	tej podzemski deželi palčkov je dolgo časa vladala naj večja sreča. Vsi so delali in vsakdo je dobil od skupnega deleža vse, kar je potreboval. Med seboj so si bili vsi enaki, vsi so imeli enake dolžnosti in enake pravice. Izkoriščanje jim je bilo tuje, samogolt-nosti niso poznali, zavist, zloba in laž niso imele dostopa v njihovo kraljestvo, zato so živeli v miru, ljubezni in zadovoljstvu življenje, kakršnega ljudje še ne poznamo. Vsi so si bili bratje in sestre, nobenih razlik niso delali med seboj, bili so pravični drug z drugim, sleherni izmed njih se je po svojih močeh trudil za splošno blagostanje in vsi skupaj so vedno gledali, da je bil sleherni med njimi zadovoljen in srečen. Če je kdaj kakega palčka zadela nezgoda ali nesreča, so vsi sočustvovali z njim ter se potrudili, da bi mu čimprej olajšali njegovo gorje. Tako so živeli ti palčki v miru in zadovoljnosti mnogo stoletij.
Zgodilo pa se je, da se je nekaj palčkov hudo pokvarilo. Kdove zakaj in kako so se naselile v njihova srca sa-mogoltnost, zavist in pohlep, katerim so sledile hinavščina, hudobnost in za-vratnost. Vsega so imeli na pretek, a vendar niso bili zadovoljni in so se počutili prikrajšane, ker hoteli so imeti še več, hoteli so imeti — vse, biti vse.
Čim so se hudobni bratci spoznali med seboj, so skovali temno zaroto, ki je imela izpremeniti deželo srečnih palčkov v deželo solz in trpljenja. Previdno so se začeli bližati sobratom šibkejšega značaja ali bolj preproste pameti ter jim šepetaj e pripovedovali zlagane istorije o neki drugi deželi palčkov, kjer je življenje mnogo svobodnejše, kjer posameznik lahko vse drugače uveljavi svoje zmožnosti ter si privošči užitke, kakršni so njim tuji in sploh nedovoljeni. “V tisti deželi,” so se lagali zarotniki, “lahko postaneš odličen princ, se oblačiš namesto v navadno sukno v svilo in žamet, imaš služabnike, ki delajo namesto tebe in ti strežejo, ješ najslajše jedi iz zlatih skled in strežejo ti prelepe kraljične v svilenih, z zlatimi nitmi pretkanih oblačilih!”
Palčki se izprva niso zmenili za lepe pripovedke, potem pa so drug za drugim prisluhnili. Ti so se domislili, da je delo pretežko in hrana preslaba, o-nim se je zazdela obleka iz domačega sukna preveč preprosta, tretjim ni bilo prav, ker zakon dežele ni dovoljeval lepotičenja itd. Pod zunanjo skorjo zadovoljnosti je začela tleti nezadovoljnost.
In tako se je zgodilo, da se je dežela palčkov nekega jutra nenadoma znašla v nenavadnem mraku, kajti na stropu in stenah so manjkali najlepši biseri in demanti. Palčki so se razburili. “Nekdo nas je okradel!” so vzklikali drug preko drugega. “Za tatom!”
Ni jim bilo treba iti daleč. Tat je sedel na kamenitem prestolu v posvetovalnici, na katerem je sedel ob času posvetovanj častitljivi predsednik palčje republike, demanti in biseri so se lesketali na kupu poleg njega, okrog njega pa je stala skupina oboroženih palčkov, ki so mrko opazovali bližajočo
se množico presenečenih sodeležanov. Oni na prestolu je pravkar govoril:
“Moje ime poslej je Kapitalist. Odslej bom jaz vaša naj višja oblast in vse, kar doseže moje oko, je moje. Toda ne bojte se, to vam ne bo v zlo. Kdor bo z menoj, se mu bo dobro godilo, bolje kot kdaj poprej. Toda gorje upornikom! V prah jih bom strl! To zahteva blagor naše očetnjave! Razumete?”
Oni okolo njega so ponižno sklonili glave v znak, da razumejo, drugi pa, ki so medtem prišli k sebi, so pa glasno protestirali:
“Kaj je to? Kdo si drzne prisvajati oblast, ki je iz nas in od nas vseh? Mi tega ne dovolimo! Najvišja oblast smo mi — ljudstvo! Ti, širokoustnež, takoj zapusti prostor, ki ti ne gre!”
Širokoustnež se je najprej porogljivo zakrohotal, potem pa se je njegov obraz zmračil. “Dovolj dolgo ste nas tiranizirali!” je zagrmel nad množico in oči so se mu iskrile kot šopi isker. “Tega je zdaj konec! Zdaj sem oblast
—	jaz. Kdor se mi protivi, bo to bridko obžaloval!”
In je bilo res tako, kajti ko se množica pravkar prostosti oropanih palčkov ni hotela podati in raziti, je širokoustnež (to je bilo njegovo prvotne ime) zapovedal svojim oborožencem, naj pri razprše. To se je zgodilo, toda pri tem je tekla kri in mnogo neoboroženih palčkov je pri tem izgubilo življenje.
V	deželi pedenj-možicev je zavladala tema, skozi katero je rezal ognjeni bič krivice ter padal po hrbtih svobode oropanega ljudstva.
Kapitalist pa je bil prevejan. Ljudstvu je dal navidezne svobodščine: državni svet, sodišča in šole. Toda državni svet, ki ga je izvolilo ljudstvo pod njegovim pritiskom, je samo pritrjeval njegovi volji, sodišča s svojimi advokati so branila le njega in njegove koristi, šole so učile samo pokorščino do njega, cerkve, ki jih je tudi postav-
ljal, pa so zabičevale zdaj grdo izkoriščanim in brezpravnim palčkom, da je božja volja, da jim vlada Kapitalist.
Dežela se je razdelila v razrede. Kapitalist je bil najvišja oblast in gospodar vsega, kar je bilo in kar se je u-stvarilo z delom pridnih rok. Advokat je zastopal njegove koristi, opravičeval tatvino in utemeljeval krivico ter branil na sodišču pobojnike, ki so v njegovem imenu ropali in ubijali nedolžne palčke. Duhovnik je molil za oba, zatrjeval ljudstvu, da je volja nebes, da se mu tako godi ter ga tolažil z lepšim življenjem nad skalnim svodom votline. Ti trije razredi so tvorili sveto trojico oblasti in reda. V četrti razred so spadali lakaji, rablji in po-bojniki. Ljudstvo je spadalo v najnižji razred, v razred brezpravnih. Najboljše se je godilo prvemu in njegovim bratom, kajti nakopičil si je bil vsega toliko, da vsega pri najboljši volji ni mogel požreti, čeprav je razsipal na vse mogoče načine ter se skrajno spridil. Na drugem mestu so bili advokati in duhovni, ki se jim navadno ni godilo slabo, rajši dobro, zlasti onim, ki so si znali pridobiti zaslug za Kapitalista. Tudi lakajem, rabljem in pobojnikom se je godilo prilično dobro. Kako pa ljudstvu?
Ljudstvo je imelo eno samo veliko in sveto dolžnost — delati in ustvarjati ter izročevati vse sadove svojega dela obenem s svojimi najkrepkejšimi in najbistroumnejšimi mladeniči in naj-zalšimi mladenkami nenasitnemu Mo-lohu (kajti to je bilo pravo ime pokvarjenega palčka, ki si je z zvijačo nasilno prisvojil vso oblast). Pravico je imelo tudi samo eno: smelo je pri tem stradati, biti nago in boso ter umirati od vsega hudega.
Tako je nad nesrečno deželo dolgo ležala črna tema, skozi katero je rezal ognjeni bič krivice in iz katere je prihajalo obupno ječanje in jok izkoriščanih in zatiranih sužnjev. Bilo je grozno.
Nekoč pa je prišel v deželo sivobra-di tujec, o katerem je šel sloves, da je imel preroške zmožnosti. Tujec je videl temo, videl ognjeni bič krivice, trpljenje in solze brezpravnih palčkov, na drugi strani pa svetlobo in razkošje in pokvarjenost v sijajnih palačah Molo-hovih ter se prijel za glavo, rekoč:
“A kaj je z vami, o delavni palčki, da ne vidite, kako silna krivica se vam godi?! Ali ste slepi in gluhi in neobčutljivi za vse? Vi delate in ustvarjate, a sadove vašega dela golta nenasitni Moloh, dočim vi toliko da ne umirate od glada in mraza! In za povrh poje nad vami bič Molohov! Kdo mu je dal to oblast — oblast pograbiti zase in svoje lakaje vse najboljše, kar ustvarijo vaše roke in oblast bičati vas? O prijatelji, sami ste mu izročili to oblast, o neumneži ! Namesto da bi ga bili z združenimi močmi poteptali v prah, ste kot nerazsodne ovce dopustili, da je postal, kar ste bili in ste po vsej pravici vi sami — naj višja oblast v deželi!”
“Izdani smo bili!” so ugovarjali nekateri.
“Ker ste bili nečuječi!” jih je zavrnil novi učitelj ter začel buditi v njih odpor proti krivici, sovraštvo proti nasilju in poteptani človeški ponos.
Učitelj je kmalu zbral okolo sebe lepo število učencev, ki so mu sledili ter mu pomagali odpirati oči nevednim sužnjem Molohovim. Le-ta se je nekaj časa smehljal, ko pa je videl, da se množica nezadovoljnežev čedalje hitrejše veča, je pobesnel ter spustil z verig svoje pse in rablje. Začela se je krvava doba preganjanja vseh, ki so zahtevali pravico.
Prvi je moral umreti Učitelj: križali so ga. Predno pa je izdihnil svojo veliko dušo, je zbral poslednji napor telesa in duha ter z jasnim, vse pronicajočim glasom spregovoril:
“Za pravico sem živel, za pravico moram umreti, toda zapomnite si: na križ ste pribili zgolj mene, ne pa ideje, katero sem prinesel ljudstvu, ki ga izže-
mate in zatirate! Ideja je neranljiva in neumrljiva in nezmagljiva! Navzlic vsem vašim naporom bo naposled zmagala, ker mora! Vi z vašim spominom vred pa boste morali iti v temo večne pozabe!”
Ljudstvu pa je naslovil te-le besede:
“Za vas, vi ubogi zatirani, izkoriščani in ponižani palčki, imam pa te-le besede : Združite se, kajti le združeni postanete resnična sila, kateri se ne bo moglo nič zoperstavljati in ki bo dosegla vse, kar bo hotela!’*
Nato je umrl. Za njim je moralo u-mreti na križu, vislicah, pod sekiro in v temnicah še mnogo, mnogo tisoč njegovih učencev, kajti Moloh je bil mnogo bojazljivejši in zato tudi krvoloč-nejši od Nerona. Toda vsaka kaplja tako prelite krvi se je spremenila v krvavordeč biser, ki je pošiljal rdeče iskre upora proti krivici v srca zasužnjenih palčkov. Več ko je bilo žrtev, več je bilo tudi privržencev nove ideje.
Prišla je bila ta ideja kot rahla pomladna sapa, polagoma je zavela v slednjem kotu prostrane votline, zašla v vse špranje in razpoke, se spremenila v osvežujoč veter, ki je bolj in bolj naraščal ter se kmalu jel oglašati z otlim, svarečim bobnenjem.
Moloh je prebledel na svojem prestolu iz zlata. Še bolj so prebledeli njegovi lakaji, ki so v strahu za svojo ničvredno kožo preplašeno svetovali: “Popusti vajeti, o Moloh, nehaj udrihati z bičem, da žrebec ne zdivja!” Pa Moloh, čigar glavna lastnost je bila neizmerna zabitost združena z gluhoto in slepoto, ni hotel slišati nič o tem. In tako se je veter sprevrgel v vihar.
Proti Molohovemu sijajnemu dvorcu je stopala silna, mrka množica palčkov. Kakor nezmagljiv val so bili, kateremu se mora vse ukloniti. Moloh jih je videl, podati pa se ni hotel, temveč je rajši poslal proti njim svoje vojake. Toda zaman vsak odpor — premalo jih je bilo, z Molohom in lakaji vred slabo peščico, združenih palčkov pa nepregledna in nepremagljiva množica. Kdor
ljudstvo pedenj-možicev je zopet zadovoljno in srečno, kakor je bilo nekoč. Toda poboljšali so se ti pedenj-možici v enem pogledu; postali so čuječni, da jim ne bi zopet kdaj kak nepridiprav zagodel take kot Moloh. Kakorhitro opazijo med seboj kakega podobnega bolnika, ga brž pošljejo v nalašč za take palčke pripravljeno bolnišnico.
se tej množici ni podal, je bil poteptan v prah in predno je bilo dneva konec, je Moloh končno in za vedno doigral.
Zdaj je v deželi palčkov v votlini pod visoko goro v deveti deželi zopet svetlo in prijazno kakor nekoč. Na skalnem oboku in na stenah se zopet bleščijo demanti in biseri, med palčki zopet vladajo enakost, ljubezen in svoboda in
PRVA NASELBINA V NEW YORKU
DOGOVOR S CITATELJI
DRAGI OTROCI!
Prišla je zima in z njo božič ter tik za njim novo leto. Prazniki so vam prinesli zaželjene šolske počitnice za teden ali dva. Doživeli ste obilo veselja. Mnogi morda tudi precej razočaranja nad pičlimi darili. Morda pa jih sploh ni bilo. Ali pa niste dobili takih daril kakršnih ste si želeli. Darila se ravnajo po razmerah. Te pa so za delavce še vedno slabe. Največ dobička od daril imajo trgovci in razpečevalci ter lastniki tovarn.
Ko boste prejeli to številko Mladinskega Lista, bo že konec leta 1935. Naša želja, da izide decembrska številka vsaj teden dni pred božičem, se žal ni izpolnila. V tiskarni se je nabralo obilo izrednega dela in Mladinski List je moral čakati. Na vsak način se bomo potrudili, da bo v novem letu M. L. bolj zgodaj izhajal. Vsaj v prvi polovici vsakega meseca.
Kontest, ki je bil pred par meseci razpisan v M. L., se zaključi z 31. dec. 1935. Vsi prispevki, ki bodo prišli v uredništvo do tega dne, bodo priobčeni v januarski številki. V tej številki jih smo priobčili lepo število. Z njimi ste pokazali, da se zanimate za svoj list, za jednoto in za njeno bodočnost. To je lepo! Tudi drugih dopisov je lepo številce. Hvala vsem malim dopisovalcem! Priporočam se vam, da napišete še mnogo, mnogo lepih slovenskih dopisov v novem letu. Imena onih, katerih kontestna pisma bodo nagrajena, bodo priobčene pozneje. To bo po zaključku kontesta.
Obilo sreče v novem letu — vsem!
UREDNIK.
Mildred se uči slovenski
Dragi urednik!
To je moj prvi dopis za priljubljeni Mladinski List. Jaz sem stara deset let in sem v 5. razredu. Moji učiteljici je ime Miss Jones in' jo imam prav rada. Šola se mi dopade, ker se vedno kaj novega naučim.
Pa to še ni vse. Pohajam tudi “slovensko večerno šolo,” trikrat na teden, ki jo vzdržuje moja mama. Sedaj znam že zašilo pisati
in -brati. Upam, da se bom še bolj naučila, ker slovenščina se meni zdi bolj lahka ko angleščina. Pa zakaj se ne bi, ko imamo pa toliko prostega časa za učenje, posebno pozimi, ker so dolgi večeri. Mislim, da to je samo lenoba, kdor se nič ne pobriga za slovenski jezik. Velikokrat sem že slišala, ko je kdo rekel: “Ah, kaj mi bo slovenski jezik? Kaj mi pa ‘nuca’, saj tukaj ti ne more priti prav.” Jaz pa mislim tako, da kdor več zna, več je vreden. Tako pravi tudi moja mama: “Otroci, naučite se sedaj, dokler se še lahko. Dokler ste mladi,
se boste lahko naučili in boste videli, da vam ne more škodovati, koristi lahko vam pa vselej. človek, ki se sramuje svojega jezika, ni veliko vreden.”
To moram še povedati, da vsa naša družina spada k SNPJ. Naše društvo se imenuje Lilija št. 95. Mi smo zelo ponosni na SNPJ, ki nam lahko pride na pomoč ob vsaki potrebi.
Vreme se spreminja, časi se pa nič, zato tudi ne vem, kako bo kaj z božičnimi darili. Moj Miklavž še nič ne ve, če mi bo mogel kaj ustreči, dasi ga že dolgo nadlegujem. On pa pravi, da smo srečni, da le imamo kruhka. Včasih si sama tako mislim, da kruh je še večje darilo, ki ga imamo vsak dan, ne samo ob božiču.
Sedaj naj končam in vas prav lepo prosim, da popravite napake, da bo to moje pisemce za javnost, drugače bo našlo smrt v vaši vroči peči.
Lep pozdrav vsem čitateljem in tudi Vam.' Vesele praznike in srečno novo leto!
Mildred Hotko,
Box 277, Deer Park, Oglesby, 111.
*	*
Pozimi iz šole
Dragi urednik!
Vse je belo! Dol je bel in breg, pravi pesnik. Po tem pa nadaljuje: Pod nogo škriplje trdi sneg. Uboge ptičice zmrzujejo, nožiče gole privzdigujejo. Zaspano, kakor da je v šoli, z neba mi gleda solnce doli. Kam je gorkoto svojo delo? — Od mraza škriplje vse in poka; mraz tudi vama je, otroka, iz šole zdaj domov grede. Le urno dvigajta pe.te! Še mnogo vama bode teči, da se doma pri gorki peči ogreje mrzli ves životek, kaj gorkega dobi želodček. Oh, poln težav je in bridkosti že sam začetek učenosti!—Tako poje pesnik J. Stritar v svoji pesmi “Pozimi iz šole.”
Pozdrav vsem čitateljem in uredniku ter srečno novo leto vsean!	Joe Rott,
18815 Chickasaw ave., Cleveland, O.
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O delu, relifu in drugem
Cenjeni urednik!
Ker je to zadnji dopis v tem letu, namenjen za “Kotiček”, zato naj ne izostane.
Dnevi se krajšajo in noči se daljšajo. Starka zima že z brado kima. Peči, ki so od prošle zime počivale zaprašene in pajčevinaste po kotih, so spet prišle do svoje veljave. Staro in mlado se gnete okoli njih in jim kaže hrbte. Le škoda, da peči požrejo veliko premoga, ki se je letos znatno podražil, kakor tudi vse druge življenske potrebščine. Komaj so začeli relifarji delati (namreč samci, ki jih do-
zdaj niso zaposlevali pri relifnih delih), so začele cene potrebščinam lezti navzgor. Pa kaj se hoče, revež si ne more pomagati. Na enem koncu mu dajo pičel zaslužek, na drugem mu ga pa požro visoke cene.
Mnogo se danes govori in piše o Mussolinijevih avanturah v Afriki. (Splošno mnenje prevladuje tu, in menda tudi drugod po Ameriki, da zdaj, ko so se sankcije petdesetih držav začele izvajati proti njemu, si bo “duče” pošteno prste opekel v vroči Afriki.
Ker nimam več kaj pisati, zato sklenem ta dopis in obenem želim jednoti mnogo uspeha in napredka še naprej! Članom, članicam in Vam pa želim srečno novo leto!
Josephine Mestek,
638 N. 9th st., Clinton, Ind.
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SNPJ—najboljši prijatelj
Dragi urednik!
Kadar želi človek izvedeti, kdo je njegov najboljši prijatelj, .to najbolje spozna, ko je v potrebi. Za najboljšega prijatelja se je že mnogokrat in mnogim izkazala naša Slovenska narodna podporna jednota. Zato je dolžnost vseh njenih mladih članov, da ji pomagajo, ker bo tudi ona njim pomagala.
Zadnjič sem poslala v priobčitev moj prispevek za kontest in je bil priobčen v novembrski številki M. L. K temu naj dodam, da je potrebno, da smo zvesti in dobri člani SNPJ ne le sedaj, ko je v teku kontest, temveč vselej in povsod. To pa zato, ker SNPJ je vredna, da ji pomagamo. Že veliko dobrega je storila za svoje člane in še mnogo bo. U-stanovili so jo napredni delavci in ji dali delavsko podlago. Že mnogim je potom svojih listov in knjig odprla oči, da so spregledali in spoznali resnično stran življenja. S tem so postali dobri člani človeške družbe. Od takrat naprej delajo za skupni dobrobit delavstva.
SNPJ vselej pošteno in točno plačuje podporo vsem članom, ki so je vredni. Ko bomo bolni in stari, nam bo SNPJ pomagala. Torej vsi na delo za večjo in močnejšo jednoto! Vsi na plan!
Jennie Grobin, Box 17, Broughton, Pa.
*	*
Naprej za SNPJ!
Cenjeni urednik!
Že zopet se oglašam v Mladinskem Listu. Sporočiti moram, da je bil moj ata bolan en teden, sedaj pa je že spet zdrav in dela v tovarni. To je bilo prvi teden v decembru. Na zahvalni dan sem imel počitnice pet dni. Sedaj pa moram spet v šolo. — Bodimo po-
nosni na našo Mater Jednoto — SNPJ! — Vesele praznike in srečno novo leto vsem članom 'SNPJ! Naprej za večjo jednoto!
Prank R. Kramar,
949 Cedar ave., Sharon, Pa.
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M. L.—najboljši svetovalec
Dragi urednik!
Zadnjič sem napisala pisemce za kontest. Sedaj bom napisala par vrstic o tem in onem. Slovenski mi gre bolj slabo, ker se šele učim. In to vzame mnogo časa, predno se človek kaj nauči.
Mladinski List je najboljši svetovalec in učitelj za mladino. Za odrasle je pa najboljši učitelj dnevnik Prosveta. Velike koristi bi bilo, če bi bila vsa slovenska mladina pri SNPJ. Naša jednota dobro skrbi za svoje člane, kadar so bolni ali v nesreči in ob času smrti za dediče. Pa ne samo to! SNPJ skrbi tudi za izobrazbo svojih mladih in odraslih članov. Za delavsko izobrazbo, kar je seveda največ vredno za vsakega delavca. Vsega tega se ne dobi pri drugih organizacijah.
Srečno novo leto vsem članom SNPJ!
Anna Grobin, Box 17, Broughton, Pa.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
To je moj prvi dopis v M. L. Stara sem 11 let in sem v 6. razredu v šoli. Moja učiteljica je Miss Lucille West. Ne samo angleška šola, tudi slovenska šola je koristna, da bomo kaj znali.
Pred par meseci me je Mrs. Hotko povabila in mi je povedala, da je ona začela učiti svoji dve hčerki pisati in brati v slovenskem jeziku. In je tudi mene vprašala, če se hočemo tudi jaz in moja sestrica potruditi, da nas bo ona naučila pisati in brati, kolikor se bo dalo. Sedaj smo se že malo naučile.
Ona nas dobro uči, kar je v njeni moči. Iskreno se ji zahvaljujem za njen trud. Obljubila nam je, da bo nam priredila lep pardi na novega leta dan, če se bomo pridno učile. Ona je zelo dobra z nami, pa .tudi huda je. Pravi, kadar smo v slovenski šoli, če njo katera kaj vpraša ali med seboj igovorimo, da moramo slovensko govoriti. Če se katera spozabi, da govori angleško, ni prav, pa tudi lepo ni. če se hočemo učiti slovenski, ne smemo mešati angleške govorice vmes, ker tako se bomo slabo naučile svojega jezika. Ona pravij ‘0-troci, ipoprirnite se šole. iSaj bo 'šlo. Če se drugi naučijo, se boste tudi ve.” Mislim, da ibo res tako.
Pa naj to zadostuje. Bom še prihodnjič
več napisala. Prosim Vas, popravite moje napake. Lep pozdrav Vam in čitateljem. Srečno novo leto!
Aloizia Visnikar,
311 Walnut st., Oglesby, 111.
*	*
V šoli pri materi
Dragi urednik!
To je moj prvi dopis za naš Mladinski List. Stara sem devet let in sem v 4. razredu ljudske šole. Moja učiteljica je Miss Gherardini in jo imam prav rada. Angleški dopis bi že lahko tudi napisala, pa mi je moja mama branila in rekla, da me bo ona naučila slovensko pisati in brati. In res se tako godi. Znam za silo pisati. Zima bo dolga in dolgočasna. Namesto, da 'bi se hodila drsat in trgat čevlje, se bom rajši zavzela za učenje, kajti slovenščina se mi zelo dopade, ker to je jezik moje matere.
iNa Miklavža pa tudi ne smem pozabiti. Priporočila se mu bom za nekaj lepega. Morda bo kaj, če ne bo pozabil. Se mu že obeta, da bo kmalu spet doma in brez dela celo zimo. Bo spet dolgčas prodajal za pečjo. Kako je to žalostno zanj! Tako dolg dopust!
Drugega nimam sedaj nič novega. Pozdravljam Vas in vse čitatelje in Vam voščim vesele praznike!
Annie Hotko,
Box 277, Deer Park, Oglesby, 111.
*	*
Pesem o kontestu
Dragi urednik!
Upam, da se nisem preveč zakasnil, ker sem se trudil, da bi dobro pismo napisal za naš kontest. Pa se mi je ponesrečilo. Iz pisma je nastala ta pesem za kontest:
Mlad sem še, a rad bi bil že dorastel član jednote.
Dal bi vse in tudi srce, da ostanem zvest član 'SNPJ.
Mladini SNPJ duševno največ pomaga, ponesrečene, bolne s podporo zalaga, starim, onemoglim vedno kaj daruje, Mati jednota najboljše plačuje.
Kdor asesmente točno plačuje, potrebam jednote najbolj zadoščuje.
Vsak nepošten naj izostane, s tem izgube drugim prihrani.
Felix Vogrinc,
2419 N. Main ave., Scranton, Pa.
ODMEVI KONTESTA
Dragi urednik!
K SNPJ sem pristopil ko mi je bilo eno leto, zakar se moram zahvaliti mojim staršem. Pred enim letom sem se začel zanimati, kaj pravzaprav je vredna iSiNPJ. Njenim ustanoviteljem gre velika zahvala. Orali so ledino in iz SNPJ napravili veliko in močno organizacijo, ki je pomagala že mnogim članom. Mi mladi člani pa moramo nadaljevati njih delo za SNPJ, da bo še napredovala in tudi nam pomagala. SNPJ je delavska organizacija za delavce in njihove otroke. Zato smo dolžni, da ji pomagamo in ostanemo zvesti njenim načelom in njenemu delu.
Marion M. Jereb,
92 Lincoln ave., No. Irwin, Pa.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Star sem 11 let in član SNPJ že devet let. Nas je pet v družini in vsi smo člani SNPJ. Moj oče pravi, da smo člani zato, ker taka organizacija je delavcem neobhodno potrebna. Svojim članom nudi v bolezni in nesreči podporo, po smrti pa dedičem smrtnino. Tudi druge ugodnosti nam nudi, v izobrazbi. Ustanovljena je (bila na svobodnomiselni podlagi in izdaja Mladinski List ter Prosveto. Zato bomo vsi trije: jaz, moj brat in sestra, postali aktivni člani ko dorastemo. Delali bomo za napredek vedno in povsod. (Društvo 299.)
Victor Tomsic, Box 122, Walsenburg, Colo.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Ko bom dosegla predpisano starost, bom postala aktivna članica SNPJ iz sledečih razlogov: SNPJ mi bo dobra mati v bolezni, če pa umrjem, bo pa skrbela za moje drage, katerim bom zapustila mojo smrtnino. Ne le to, ampak SNPJ me uči potom Mladinskega Lista in Prosvete, kako naj živim, da bom vredna članica človeške družbe. Ona me uči, da sta vera in narodnost prazen Ibavibav, da smo vsi ljudje enaki ter vsi enako upravičeni do dostojnega življenja. Zato:	Živela	SNPJ
(Društvo 700.)
Mary Jancic, Box 712, Roundup, Mont.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Aktivna članica hočem postati zato, ker SNPJ zavaruje člane za bolniško podporo za eden ali dva dolarja na dan, nudi pa .tudi podporo za poškodbe in pa smrtnino. Ker je močna finančno, lahko pričakujemo podporo, kadar bomo do nje upravičeni. Lahko priča-
kujemo od nje še veliko, ako bomo branili njena načela in zanjo delali. Vsi skupaj moramo pomagati, da bodo vsi slovenski sinovi in hčere prišli pod okrilje SNPJ, ki so jo ustanovili slovenski očetje in matere. Ker je to organizacija slovenskih delavcev in za delavce, pri čemer pomagajo tudi naše matere, je naša dolžnost, da ji pomagamo. Živela SNPJ!	Albie Ozanich,
307 Douglas ave., Eveleth, Minn.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Ker se je SNPJ v mnogih slučajih prej in še posebno v tej dolgi krizi izkazala za najboljšo slovensko organizacijo, zato hočem postati aktiven član, ko dorastem. Za male prispevke nudi največ gmotne podpore, duševne pa tudi. Zato je moja dolžnost, da ji pomakam, da bo svoje delo še dolgo nadaljevala. Mojemu očetu in materi je že veliko pomagala, ko sta bila na operaciji. Takrat je bila podpora najbolj potrebna. Vse je bilo prazno, hrane nobene. Takrat pa nam je priskočila SNPJ na pomoč. Ker upam, da bom dolgo živel in da bom ves čas zdrav, zato želim postati aktiven član v oddelku odraslih, kakor hitro bom dopolnil predpisano starost. (Društvo št. 65.)
Tony Ulepich, R 2, Mulberry, Kans.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
SNPJ mi je najbolj priljubljena zato, ker so mi moji starši povedali že pred več leti, da je vzorna organizacija, ki vedno napreduje in raste. Najbolj sem se pa začela zanimati za SNPJ ko sem pričela čitati Mladinski List in Prosveto. Mladinski List je nam mladim začetnik in voditelj, zato ga tako rada čitam. Dobra in aktivna članica SNPJ bom postala, kadar dosežem predpisano starost, ker SNPJ zasluži, da so vsi njeni mladi člani aktivni zanjo. Noben vihar me ne bo odtrgal od te napredne organizacije! Zanjo bom delala vselej, kadar mi bo mogoče. (Društvo 318.)
Mary Matko, Box 27, Pleasant Unity, Pa.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Članica SNPJ bom ostala do smrti, kajti to bo meni v prid. Naš mladinski oddelek ima lep uspeh. Naša jednota je velika pomočnica v bolezni in tolažnica v smrti. Zato je naša dolžnost, da jo podpiramo in vestno ter točno asesment plačujemo. Potrebno pa je, da ji tudi dobimo še več novih članov. Zato pa, bratci in sestrice, na delo, kolikor vam
moči dopuščajo. Pri tem delu lahko vsak član pomaga. Vsakemu svojemu prijatelju povejte, kako dobra in koristna ter potrebna nam je SNPJ. Kajti, čim več nas bo pri SN-PJ, toliko več bomo od nje dobili.
Pauline Fabec,
6910 Butler st., Pittsburgh, Pa.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Jaz bom postala aktivna članica SNPJ zato, ker imam črno na belem, koliko je že SNPJ pomagala mojemu očetu v njegovi bolezni. Naša SNPJ je pravo zavetje bolnikov. To lahko popolnoma resnično povem, in s ponosom bom to povedala vsakomur, ki ga bom srečala v mojem življenju. Živela SNPJ! (Društvo 124.)
Ernesta Žigon, Box 907, Forest City, Pa.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Ko bom dopolnil predpisano starost, bom postal aktiven član SNPJ. To pa zato, ker je naša SNPJ najboljša in poštena slovenska podporna organizacija. Skušal ji bom pridobiti mnogo dobrih in aktivnih članov. Zato pa tudi pričakujem, da mi bo jedno.ta pomagala v slučaju nesreče ali bolezni, ko jo bom najbolj potreboval. — Poleti nisem imel veliko časa, da 'bi pisal v M. L., ker sem moral pomagati pri delu na polju. Drugače je z o-troci, ki živijo v mestih. Tukaj so bile velike povodnji. iStar sem 13 let in hodim v 8. razred ljudske šole.
Frank R. Sladich,
Box 45, Greenwood, Wis.
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Cenjeni urednik!
Star sem 13 let in 12 let sem že v mladinskem oddelku SNPJ. Vsa naša družina je pri SNPJ, pet po številu. Naše društvo se imenuje Slovenski lovec š.t. 143. Moj oče je celo ustanovil to društvo. To je bilo pred 25 leti. SNPJ se mu je zdela najibolj napredna organizacija. Poleg tega vselej točno izplača svoje obveznosti. Za svoje člane skrbi kakor dobra mati za svoje otroke. Le to želim, da bi naša 'StNPJ še bolj napredovala v bodoče.— Edward J. Strajner,
Box 156, East Helena, Mont.
*	*
Cenjeni urednik!
članica SNPJ sem že devet let pri društvu 406. In ponosna sem na to! Stara sem 13 let. SNPJ izplačuje pošteno podporo v bolezni ali nesreči ter ob smrti. Ob strani nam stoji vedno. Zato nam je dobra prijateljica. Vsled tega jo moramo upoštevati in ji pomagati, da nam bo tudi ona pomagala. Delavec ali de-
lavka brez take dobre organizacije kot je SNPJ, je kakor otrok brez matere. Zato pa bom delala na tem, da ji pridobim čim več novih članov. Moj ata je umrl pred tremi leti. Tisti božič je bil žalosten zame in za mojo mamo. Bil je član SNPJ, ki mu je pomagala ter po njegovi smrti pošteno izplačala smrtnino. Zato se je izkazala za dobro prijateljico nam vsem. V potrebi nam pomaga. Zato se zatekajmo pod okrilje naše dobre matere 'SNPJ!
Olga Kandus,
1009 E. 66th JPlace, Cleveland, Ohio.
*	*
Cenjeni urednik!
Kadar bom dorastla, bom postala aktivna članica SNPJ, ker sem prepričana, da je edina delavska podporna organizacija, ki ne pomaga le svojim članom v bolezni in smrti, nego tudi potom Mladinskega Lista in Prosvete širi pravo delavsko izobrazbo. Ta delavska izobrazba nas vodi na pravo pot, ki vodi k svobodi, pravici in enakosti. Kaže nam pot iz bede in mizerije. Od SNPJ pričakujem vse one ugodnosti, katere predpisujejo pravila. Obljubljam, da bom delala po vsej svoji moči, ko dorastem, za napredek iSNPJ, tako da bo ostala na podlagi, na kateri je Ibila ustanovljena! (Stara sem 13 let in članica društva 176.)
Mary Mahne, R.F.D. 1, Adena, Ohio.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Aktivna članica SNPJ bom postala zato, ker je najboljša organizacija. Zato želim, ko bom velika, da bom tudi jaz njena ponosna članica, kakor so sedaj moji starši ponosni, da so člani SNPJ. človek je manj vreden in se ponižuje, če ni zavarovan pri dobri organizaciji kot je ‘SNPJ. Zato bom najprej skrbela, da ibodo moji mesečni prispevki vselej pravočasno plačani. (Društvo 186.)
Josephine Verbich, Granville, 111.
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Cenjeni urednik!
Bilo je dne 11. maja 1932. Šel sem čez ulico, pridrvel je avtomobil in me podrl na tla. Zavedel sem se šele tretji dan v bolnišnici. Mama in ata sta bila poleg mene. Ves sem bil obvezan. Glava me je močno bolela. Mama je slonela ob meni in jokala in me nalahko vprašala, če me boli. Prikimal sem. Ata je sedel na stolu in bil je potrt. Prišla je strežnica in rekla atu, naj gre v pisarno, čez nekaj časa se je vrnil in mami povedal, da so ga vprašali za plačilo. Povedal jim je, da je sedaj brez dela itd. Potem sem se zdravil doma. Ata še ni delal, mama pa ni vedela, kaj bi kuhala. Zato ni vedela, ker ni imela denarja,
da bi kupila. SNPJ se je izkazala za dobro mater. Od .tedaj vem, da je SNPJ najboljša. Njen član sem, tako tudi moj brat. Če bom dobil še kaj bratov in sester, bodo tudi oni člani SNPJ. Tako pravi moj oče, pa tudi jaz sem tega mnenja. Ko me je zadela nesreča, sem bil član treh podpornih društev. Edina SNPJ mi je pomagala. Zato bom njen aktiven član tudi ko dorastem. O tem pa bom povedal tudi mojim prijateljem, da bodo i oni postali njeni člani. (Star sem 13 let in član društva št. 17.)
Stanley Ostanek, 1848 E. 34th st., Lorain, O.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Dosedaj sem ibil član iSNPJ po očetovi volji, ko pa borni starejši in bom znal sam misliti, bom pa postal aktiven član zato, ker naša SNPJ je delavska organizacija, ki so jo ustanovili naši očetje. Želim, da bi naša jed-nota postala tako močna in trdna, kot so abesinske gore. Njen aktiven član bom tudi zato> ker vem, da bo tudi v bodoče skrbela za svoje člane in pravično delila vse, kar njenim članom po pravilih gre. Želim, ko dorastemo, da bomo lahko s ponosom pokazali na SNPJ, ki so jo za nas zgradili naši očetje. Dalje, da bomo pokazali tudi mi, da tudi mi nekaj zmoremo, ako bomo delali po njihovih nasvetih. (Društvo 10G.)
Tony Leban, Box 642, Imperial, Pa.
Dragi urednik!
Slovenski narodni podporni jednoti so od-kazane naloge vsega po kapitalizmu izkoriščanega delavstva. Med vsemi je ona najbolj demokratična podporna organizacija. U-stanovljena je bila na svobodnomiselni podlagi. V nji vlada večina. Drži se svobodnomi-selnih ter delavskih načel: enakosti, 'bratstva in pravice. To izvaja v najširšem pomenu besede. To je nauk naprednega in zatiranega delavstva, da se povzdigne in izobrazi na podlagi delavske kulture. To nam nudi SNPJ, ki se ibori proti mračnjaštvu in nam pomaga v bolezni ali nesreči gmotno. Zato hočem postati aktiven član, čim dosežem predpisano starost. Pričakujem, da bodo vsi moji sorodniki in prijatelji postali člani SNPJ, da bodo tudi oni deležni jednotinih dobrot. (Društvo št. 86. Star sem 14 let.)
Frank Bergant,
741 Tilden st., Chicago, 111.
*	*
Dragi urednik!
Aktiven član SNPJ, ko dorastem, bom postal zato, ker je vredna, da zanjo delamo. Potrudil se ibom, da bom vedno delal za jednoto, da bom dobil nove naročnike Prosveti. Jeno-ti bom pomagal zato, ker nam pomaga v bolezni in nesreči in smrti. Želim in pričakujem, da bo kmalu prišel čas, ko se bodo vse slovenske podporne organizacije pridružile k Slovenski narodni podporni jednoti! (Društvo 533.)	Milin	Surina.
Box 216, Enterprise, W. Va.
#JUVENILEf
MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG SLOVENES IN AMERICA	W
Volume XIV	CHICAGO,	ILL.,	DECEMBER,	1935	Number	12.
FROM TENNYSON’S LOCKSLEY HALL
fyjEN, my brothers, men the ivorkers, ever retyping something new:
That which they have done but earnest of the things that they shall do:
For I dipt into the future, far as human >eye could see,
Saiv the Vision of the icorld, and all the wonder that ivould be;
Saiv the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails,
Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down with costly bales;
Heard the heavens fill with shouting, and there rain’d a ghastly dew From the nations’ airy navies grappling in the central blue;
For along the world-wide ivhisper of the southwind \rushing warm,
With the standards of the peoples plunging thro’ the thunder-storm;
Till the war-drumdrobb’d no longer, and the battle-flags were furl’d In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the ivorld.
There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in aive,
And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapt in universal laiv.
So I triumph’d ere my passion sweeping thro’ me left me dry,
Left me with the palsied heart, and left me with the jaundiced eye;
Eye, to which all order festers, all things here are out of joint:
Science moves, but sloivly slowly, creeping on from point to point:
Slowly comes a hungry people, as a lion creeping nigher,
Glares at one that nods and winks behind a slowly-dying fire.
Yet I doubt not thro’ the ages one increasing purpose runs,
And the thoughts of men are widen’d ivith the process of the suns.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” was written in 1842 and ever since it has been a favorite with youths who feel that the world is out of joint, as it really is, and who cannot resist the strong: tide of vital impulses. The above lines are the most interesting: ones of the entire poem because they prophesy a social and scientific progress.
Christmas—'Then and Now
By Mary Jugg
CHARACTERS:
John Mesek, the father, employee in.
a foundry Nina Mesek, his wife Anna Mesek, age 10 Henry Mesek, age 7 Miss Childs, Supervisor of Play A large group of children.
SCENE 1 It is Christmas Eve—1935—in a dingy, dimly-lighted, barren room.
Discovered:	Mrs.	Mesek making
ready for the visit of Santa Claus. Mr. Mesek sits a table to right and reads the paper. Anna is helping her mother while Henry looks on.
HENRY: Will you be working much longer, Mother?
MOTHER: Yes, Henry, for quite some time yet.
HENRY: But you’ve been working hard all day. Seems to me you’d be almost through.
MOTHER:	No, son. There are
many, many things that need tending to yet.
HENRY: Yes, but I don’t see — ANNA: Why should you care? HENRY: Why should I care! What a question!
ANNA: Well, why should you? Mother’s worked hard and long before this, and you’ve never said anything.
HENRY: What a sister! Don’t be so dumb! Don’t you know what night this is?
ANNA: Well, what of it?
HENRY: What of it! Jiminy crickets ! How’s Santa Claus going to crawl in this room if somebody’s still fussing around in it when he goes by? Jiminy!
MOTHER: Now, Henry. No insults to your sister! ’Pears to me you don’t
know what night this is either, or you’d be more careful how you talk.
HENRY: Aw, gee whiz! Can’t a guy say anything on Christmas Eve without being scared Santa Clauis’ll hear him?
ANNA: (Giggling) Tee Hee!
MOTHER: Now, Anna. Santa can hear you as well as Henry.
HENRY: I don’t believe it!
MOTHER: You don’t believe what?
HENRY: That Santa Claus can hear me or her! Why how can he listen to all the kids in the whole world at the same time?
FATHER: (Looking up) If you don’t hush right soon, you’ll find out how he can.
HENRY:	(Settles back resignedly
Aw, right! But I still don’t see how he can!
ANNA: Mother, why is it we always work so hard on Christmas Eve to make the house look clean and neat?
MOTHER: Because Santa Claus is a very axacting man, and if he sees any dust in the corners, he’ll turn right around and go back without leaving you anything.
HENRY: (with sarcasm) Yeah, and himself—he comes down the chimney. What’s his suit made of anyway, so the cinders don’t stick to him?
FATHER: Henry, I know of something that does stick! It’s hanging right behind that door!
HENRY: (resuming his former position) Aw, gee whiz!
ANNA: Gee, I hope Santa’s better to me this year than he was last. I’ve been a good girl all year, don’t you think?
MOTHER: Yes, Anna. Very good. What makes you think Santa wasn’t good to you last year?
ANNA: Well, I wrote him twice. And I didn’t ask for much. Just a sweater and a new pair of shoes! And Margie Schyler, she didn’t write him at all, and she got— oh, I can’t even remember: a big doll with a buggy, a Shirley Temple dress, a coat and hat to match, a blackboard, a pencil and pen set, a —
HENRY: Yeah! And don’t forget the candy and nuts.
FATHER: Nina, don’t you- think you’d better send them in to bed?
ANNA: But I don’t want to go to bed. Maybe if we stay up long enough we can see Santa. Then I’ll talk to him myself.
HENRY:	(Brightly) Say, Father,
did you ever see a reindeer?
FATHER: Yes, when I was up north I used to see them. Nice animals. Very timid.
HENRY: They irun on the ground, don’t they?
FATHER: You bet they do, and how!
HENRY: How come Santa Clau’s
fly?
ANNA:	(quickly)	That’s easy.
Havent’ you ever heard of people flying?
HENRY: No. Have you?
ANNA: Sure. Why even in that song—(sings) “Oh, he flies through the air with the greatest of ease—”
HENRY: Yeah, but that isn’t on a reindeer!
ANNA: What then?
HENRY: On a trapeze! And Santa Claus isn’t any trapeze performer or in a circus or anything!
FATHER: But people do fly through the air, son.
HENRY: Sure. In a machine or a balloon or something. But never by themselves or on an animal. Just let Anna try to jump into the air off of our shed in the back yard, and she’ll land on her pug ftjose, that’s where.
ANNA: I would not! (Crying) Boo hoo! He says I’ve got a pug nose.
HENRY: Well, maybe not tonight you haven’t, but every other day you have!
ANNA:	(Still crying) I have not!
FATHER: That settles it! You want to know too much! You’re both going straight to bed, and without another word.
MOTHER: Yes, come on, children.
(Mother exits with Henry and Anna, who go along unwillingly. Father rises. He goes to the window, left, and looks out. Mother reenters. She sighs.)
MOTHER: Would that they were old enough to know the truth without questioning!
FATHER: Not at all!
MOTHER: Asolutely, John. Honest questions being answered by sending children to bed! Eager eyes welling with expectations ! Creating a dream world! Believing in something conjured up in a world of fantasy!
FATHER: You’re wrong, Nina. To believe is to live! ‘The world of mak-believe, Nina, how wonderful that is! Exciting, wonderful things happen! There is hope—bright, rosy-colored heavens of delight! What is reality? You and I have lived in it all these years—gloomy, despairing depths. But our holidays! Days of the year that give the old traditions space to breathe —to cavort once more. Who would shatter that most glorious day of all dreams—C hristma s—when simply wishing brings the young, imaginative mind what it hopes for?
MOTHER: Who would shatter it? You John! You shatter it! You and I!
FATHER: Nina!
MOTHER: Yes, we shatter it! This plateful of hard candies! This pair of handkerchiefs! This cheap belt! This is their Christmas: Tomorrow morning when they waken—when they rush in here, to rub their eyes—and again,
rub. But no! there will be nothing more! And they’ve asked for so much! This! After all their letters! We—we shatter dream-castles that we’ve had the audacity to build!
FATHER: Stop! Good God! I can’t help it! I’ve done my best! I didn’t want it like that. I—No, Nina. It’s not you and I. Out there! Those foundries! It’s they! Eating our strength— horrible monsters with fangs that reach out and snatdh—then again relinquish to throw you face down, cowering on the ground—begging. (With rising emotion) Begging the high overlords for one mite or mercy —to make dreams like this come true!
MOTHER: Yes, John. Life is not a dream. Not for you and me.—But it could be! Let’s hold the hope that some day in the future all of life will be like a dream. No more tradition and make-believe! But now—darkness! Tomorrow morning, gloom! (She comes back to reality after soaring) It’s nearly midnight, Father! Shall we leave these plates and go to bed?
(Father is still spechless, and as if in a daze).
Mother: Father! (They move slowly towards the door. She speaks in a matter-of-fact tone.) I wouldn’t have got a much better belt for the money, John. The sales won’t start until next week!
SCENE II.
December 25 in the new social order.
The scene discloses a large, cheerful playroom. There are tables about the room, at which groups of children are gathered, each engaged in his own type of recreative work. Plants and flower boxes are a part of the setting. Miss Childs, supervisor of play, walks from one group to another assisting and giving suggestions.
MITZI is playing at the piano, right. One group of boys is building models of new type apartment houses; another
is busy with various phases of handicraft; and still another, with toys.
BOYAN (intent upon his model building, speaks): And then I think this row of apartment buildings should be 15 stories high instead of 12 as all the others. But we’ll need more materials to finish it. Say, Miss Childs, might we have a few more of these building boards ?
(Miss Childs goes to desk, taps, and gives order for more materials) : Three clapboards, size 12. To playroom in section (d) immediately. (Coming toward group of boys) : They’ll be ready as soon as one of you desires to go down after them.
HENRY: Guess I’ll leave you to tend to the heating and lightning units in this model apartment and saunter over to see what Ernest and Tony are doing.
ERNEST:	(working	at a table of
test tubes, various chemical apparatus, etc.) You see, when you apply this alkali solution to the litmus paper, it turns blue, and when you apply acids, it turns red.
TONY: What does that prove?
ERNEST: Well, that’s the way you can test alkalies and acids. There’s nothing in the world as interesting as chemistry.
HENRY: Next to architecture, you mean.
HILDA (in the midst of a group of toys): What did you name your doll, Gloria?
GLORIA: Gwendolyn.
ADELYNE: Mine’s Charlotte.
MITZI: (seated at the piano) Miss Childs, are there any half-tones in the minor key? I just can’t seem to be able to harmonize this chord. (Miss Childs goes over to piano and assists Mitzi).
ELVIRA: (speaking to Elaine, who is painting on a canvas) I don’t believe your perspective on that is so good.
SOPHIE: This drawing of mine will go much easier when I learn the chart of complementary colors.
ELVIRA: Not only learn them, but how to combine them!
EMILY: (To Helen) What are you making that cloth dog for?
HELEN: For Mother’s birthday. It’s a .surprise! I can’t very well do it when we’re all home of evenings. This is just the place for it.
RUTH: I wonder if they did handiwork like this years ago?
ANNA: Sure they did. Only not under the same kind of conditions. Every girl or woman worked -more or less by herself and had to learn her needle-craft by herself.
JENNIE: Yes, and sometimes, I guess, girls that didn’t much care to do this kind of work were forced to do it.
EMILY: Why?
RUTH: Because some of the mothers didn’t know that their girls could work at many different things and all of them would be profitable in some way and just as much fun.
HELEN: (To Rose) How have you and Elsie been progressing with your voice lessons?
ROSE: Oh, fine. Do you want to hear us sing our “Cop-op Commonwealth” song?
ALL: Sure. Go ahead.
(Rose and Elsie sing)
“THE CO-OP COMMONWEALTH” SONG
We are living in the Cooperative Commonwealth
In a ivorld of plenty for all;
With the long rows of homes built for comfort,
And the playgrounds that beckon and call.
We don’t know what is meant by hard suffering ;
We have food, recreation, and health.
And we know that the greatest endeavor
Is this Commonwealth.
CHORUS
It’s the Commonwealth, Co-op Commonwealth
That to boys and girls
Gives their life and health.
In this great, great fruitfid world—
Bounteous and happy world.
We can work and play;
’Tis life’s holiday
In this great world of one big family;
For it’s great to live in this world—
You can plainly see.
(When the two girls have ended the song, the entire group joins in and sings)
ELVIRA: What day is today?
SOPHIE: December 24.
MITZI: No. It’s the 25.
RUTH: The 25? Did you ever hear that old fairy tale about December 25?
EDWARD: No. What about it?
ANTON (coming forward) : Sure.
I have. It’s a good yarn, too.
RUTH: They used to call December 25 Christmas.
EDWARD: Yes. I heard my father say that once.
FRANK: Tell us about it.
ANTON: Well, many, many generations ago before people lived in a cooperative commonwealth everybody in the world was poor, except a very few people.
ERNEST: Yes. They say that at one time 30 people controlled all of the United States.
BOYAN: 30 people? And how many people were there altogether?
ERNEST: Over 120,000,000.
(The group registers amazement and utters exclamations).
MITZI: That’s where the fairy tale of Christmas came in.
SOPHIE: How do you mean?
ELAINE: Well, they would tell all of the people that if they suffered from starvation and poverty here on this world, they would be rewarded in the world after this.
HELEN: And to show them, how nice that would be they used to have a few days every year when everybody was supposed to get whatever he wished.
EDWARD: Why?
ERNEST: Because then no one complained. They were satisfied to suffer and wait.
MITZI:	(Interrupting) Christmas
was one of those days, and it came on December 25.
ANTON: Yes, and then they used to tell the children that there was one man by the name of Santa Claus who visited every home on Christmas Eve and left each child what he had been hoping for all year. He was supposed to have a big bundle of goodies and toys that he had packed in a sled driven by reindeers.
(A unison of voices shouts “Ha! Ha!” “Listen to him!” “Don’t be so foolish!”)
MISS CHILDS (coming forward): Yes, children. Tony’s right this time.
HELEN. Yes. All the children back in the year 1935 had to believe that.
BOBBY: You bet they did. If you’d been a kid way back in 1935, you couldn’t have asked questions like this, or you’d get sent to bed.
ADELINE: But I don’t understand Tony.
HILDA: Why did every child have to hope for something?
ERNEST: Because he didn’t have enough and too much of everything like we’ve got.
MISS CHILDS: Every parent had to buy all the toys for his own children.
TONY: And as we said before there were only a very few people who could afford to buy their children everything they asked for.
FRANK: Then what happened to all those children whose parents were too poor to buy them everything?
ELAINE: They’d get a plateful of nuts or candies or a couple of handkerchiefs. That’s all.
BOYAN: Gee! Was that what our history .books now call the Dark Ages?
MISS CHILDS: Yes. I’m afraid the world was pretty dark for most of the children in those days.
EDWARD: Am I glad I’m living now!
MITZI: Yes. With everything we want every day!
HELEN: Do you know what? This is like Christmas was for the children a long time ago.
ANTON: And we’re having Christmas every day of our lives!
ALL: And we’re having Christmas every day!
HELEN: Won’t you tell us all about those olden days, Miss Childs?
(As the curtain descends, the children form in a group around Miss Childs. She begins, “It’s a long, long story. You see, we must start at the very beginning—how people used to live and all that. You must first understand that there was no cooperative commonwealth, etc.” The curtain interrupts her story from the audience.) (End)
CHATTER*
CORNER-.
EDITED BY JOYFUL MEMBERS
KTUL MEMBERS
ofife S.MP.J.
“VALKING THINGS OVER"
DEAR CHILDREN!
Let us “talk things over.” About this, that and “the other thing.” About the winter season and its meaning to you.
Yes, winter is here! And with it the usual yuletide and new year season. Both of which to you mean two weeks’ vacation, and much more. No school! Good times and joy! And, of course, a lot of nice presents. Or perhaps not so many. It is even possible that your wishes have not been fulfilled. That happens often. It iall depends upon the working conditions. These have improved but little.
We planned to issue this number of the Mladinski List at least a week before Christmas. But our wish has fallen through. There was other work to be rushed through in the printing department in advance of the M. L. And so we had to ivait. We’ll try to remedy this during the new year, if at all possible. So that you’ll receive your copy of the M. L. earlier.
And noiv a word or two about the prize contest. So many nice little letters for the contest! Read them! In fact, so many that we had to leave out enough letters to fill with them another four pages. Remember that the contest closes on Dec. 31, 1935. All contest letters received up to that date will be considered and published in the January number.
And noiv—A Happy Neio Year to All!
EDITOR.
Junior Jottings
Dear Editor:—
I am 8 years old and in the 3rd grade in school. My sister’s name is Olga; she is 10 years old and in the 5th grade. We all belong .to the SNPJ. On Nov. 17, the Chicago players of Club No. 1, JSF, presented a wonderful drama, “Rdeče rože”, and the editor of the M. L. was in it. He acted very good, so did the others. Every Saturday my sister and I go to our Falcon Club. At a birth-
day party we are going to sing “No More War”, which is an interesting workers’ song.
Fanny Radelj,
1321 S. 60th st., West Allis, Wis.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
There were many interesting letters in the October number of the M. L. I wish all the children of the SNPJ will have a good time for Xmas and a warm place to stay and food
to eat over the whole winter, not only for Xmas. I like our school and our geography class especially. Will write more next time. Best .regard to all.
Amelia Bergant,
RR 1, Willard, Wis.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I am a juvenile member of Lodge 316 and this is my first letter to the M. L. I think the SNPJ is one of the best Slovene fraternal organizations in America. She never fails its members when they are in need. Best regards to all.
Pearl Jane Horwath,
806 23rd st. N. W., Canton, O.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I want to tell you that I enjoy reading the M. L. very, very much. I am 12 years old and in the 7th grade. My brother is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. Next time I will write more. I enjoyed reading Verna Dem-shar’s letter. Best regards.
Lillian Horwath,
2703 Hickory st., St. Louis, Mo.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
As this is my first letter to the M. L. I wish you would read it. I am 9 years of age and in the fourth grade in school. My dad is working every day. I have two brothers, one is in the seventh and one in the eighth grade, while my sister is in the 10th grade. Best regards.
Jessie Rupert,
Box 242, Bessemer, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
Josephine, Jennie, Mary and I — there are four children in our family. We are tied up like a horse in a harness; how are you? Living conditions are poor. We think that it is much better in the cities. This is my first letter to the M. L. (Lodge 279).
Tony Dolenc,
Box 156, Adena, O.
% *
Dear Editor:—
I never see any letter from Arkansas in the M. L. so I have decided to write. It has been raining here. I wish it would snow. My brother has a pet, a white rat. He sits on his hind legs and begs for something to eat. — Railroad crossing look out for the cars. Can you spell that without any‘s’? Ans., t-h-a-t. I would like to see more letters from the “Wonder State”.
Katherine Adlesich,
Magic Springs, Arkansas.
Dear Editor:—
This is my first letter to the M. L. I am eleven years old and in the sixth grade. My father has not been working for about 6 years. He used to work in the mine, but he broke his Iback and didn’t get the job any more. Best regards to all.
Andrew Mertely,
P. O. Box 863, Eveleth, Minn.
*	*
Dear Editor and Readers:—
This is my first letter to the M. L. This is my first year in the Lodge 5, SNPJ, and I am happy I am in it. I am 11 years old and in the 6th grade. I have a brother, 14 years of age. He joined when he was one year old. My father hadn’t any work 3 years. Even now he is not working good. He said if we didn’t eat one day we would still foe in the SNPJ. I wish the SNPJ would be always the strongest Slovene benefit society. I wish the editor and mem'bers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Angegla Bratovich,
1440 E. 53rd st., Cleveland, O.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I am writing my first letter to .the beloved M. L. I love to read it. I live in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and go to school No. 17, Theodore Roosevelt. My best regards to all members. (Lodge 540.)
Mary Turk,
713 McKinley st., Elizabeth, N. J.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
This is my first letter for the M. L. I am seven years old and in the fourth grade. There are three of us in the family and we all belong to the SNPJ lodge. I joined when I was one year old and wish to be a member all my life. My parents tell me that there is going to (be an SNPJ Juvenile amateur show in the Slovene Hall on Dec. 21. O boy, won’t that be something nice.
Jonny Matekovich,
145 Miller st., Gowanda, N. Y.
» *
Dear Editor and Readers:—
I haven’t seen very many letters in the M. L. Now that winter is coming and the nights are longer we should take more time to write to our wonderful magazine. I and many othei’s wish the M. L. would come every week instead every month. We took a trip to Delmont, Pa., Sept. 14, to my mother’s uncle, accompanied by a family named Guzel. It is about 80 miles from here. We also went to North Bessemer to my parents’ friends,
the Boznars. When we were coming home the following day we stopped at Export. We visited there at Beniger’s. We all liked it especially at Beniger’s. It is a nice place and the people are nice. We also stopped at Irwin at Antonich’s. There we received much fruit and many vegetables.
We enjoyed it very much. We stopped also at Library at Ambrozic’s. There were many other places where we would have liked to have gone, but we didn’t think we would have time. We arrived home at 7 o’clock Sunday evening.
I recieved letters from Mary Ganter of Forest City, Pa., and from Mary Pochrzay from Gilbert, Minn. I also hope to get letters from other members as well, as I will gladly answer them. I haven’t seen any letters from the girls that write to me and I hope they take my advise and write to the M. L. Best regards to all.
Pauline Elizabeth Novak,
Box 113, Valley Grove, W. Va.
*	*
HELP! HELP!
I want to be put on relief,
For though I have food and employment, I want a relief from the grief
Which lessens my sense of enjoyment;
So put me on some sort of Roll,
Some new alphabetical muster,
Affording Relief to my soul
From ballyhoo, bunkum and bluster!
Relief from .the tripe and the rot Which fill the Congressional Record,
Relief from the Planners, who’d plot
Our lives and a chart, neatly checkered; Relief from both Nazi and Red,
From demagogues, screaming or smirking, And promising Edens ahead
Where life will be lined without working!
I want to Ibe put on Relief,
Relief from the “czars” and “decrees”
Who meddle with pork, cotton, beef,
And pile up the tapes in tiers;
I plead from protection from those Who seem to be busy as beavers Relieving us all from our woes—
Oh, give me Relief from Relievers!
(Submitted by Joe Sivic,
402 Beaver ave., W. Aliqumppa, Pa.)
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I want to tell the members and comrades of .the Red Falcons in the other cities what we are doing here in Chicago. Lately we were very busy. On Oct. 5 we had an amateur
night, where we also showed the sewing the girls did and sold it, to raise funds to buy Falcon shirts. On Oct. 20 we took part in a program celebrating the 25.th anniversary of the JSF. We presented “No More War”, which, I think, the people liked very much. Our instructors were Dorothy Sodnik and Mary Jugg.
I also want to tell you that we took part in the 10th anniversary celebration of the SNPJ Pioneer Lodge on Nov. 3. There we presented “The Awakening.” On Saturday, Nov. 9, we elected new officers of the Red Falcons. The officers are as follows: Ernest Dreshar, Flight leader; Bobby Skavich, vice-president; Elvira Skavich, quill; Ernest Dreshar, treasurer; Boyan Alesh, Helen Dreshar, Sergeant-at-arms; Elaine Turpin, Mitzie Oven, Henry Krebel, Frank Oblock, clan leaders.
I know they will carry out their work with great success.
Elaine Turpin.
4844 W. 23rd st., Cicero, 111.
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Dear Editor:—
This is my second letter .to the Mladinski List. Winter is here. We had a little play in school for Thanksgiving. I can not wait till the SNPJ will have the Christmas program for the young members in December.
Katherine Culjak,
1816 So. Racine ave., Chicago, 111.
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Dear Editor:—
This is my first letter to the M. L. I am ten years old and in the fifth grade. We all belong to the SNPJ Lodge 305. My father is a coal miner. The mines are working a little better now than in the summer. Lots of people are working on the relief around here but .they don’t make very much money. They make ?11 a week. I believe our government could do a little better than this.
Best regards to editor and little brothers and sisters.
Leona Storm,
Box 106, Universal, Ind.
* •
Dear Editor:—
This is my first letter. I am 11 years old. My father works in the Coopersdale mine. He only works once a week. In December they are working better. I wish my father will get a good payday for Christmas. If he gets a good one we will get something for Christmas. We all wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Jerry Shemerl,
423 Fairfield ave., Johnstown, Pa.
Dear Editor and Readers:—
This is my first letter. I am nine years of age. I enjoy reading the M. L. very much. I :go to puiblic school. I have two brothers and three sisters. One of my brothers is in the fourth grade, and one of my sisters is in .the first grade. My sister and I are in the
Dear Editor:—
Ever since I can remember I was told what the SNPJ does for its members. My father is the secretary of Lodge 34, and all five of us belong to this lodge. This Society is the best in the world and has the most members. It pays sick, operation and death benefit, and besides all this it offers wonderful entertainments. I wish to become an active member and I shall be proud to be with people who help each other as this Society does. Later, I will get my many friends to join this Society. I know they won’t fail me.
Stella Valant,
953 N. Ketcham st., Indianapolis, Ind.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ because it is one of the strongest and honest paying organizations in the U. S. This organization pays more sick benefit and operation claims than any two organizations put together, and longer. When I reach the prescribed age and in need of a benefit, the SNPJ will not hesitate in paying me a benefit if I am an active member, which I hope I will be and without having to have the need of a benefit support.	Rudy Železnik,
8818 St. Catherine ave., Cleveland, Ohio.
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Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ, because it is one of the greatest organizations in the U. S. I am ten years old. I am in the fourth grade. I belong to the SNPJ, I go to Woodland Hills school. There are six of us in our family. We all belong to the SNPJ Lodge 139. The SNPJ is a great help to us. There are three brothers in our family. My father is the secretary.
Mary Železnik,
8818 St. Catherine ave., Cleveland, Ohio.
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Dear Editor:—
I. wish to become an active member of the ISNPJ because it is a large organization in America and a good benefit payer. I don’t care if I win or not, I am very proud that I
third grade. I have a brother and sister that do not go to school. We belong to the SNPJ Lodge 441. We think the SNPJ is the best benefit society. This is enough for this time. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to
Mary Shemerl,
423 Fairfield ave., Johnstown, Pa.
am a member of the SNPJ. I must thank my parents for this. And I also must thank the members who organized the SNPJ. When I am of certain age, I’ll try to help the SNPJ to get new members.	Karl	Jereb,
92 Lincoln ave., North Irwin, Pa.
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Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ when I reach the prescribed age because I know if I’m ever disabled and a good member I can depend upon the ISNPJ as it’s one of the most honest, prompt and largest organizations in America. I shall always boost the SNPJ and try to get more new members. Also I like the M. L. and know every young reader finds it interesting. As we grow up we can depend on the largest Slovene paper published—the Prosveta.
Louis Frelich,
Box 66, Limestone, Mich.
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Dear Editor:—
I didn’t intend to enter .the contest, (but I am trying anyway, but not for money, and am going to tell about the SNPJ.—The SNPJ is the best organization ’because when people are sick they get a sick benefit. Also when someone dies his people get a death benefit. When I grow up I am going to be an active member of the SNPJ. I will also get new members for it and help it as it will sometimes help me. I am a member of Lodge 425.
Pauline Elizabeth Novak,
Box 113, Valley Grove, W. Va.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of SNPJ for the following reasons: First, on account of it being the largest Slovene organization in the United States. Second, it pays all benefits, sick, death, operation, or disability according to by-laws. Third, you can go .to meetings and get in contact with other members and get a good education of what is going on with the members and where your dues go. Fourth, you have a privilege of holding an office in the local or supreme
CONTEST LETTERS
lodge. Fifth, you may organize recreational clubs which are backed by the Supreme lodge.
Benedict Fink, Lodge 168,
Conemaugh, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
The SNPJ stands for “Slovene National Benefit Society,” which is the best of the Slovene organizations. It gives money to the members when they are sick. It is one of the outstanding organizations of the Slovene groups. The sick benefits are paid honestly according to the by-laws of the SNPJ. What I expect to do when I grow older, will be to organize other people ,to become members and help in other things.
Erma Fink (13), Lodge 168,
242 Fourth st., Conemaugh, Pa.
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Dear Editor:—
Since I was a member of the Juvenile Department of the S'NPJ from my first year, I wanted to become an active member because I believe that all Slovenes should be organized and that the SNPJ is the best of this kind, since it teaches us why and how we should abolish the present crooked system and put in a fairer one for all honest workers. And further yet, it gives us more than other insurance companies would; in sick benefits and in other ways it help us in our misfortunes.
A member of Lodge 129.
Angela Mikus,
6607 Edna ave., Cleveland, Ohio.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of this Society when I become of age, because I think the SNPJ is one of the largest and most hon-1st organizations for paying sick benefits and death claims. Its lodges also have picnics, dances, and offer everybody, old and young, good times. And the most important part that I see is, when a member of this Society dies and all the members attend the funeral and pay their last respects for the dead brother or sister member. Rich or poor, this Society .treats them all alike.
George Arthur Chelon,
Box 238, Aguilar, Colo.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I want to become an active member of the only democratic Slovene fraternal organization in America, the gigantic SNPJ, which stands as a beacon scattering rays of fra-ternalism, unity, and cooperati»-eness from the stable foundation, the Free Thought basis, which does not tremble when opposition
growls. Its official organ, the Prosveta, ever faithfully supports the workingclass and is endeavoring to raise the cultural standard of the Slovenes. When the wolf growls the loudest at the door, when fate places her hand in ours and when all the rest of the world seems to have deserted us, the SNPJ is ready to help.	Mary	Elizabeth Fradel,
1004 Alexandra street, Latrobe, Pa.
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Dear Editor:—
Active membership of the SNPJ will be one of my goals in success, which I am trying to accomplish. In becoming a member of this solid organization, I will try to convince others also and make this great Society still greater. In return I will accept from the SNPJ the fair benefit which it gives when one is ill, and which at that time will be the greatest aid. Such low dues and great benefits are what the people want and need and as long as the working class exists so will the SNPJ—for ever.
Nick Plascak,
2023 N. 22nd street, Terre Haute, Ind.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
When I become an active member of the SNPJ one of my greatest hopes for the future will be fulfilled, because it is the world’s greatest benefit society. There are several reasons why I wish to become an active member: (1) No other society is so widely known; (2) No other lodge is so well organized; (3) No other lodge is so great in wealth; (4) No other lodge has such cooperating understanding board members. I expect protection during illness and in case of accident, and I know it will not fail me, because it is so great in trust.	Emilia	Ravnikar,
Box 163, Jenny Lind, Arkansas.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
There are several reasons why I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ. Through its papers, the Prosveta and the Mladinski List, it has done much in enlightening its members to work towards better general progress. No other organization has helped its members in so many ways during these years of depression as .the SNPJ did. It pays its benefits promptly and honestly. It offers recreation through its dances, picnics, and other affairs. Every Slovene should be a proud member of this great organization. It shall always be my duty to get as many new members as possible.
Hedvig Zagar, Lodge 611,
2623 Dayton ave., Seattle, Wash.
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ to work in the interest of the SNPJ because it is such a great organization of which many have benefited in time of need, sickness and in case of death. And many more members will, if they have misfortune to become sick or get hurt. I trust I, too, will benefit from the SNPJ in case of sickness. I am proud to be a member of SNPJ. I am eight years old and member of Lodge 217.
Joseph Yanko, Box 383, Davis, W. Va.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I don’t remember when I joined the Lodge 120. I guess when I was a baby, when my mother used to carry me in her arms. And I’m going to be a member until they’re going to carry me away. Since I could read I could hardly wait until the M. L. would come, every month. I am igoing .to be very proud when I join the Adult members. I have Prosveta addressed on my name, and I carry the SNPJ emblem on my chest, like my daddy and brothers.	Matt Plese Jr.,
Mentmore, New Mex.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
Several reasons for my preference to SNPJ from other organizations are: 1. It is the beat means of protection for sickness and death benefits. 2. It is a good place to invest your money for future use to provide for your children in case of death of both parents. 3. The benefits are paid promptly and the SNPJ will provide assessment if necessary. It would be a great pleasure to help support the largest Slovene organization in the world and to be able to profit by the social advantages it affords.	Margaret	Mihelčič,
Box 304, Blaine, Ohio.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
My parents think the Slovene National Benefit Society is the best thing for our people. I am anxious to join when I am old enough. I shall try to help the SNPJ all I can to get new members, after I get to be one myself. Since I am now living on a farm, I shall not get much social benefit from joining the Society, but I have met many friends who belong to the SNPJ.	Anna Prelc,
RFD 2, Painsville, Ohio.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
When I become of the prescribed age I wish to be an active member of the SNPJ, because it was organized for the benefit of the people, not for profit making big shots. Its principles are fair and just.—You pay a little money
each month to help you if you get sick. The separate lodges give entertainments which everyone enjoys. The children get the M. L. and the adults the Prosveta to read and find out what is going on in different lodges. I expect only that if I get sick that I get the sick and other benefits. Edwin Poljšak,
6319 Carl ave., Cleveland, 0.
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Dear Editor:—
My greatest ambition is to become a first prize winner for the contributions to the Mladinski List. The SNPJ is one of the best organizations I know. It offers many entertainments which the people enjoy the most. It is a big fraternal society which offers the most at the lowest rates. It helps a great deal in case of death or sickness which protects the ones that are left behind or the member that is crippled for life.
John Perkovich, Lodge 323,
600 1st National street, Ironwood, Mich.
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Dear Editor:—
I am now stressing an interesting fact of what I think of the SNPJ and Lodge 254, as a whole. It is one of the best organizations in this country, and has helped many a poor man and woman. I am an active member of the SNPJ for fifteen years, and I know what a good society is. It always helps you in sickness, accidents or other injuries. I want to be an active member when I become of age, because I know it will help me. It is the best organization that I ever heard of, and also benefits you a great deal when you are old and nobody looks after you.
Sally Middler, Lodge 254,
R. D. 2, Box 107, Johnstown, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of .the SNPJ when I reach the prescribed age, first, because it is the largest and best Slovene organization in the United States; secondly, because in case of sickness or accident we do not have to worry about the doctor’s bill because the SINPJ pays the sick benefit. I expect the -SNPJ to protect me and our family in case of sickness or accident. (Lodge 239.)
Mary Louise Starika,
811 Myrtle ave., Canon City, Colo.
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Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ when I am of the prescribed age because I feel that the SNPJ is my lodge, consists of my own people and is one of the best organized societies I know. Therefore, I shall do my best to support it and try to make it
even better than it is. I expect the SNPJ lodge to lend me a helping hand in sickness and death. I belong to Lodge 114. There are also 5 more in the lodge, or seven, counting my parents.	Caroline Cuculich,
Box 583, Roundup, Mont.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I want to become an active member of the SNPJ and a booster of this great fraternal organization. That’s why I am very proud to be one of its many members. I also expect in the future to become a progressive leader, to guide my friends to prosperity and happiness, by using the SNPJ spirit and principles. I expect to get help from the SNPJ in case of any mishaps if I really deserve it.
Joseph Girdich Jr.,
Box 101, 17 Maine st., Universal, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I would like to become an active member of the 'SNPJ because I would try to bring more new members, and with the help of others make the most helpful organization known to the world. It gives protection to every member. If any accident or sickness occurs you may be sure of help from the SNPJ. The monthly rates are at a price everyone can afford. This organization is trying to restore life to the Slovene language, which makes me proud that I belong to it. I belong to the Planinski Raj Jr. Lodge 107.
Justine Gialusi,
4133 Quincy st., St. Louis, Mo.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
When I reach the prescribed age I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ, because it offers good benefits and holds interesting meetings about all sort of things. It does not cost much to join it. It is wonderful to be one of the active members. When I reach the prescribed age I expect to get some benefit if I am sick or in an accident. “An Occident may happen any place and any time.” I am a member of Lodge 347.
Mike Mrkonjich,
400 Fourth ave., McKeesport, Pa.
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Dear Editor:—
I want to become an active member of the SNPJ because it is the best benefit organization among us. Besides other benefit funds, it also has a special benefit fund to help the needy members with assessment and otherwise. The SNPJ is the best organization of its kind for workers. Let’s stick to it! (Lodge 334.)	Julio Kauzlarich,
Box 95, Rathbun, Iowa.
Dear Editor:—
Why I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ when I reach .the prescribed age and what I would expect from it? The SNPJ is the foremost Slovene fraternal organization with fine ideals and purposes which I want to assist in bringing them to my own lodge members and to those interested in our organization. I should like to keep alive in the lodge an enthusiasm toward securing new members, for a larger SNPJ can sponsor more outstanding programs. By joining the SNPJ you gain everything and lose nothing. (Lodge 53.)	Leo	Bostjancich,
19407 Shawnee ave., Cleveland, O.
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Dear Editor:—
In telling why I wish to become an active member when I attain the stated age, it is best that I describe and compare the SNPJ to a trunk of a great, outstanding and wonderful tree. Its lodges are its branches, and the members of this tree are the leaves. Going up this tree is a ladder, and it is my aim to climb to the utmost height and some day probably reach the top, and at the same time help the SNPJ at the top of the list also. Anyone should be proud to get to be a member of this organization, and everyone belonging to it should do his utmost to keep the honor bestowed upon him. Elsie Pavlin,
1519 E. Orman, Pueblo, Colo.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ for the reason that I could share all the good fortunes of this great fraternal organization. The SNPJ comforts you when feeling blue in many ways. It comforts and helps you in sickness or death. It is the greatest worldwide Slovene organization that gives most for least. It is an organization of workers and for workers; it’s known for its reliability and protection. It depends on little boys and girls to become active members when old enough to keep the SNPJ strong and lange. I expect to give and get loyalty.
John Korber,
RD 2, Box 91, Johnstown, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I have been a member of the SNPJ, Lodge 7, since I was one year old. I am 13 years old now. I always read the M. L. and the Prosveta, and also the by-laws. Our organization doesn’t interfere with anyone’s politics or religion. Every member has a right to mind his own private business of his own choice. And if each member minds his own business of his own choice, and if each member does right by
the SNPJ, he is assured of any benefits. It is necessary that you read the by-laws and act accordingly. You will also find that the SNPJ is one of the finest Slovene fraternal organizations in the world. I don’t think I could ever live without the SNPJ and its help.
Lewis German,
R.D. 1, Box 183, Jeannette, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I am 8 years old and am in .the 2nd G grade in school. My mother tells me every morning that I should cross myself, while my daddy tells me I should say, “Slovenska Narodna Podporna Jednota will help me when I grow up more than the priest will.” My dad tells me that the SNPJ is the by far the best fraternal organization, because it always helps in many ways. It helped him lots of times already. (Lodge 461.)
Milka Mileta, Van Houten, New Mex.
*	*
Dear Editor:-—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ because it is a good organization. I always hear my parents talk of it, that it was their luckiest day when they joined the ISNPJ. We had plenty of hard luck in our family, but the SNPJ was always ready and willing to help. I know I may need protection, although I would rather that I will never need it. I also wish I could help other members when they are in need of help. (Lodge 334.)	William	Kauzlarich,
Box 95, Rathbun, Iowa.
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Dear Editor:—
I want to become an active member of the SNPJ because it has been our standby in all our sickness. Its by-laws surpass any others. My parents have both received sick benefit, and my father has also received disability benefit for the loss of eyesight. All these claims were paid promptly. We are proud of the SNPJ. Three of us boys are members of Lodge 334 ever since we were babies. As active members we’ll all do our best to keep the SNPJ in the lead!
Charles Kauzlarich,
Box 95, Rathbun, Centerville, la.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the SNPJ, because it is a good fraternal order and its benefits come in handy in case you become sick. The Society governs all local branches and that way the branches keep an accurate record of all sick members. This enables the members to get a good and speedy
benefit from the day they become sick. The head officials of the branch are elected by the members which means that order is kept and that it has a strong foundation, for the success of the organization. It also provides for future security which is very necessary, especially for a person in old age. I am 14 years old and a Juvenile member of Lodge 528.
George M. Rudy, North Cornuall, Pa.
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Dear Editor:-—
I believe the SNPJ is our best friend. On May 15, 1936, I shall ibe 12 years old. There are many accidents always. I believe the SNPJ is the best helper in time of sickness or accident. When I’ll get old and without any friends, the SNPJ will be my best friend. Besides the many benefits that we get from the SNPJ, she also publishes this magazine for us juveniles and the Prosveta for adults. (Lodge 7.)
Lawrence German,
R.D. 1, Box 183, Jeannette, Pa.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
When reaching the prescribed age I wish to continue being a member of SNPJ. It is, to my knowledge, one of the finest organizations of its kind. Besides death benefit it also gives us protection in case of sickness or disability; the dues are very small compared to other such organizations. One can have many good times at its various social affairs. We must carry some kind of protection in case of sickness or death. I prefer the SNPJ to any other. I’m a member of Lodge 559, and proud of it.
Gladys Herbick,
3826 So. Cuyler, ave., Berwyn, 111.
*	*
Dear Editor:—
I wish to become an active member of the 'SNPJ because it is one of the largest and soundest societies in the Slovene fraternal field; it pays liberal benefits for a small assessment; it is an organization based on principles of freethought and true fraternal-ism; it is also a workers’ organization. I expect to get from the SNPJ financial assistance in time of need; the true fraternalistic feeling; the ability to carry on the sound principles of the SNPJ through its publications and otherwise; the tpower to achieve accomplishments that will benefit the members of our great Society.
Eddie Gorence,
Box 114, Arma, Kans.