A Magazine for SNPJ Juveniles
JUNE	19	44
Mladinski List
JUVENILE MONTHLY
ANTON GARDEN ............Edilor
LOUIS BENIGER	Assistant	Editor
PHILIP GODINA	Business	Manager
CONTENTS FOR JUNE
9
POEMS, STORIES, ETC.	Page
Leni Miha (pesem) 	      1
Queer Quizzlings ............................................          21
Trije labodi ...................................       Inside	back	cover
FEATURES, ETC.
Birthdays of the Great Men. ................................            3
Fun and Frolic....................................................      7
Join the “New Name for M. L.” Contest	  5
Just for Fun  ...................................................      (j
“ML” Name Contest, The ................................................ 4
Our Own Juvenile Circles	  22
Our Pen Pals Write................................................     26
Our School ............................................................10
Včeraj je bilo, jutri bo 	  8
Zgodbe o bombažu.....................................................   2
Published monthly by the Slovene National Benefit Society for the members of its Juvenile Department. Annual subscription, $1.20; half year, 60c; foreign subscription, $1.50. Address: 2657 S. Lawndale Ave., Chicago 23, 111. Entered as second-class matter August 2, 1922, at the post office at Chicago, 111., under Act of August 24, 191^.
MLADINSKI LIST
JUVENILE
LETO XXIII—ŠT. 6	CHICAGO,	JUNE,	1944	VOL.	XXIII—No. 6
LENI MIHA
(Belokranjski motiv)
Katka Zupančič
Leni Miha zmerom piha, kadargod o delu čuje.
Lepše v lozi se vasuje . . . Pa pobriše sit od hiše.
Solnce za j de.
Izza brajde lačni Miha se prismiha:
“Svetijo že zvezdice; bo kaj, bo večerjice?”
Pa se razjezijo,
Mihi podkadijo:
“Alo, klatež, na podplate! Nimamo več oka zate . . .!”
Kmalu, reva, gladen zeva.
Hiše tuje	•
nadleguje:
“Glejte, čujte me gladuha in mi dajte košček kruha. Nimam strehe, nimam lehe, nimam vola, nimam kola, jaz sem ptič, ki nima nič.”
Kar dobi, je vode korec in besede: “Modri norec! Spadaš ti med ptice— lovi gosenice . . .”
SOMERSAULT
ZGODBE O BOMBAŽU
(Nadaljevanje.)
Niti toliko ne, kolikor ga ima Jože Zbezljaj, ki ves dan bezlia po trgovinici kraj cerkve, ali branjevka Johanca, ki zmrzuje v stojnici. Gospodom borzijancem ni treba jemati svojega blaga na borzo kakor Klepčevemu Pepeku, ki vsako jutro prihaja na mestni trg s tovorom čebule. Kajti gospodje na borzi predajajo blago, naloženo v skladiščih, v vagonih in na ladjah. Običajno niti ne vidijo robe, ki so jo kupili ali prodali.
Tako na primer gospod Henrik Braun. Njegovi predniki so pripadali tkalskemu cehu. Vse svoje življenje so presedali za okornimi statvami in tkali. Ko so tkalni stroji izpodrinili ročne statve, so si Brauni poiskali drugih zaslužkov. Postali so trgovci. Polagoma so plezali po lestvici bogastva navzgor. Najviše je priplezal gospod Henrik Braun. Kajti on trguje z bombažem. Bombaž pa je belo zlato. Posebno za tistega, ki trguje z njim.
Henrik Braun ima v Hamburgu lepo hišo. Ima tudi lep avto in svojega šoferja. Z avtom se vozi na borzo ter prodaja in kupuje bombaž.
Gospod Braun je pravkar vstal. Zdaj sedi za mizo v delovni sobi, kadi dišečo cigaro in pregleduje pošto. Cel kup pisem in brzojavk leži pred njim. Vsako pisanje na kratko preleti z očmi in ga zopet odloži. Nič važnega!
Nekdo potrka.
“Naprej!” Radovedno gleda gospod Braun v vrata.
Na pragu se pojavi Braunov tajnik s svežnjem časopisov v rokah.
“Dobro jutro, gospod šef!” pozdravi tajnik. “Prinesel sem jutranje časopise.”
“Sedite!” reče kratko gospod Braun. “Kaj je novega?”
“Zadeva z Abesinijo postaja resna,” odvrne tajnik. “Izgleda, da so se Italijani odločili za vojno. Skozi Sueški kanal so odplule ladje z novimi četami.”
“Hm!” reče gospod Braun in se zamisli.
“V Italiji raste povpraševanje po bombažu. Pa tudi na Švedskem,” nadaljuje tajnik.
“Aha! Švedi vohajo kupčijo,” se nasmehne Braun.
Čemu bo Švedom bombaž? Na Švedskem so velike tekstilne industrije. Toda Švedi rabijo bombaž za nekaj drugega. Kje pa je zapisano, da se sme bombaž uporabljati samo za izdelovanje oblek? Na Švedskem primešajo bombažu soliterno kislino. Ta ga spremeni v strelni bombaž. Čemu bi bombaž samo grel človeška telesa? Zakaj bi jih tudi ne ubijal, če se pri tem zasluži denar. Švedski lastniki tovarn za strelivo in orožje že vedo, kaj delajo.
Gospod Braun tudi.
“Vprašajte našega borznega posredovalca, kdo prodaja bombaž in koliko ga proda,” naroči tajniku. “Popoldne grem na borzo.”
“Ali bomo kupili?” vpraša tajnik.
Gospod Braun prikima.
“Za koga?”
“Za Italijo in Švedsko vendar,” reče gospod Braun skoraj nevoljno.
“Pravijo, da bo Društvo narodov prepovedalo vsak uvoz v Italijo, da tako prisili Italijane k miru,” reče tajnik. “Kaj bomo potem z nakupljenim bombažem?”
“Mladi ste še, gospod tajnik,” se nasmehne gospod Braun. “Prvič je dvomljivo, če si bo Društvo narodov sploh upalo storiti ta sklep. Drugič Nemčija ni članica Društva narodov. Zato nas nič ne brigajo njegovi sklepi. Tretjič nas malo zanima, kaj bodo počeli Švedi z bombažem, ki ga jim prodamo.”
Tajnik še vedno ni prepričan o točnosti in zanesljivosti Braunovega računa. Gospod tajnik je previden. Dobro pozna vse nevarnosti borznega kupčevanja. Baš zato ga ima gospod Braun rad.
“To je vse res,” reče tajnik. “Obstoja pa še druga nevarnost. Kaj, če Italija vsled velikanskih vojnih stroškov ne bo zmogla plačevanja? Kaj, če bo italijanski denar izgubil na vrednosti?”
Gospod Braun ni v zadregi za odgovor. Razume še na svoj posel. Večkrat je že sklepal slične kupčije. Če bi se mu ne posrečile, bi danes ne imel lepe vile, najmodernejšega avta in lastnega tajnika.
“Italijanski denar nas nič ne briga,” reče gospod Braun. “Blago nam bodo plačali v nemških markah. Kaj nam mar njihove lire? Na up jim ne damo ničesar. Radi bodo plačevali kupljeni bombaž takoj pri prevzemu. Pomislite samo, koliko oblek, perila, šotorov in drugega sličnega blaga bodo rabili za vojaštvo. Nujno rabili! Njihove tekstilne tvornice bodo delale noč in dan. Kar se Švedov tiče, pa je stvar v redu. Dobri plačniki so in ostanejo, dokler se bodo evropske države oborože-vale. Vse dotlej, dokler bodo v švedskih tvorni-cah kupovale torpeda in mine, ki so napolnjene s strelnim bombažem. Nič strahu, gospod tajnik!”
Gospod Braun se nasmehne.
Tajnik tudi.
Dobra kupčija se obeta, če je Braunov račun količkaj pravilen.
“Koliko bomo kupili?” vpraša tajnik.
“Mnogo,” odvrne gospod Braun. “Cene se bodo dvignile.”
Čim ceneje kupimo, večji bo dobiček. Čim večji bo dobiček, večja bo vaša nagrada, gospod tajnik.”
Tajnik se zopet nasmehne. Gospod Braun mu je pregnal vse dvome.
Sunkoma vstane s stola. Stopi k telefonu in vzame slušalko.
“Halo! Halo! Tu tvrdka Henrik Braun. Kako je z bombažem, gospod borzni posredovalec?”
(Dalje prihodnjič.)
Birthdays of the Great Men
oLeonid	ndreuev
Leonid. Nikolaievich Andreyev, well known Russian novelist, was born on June 18, 1871, in Orel, Russia, which was the scene of fierce battles earlier in this war. Leonid received a good grade school education and graduated from the Orel High School when he was 17 years old.
Andreyev completed his studies at the University of Moscow at the age of 25. Two years before his graduation, poverty drove him to an attempt on his own life, as a result of which he suffered from a, weak heart which ultimately caused his death. After his graduation, Andreyev tried to obtain work but was not successful. Meanwhile he began to write short stories which met with little success.
For a long time Andreyev was unable to find a place in literature, and he became a, reporter on the paper “The Courier.” It was not until 1899 that his story called “They Lived,” which appeared in the monthly Zhizn (Life) attracted universal attention. It is the only one of Andreyev’s stories in which a happy love-story is told in an attractive manner.
Two years later, in 1901, when the first series of his stories appeared in a separate edition, N. K. Michailovsky, the most influential Russian literary critic of the time, paid a high tribute to the genius of the young author. From that time on Andreyev became one of the best known writers in Russia.
This series included the stories “The Grand Slam,” “The Tocsin,” and “The Wall,” in which Andreyev’s creative genius and its characteristics were clearly visible. His subsequent works followed rapidly. These included “The Story of Sergey Petrovich,” “Thought,” “In the Midst,” “The Life of Father Vassili,” “Ghosts,” and many others. All of these stories are similar to his first work in spirit and philosophical outlook.
Most of Andreyev’s works are permeated by a horror of life, which appeared to Andreyev, as well as to many other writers, a
“city of dreadful night.” But Andreyev’s manner is original and he follows the great precept that “In literary works, there should be little room for words—empty, meaningless words—but large space for ideas.” He followed this rule faithfully in all his works which are full of original ideas and thoughts.
Andreyev, like many other Russian writers of his time, also wrote several plays. The same thought of life is expressed in his plays as in his stories. These ideas are clearly visible especially in his three plays—“The Life of Man,” “King Hunger,” and “Anathema.”
On the whole it can be said that Andreyev was not a morbid pessimist who derided the misery of mankind, but a mournful humanist. He pities the sufferers and is filled with scorn for those who add nightmare to nightmare.
Leonid Andreyev’s best known works reflect this attitude: His vigorous protest against war, as shown in “The Red Laugh; his protest against capital punishment, as in “The Seven Who Were Hanged,” which appeared during the reign of the White (Czarist) Terror in 1909; and the passionate “S. O. S.” directed against the Terror of the Revolution in 1919.
Andreyev is the most famous of the Russian writers who gathered round Chekhov and Gorky early in the 20th century. His best stories are in the tradition of Tolstoy’s works. His stories “Once Upon a Time There Lived,” “In the Fog,” “The Governor” and “The Seven Who Were Hanged” are problem stories of life and death written in a sober realistic style.
The main theme of Andreyev is the vanity of life and of all earthly things and the “craving void” of man before the elemental forces of death and confusion. Andreyev early succumbed to the lure of modernism and his style followed the trend of modern writers.
Most of Andreyev’s works have been translated into English, and they were also translated into Slovene.
Leonid Andreyev died on September 12, 1919, at Helsingfors, Finland.
THE “ML” NAME CONTEST
By MICHAEL VRHOVNIK Juvenile Director
As this brief report of the “'New Name for Mladinski List” contest is being prepared, a little more than a month has expired since it began. The results disclose that seven name suggestions have been entered up to this date, one each from the following juvenile members:
Anna Drager, Johnstown, Pa., Lodge 3 Edward Peiric, Cleveland, Ohio, Lodge 147 Jean Zlcgar, Youngstown, Ohio, Lodge 158 Virginia Barton, Primrose, Pa., Lodge 231 Verna M. Duzenack, Walsenburg, Colo., Lodge 299 John Tezak, Crested Butte, Colo., Lodge 397 Frank Gradišek, Herminie, Pa., Lodge 613
These early returns of the contest, having reference only to number of suggestions submitted and not their quality, are by no means satisfactory. Frankly, we did have hopes of receiving many more during the opening month. However, we take some encouragement from the fact that nearly all contests, conducted by the SNPJ in the past, have brought the best results in the closing weeks, and this one, very likely, will prove no exception to the rule.
Now that the halfway mark of the contest has been reached, we urge our juvenile members to take this contest more seriously. Make a searching study of names. Don’t pick the first one that comes to your mind and, unless you are absolutely set on your choice, don’t try to do it alone. Ask other members of your family and friends what they think would be a good American name for the Mladinski List. List all the best suggestions you can get in this way and then, through the careful process of elimination, work down to the name you believe is the most appealing, attractive, and easy to express. Have someone assist you in making the final choice, if you have several good suggestions.
When, finally, you are satisfied as to which is the best name, sit down and write a short letter stating why you have chosen it. Remember, besides the $30 War Bond for the name chosen, four prizes will be awarded for as many best letters, so use extra-special care in writing yours in your very best style. Who knows, it might be the letter accompanying the winning name, and in that case, we are sure you would want to be almost as proud of the letter as of the name itself.
The name ‘‘Mladinski List” will be changed, there can be no doubt about that, and so, naturally, we would liketo see one of our juvenile members come through in this contest with the winning name suggestion. Not only will the winner be rewarded with a $50 war bond, but will also have the far more important honor of seeing the new name on the front cover and the inside pages of our juvenile magazine every month from the effective date. And that, boys and girls, is something really worth working for and putting forth
your very best efforts. Make up your mind, here and now, that you’re going to enter this contest!
Before concluding this article, here is a suggestion that might be practical for our Juvenile Circles to try. Have a local contest among the members. Offer prizes for the three of four best names entered and, if you are using a merit system, allow from one to five points for each one depending on its final standing. Set a closing date far enough in advance to give everyone a chance to participate. All letters must be signed as provided in the rules and, in order to maintain secrecy, sealed in envelopes addressed to the Contest Director before depositing in a box.
These are then to be sent to the Juvenile Director with a request that, as soon as possible after the closing date of the contest, he is to send a list of the name suggestions, and by whom suggested, to the Circle Manager. The local contest can then be completed and the winners rewarded without waiting to read the results of the national contest in the ML a month later. If there is a chance for success, why not try this suggestion. You have nothing to lose, while there is a good possibility that the added inducement will encourage a few more entries who, otherwise, would not be heard from.
SNPJ 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN
Very little attention is being shown to the Society’s 40th Anniversary Membership Campaign by members of the Juvenile Circles. So far, the ‘Junior Harmonizers,” Circle No. 28, Roundup, Montana, and the “Jolly Kansans” Circle No. 11 are the only Circles known to have taken steps to participate in the campaign, and already have a contest going on among the members to see who will secure the most new members for the parent Lodge.
We are proud to report that the first juvenile to enroll a new member is William Klansek of the “Junior Harmonizers.” It is recalled that, in the Juvenile Campaign last fall, it was Frank Bedey of this same Circle, who finished fourth in standings among the juvenile contestants with. seven new members to his credit. Also, if we remember correctly, there were altogether nine juvenile contestants in that campaign, six of whom received credit for five or more new members each, the highest being 17 by Svlvia Trojar, Secretary of Perfect Circle No. 26, Chicago, Illinois, who won the highest award, with Mildred Padar of the Brooklyn, N. Y., Circle No. 50, a close second with a total of 13 new members.
While there is no special contest for juveniles in this year’s campaign, this does not mean that they are excluded from participation. The rules clearly specify that any member of the SNPJ may join the campaign, and this can be done merely by hav-(Continued on inside back cover)
Join the New Name for Mladinski Listu Contest
Suggest a good New Name to Displace “Mladinski List” and Win
a $50 War Bond!
SPECIAL PRIZES FOR BEST LETTERS. CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 1, 1944.
At its annual meeting in February, the SNPJ Supreme Board decided that the name of our juvenile magazine, “Mladinski List,” shall be changed to one having a greater appeal on the average American youth of Slovene or other extraction, and approved a sum not to exceed $50 in prizes for a national contest limited to juvenile members of the Society. The Executive Committee was empowered to prepare necessary rules for the contest, this to be conducted and concluded prior to the semi-annual meeting of the Supreme Board to be held later this year. These instructions have been complied with and the rules governing the contest are as follows . . .
RULES
a) The "NEW NAME FOR MLADINSKI LIST" coniesi begins April 1 and ends August 1, 1944.
b) The coniesi is open to any member of the SNPJ Juvenile Department.
c) Each contestant is limited to one NEW NAME suggestion, and every letter submitting a name must be countersigned by either parent. The age and lodge number must also be enclosed.
d) One grand prize, a $50 United States War Savings Bond, will be awarded to the member whose suggestion for a NEV/ NAME is chosen io displace Mladinski List.
e) In case two or more members submit the winning name, the purchase price of the $50 bond will be divided equally among them in War Savings Stamps.
f) Any name entered in the contest, found to be exactly similar io that of another publication, will be automatically disqualified.
g) The best letters, telling why the names were chosen and suggested, will be published in the Mladinski List after the contest closes. The four best leiiers will be entitled io the following awards: First $5, second $3, third $2 and fourth $1, all in vVar Savings Stamps.
h) All NEW NAME suggestions and leiiers must be mailed io the JUVENILE DIRECTOR of SNPJ, 2657 So. Lawndale Ave., Chicago 23, 111., on or before August 1, 1344.
It is important to remember at all times that the names, submitted in this contest, must be different, at least in some respect, from names of active publications. It is true that simply by adding a word or taking one away or substituting one foi anothei, a name might be qualified as acceptable, but we do not encourage this practice, for the best results will be obtained if you try to be original.
The fact that there are not many juvenile magaiznes in existence, fiaternal oi commercial, our task of choosing a good name to take place of tne name Mladinski List , should not be a difficult one. There are many bright boys and girls in the SI\PJ who have ability, ambition and ideas of their own. It is to them, especially, that we appeal to join the New Name for Mladinski List” contest and make it a big success.
MICHAEL VRHOVNIK. Juvenile Director.
JUST FOR FUN
FILL INS
From the sentences below a word is left out, and in order to make the sentence complete you have to fill in the correct word. The same word is left out of sentence 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6.
1.	is Ihe root of ail evil.
2. A fool and his-
3. A thing of-----------
4. -----------
-are soon parted.
-is a joy forever.
-is only skin deep, -in a crannied wall.
6. Many a-
-is born to blush unseen.
MATH PUZZLER
1. John lives in Norwick and Pete lives in Ham-brick, a distance of 65 miles. If John starts from Norwick to Hambrick and drives his car 35 MPH, while at the same time Pete starts in his car, which goes 30 MPH, how far will Bill travel? He has a car that goes 65 MPH and his starting point is Norwick, then he will shuttle back and forth between Pete and John’s car until they meet.
2. Bobby had a basket of eggs and wished to divide them with his friends. He gave the first friend half of what he had and 2 extra. His second friend got half of what he had left and 2 extra. The third friend got half of the remainder and 2 extra. Now Bobby had only one left. How many did he have at first?
*	* * * *
POETRY JUMBLE
Mr. Poe would certainly not recognize his poem "The Raven" if he'd see it written as below. Can you tell which words are incorreci and supply the right ones?
"Once upon an afternoon dreary, while I pondered weak and weary—
Over many a rare and curious book of forgotten lore.
While I nodded, nearly sleeping, suddenly there came a rapping As of someone lightly knocking, rapping at my chamber door."
*	* * * *
DANCE QUIZ
This is word subti’action. In the first blank of the following paragraphs the word ballet is correct. In the second sentence you eliminate one letter and turn the letters around to fit the sentence. In the following blank you eliminate still another letter so that your words will first be a 6-letter, then 5-letter, 4-letter, etc.
By doing a---------------------dance	on	a	kitchen
--------------the	proprietor	might--------------you
--------so	that---------that	time	you
By Ernestine Jugg
VICTORY GARDEN I've tilled my garden And planted the seeds;
I've spaded and watered And pulled the weeds.
Now radishes and carrots Have grown big and strong;
And corn and tomatoes Are coming right along.
Then around the edges Where no one else could see;
Are some pansies and forget-me-nots Which I planted just for me.
*	* * * *
WORD JUGGLING The following words can be made into completely different words by juggling the letters. Try it and see.
1. pale	4.	deal
2. rapt	5.	rate
3. meat	6.	mite
*	* * * *
WORD QUIZZER If you supply the correct last word to the line of poetry or quotation you will then have the full meaning of it:
1.	Whai	is so rare	as a	day	in------------.
2. Out of sight., out of-----------.
3. A soft answer turneth away------------------.
4.	Actions speak louder	than--------------.
5. Hitch your wagon to a----------------.
*****
These are words easily misspelled. See how many you know:
Harass Seize Siege Supersede *****
Remember to save scrap, Buy war bonds and stamps, and Grow a Victory Garden to help Win the War.
(Answers on inside back cover page)
Accidentally
Accommodate
Accumulate
Embarrass
with a-
would refuse to do-
-danee again.
TRirT:--------unconquerable
June is the ideal month in which to plan a picnic. The weather is usually nice and warm for outdoor gatherings, and comfortable enough to enjoy playing games and contests that are a part of every picnic. The lunch is one of the most important features of any picnic, so try for something different when your group makes its plans.
The “progressive” lunch has members bring a designated food, which are then pooled to make one big picnic lunch or supper. The “old-fashioned” box lunch social can also put some money into your treasury. This calls for each in-indivdual to bring a box lunch. Rules are made stating what the box must contain and how much, or the contents may be left to the one bringing the lunch, just stating the amount of lunch must be in the box. The boxes should be decoratively wrapped with no clue as to who brought it. These are then placed on a picnic table or the ground, and either sold for a certain sum or auctioned off to the highest bidders.
Another suggestion is to plan for everyone to eat together at the same time—and choosing partners to sit with you or next to you is always fun. This is done simply by numbering slips of paper such as two number ones, two number twos, etc. These are then passed out to the members of the group, and everyone has to find the one who has the same number he has, and in each case the two become lunch partners. These two people can also be picnic partners for the day, and participate in the games and stunts when partners are in order. Below are some suggestions for a picnic program, and try and end the day with a wiener or marshmallow roast.
Games and Contests
1. A candy kiss or peanut scramble.
2. A discus throw (Use a paper plate).
3. Target throw (Use bean bags to down wooden blocks).
4. Dizzy-Izzy (Run around a tree six times; then run to line).
5. Squat throw (Hurl a ball with hands from between the legs).
6. Sore Toe Race (Hold one foot with hand and hop to finish line).
7. Knee Lock (Use a stick; hold it under knees by the elbows and walk).
8. 100 Yard Chew (Have strings cut one yard long; chew before running to line).
9. Snapper Race (Have marshmallows on string; chew up string and get candy).
10. Windbag (Run to line, pick up and blow up paper bag, break it and run back).
11. Bite Test (Run to line, pick up paper napkin with teeth and run back).
12. Blow and Kick (Blow up a paper bag, tie it and kick it to the finish line).
13. Four-legged Race (Three people on team with ankles tied so four legs are running).
14. Ring the Bell (Girl blows up bag while boy stands at other line. Girl runs to boy, breaks bag over his head and runs back).
15. Hot Potato (Pass beanbag or ball in circle quickly. Leader blows whistle and one who holds bag or ball is out. Eliminate down to one person).
16. Chef Boxing (Wear paper bag on head. Players try to knock bag off each other’s head. Hold one hand behind back and use rolled up paper as swatters).
Steal the Bacon
This is one of the most favorite of games for children at outdoor gatherings. As many as twenty-four can participate in one game. Two persons choose and form two sides of twelve each. They line up as follows;
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 —Bacon—
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
The two sides stand about twenty feet apart. Any object may represent the Bacon, such as a block of wood, or stone, or an old hat. The referee calls the numbers and decides points in dispute. When the game starts, the referee calls a number, for example, number two, whereupon the numbers two from each side make a run for the bacon. The person who secures it makes one point for his side. The game should continue until at least each player has a chance for the bacon. The side with the highest number of points wins.
For the Kindergarten Crowd
The small folks are sometimes handicapped because of their size in playing games, so it is advisable to have a few games and prizes just for them, as follow—
Beanbag Balance
Each child walks to a point 40 feet distant and back to his place while balancing a beanbag on his head; both hands must be kept behind his back. If the beanbag falls the turn is over. The first one back to the finishing line is the winner. If only a few beanbags are available, use the elimination method.
Junior Bowling
Form a distance of fifteen feet, a child tries to bowl a soft ball into a circle made on the ground. The circle can be made with a stick of piece of rope or string. If more than one child rolls the ball into the circle on the first round, the winners roll again, until one child is the final winner and champion bowler.
ANN SANNEMANN, Lodge 559
2641 S. Millard Ave.
Chicago 23, 111.
VČERAJ JE BILO, JUTRI BO...Hermmia zur M“hl“
Pravljice Poslovenil A. C.
KAJ PRIPOVEDUJEJO PETRČKOVI PRIJATELJI?
(Nadaljevanje.)
Otroci jih odrezujejo s kleščami. Gorje, če so neprevidni! Kakor bi trenil, jim prežge kožo do kosti. Drugi otroci tekajo, tekajo z rdečo žarečimi steklenicami ter se tresejo in bojijo. Po obrazih jim lije pot. Njihova telesca se tresejo od napora. Ves dan letajo tako, letajo in držijo gorečo smrt v rokah.
Nekateri delavci pihajo v železne cevi, obrazi jim modrijo, oči jim stopajo iz očnic. V vročem prostoru za večno letanje in vihranje. Moški, ženske in otroci se prehitevajo. Žarina jim suši grla, da komaj, komaj še požirajo, žarina zbada kakor tisoč ostrih igel v njihova telesa, v njihova zasopla pljuča, v njihova srca. Peklenska ognjišča pa žarijo, venomer žarijo ves dan, vse dneve. Ljudje so vedno bolj utrujeni. Komaj se še vlačijo, spotikajo se, izmučeni od bojazni, da bi padli, da bi se strašni ogenj, ki ga prenašajo, zagrizel vanje ter jih ugonobil. Otroci se zgodaj starajo ter so kakor žalostni, majhni pritlikavci.
Dan in noč gorijo plameni, kipi vročina, od ža-rine onemogli in polblazni ljudje pa stokajo in težko dihajo. Vidiš, Peterček, to je resnični pekel, v katerem trpi po vsem širokem svetu na tisoče in tisoče ljudi.”
“Ti praviš, da ne pošilja samo ljubi bog slabih ljudi v ta pekel?” jo je vprašal Peterček.
Steklenica se je zopet zasmejala, a njen smeh je donel jezno in togotno.
“Bog? Bog nima s tem nikakšnega opravka. V ta pekel pošiljajo ljudje druge ljudi. Ljudje, ki v takšni žarini trpijo, se celo veselijo, da morejo v tem peklu delati, ker bi drugače oni sami in njihovi otroci od gladu pomrli.”
“Kdo jih pa pošilja v pekel?”
“Bogatini, ljudje, ki uživajo v lepih vrtovih prijetno hladen zrak, medtem ko venejo reveži v neznosni vročini. V tem pogledu je imela tista bedasta gospa popolnoma prav, kajti hudiči živijo zares, hudiči, ki ščipljejo z razbeljenimi kleščami uboge obsojence. Ti hudiči pa niso črni, nimajo niti rogov niti repov, marveč se oblačijo lepo in v svilo, klešče pa, ki jih imajo, se imenujejo: beda in pomanjkanje.”
Peterček je dejal: “Ne razumem, čemu takšni hudobni ljudje sploh živijo?”
“Škatlica ti je hotela razložiti,” mu je odgovorila malce očitajoče steklenica, “hotela ti je pojasniti kapitalistični sistem, a ti si pri tem zadremal.”
“Nikar se ne jezi,” jo je prosil Peterček. “Teh težkih besed ne razumem; ne vem, kaj pomenijo.” “Te besede pomenijo, da tisti, ki imajo denar, gospodujejo tistim, ki nimajo nič. Ne, nočem kar
tako trditi, da so vsi bogatini zlodji, vsekakor pa vsi tako delajo, kakor da bi bili zlodji. Vse to se tako godi: Že kot majhni otroci imajo vsega, česar jim srce poželi, ne vedo, kaj je glad in mraz. Le črhniti jim je treba: ‘To hočem, tisto-le želim!’ in, kakor bi trenil, imajo vse. Naravno je, da jim to ugaja. Tudi tebi bi takšno življenje bilo prijetno, ali ne?”
Peterček je prikimal.
“Pozneje postanejo starejši ter spoznajo, da jim denar ustvarja prijetno življenje. Zato hočejo imeti vedno samo denar, mnogo denarja. Zaradi tega morajo drugi delati zanje. Vsi tisti, ki morajo delati, po navadi nimajo bogatih staršev ter se veselijo, da morejo kaj zaslužiti. Morajo se pač udati, če nočejo za lakoto umreti. Ali razumeš to?”
“Razumem,” je odgovoril Peterček in, obotavljajoč se, vprašal: “Pa bo vse to za vse večne čase tako ostalo?”
“Ne, ne bo!” ga je poučila steklenica. “Na svetu živijo dobri in pametni ljudje, ki se borijo proti takšnemu sistemu ter zahtevajo, naj delajo vsi ljudje, naj vsako delo prinaša toliko plače, da more človek od svoje plače dostojno živeti. Ti dobri in pametni ljudje se imenujejo socialisti. Zapomni si to besedo!”
“Ne bom je pozabil,” je obljubil Peterček. “Povej mi še kaj! Kako je mogoče, da poznaš pekel, ki si mi ga popisala?”
“Saj so tudi mene ustvarili v tistem peklu, tepček moj mali! No, za zdaj sem ti zadosti povedala. Ne smem preveč govoriti, ker se premika voda, ki je v meni; to pa mi povzroča bolečine v želodcu. Zdaj pa kar zadremaj! Pozno je že; mamica bo kmalu prišla!”
KAJ PRIPOVEDUJE ODEJA
V soboto zvečer je Peterček doživel veliko veselje. Že dolgo je pod ogoljeno odejo neznansko zmrzoval. Njegova odeja je prav za prav bila samo še kup zakrpanih lukenj, skoraj tenka mrena, skozi katero ga je mraz zbadal s šiljastimi iglami. Že več mesecev sta se z mamo pomenkovala o novi odeji. Vsak teden sta od mamine plače utrgala majhen prihranek ter ga shranila v škatlo iz lepenke. Škatla bo polna in tedaj bo naš dečko dobil novo odejo.
V soboto zjutraj, ko je Petrčka še premagoval spanec, se je mamica tajinstveno nasmehnila.
“Drevi te čaka presenečenje!”
Njen utrujen obraz je bil videti ves srečen in vesel.
Ves dan je Peterček premišljeval o maminih besedah. Komaj je pričakoval večera. Naposled je mama prišla; pod pazduho je prinesla velik omot. Peterček se je takoj vzbudil, da bi bil najraje skočil s postelje, če ga ne bi neznosne bolečine posvarile in opozorile na bolno nogo.
Pozneje je mama omot odvila ter položila na po-
steljo prekrasno novo odejo. Njegovemu veselju ni bilo ne konca ne kraja. Odeja je bila prav zares prekrasna. Na živozelenem dnu so se šopirile svetlordeče rože in krasne modre potočnice. Kakor da je človek poleti pogledal na velik vrt. Kako gosto in močno je bilo šele blago! Naj zdaj mraz počne, karkoli se mu poljubi; te odeje njegove igle ne morejo predreti. Peterček je božal krasno odejo, mamo pa je njegovo veselje tako vzradostilo, da je na svojo utrujenost popolnoma pozabila.
V	nedeljo je bila ves dan doma. Peterček je bil vesel in zadovoljen. Ves teden se je veselil na ta edini dan, ki ga ni preživel osamljen in žalosten. Tem bridkejše pa je vselej bilo, ko se je prebudil, ponedeljsko jutro. Zopet bo moral toliko ur samevati, zopet ga bodo mučile bolečine, premakniti pa se ne bo smel. No da, odkar so se ga usmilili predmeti v sobi ter mu začeli praviti lepe zgodbice, ni bilo več niti od daleč tako dolgočasno, kakor prej. Le to mu ni bilo prav, da se zganejo ter se začno pomenkovati šele ob mraku. Kdo bo neki danes na vrsti?
Peterček se je oziral po uborni izbici ter se je razžalostil, zakaj naokrog ni bilo več mnogo stvari, ki bi utegnile kaj povedati. Mogoče bo zinil katero tistile železni lonec na peči? Hm, videti je nekam godrnjav in čemeren. Ne, ta mu pa res ne vzbuja kdo ve kakšnega upanja. Kaj pa nova odeja? Če bi hotela le govoriti! Tako čudovita odeja, ki jo krasijo krasne cvetice, bi morala znati kaj čudežno lepega povedati. Peterček jo je nežno pobožal in se močno veselil toliko obetajočega večera.
Počasi se je prikradla v izbo temna, črna noč, a bilo je še vedno vse nemo.
Peterček se je razočarano oziral s predmeta na predmet. Zdelo se mu je, da sta se kozarec in steklenica pomenkovala. Obilni trebušček steklenice se je majal. Govorila pa sta tako tiho, da n: Peterček mogel ujeti niti besedice.
Premog je molčal.
Peterček je ležal. Bil je tih kakor miška. Še vedno je upal, da se bo kateri predmet zganil.
Kaj pa je to? Ali ne vzdihuje nekdo prav blizu? Pogledal je po postelji. Videl je, da se nova odeja dviga in pada. Hkratu je tako globoko in žalostno vzdihovala, da se je Petrčku kar milo storilo.
“Zakaj si tako žalostna?” jo je pobaral. Nežno jo je pobožal: “Saj si tako lepa! Prekrasne cvetice cveto po tebi. Kako se moreš tako žalostiti?”
Odeja je vsa vztrepetala. Kakor da se ji je ne kaj neznansko zastudilo! Zastokala je: “O, nikar mi nič ne pravi o mojih pisanih barvah. Saj prav te barve povzročajo vso mojo žalost. Imam tako dobro srce ter ne morem pozabiti, koliko gorja sem povzročila. O, o, o!”
Peterček je postal radoveden. Kaj bi bila mogla odeja takšnega videti? Kaj ji povzroča tolikšne skrbi? Povprašal jo je po tem.
“O, o,” je ječala odeja. “Kakšna nesrečna stvar sem! Zaradi mene so obolevali ljudje, da, nemara so celo umirali. Pa vendar nisem jaz kriva!” Zopet je globoko in otožno vzdihnila. Tedaj se je vtaknila v pogovor debela steklenica.
(Dalje prihodnjič.)
MODEL PLANE—By Harmon.
OUR SCHOOL
"OUR SCHOOL FOR VICTORY"
CONTEST RULES
A sum not lo exceed $500 is available for juvenile members and Circles of the SNPJ, who quali fy for prizes in the "Our School for Victory" con-lesi 01 1944.
Ccniributions shall be classified info three groups —LITERARY, DRAWINGS and PHOTOGRAPHY.
a) LITERARY shall consist of news reports and letters of Juvenile Circle activities and other events and celebrations of the Society.— Also, stories, plays, essays, poems, etc., on subjects of educational value.
b) DRAWINGS shall include original cartoons, and diagrams or sketches of crossword puzzles, games, etc. All drawings must be done with India ink.
c) PHOTOGRAPHY shall comprise mainly of pictures in which juvenile members and activities with which they are connected are the principal subjects. Preferred, also, are pictures of art and handicraft exhibits, as well as of scenic beauty or historic prominence.
Drawn by Bill Baltezar, Lodge 249, 1246 Short St., Butte, Mont.
SPECIAL CONTEST SUBJECT
There will be no new special contest subject for the month of Augusi, but instead you are free to exercise your choice of any one of the four subjects suggested in the previous issues of the ML this year. These are as follows:
February—MY MOST UNUSUAL OR EXCITING EXPERIENCE March—MY FAVORITE OUTDOOR SPORT April—AN INTERESTING NEWS EVENT OR HAPPENING May—WORK FOR WHICH I RECEIVED REWARD
While it is not compulsory to write on the special contest subject of the month, it is preferred, however, that you do so as often as possible. You are at liberiy lo choose any other topic of your liking. You are also invited to submit drawings and/or pictures. THE DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS INTENDED FOR AUGUST'S ISSUE IS JULY 1, 1944.	JUVENILE	DIRECTOR.
THE NECESSITY FOR CLOSER LATIN-AMERICAN RELATIONS
In our present struggle the need for better relationships is vital and in the post-war era the need will be still greater. In order for us to establish a just and lasting peace, we shall have to carry on friendly relationships with every country of the world and especially with our nearest neighbors, the Latin-American nations. Thus far, in our history as the greatest republic, we have not been very successful in our contacts with these countries.
The Latin-American nations patterned their gov-ernments after our own. Being totally unprepared for war, having no credit and empty treasuries, destitute of strong friends, having a hazy blueprint of the future, made up of a puzzling composition of races, and possessing cultures and customs which rendered a uniform government extremely difficult, they assumed their brave, precarious places as free nations.
Not one of our neighbors to the South has a genuinely democratic form of government. All possess attributes of authoritarianism. They have achieved no industrial progress for lack of capital. They have become easy prey to outside capital and have been exploited frequently by foreign countries, including the United States. This has caused t'heir economic instability and has given us the name “The Colossus of the North.”
These countries have been ignored by the United States. Our people and government have ignored the fact that with constructive, sympathetic support, even if only for our self-protection, these countries may have been fruitful in their efforts toward gaining liberty and freedom. As a result of our complacency, the Japanese, Italian and German governments had developed industries in these countries and had almost succeeded in winning their favor in the present struggle.
In the future the United States must assume
Drawn by Zora Goslovich, age 16, lodge 297, Raton, N. M.
new and undreamed of responsibilities in the world. She must carry on trade relations with all nations, and even more extensively with Latin America. Our supplies of iron, coal, oil and other material resources are rapidly diminishing. Our overworked soil will have to be improved. Therefore, it is vitally necessary that we furnish the capital to mine the scarcely touched resources of these nations, to build industries, and to provide them with farm implements so that they can cultivate their land successfully. When this is accomplished, we can exchange materials of which we have an abundance, for materials which we need and vise versa. Improving our trade relations is of vital importance to us and to the other Americas.
Let us now consider the scientific benefits which would be derived from better relations with one another. These benefits would probably be experimentations in the fields of medicine and scientific projects. It is necessary that ideas and practices along these lines be exchanged between countries. One country can benefit much from the discoveries of another. Experiments in various phases of the sciences could be interchanged by means of more students and learned men visiting and studying in the various countries of the Americas.
Next, and equally important, is the need for interchanging North and South American culture. The history of the Latin American countries is comparable to ours. Their struggles for freedom and happiness are as full of loyalty and patriotism as our own. Their music, art and sculptoring are all equal in value to ours. These ideas should be exchanged and could best be studied by American students studying in South America and South Americans studying in the United States. There
is nothing as important as a thorough knowledge of one another’s culture and customs in firmly establishing a lasting friendship.
From the militaristic viewpoint, friendly relations become supremely necessary. We must see to it that no aggressor nations shall again try to enslave the people of the earth. We must see to it that we are in a League of Nations, or some other world organization which can prevent all wars and settle all disputes between nations by arbitrary means. We must have the Latin American countries working side by side with all the nations of the earth, for with opposing forces we shall not be able to maintain a just and lasting peace.
And so, it is our first duty to help Latin America industrially, to help her poor people gain a higher standard of living and establish real democratic governments. Let us trade with these nations, for efficient economy is necessary to a real democracy, and let us exchange scientific and cultural theories and facts. Latin America wants and needs our friendship and aid; and I believe it is our duty to help her, for in reality, are we not helping ourselves, also?
When she emerges from her present troubles, this country of ours must take steps to assure the unity of the American Republics, which is essential to a Pan-American Union.
Let us hope to see all the Americas, while they gather strength for the common defense, pull together to present to the world a framework of international cooperation, accomplished with the highest faith, the greatest justice, and the utmost good will.
(Note—This essay was also entered in a contest sponsored by the American Legion, the results of which are not known at this time.)
IRENE ROY AN, Lodge 49, Circle 7,
62 Smithsonian St., Girard, Ohio.
*
MR. ROBIN AND HIS MATE ARRIVE
It was early spring and the birds were grouped around the feeding table waiting for some food to be put out for them. In their eagerness to get a choice morsel for themselves before the plunder-ous Robber Jay got there, they failed to see the arrival of a stranger.
Mr. Robin was flying ahead of his mate in search of a good nesting place. When he first sighted
Drawn by Rosemary
Panyan, age 17, lodge 314, 413 Woodbridge Ave., Buhl, Minn.
Drawn by Vera Bozanic, age 16, lodge 393 Worcester, N. Y.
the group of hungry birds, he was quite a distance away. Cheered by this spectacle, 'he called to his mate with a shrill note and she answered. Then he heard another sound, “Jay! Jay! Get out; that’s our food!”
Mr. Robin felt a lump in his throat as he thought of the food he and his mate had been longing for on their flight from the south. They had stayed there several months, before starting back to their northern home. In Illinois a storm had delayed them and they were forced to remain there until it became warmer. They then started their flight again and within a week they had come to their destination. Mr. Robin perched on the branch of a basswood tree and waited for his mate. He watched a flock of Blue Jays pass by and thought to himself, “Those rascals sure multiplied since last year.”
When Mrs. Robin finally caught up to him, they approached the feeding table, now deserted, in search of a stray crumb, but no one was found. From overhead they heard Robber Jay, “Ha, ha, for once you robins didn’t get the best of everything. It’s too early for you.” Mr. Robin was used to making the best of everything, so he perked up his head and burst into full song.
“Oh, look, mother, a robin!” and a boy’s face peered through the window as this was said.
“Yes, son, and they look hungry; give them some crumbs,” answered his mother. And so, Mr. Robin and his mate ate their fill while Robber Jay looked selfishly from the distance.
RAYMOND LIPOVAC, Lodge 537, Crivitz, Wisconsin.
HIKING FOR EXERCISE AND STUDY
My favorite outdoor sport is hiking. I think it can be loads of fun. Hiking has helped me a lot in the study of nature and also given me plenty of good exercise.
When on hikes, I like to stop now and then and look at the scenery and climb trees. Usually, I go with another boy of my age. We walk about five miles and then look for a clearing to start a camp fire.
After eating our food, we put out the fire completely, before starting homeward. Yes, I really think hiking has helped me a great deal, both as an exercise and a study of animals, plants, flowers and trees.
TOMMY GORNICK, age 12, Lodge 629, 331 Third Street- Trafford, Pa.
NAVAL AVIATION
During time of war, I think it is interesting to know facts about the different branches of the armed services. Here I would like to give a little report about Naval Aviation which is continually growing in importance.
Naval Aviation gox its start in 1910. At that time Captain W. J. Chambers of the United States Navy asked Glen Curtiss, an airplane builder, if one of his ace pilots would fly a plane off the deck of a battleship. Eugene Cly was chosen to do the take-off, and on November 14, 1910, the history making event took place. At the beginning of the first World War the Navy had one air-station, 38 naval aviators, 163 enlisted men and 54 planes. Today, the Navy has thousands of planes of many types, about a dozen aircraft carriers and are training 30,000 naval pilots each year.
The first school for training naval aviators was opened in December, 1914, in Florida. It was called the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Qualifications for Naval Aviation are quite rigid. One must be between the ages of 18 and 26, unmarried, and must have a high school education. Physical condition must be excellent. Those who are accepted for this service, are given certain tests to determine for which type of flying they are best suited. After they have passed their physical examination, they are sent to a training center for a physical fitness program, where they participate in football, baseball, track, and other sports beside the regular military drill. They must also devote hours to the study of Navy customs and regulations, aerial navigation, airplane engines, gunnery, radio code work, meteorology and other subjects naval aviators must know.
They are then sent to preliminary training centers. Here they study all the parts of a plane, tour air stations, and learn what it takes to keep planes in the air. If the cadet is not washed up by now, he spends the next nine weeks in flight with an instructor as his guide. First he practices takeoffs and landings, then normal flying with plenty of turns and spirals, and many emergency and precision landings. After that comes formation flying in which the cadet takes his turn in flying
in every one of the nine positions of the plane. The next step is blind and radio flying.
After 'he has completed this program, he is ready for advanced training with more powerful planes. The cadet may be sent for battleship-cruiser seaplane training, patrol-boat training, or carrier-based. land plane training. After they have completed this final training they receive the wings of gold of a naval air cadet.
NADA ZAGAR, Circle 3, Lodge 137, 1111 E. 66 St., Cleveland, Ohio.
MY FAVORITE SPORT SWIMMING
When my mother says we are going to the beach to spend the day, the first thing I think about is having fun in the water.
Mother has been teaching me how to swim. First I learned how to swim the “Dog Paddle”. Next, how to go under water without holding my nose. Now I’m learning how to stroke.
My mother is a good swimmer, and we have a lot of fun playing in the water. I like to play “ring around the rosy”, and when we are to fall down, we go under the water.
This Fall, when I am 10 years old, mother is going to enroll me at the gym she goes. There I am going to get instructions in swimming from a professional teacher. I am going to try very hard and maybe, some day I may become a champion swimmer.
ROB ANN SANNEMANN, age 9,
2641 S. Millard Ave., Chicago 23, 111.
Lodge 559, Perfect Circle. 26.
AO, . t,
tkj* V»t.A_Y„
V-mail drawing by Pvt. Ben Volk, “somewhere” in Europe.
AN UNUSUAL EXPERIENCE
My most unusual experience was exciting, too, although you might not think so when you’ve finished reading this letter. As you know, all the schools are having a paper drive. When the drive started, my girl friend and I decided to go from house to house and collect paper. We used a very small wagon and so had quite a time keeping the paper on as we hauled it to location. Every now and then a bundle of paper would fall off and it seems, every time this happened, a man or a woman would come out of their house and ask if we wanted more paper.
Finally the day arrived when all the paper was loaded on a jeep and hauled away to be weighed. Since the boys helped with the loading of the paper, they were given the opportunity of riding the jeep. They thought it was a lot of fun even though they were almost thrown out every time the jeep hit a bump in the street. There was
15,000	pounds of paper in all. It meant a lot of work collecting all that paper, but the purpose was really worth the effort.
DOROTHY POWELL, 12, Lodge 105, Circle 43, 710 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
William Shakespeare was an English poet, actor and playwright, the exact date of whose birth is not known. The earliest record of a Shakespeare dates back to 1248 at Clapton, Gloucestershire.
Shakespeare’s father became a prominent citizen. He was chosen as an Alderman in 1565 and, three years later, held the chief municipal office, that of high bailiff.
Shakespeare obtained a good education although, by the time he reached his thirteenth birthday, his father’s fortunes began to turn for the worse. On November 18, 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older. Three children were born to them—Susanna in 1583 and two years later, the twins, Hammet and Judith.
Not long after that Shakespeare went to London and the theater. He probably at first was a holder of horses at the door, before being admitted into the company as an actor. At the end of summer, when he was twenty-eight years old, he began to emerge as a playwright. The show closed in 1594, but reopened the same year and Shakespeare then became the leading member of the Chamber-lain Company. From 1594 to 1603, they had plays continually in London.
The average number of plays written by Shakespeare were two a year. He retired in 1612, a few years before his son passed away. Shakespeare died at the age of fifty-three, on April 23, 1616.
JOSEPHINE SLANSEK, age 17, Circle 26, lodge 559,
4933 W. 24th St., Cicero 50, 111.	'
*
RECREATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Eighteen-year-old Ruth Clifton of Moline, 111., talked while United States Senators listened respectfully. Ruth was invited to Washington to testify, because she has been recognized as an ex-
pert on a problem of recreation for young people.
Her experience began while she was editor of her high school newspaper. She wrote a letter to a local paper urging that a clean, decent amusement place should be provided for Moline’s young people.
Ruth and her friends were not discouraged when nothing but an old warehouse was offered. They scrubbed the building and divided it into a game room and a large hall equipped for dancing and stage performances.
Since Ruth’s graduation from high school last year, she has worked as a cub reporter on a local paper. She is now acting as technical adviser to a Hollywood studio which is making a picture about problems of youth.
Ruth’s friends will always remember her because of her splendid work in getting an amusement place for young people.
GRACE ANN GERDANC, age 12, Circle 26, Lodge 559,
4933 W. 24th St., Cicero, 111.
*
THE CHICAGO SUBWAY
On October 16, 1943 the people of Chicago opened their new Subway. A very colorful ceremony took place at the station. There were so many people there, I couldn’t see everything that was going on.
Mayor Kelly gave a speech, after which he cut the ribbon that was stretched across the track, and the Subway was officially opened. His Honor, the Mayor, and other city officials were the first to ride on the train. The first revenue operation started at midnight, 12:01 Oct. 17, 1943.
The Subway extends about 5 miles in all, and was built at the cost of $34,000,000. Another 5 miles of heavy construction work is partly finished and after the war is over, it is to be completed. This will then connect with the Subway now in operation.
While Chicago will benefit greatly from this new Subway, it is only a start in the direction of much needed transportation going into Chicago’s famous Loop.
ROBANN SANNEMANN, age 9, Circle 26 2641 S. Millard Ave., Chicago 23, 111.
*
PENICILLIN
Professor Alexander Fleming of the University of London discovered a wonder drug called penicillin in the year 1928. People have called this discovery a miracle. It is a miracle for it will save thousands of lives.
Penicillin is a yellowish white powder. It is made from a kind of mold which is found on cheese or bread. As a cure for infections, penicillin is superior to the sulfa drugs. Penicillin does not kill germs, but it stops them from multi-" plying in number.
Professor Fleming discovered penicillin when a colony of germs in his laboratory came in contact with some cheese mold. He noticed that the area around the mold was free from germs.
A description of Professor Fleming follows. He has blue eyes and dark hair. He was born in Darvel, Scotland, and is now 62 years old. He re-
ceived his training at Mory’s Hospital in London, where his son is at present a second year student.
His hobbies are swimming, rifle shooting and painting pictures with colors from which germs are made. Professor Fleming uses these colors just like water colors. His germ paintings have been shown in the London exhibitions.
GRACE ANN GERDANCE, age 12, Circle 26 4933 W. 24th Street, Cicero 50, 111.
*
A RECENT NEWS EVENT IN MILWAUKEE
During the week of March 19-26, 1944, the ‘ Don’t Buy Another Depression” campaign was in full swing in our city. This campaign was the brain-child of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.
The symbol of the campaign was a red apple, a reminder of the depression days when thousands of people made a living selling apples. The idea of the campaign was to make the people understand why prices should be kept down to keep inflation out of the country.
During that week, the nation’s spotlight was on Milwaukee and on all programs and meetings concerning the “Don’t Buy Another Depression” campaign. A movie short on the dangers of inflation was made in Milwaukee and the various movie companies had their newsreal cameramen there on that day.
To climax the campaign, a gigantic parade was held on March 26. Local organizations, factories, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc., were represented by floats designed and decorated to fit in with
Drawn by Vera Bozanic, age 15, lodge 393, Westcester, N. Y.
the purpose of this demonstration. The main features of the parade were the huge canvas floats from the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Although it snowed part of the day, over 100,000 people saw the parade.
In the weeks to come, campaigns built on this order will be held all over the country. This campaign is another first credited to the people of Milwaukee.
MICHAEL RUPPE, Jr., are 14 728 W. Walker Street Milwaukee 4, Wis.
Lodge 192, Circle 4.
*
CAMPING IS REAL SPORT
The subject I have picked for my favorite sport is camping, and the reason for making this choice is because the boys and I, usually, have a lot of interesting experiences and fun on such occasions. For instance, what we do first is get all the needed things together, such as food, tent, bedding, fishing tackle and canoe, before starting for our destination early in the morning.
Four boys usually make up the camping party. When we get about three miles out we come to the first portage. Here we have to unpack and take our food and other equipment across the water, and then pack the things together again, and continue our journey on to the second, third, fourth and even fifth portage. By that time we are quite tired and decide to pitch tent.
After resting and eating a bite, we go fishing and, if the water is nice, sometimes go swimming. Around nine o’clock, we roll into our blankets and sleep till about four in the morning, when we get up and start out again. On one of these trips, we were twenty miles from home when it started to rain, so let me remind you not to leave your raincoat behind or you might be sorry.
When the destination is reached, there is only one place to go from there and that is back where you came from. Once more everything is packed and we hit the trail for home. It takes five days to get there, but only four to return. You might not believe it, but on one of these nine day camping trips I gained eight pounds. When you are out in the woods and open air, you really feel like eating.
Drawn by Donna Gosiovich, age 11, lodge 297, Raton, N. M.
People who live in the cities should go camping and hiking for a week or two, and then they’ll be more glad we still have woods to tramp through and enjoy.
STANLEY KUNSTEL, age 16 Box 523, Ely, Minn.
Lodge 268.
*
MY FATHER
Who has helped to care for me since I was but a child?
Who loved me and caressed me so tenderly and mild?
Who bought the things I needed and sent me off to school?
Who taught me how to understand and obey the golden rule?
’Twas someone who is dear to me; this verse I hope he sees—
I love thee, dearest father, and long may you remain
The king of our home and forever may you reign.
(Dedicated to all dads)
CAROLINE TAVZELJ, age 14 1425 McKinstry Street Detroit, Mich.—Lodge 518.
*
SOME SLOVENE HISTORY
The Slovene people are of the Slavic race. The language they speak is similar to that of the Croats, Serbs, Bulgarians, Russians, Czechs and Poles.
In 600 A. D., they settled in a strip of country lying between Vienna, Austria, and Trieste. For several hundred years they had their own form of government. Then in later years they were under the rule of Austrian emperors. They remained under Austrian rule until the end of World War 1.
After the first World War, Slovenia became a part of Jugoslavia. In the years when the Slovenes were not well-known among the far corners of the earth, they produced distinguished writers, poets, musicians, scientists and painters.
Some of the first Slovenes to come to the United States were missionaries among the Indians in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now, there are more than a quarter of a million Slovenes in this country. Most of them are to be found in such large industrial centers as Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh; others make their homes in smaller communities all over the United States.
MARION CERVENKA 5126 W. 24th Place Cicero 50, Illinois Lodge 559, Circle 26.
SICILY
Sicily is a very important and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is southwest of the Italian Peninsula from which it is separated by the Strait of Messina. It has an area of 9935 square miles and a population of approximately
4,500,000	people. It is covered with mountains and- plateaus and has only one very small plain.
Agriculture is an important industry in spite of the small area of land suitable for farming. They raise raw materials for cereals, beans, su-mai, grapes, olives, almonds, oranges and lemons. Its principal minerals are rock salt and asphalt. It has large fisheries. The making of wine and olive oil, canning of fruits and vegetables, and preparation of citric acid are extensively carried on. In the larger citieSj the people are engaged in making glassware, metal ware and matches.
Sicily was settled by several groups of people and for many years has formed a part of the Kingdom of Italy. It plays a vital role in the present World War, having been conquered about a year ago by American and British forces after a short campaign.
ANNA MAE MUFFLEY, age 13 Oakland Ave., Johnstown, Pa. Lodge 82, Circle 47.
*
FATHER'S DAY
Father’s Days is set aside to honor the fathers of today.
It seems that words can’t express just what I want to say—
Of how they give their last penny in order to help us out,
And this you probably have experienced many times, no doubt.
This year, father’s Day won’t be celebrated quite like in the years past,
For many have entered this war and we know not how long it will last.
And yet, we should honor our father more with each passing year,
For they are the ones who lead us on to live the clean way.
ANNIE ČRETNIK, age 17 R. 2, Box 425 Ft, Smith, Ark.
FAVORITE OUTDOOR SPORTS
I have decided to try my luck on the contest subject “My Favorite Sport.” I enjoy almost any kind of sport, but of my three favorites all are classed as outdoor sports.
In the winter I like ice-skating and tobogganing. Especially is skating lots of fun. Most people think it very embarrassing to fall, but my friends and I just love it and think an occasional fall the best part of ice-skating, for you seldom get hurt when you take a spill on the ice.
Tobogganing is also lots of fun and exciting, too. Quite a few people own toboggan sleds, but we just sit on the slide and away we go. The toboggan slide is very long and narrow. The one I have in mind starts on a high hill or, I should say, mountain slope. You continue straight down
Drawn by Mary Jane Plachy, age 14, R. D. 3,
Box 255, Johnstown, Pa.
the incline until you reach the lake, and from there slide along the lake until old “Mister Wind” decides to bring your progress to a stop.
Swimming is my favorite sport in the summertime. I think I swim very well and enjoy diving. The girls with whom I spend my vacation like this sport, too. We play under the water tag, and see who can hold their breath longest under water. On the other side of the lake are water turtles, fish and snakes, but they don’t come near the place where we swim. We also rent boats for an hour or so a day, and take our lunches with us.
The sports, which I have just mentioned, are the ones I like most.
LORETTA SEEBACHER, age 12 Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lodge 580, Circle 50.
*
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is the largest island group of the Malay Archipelago. It was conquered by Spain in 1542 and ceded to the United States in the treaty of April 11, 1899. The population is 12,204,100, and its area covers 114,400 square miles. The Capitol is Manila.
The climate of the Philippines is tropical. The islands are mountainous and volcanic, the highest of which is Mt. Alpa, which is 10,312 feet above the sea level. Rivers, streams, and lakes are plentiful, but only a few of the rivers are navigable.
The soil, which is usually of a reddish brown color, is fertile. Agriculture is the main support of the population. Mineral resources are important but little developed. Deposits include gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, mercury, platinum and nickle.
A radio station communicating directly with the United States was opened at Manila in December 1930. Religious freedom is enjoyed, the dominant faith being Roman Catholic. Education is free, secular and co-educational.
(Source—Funk and Wagnall encyclopedia) WILMA JEAN LAIDIG, age 11 480 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. Lodge 82, Circle 47.
THE UNITED STATES MARINES
The United States Marine Corps, which is the military branch of the Navy, was founded by an act of the Continental Congress in 1775 as the first military organization to defend the colonies. The Secretary of the Navy is responsible for the direction of the Marine Corps, and it is commanded by the Major General Commandant with headquarters at Washington.
Detachments of Marines are stationed on all the battleships and aircraft carriers, heavy cruisers, light cruisers and other types of ships. They furnish gun crews for the secondary batteries, anti-aircraft guns and machine guns. They also constitute the landing force of the fleet.
The Marines serve as instructors in the use of infantry weapons and, also, take over part of the guard duty aboard the boat on which they are stationed. Detachments of Marines guard and protect navy yards, naval bases and other naval utilities. They are always prepared to go into disturbed areas to restore peace and protect American citizens and interests abroad. They
#	maintain their own flying fields.
The rank of officers in the Marines is like that in the Army. The pay of a Marine is the same as for a soldier in the Army for the same rank and grade.
TOM GORNICK, lodge 629 331 Third St.,
Trafford, Penna.
*
ANOTHER FAVORITE SPORT
Skating is a sport enjoyed both indoors and out. If you live in the city, you can go to an indoor skating rink. It isn’t very cold there, but if you skate outside when a cold wind is blowing, it isn’t always comfortable or enjoyable.
Now, if you live in a small town or the country, you can’t go skating just any time you want. You have to wait till the weather gets cold and freezes the water in the “old swimming hole.” And that doesn’t happen very often.
Before you can go skating outdoors, you have to find out whether the ice is thick enough to be safe. This you determine by cutting a hole in the ice. If it is thick enough, you skate; if not, you go back home and hope it freezes hard. When you do finally get to skate, chances are that the cold north wind is blowing and you then have to build a fire on the bank to keep warm. ■But whether you’re skating indoors or out, believe me, it’s real fun.
CARL ULEPICH, age 15 Lodge 65
*
DANIEL BOONE
Daniel Boone, famous frontiersman and pioneer, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania. He moved with his family to North Carolina in 1752, and there became a noted hunter and trapper. From 1769 to 1771, he explored the Kentucky Wilderness. Four years later, Boone led an exploration party as an agent for the Transylvania Company, which resulted in the founding of Boonesboro, Kentucky. In 1777, he headed the defense of the colonists against the Indian Allies
Drawn by Dolores Udo-vich, age 15, lodge 573, R. 1, Box 90, La Salle, 111.
V s\/l
of the British. The following year, he was captured by the Indians and adopted into their tribe, but escaped in time to defend Boonesboro against anoter attack by the Indians. Boone received a grant of land from Spain in 1779, in what is now Missouri, where he lived as a Spanish official.
RUTH FLETCHER, age 15 Johnstown, Pa.
Circle No. 47.
*
AN INTERESTING NEWS EVENT
The school, which I attend, has adopted a plan to honor the boys in the armed services who have graduated in the recent years. Every Friday, after a full week of classes, all students who wish to attend the picture shows, held from 2 to
4	P. M., can do so for the price of twenty cents. The public is also invited to attend. Grade school students are charged eleven cents.
The profits from the shows will go towards buying a service honor roll, which will include the names of every high school graduate who is in the armed services. The service men, who have been killed in action, will have a gold star placed next to their names.
There are 236 names to be put on the service honor roll. The price for each name is fifty cents. Five picture shows have been shown up to the present time, and we already have enough money to pay for 126 names. We will continue having these shows until the end of school. If we keep up the good participation at these shows, the entire student body and faculty will be invited to attend the last show free of charge.
Almost everyone at school has a relative or a close friend in the armed services, so that everyone is interested and likes to attend the special shows.
DOROTHY YOGER, age 17 R. R. 3, Box 1612 Girard, Kansas —
Lodge 225„ Circle 11.
*
EXPERIENCE WITH A SPRING THAW
It was in spring a few years ago. The water from the fast melting snow weaved its way into Smith’s creek near our home. After a few warm days, the creek was a swollen torrent of mad rushing water. It reached the four foot level at the bridge in our driveway. This was the first
of a series of bridges swept away by the swift current.
When I left for school in the morning, the big concrete bridge was still checking the surging water. After school, when my uncle came for me, he had to make his way over three bridges, each with extra caution. On the way home, we were surprised to find the first bridge overrun with water, but with a little care we managed to cross easily. The real .surprise came when we found the second bridge on the county road torn down. Crowds of people were gathered on either bank. Some were waiting to cross, others worked to fill in the gap with sandbags, and still others from the neighboring farms looked on.
My uncle went home through the woods and changed into some old clothes, so that he, too, could help with the work. County trucks brought loads of sandbags. As they were dropped into the creek, the water carried them two or three feet before they reached bottom. Finally a temporary bridge or dam was built and the people were then able to cross.
My uncle carried me across and looking down I could see the water surging around his ankles. My thoughts were none too pleasant and was glad when we reached the other side. After the people, the cars started across, slowly. We then went home, but because our bridge was swept away, we were forced to leave the car on the other side and walked a plank to the opposite bank. Later on, we built a much stronger bridge in its place.
RAYMOND LIPOVAC, age 14 Crivitz, Wis.—Lodge 537.
*
NEWS EVENT—A NEAR ACCIDENT
One evening we were coming home on the school bus and, as we neared a railroad crossing, we saw a car in the center of the tracks. The car had stalled and the driver was unable to start it. While others went to get help, a train came and barely missed hitting it. A short time later, the driver with assistance from other people was able to move the car off the tracks. It was very fortunate that the car was not wrecked and none were injured.
FRANCES KORD AN, age 11 R. D. 2, Salem, Ohio Lodge 476, Circle 10.
*
WHAT AMERICA MEANS TO ME
America means to me a nation of many states established upon principles of freedom, aquality, justice and humanity. It is a democracy in a Republic with liberty and justice for all.
When our country has been called to battle, valiant American patriots have firmly united to find peace. Our war cry thunders above them until a symbol bright of hope rises up for all the world to see.
This is the land which our forefathers pledged anew. They were the first to move the sword, thus making our nation free. Brave men were the leaders of our armies in past wars with the idea that “We conquer or fall.”
Now America is one nation indivisible and
containing a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is an eternal land with freedom’s light shining from every star forever.
Let’s keep “America” meaning “America” so that every soldier, here or abroad, can return to a land of freedom, equality, justice and humanity, with the red, white and blue waving proudly over our heads.
VERA BOZANIC, age 15
Worcester, N. Y.—Lodge 393.
>1«
IMPRESSIONS OF CHILDREN
Children can be classified into two groups— boys and girls. Then each of these groups can be divided into two other groups, the “well-behaved” and the “otherwise,” However, as this is not going to be an outline of how to classify children, I’ll change the subject with the thought that the “otherwise” group of children can be turned into an interesting study of why they are the way they are. Many mothers would gladly take up a course of this kind, if they had the time.	4
Some children are entirely unpredictable. Take Bobby for instance. His mother left chocolate cake on the table and locked the icebox door. Bobby came in, took one look at the cake, and then ran for his dad’s hammer. Upon returning he broke open the door of the icebox and ate all the pickles. When his mother came home she was astonished.
“Why did you break open the icebox?” she asked Bobby.
“Well, it was your fault,” replied Bobby, “if you had left the cake in the icebox and the pickles on the table, I would have eaten the cake.”
“Why?” asked his mother. “I left the cake on the table, because I didn’t care if you would take a piece.”
“I knew that,” said Bobby, “but I wanted to see why you locked the icebox door. The pickles were the only food in there, so I guessed you were saving them for something and I ate them.”
And then take the case of Jeannie. Her mother just couldn’t figure her out. Before going shopping one day, she told Jeannie not to color the walls while she was gone, and when she came back, she saw pictures and stuff all over them. “Jeannie,” she gasped, “why did you do it?”
Drawn by Rosemary
Panyan, age 16, lodge 314, 413 Woodbridge Ave., Buhl, Minn.
“Why, mommy,” she said, “you told me not to color the walls, so I didn’t; instead, I painted on them.”
Her mother couldn’t punish her for that. But, if you ask me why she shouldn’t, the hair brush was nowhere to be found. Jeannie had carved it up while her mother was gone.
MARY POTISK, age 16 2713 S. 71 St.,
West Allis, Wis.—Circle 18.
*
AN INTERESTING HAPPENING
The eighth grade girls of Depue, 111., have a basketball team. They named themselves the “leathernecks.”
One of the girls has a brother in the Marines, who is stationed on Bougainville Island in the Pacific theater of war. He made a plaque in honor of the team and sent it home.
It is now on display in the local bank window. Later, it will be waxed an polished, and then turned over to the school. I think this was a very interesting happening.
DOROTHY VELCNEK, age 13 Box 538, Depue, 111.
Lodge 59.
*
JEFFERSON DAVIS
Jefferson Davis was born in Kentucky on June 3, 1808. After graduating from West Point, he took part in the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars. He was a member of the United States Senate from Mississippi, and in 1881, ran, unsuccessfully, for the governorship of that state.
Davis was the spokesman of the South and was elected provisional president of the Confederate States for six years. On May 10, 1865, a short time after the Civil War ended, he was captured near Irwinville, Ga., and imprisoned for two years at Fort Monroe, where he awaited trial for treason.
The proceedings against him, however, were abandoned and he was released on bail. After 1879 he retired to an estate in Mississippi, where he remained the rest of his life. He died in 1889.
MARY J. PLACHY, age 14 R. D. No. 3, Box 255 J ohnstown, Pa.—Circle 47.
*
MORE THAN ONE FAVORITE SPORT
My favorite sport in the summer months is swimming. I always go to “Buttermilk Falls” near Latrobe, Pa., to swim. Here are many large rocks and in the surrounding vicinity are a number of pretty cottages. Four of my friends live there and I visit them frequently.
There is a large rock near the deepest part of the water which we use for a diving “board.” When we want more suntan, we lay on the layers of smooth rock. Some people sleep on them. . here are refreshment and dancing facilities close I look forward for the war to end, when I can go there again.
.My favorite sports in the winter are tobogan-niI}g and skiing. We have many hills around us suitable for either sport. We have a large homemade toboggan on which about fifteen people
can ride at one time. I learned to ski only recently and found it very much to my liking. However, since we had snow only twice all last winter, there really wasn’t much chance for this type of activity.
The sports I enjoy most in spring are roller-skating and hiking, while bicycling is “tops” when the early weeks of autumn arrive.
EILEEN L. FRYE, age 13 Box 494, Herminie, Pa. Lodge 87, Circle 52.
*
FRANK LIKES BASKETBALL
My favorite sport is basketball. Last season I was the right guard on the school’s sixth grade team. We were allowed to play one hour every Wednesday against the fifth graders. On March 15, we played our tournament game and the score was 15 to 14.
The players on our team were as follows: Jimmy Woods, center; Leonard Wall, left forward; Charles Maris, right forward; Pete Havercamp, left guard, and I’m the right guard. With exception of Peter Havercamp, these boys are SNPJ members.
FRANK BEDEY, age 11 Roundup, Montana Lodge 700, Circle 28.
*
JOHN BROWN
Probably many of you have sung “John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave . . and maybe some of you have wondered what it’s all about. The song was a result of the Civil War.
John Brown was an American abolitionist born in Connecticut, May 9, 1800. He died on December 2, 1859. Brown’s paternal ancestry was of Mayflower stock. His grandfather was a captain in the American Revolution and his father shared in the forcible rescue of fugitive slaves in 1798.
He was exceedingly active and was an adventurous boy who loved playfights, but not real ones. He disapproved of war and in manhood paid annual fines rather than perform militia duty. His detestation of slavery was confirmed by witnessing the abuse of a slave boy.
John Brown became a farmer, leatherdresser, surveyor, shepherd and wooldealer—unfixed and unprosperous. In 1834 he devised an association of abolitionist families in Pennsylvania to educate colored youth, believing this would free the South into speedy emancipation.
In 1854, John Brown and five of his twelve sons settled in Kansas. His family was a stalwart defender of this territory. Here his career brought him in national prominence. He led several raids against pro-slavery settlers and seized a Federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.
However his abolitionist movement came to an end when he was captured in 1859 by General Lee, when he attempted to take possession of the U. S. Armory in Virginia. Brown was then tried before a Virginia court and hanged at Charleston. His testimony at the trial produced an impression on the North, revealing a character of heroic simplicity, purity, and grandeur. If his action was
mad, he himself wasn't and even his adversary, Governor Wise of Virginia., admired his clear head and courage.
John Brown became the popular incarnation of the spirit of liberty and the slogan of the North was “John BrowTn’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave, but his soul goes marching on.”
(A report “Biographical Book of John Brown”) ZITA BOZANIC, age 17 Worcester, N. Y.—Lodge 393.
*
FAVORITE WINTER SPORT
Snow-balling might sound like an unusual sport to most of you, but is the most fun for me. When you get hit with a good hard snowball, it really speeds you up in throwing yours faster and harder. Because I enjoy snowball battles so much, everytime the snow is all gone, the first thing I do in the mornings is peek out the window anxious to see more snow.
BOBBY BEDEY, age 8 Roundup, Montana Lodge 700, Circle 28.
ENOUGH ROPE
In 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines, he reported having seen Filipino natives dressed in coarse garments made from the fiber of plant which they called abaca. White men were slow to appreciate the merits of the fiber, but by 1800 first samples of abaca rope were brought to Salem, Mass., by Yankee Clippers. Yankee sailing men began importing the Philippine fiber and began to carry cargoes of it directly from the great port of Manila for redistribution throughout the world. Thus comes the name “Manila Hemp,” although abaca is not a member of the hemp family.
By 1900 the United States had become the number one consumer of the rope. About 1920 Ne-theland Indies planters began to take Philippine seedstock as a Dutch colonial crop. To combat this the Philippine Government passed a law prohibiting further export of the planting stock.
For the past fifty years, Japan has been the third greatest importer of abaca (after the United States and Great Britain). In addition to making rope, cordage and matting, they used huge quantities of the fiber for manufacturing “lagel” hat braid and for making cheap shoes to sell to the normally barefoot millions of South Asia. Then, of course, the Nipponese moved south. Most Philippine abaca is grown in the Davao area. Japanese “immigrants” began flocking into Davao, first to work as abaca laborers, and then to become growers. Soon they owned or controlled the decisive acreages, and Davao acquired the nickname of “New Japan.”
By 1930 the cordage manufacturers of our country were deeply disturbed by Japan’s virtual control of abaca. In 1925 Henry T. Evans, after traveling in Davao and the Netherlands Indies, headed home wih his baggage filled with abaca “bits” representing six common varieties. He planted them on United Fruit Company land near Almirante, Panama, as an experiment. In 1934, at the urging of the late H. C. Clark, the
banana company agreed to sponsor an abaca experiment, though it declined to produce abaca as a commercial crop. However, at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, this was the only source of abaca planting stock in the Western Hemisphere. Early in 1942 the United Fruit Company contracted to plant 20,000 acres of abaca in Central America, to harvest and process the fiber, and sell it at cost to the United States.
Abaca is an own child of the west hot tropics. It grows best with at least 100 inches per year of well distributed rainfall and a mean temperature. Yet the plant is injured or killed by standing water and therefore requires deep ditches to keep the water table at a low levels. During the first few months, weeds must be cleared, by hand. After this period, it is a hardy crop, unmolested by insects and immune to the Panama disease as well as to the wind-blown sigatoka blight which every banana grower fears.
The crop has no special harvest season, being harvested throughout the year. Eighteen to twen-ty-two months after planting, the healthy plant is as tall as thirty-five feet, with a central shoot five to ten inches in diameter.
Rope can be made from other fibers such as jute and honequen, but none of them have abaca’s enormous strength, stretch and resistance. For many years U. S. Maritime authorities have requested that no North American ship leave port without an emergency supply of “Manila” rope for mishaps at sea. British shipping regulations list abaca rope as a “must” for both naval and merchant shipping.
The Allies must have abaca for many purposes, and during the past two years for the first time in history it is coming from the American tropics —Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras. At first, a few tons a week were produced, then twenty tons, and at this time about ninety tons. In a year from now a yield of 400 to 500 tons per week is expected. Moreover, these new American plantings are producing the best “Manila” fiber ever put to use.
There are a number of reasons for believing that this new American industry will become more than simply a “war baby.” One of these is that efficient mechanical processing being developed in the Western Hemisphere will far outstrip the slow hand-labor of the Philippines and Java. Also, the more than double yield of the richer Middle American soils is a potent factor.
Acre for acre abaca cannot be anywhere near as probitable as its cousin, the banama. But the fiber flourishes on neighboring land not suited for tropical fruits, as well as in soil no longer able to produce bananas profitably. All in all, we may easily see that abaca is one of several war-develepod commodities which may very well strengthen permanently the ties between the Americas.
(Source: Article by Charles M. Wilson in “Inter-American”)
ZORA GOSTOVICH, age 16 Box 531, Raton, N. Mex.
-	Lodge 297.
NIGHT WILL NEVER STAY
The night will never stay,
The night will still go by,
Though with a million stars You pin it to the sky,
Though you bid it with the wind And buckle it with the moon, The night will slip away Like sorrow or a tune.
WHERE THE FUEL GOES
A MECHANIZED DIVISION burns up 18,000 gallons of gaso-line in 1 hour of combat.
(By Eleanor Farjeon)
ALICA DAFOFF, age 15 1428 Nordyke Ave. Indianapolis 3, Ind.
Circle 43.
#
' THE SPRING FANCIES"'
“The Spring Fancies” was staged at Huerfano County High School on April 21, 1944 and was sponsored by the journalism class. The top highlights of the program were the four acts of the Tri-Hi group of Pueblo.
The Tri-Hi group is composed of the three high schools of Pueblo-Central, Centenial and Catholic high schools. This group has been organized for the past four years, and on different occasions have given big shows for the service men in Pueblo.
The purpose of our program was to raise enough money so that the journalism class can send the school paper to the alumni who are now in the armed services. There were about thirty-six membei's on the program. They danced, sang and played musical instruments.
The music was furnished by the Melody Boys, and orchestra composed of students from the school. They play at school programs and dances and, also, at outside social affairs.
VERNA M. DUZENACK, Circle 1 709 W. 6th Street Walsenburg, Colo.
*
THE WORST RAINSTORM
One evening last summer, clouds began to gather overhead and everyone thought we were in for a light summer shower, but we were wrong. It started to rain lightly at first and then faster and faster, and by ten o’clock that night it was raining “cats and dogs.”
We live in a small town where everyone puts
BUI
DEFENSE
STAMPS
BONDS
KEEP 'EM FLYINO
their tubs and buckets on, next to, or under their porches. Soon the creek near our house was so high, the tubs, buckets, and everything else floated away.
In all the excitement no one got much sleep, but despite this everyone was up bright and early to see the effects of the flood. What a sight we saw! The corn was washed flat to the ground, gardens were ruined, lawns once beautiful were destroyed and, worse of all, everywhere was mud and more mud.
For days after, everyone was busy cleaning their yards and searching for belonging along the creek. Many trees were up-rooted and telephone lines had to be repaired. We’ve had storms before and since, but none like that one. That to me was the most interesting event of 1943.
VIRGINIA BARTON, age 15
R. D. No. 4, McDonald, Pa.
Lodge 231, Circle 22.
QUEER QUIZZLINGS
Emerine S. Rees
Ever hear a clotheshorse’s feet Jogging down the village street?
See a needle wink its eye and read the news? Ever watch a dan-de-li-on Board a plane to take a try-on?
See a pussyfoot who wore big hobnailed shoes?
If you have You’re really lucky.
It is more than I have seen,
Though I’m rather Good at hearing And my sight Is pretty keen.
Friend: Your daughter seems to be very fond of music.
Mother: Yes, especially when there are dishes to do.
Our Own Juvenile Circles of the S. N. P. J.
u
m
t
CIRCLE
h
$
Send all your questions and requests for your Juvenile Circles to Bro. Michael Vrhovnik, Director of the SNPJ Juvenile Dept., 2657 S. Lawndale Ave., Chicago, 111. He has been elected the Director of Juvenile Circles and your Advisers should keep in touch with him.
VERONIAN JRS. CIRCLE ACTIVITIES
VERONA, PA.—Our Juvenile Circle No. 15 is progressing steadily. We have had many interesting socials and parties in the past and are now planning for many more in the future.
We meet on the first or third Thursday of every month. Our regular meeting in April was held on the 27th at the Veronian’s Clyb. At that meeting activities for the summer months were discussed and planned, including the playing of mushball, swimming and roller-skating parties, and hiking.
The members of the Circle use the Verona High School gym every Thursday evening, one week the girls and the next the boys. We meet at seven o’clock and play basketball, do mat-work, and participate in various other indoor activities.
By the time this letter is published, school will be out (May 26) and vacation days will then be here. With school about over and summer almost here, more time will be had to spend together and do things which can’t be done when school is in progress.
As I stated before, our Circle is progressing nicely, but I would like to see more contributions in the ML from our Veronian Juniors, telling about the Circle’s many activities. Members, send in drawings and pictures, write about hob-
bies and other things you think would be interesting to read.
Lately, I’ve been writing a “Guess Who” paragraph about our members, but have failed to give the answer to some of them. The answer to March’s quiz was Helen Krulac, while April’s answer is Leonard Gorney. This month’s “Guess Who” can be solved by finding the name hidden in the following combination of letters—zochb-irnkaio.
TILLIE DOLES, Sec’y.
JUVENILE CIRCLE NO. 18 OF MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE, WIS.—The “Violet Rays,” Circle No. 18, has decided to try ping-pong as one of its activities. While we haven’t actually played it yet, several members have instructions to assemble the parts required for the game.
Some time ago, we participated in the game of “darts” as a group and after a fixed time the winners were. announced. Everyone was extremely interested in this pastime, for competition was usually close as most of the boys were gcod shots.
Two of our boys, Richard Klopcic and Julius Ambrozich, are preparing the Circle’s newspaper. The members are asked to send the material to them before a given time for each issue, and then it’s up to them to edit and arrange the contributions in their proper order.
Now that summer is coming, outdoor activities will have to be discussed and, as soon as they are decided, you’ll hear more from us. Membership headaches are cropping up again, and everyone has their eyes and ears open for possible additions to our Circle.	MARY	POTISK,	Sec’y.
*
CIRCLE ACTIVITIES AT STRABANE
STRABANE, PA.—I am a member of Juvenile Circle No. 27, Strabane, Pennsylvania. We meet every first Thursday of the month. Our Circle has forty members and we’re getting more right along. We play games and have lunch after every meeting. We have a regular door prize of twenty-five cents, but this will be fifty cents the next time. Because of the increase, I look for a much larger attendance.
Our Circle gave a donation to the American Red Cross. We also bowled against a group of bowlers from Circle No. 19. I’m glad that baseball season is here, because I like to play ball. I also enjoy football even though every time we Play, someone gets hurt. I have my own football and helmet. I hope to see all the members at the next meeting.
JERRY YARKOSKY.
*
CIRCLE NEV/S FROM ROUNDUP. MONTANA
Our last meeting was well attended for only five of the members were absent. The meeting was held on April 5th instead of 3rd as previously announced.
William Klansek was accepted as a member of the Circle. Joan Finco received $1.00 in War Stamps and also a Junior Victory pin. The treasurer’s report revelead the Circle now has $27.20.
It was decided to postpone our hike until school is out. The boys showed a great deal of interest m a baseball team. This matter will be discussed further at the meeting in May.
Patricia Stalcup and Robert Bilant were instructed to write to the M. L. for June’s issue. William Klansak volunteered to report at the next meeting of the adults.
We will have another campaign to enroll new naembers, with the boys lined up against the girls. Each member will get two points for enrolling a new member in the lodge and one for having a member join the Circle.
Prank Bedey was chosen to write a letter to Rudy Jancic, the Circle’s first President, now in the Army. Frank Lekse will write to Matilda Krzara, our first advisor now in the WAC.
Matters of importance will be up for discussion at the next meeting, so let’s have a one hunted percent attendance.
JOAN FINCO, Sec’y.
*
BROOKLYN CIRCLE BUSY WITH PLANS
BROOKLYN, N. Y.-—Our regular meeting in ^■Pril was held on the 16th of the month at the Slovenian Auditorium on Irving Avenue. At the Previous meeting it was suggested to play games and have refreshments the same as if we were at a party. The suggestions were carried out and rnuch to everyone’s surprise Jennie Padar, our
Circle’s Manager, had ordered a large cake which added much more enjoyment than was expected.
All of the members brought games or other means of fun to make us enjoy the party even more. Seventeen members were present at the April meeting, and this no doubt was why we had a better time.
At another meeting the Honor Roll Committee invited the Circle to provide some of the entertainment for the celebration on the 30th of April. We agreed upon having a play for that special occasion, the title of which is “Orville’s Big Date.”
We also discussed many plans for the future. In October the Circle will join in a celebration of the Society’s 40th Anniversary with SNPJ Lodges 56, 140 and 580. We hope to put on our very best performance at that time.
In May of 1945, we intend to present a very special program, one that will be original. We have a whole year ahead of us to work out our plans and fit our ideas together. We know it will be a lot of fun for all of us, as well as the audience. I can hardly wait.
I guess I’ve run out of words for I can’t think of anything else to write—so, “So long” until next month.
LORETTA SEEBACHER, age 13
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Lodge 580, Circle 50.
*
JUVENILE CIRCLES ARE FUN
In the comparatively short time the Junior All Americans Circle 50 has been organized, many pleasant memories have been stored away. Now you can just pick out for yourself which are the most amusing.
Little Helen Seebacher is full of her bright sayings, especially when she returned back to the city last fall after spending her summer vacation in the country with the family. She started bragging about her Victory Garden and said, ‘We got two tomatoes and one corn.” Her sister Loretta hastened to explain that the crows ate most of the seeds and, consequently, very little was obtained from the garden.
Another time, while rehearsals were in progress for the first anniversary program, a loud scream was heard all over the hall. We all ran to the scene only to find Jean Kirk gaping at the huge cobweb stretched on the back of the piano in the far corner of the hall.
On her way down to the Slovene Hall for the same rehearsals one day, Mildred Padar couldn’t understand why the people passing by looked at her. She realized finally that it was because of the constant ringing of the bell attached to the toy telephone, she was cai’rying in a bag, to be used in the play.
When the play “Wildcat Willie Buys a Bond” was presented, Paul and John Wolf came to the conclusion that they could borrow their sister’s little white dog for the play without obtaining her permission. While the play was in progress, little Frances ran to the front of the stage and in front of the audience started crying, “I want my doggie,” “I want my doggie.”
It was Paul Wolf who spent at least one hour
rubbing off the dark red nail polish after the play “Orville’s Big Date,” and on the same day Delores Mikoley brought some furniture to the hall and hairset lotion to be used on the hair of the victim of the play. Upon getting out of the cab she, accidentally, dropped the bottle and it broke with the lotion spilling all over the street. It was a good thing she came early, as Jean and Delores shopped for more than an hour for another bottle, because the stores are clossed on Sunday. Through a secret source I heard that Paul liked that particular lotion and has been using it ever since.
A few of the girls received special prizes of bubble bath and dusting powder at Christmasttime, and according to their mother’s reports there was no urging at the next bathtime.
After carefully examining the Statue of Liberty and we all were on our way back to the ferry boat to take us back, an elderly lady stopped to ask Helen Seebacher if she really walked all the way up to the top and down again. Helen replied, politely, that she did. When she was further asked if she was tired, she replied, “I am not tired, I am just dead.”
Now when choosing a suitable play to be presented by the members of Juvenile Circle 50, I not only have to consider the subject, time, number of characters, etc., but will also have to study it through and see that -a disorderly room is not
INDIAN YOUTH—By Harmon.
called for in any of the scenes. The members claim every play presented so far, called for a disarranged room, and the characters were always called upon to straighten the room. “We do that at home” seems a popular term. But—I wonder!
JENNIE PADAR, Mgr.
Juvenile Circle 50.
Juvenile Circle No. 1 Section
By members of Circle No. 1, Walsenburg, Colo.
Mrs. Edward Tomsic, Mgr.
VICTORY GARDENS IMPORTANT TO WAR EFFORT
Our Juvenile Circle is still carrying on actively and the regular meetings are held on schedule. We have added a new member to our roster and expect to enroll a few more in the near future.
Well, it won’t be long before school will be out and, frankly, I’m not at all glad about that. When school lets out, the senior class will soon be scattered; the boys will face the draft while the girls will take up war work and other odd jobs. This is a total war and there is something for everyone of us to do. Winning the war is the first big task before us, and in that we must not fail.
My favorite outdoor “recreation” is working in the victory garden. Already, we have planted lettuce and onions and they are coming up nicely. My Dad planted a hotbed of mongoes, chile and celery, and so we hope to have a big victory garden. I also love to plant flowers around the house for they everything look much nicer.
Our peach tree is in bloom. When my brother was a small boy, he put a peach stone into the ground and now we have a full grown tree. It is eight years ago since he planted it. We also have three plum trees, and the plums picked from them were very delicious.
Our turkey gobbler was sick and for a time we thought he would die, but Dad taught some big brown pills and put them down his throat, and now he is well again. We certainly wouldn't want to lose him, for he’cost us quite a sum of money. We also have two hens and four baby chicks.
I’ll close now with a “hello” to my Pen Pals and “best regards” to one and all.
MILLIE ZORMAN, Walsenburg, Colo. Circle No. 1.
PREFERS SOFTBALL AND FISHING
In April’s issue of the Mladinski List, I read the article requesting members to write about their favorite outdoor sport. My favorites are softball and fishing. Usually right after we have finished eating our lunch at school, and if the weather permits, we go outside and spend the rest of the period playing softball. It’s a sport nearly every boy and many of the girls, too, enjoy very much.
In our school we have different kinds of clubs such as knitting, photography, War information,
etc. I belong to the “war information club” and it meets every two weeks. It’s purpose is to study the war problems and the surrounding territory in which we live. I find it quite interesting.
The game warden in the Huerfano County district has opened up the fishing season in a lake about two miles from where I live. The only thing wrong is that the fish are still in deep water where you cannot catch them. And besides, the water is too cold. It is my guess, we’ll not be able to catch any fish until next month when the water will be quite a bit warmer. I hope to have some luck and, if I happen to make a good catch, perhaps, that will provide me with a story to write about. Until next month—so long.
DAVID ZORMAN, Pres. Circle No. 1 Walsenburg, Colo.
KITE FLYING CONTEST
A kite-flying contest was held on Capitol Hill last month. It was sponsored by a local Lions club. The first prize of $1.00 was given to the contestant with the best flying kite, another of 50 cents was awarded to the one with the most unusual kite, while tickets to a show were given to all others who did not win anything. The contest was open to any boy or girl. The kites had to be made by the contestants themselves.
I have been attending all meetings of the Circle and still enjoy them very much. At the last meeting, we played marbles and the winners each received a candy bar. We will next try a quiz contest with the members divided into two groups. The winners will again be rewarded.
School will be out on June 4, so we will soon be saying “good bye” to our teachers. I really don’t know what I’m going to do all summer. I will close now with best regards to all.
ALBERT DUZENACK.
*
VACATION DAYS
By the time this letter is published, most of the schools will be out. That will mean no more lessons or tests for at least a few months. During the summer vacation, it will be almost impossible for people to take trips due to rationing and crowded transportation facilities on buses and trains; they will have to postpone the trips until after the war.
This summer some of the students will go to school and take up new subjects. When students go to summer school, they go for eight weeks and when the eight weeks course is completed successfully, they are promoted one grade higher' The purpose of this is mainly to enable the boys, who are near their eighteenth birthday, to finish high school before they are taken into the armed service.
The people who are planting victory gardens should have nice gardens by the time this letter goes to press and reaches the readers’ hands. I Will close now and write again next month.
ELIZABETH DUZENACK, Sec’y.
MORE NEWS FROM WALSENBURG
Once more I am writing to this fine magazine which I like to read so well. This letters will probably appear in the june issue. I was disappointed when I read the April issue of the ML, because I didn’t see my letter in it.
We held our regular monthly meeting at which Millie Zorman was the lucky winner of two twenty-five cent War Stamps. After the meeting was over, we played a marble game.
Spring is here, but we still have snow and bad weather. I hope it will turn warm soon, so that I and my friends can start to play outdoor games, go swimming and fishing.
In school I have been getting some good grades. Next year I hope I can come back to Heurfano County High School again, because it is a wonderful school. I will then be in the tenth grade. For Easter, we had two days off which I enjoyed very much and hope all of you did, too.
JOE DERNOVSHEK, Treas., Circle No. 1.
Little boy (reading paper): What does it mean here by “seasoned troops,” Dad?
Dad: Mustered by the officers and peppered by the enemy.
Mother: What are you doing in the pantry, Willie?
Willie (meekly): Fighting temptation, mother.
THE RESCUE—By Harmon.
OUR PEN PALS WRITE
THANKS FOR THE WAR STAMPS
Dear Editor:—I think it’s about time I’m writing another letter to this magazine. First, I want to thank the SNPJ for the War Stamps received for I surely can use them. They are one thing everyone can and should use as well as save.
All we Johnstovvners are very proud of our neatly finished river projects. In the “Time Magazine” was an article which stated that Johnstown had the best project of its kind in the United States.
School will soon be out which gives everyone a thrill, but it’s going to be awfully nice getting back again in the fall. Our Circle held a dance and social on May 12, and we were pleased with the way it turned out.
Well, I had better close this letter for I’m running out of words, except to say “Hello” to my Pen Pals. Best regards to all SNPJ members.— Beily Jane Dyba, age 14, R. D. 3, Box 229, Johnstown, Pa., Circle 47.
*
ANOTHER CIRCLE MEMBER WRITES
Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the ML. I have been a member of Circle No. 1, Walsen-burg, Colo., for the past eight or nine months, but until now have never made an attempt to write to this wonderful magazine. I enjoy reading it very much and now that I have started writing will try to keep it up.
I attend the Circle meetings every month and must admit we have a lot of fun. Mrs. Edward Tomsic, our Manager, lines up our activities for us and makes sure everyone enjoys himself.
I was 14 years old in April and am in the eighth grade. I enjoy playing baseball, football, basketball, swimming and fishing.—Roy Patrick, Vice-Pres. Circle No. 1, Walsenburg, Colo.
*
WANTS PEN PALS
Dear Editor:—This is the first time I have written to the ML. I am 11 years old and a member of Lodge 82 and Juvenile Circle 47. I think the ML is a very interesting magazine. It comes to my home every month and I read it from cover to cover. I have two sisters, one 13 years old and the other 7. We go to the Lorain Boro school. I have blond hair and brown eyes. I would like to have some Pen Pal girls about my own age. I remain a proud member of the SNPJ—Faye Duncan, age 11, 361 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa.
LIKES THE CIRCLE
Dear Editor:—I am seven years old and in the second grade. I like being a member of Juvenile Circle No. 27 of Strabane, Pa., because the members are so nice and friendly and, also, because we have very £ood advisers. We have good times at the meetings every month. These I enjoy very much—especially the treats. From your little member—Doris Marie Skovranko, Box 253, Strabane, Pa.
*
PAUL'S SECOND LETTER
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML. Last November, I joined a local Boy Scout Troop. We went on a hike to the Morrellville Fire Tower, starting at 10 o’clock in the morning. We first rode on the street car and then hiked the rest of the way to the tower. We cooked our own meal and then returned home about 6 o’clock in the evening. Best regards to my Pen Pal, Marion Wafe. I would like to have more Pen Pals.—Paul Lees, age 12. 343 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa., Lodge C84, Circle 47.
THEY WON SECOND PLACE
Dear Editor:—I hope these lines find everyone in the best of spirit. First, I would like to tell how we came out of the state basketball tournament. We left on Thursday for Little Rock in two cars in which there were 12 girls; we came back Sunday afternoon. We had to play five gamer, and got beat in the last one. Here are our scores: Saratoga 31-21; St. Mary’s 35-31; Truman 45-43; Clover Bend 53-30; Mark Tree 39-34, in favor of them.
It was their height which beat us. They made all their goals by tip-toeing, standing still and dropping the ball in the basket. They are going to try to rule out this next year.
Yet, we won a real nice, large trophy for second place in the State AAU BB Tournament. Naturally, we were very proud of that, and so was our coach. Boy! was the first place trophy a honey.
As a result of this tournament three of us girls were placed on the All State Team; Anna Dean Peoples as a guard, Inez Evans as forward, and I as forward. We were very proud. We really enjoyed this trip which is 175 miles from home, and we had a lot of fun.
My brother Johnny, who was in Camp Chaffee,
has gone to Baltimore, Md., to attend the Signal Corps school. He seems to like it. However, he said it was rather hard for him to leave after being home with his buddies three days before he left. We certainly miss him, but were proud he got the opportunity to go to school in Maryland.
After our return from Little Rock, I found the Arkansas Razorbacks had been in a wreck in which two of their best players were hurt and their physical director killed. Therefore the Arkansas did not compete in the basketball tournament in Kansas.
I want to express my deepest appreciation for the two dollars I received from the Mladinski List.
—Annie Creinik (17), R. 2, Box 425, Ft. Smith, Ark. (Lodge 24.)
*
COLLECTS MATCH HOLDERS
Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to this magazine. I am 4 feet 8 inches tall, weigh 82 pounds, and have brown hair and dark brown eyes. My hobby is collecting match holders and I already have 62 different kinds.
My father is in the Seabees doing his bit towards the war effort. He was home for a time at Christmas. An iron bar fell on his foot, but is now fully recovered from his injury. I would like to have a few Pen Pals.—Joan Heffner, age 11, 363 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. Lodge 82, Circle 47.
*
PLAYS THE TRUMPET
Dear Editor:—I am 13 years old and a member of the “Youth of America” Circle No. 47. I have light brown hair, brown eyes, weigh 86 pounds, and am 4 feet 11 inches tall. I am now in the seventh grade. My favorite hobby is trumpet playing and I belong to the Boy Scouts. My Daddy enlisted in the Seabees and is now stationed in New Guinea. I would be glad to hear from a few Pen Pals.-—Donald Heffner, age 13, 363 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. Lodge 82.
*
IT'S FUN PLAYING BALL
Dear Editor:—I am again writing to this fine magazine. Softball and baseball season is here and so I thought I would write a few lines about softball. Today, we practiced and had very much fun. We expected a game with another team, but since it didn’t show up, we decided to play by ourselves. After we get organized, we will schedule regular games. I remain a proud member—Donald Czerak, age 12, 340 Ohio St., Rr., Johnstown, Pa., Circle 47.
*
HER FIRST LETTER
Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the ML. I am eight years old and a member of Friendly City Lodge No. 684. I am in the third grade and like school very much. I have two sisters older than myself and all three of us are members of the “Youth of America” Juvenile Circle. I like this fine magazine and hope to write more often. I would like to have some Pen Palsj—Elsie Kolar, age 8, 421 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa.
"PERGE MODE"
Dear Editor:—Here I am again, trying my best to keep up my promise to write every month.
Our school is trying to reach its $200,000 goal to buy two airplanes for our fighting boys across the seas. With this we shall show them we are thinking of them as the days go by. We are very near our goal, and before the school closes on June 7 we shall have two planes for those fighting boys.
If you should go through our school halls you would hear, “the redder the better.” That applies to Hitler’s face. We have a picture of him and we paint his face with red paint; when his face is all red we shall be very happy.
In school I am taking Latin VI, w7hich is advanced Latin. In this class we have a club which we call the “Perge Mode,” which means, “keep on going.” You would be surprised how nice and handy those words sound when you have one of those terrible days when everything seems to go wrong. You just think of those two words and they just seem to give you courage to go on, and then the day becomes very beautiful. Our teacher, Miss Eddingfield, gets many letters from the boys who tell her how much those two little words mean to them when they are fighting.
We are just finishing a study of Latin plays about the Roman wedding. These plays tell us the way they dressed for the occasion. The bride wears a white dress, trimmed with purple fringe, a girdle of crimson wool, and a long yellow veil. She has no bright-colored ribbons, but many bracelets and rings; very high yellow shoes with buckles. Her hair is arranged in six locks, parted by the point of a spear and held in place by a “vittae” or hands.
The Pontifix should have a band of purple three inches wide around his toga. The boys should wear straight robes, reaching to the knee and gathered at the shoulders. The statue of the “Dianae of the Wind” is a good illustration. The slaves are also dressed in bright tunics reaching to their knees.
Well, this is all about the Roman wedding. I hope you will enjoy reading it.
The other day I bought the book My Native Land, written by that famous Slovene author, Mr. Louis Adamic. I am enjoying it very much. It makes me almost feel as if I was right there in Slovenia. If anyone has a chance to read this book he or she will not regret it. No one will be bored, for it’s a very interesting story to read and to think about it. I must sign off and remain a very proud member.—Mary Knafelc, 13312 St. James ave., Cleveland 11, Ohio.
*
FRANK'S FIRST LETTER
Dear Editor:—Since this is my first letter, my mother is helping me write it. I will be seven in December, and my writing is not very good yet. My teacher’s name is Miss Ruth Andrews. My teachers in the upper grades will be Miss Klavora and Mr. Gradišek. I like school and I like my teachers.
When my mother was a little girl, she won sev-
eral book prizes for her contributions, and my grandmother taught her to read Slovene from the Mladinski List. My mother wants to teach me to read Slovene, too.
I have a dog, Buster, and a cat, Patty. They follow me to school. The little girl on the lodge calendar is almost like my sister Frances.—Frank Gradišek Jr., Box 88, Herminie, Pa. (Circle 52.)
M*
EVA IS IN SIXTH GRADE
Dear Editor:—It's about time I write to this fine magazine. I haven’t been writing to it as I should have. I wish Lillian Majnik would write more aften to me.
I am in the sixth grade and have a very nice teacher. Her name is Mrs. Binger. My favorite movie stars are Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Betty Grable, Red Skelton, Bing Crosby, and Katherine Garson. My favorite radio programs are Blondie, Fibber Maggee and Molly, That Brewster Boy, the Aldrich Family, Truth or Consequences, and Vox Pop.
I would like very much to have more pen pals between the ages of 11 to 13. I shall write soon to anyone. Best regards to all.—Eva Yezek
(11), 49 Palmer st., Gowanda, N. Y. (Circle 40.)
*
HER FOURTH LETTER
Dear Editor:—This is my fourth letter to this wonderful magazine. I had very nice Easter, and I hope everyone else did, too. I shall send my picture in my next letter and hope it will be published.
I would like to know why Anne Markunic and Ralph Taucher do not write to me. I hope they will read this and will write to me because they are swell friends.
I joined the Frances Susel Cadets and got my uniform. I really look good in it. We have our meetings every first Wednesday of the month. As I write, we have only one more month of school. Then I am going to Madison, Ohio, and I am so glad of it, too. Will write again next month. LTntil then best luck to all.—Louis Peirovic, 683 E. 159 st., Cleveland 10, O. (Lodge 142.)
THANKS TO THE ML
Dear Editor:—Before I oroceed with my letter, I would like to express my gratitude to the Mladinski List for the dollar which I received yesterday. I have really been slacking in my contributions and ought to “buckle up.” I was determined to write every month this year, but did not write for the April issue.
Our high school started to have a social hour twice a week. The main purpose is, it seems, to teach the students to dance if they don’t know how.
We had our share of winter in March, but very nice days in January. I thought I would have something else for the Mladinski List, but did not write anything'. I was sick for a week, which accounts for that. Danny Luce, pick up your pen anr’ ’ ite to the ML.—Florence Alich (17), Box 607, Aurora, Minn. (Lodge 111.)
ENJOYS SCHOOL
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML. I have already a pen pal and am very glad of it. Her name is Shirley Ann Luzar, Summit, 111.
I have passed in school and I am now in grade 6-B. I am also a guard. My teacher’s name is Mrs. Minich and I like her very much. We have tests now almost every day but I like them, also arithmetic and geography. We buy war stamps every Friday, and I never miss.
I have hazel eyes, blond hair and am 4 ft. 6 inches tall. I am a member of Lodge 53. I am enclosing my picture and hope it will be published. Best regards to all.—Gertrude Laznik, 17725 Waterloo rd., Cleveland 19, Ohio.
HAS NEW NAME FOR ML
Dear Editor:—I am glad my letter and picture were published in the ML. I had a very nice birthday party. I received many gifts. Some of them were makeup kit, fascinator, sweater, slacks and many other small items.
I am thinking very hard to get a new name for the Mladinski List. In fact I already have a new name for it, but do not know if it will be any good.
I would like to say hello to my pen pals: Violet Dugar, Jean Robin, Josephine Ruparcic, Jean Marchi, and Sophia Petkovšek. I want to thank. Violet Dugar for the very nice birthday card and her picture which is swell.
My brother will soon be leaving for the Navy. He’s been married eight years and has a daughter three years old.
My favorite songs are Mairsy Doats, It’s Love, and Pistol Packin’ Mama. I recently bought a record of Mairsy Doats.
Why Elsie Persin and Loretta Barlow do not write to the ML? I will say so long until next time.—Helen Petrovič (13), R.D. 5, Box 362, Craf-ton Branch, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Lodge 166.)
*
HAS NICE PEN PALS
Dear Editor:—I am writing again. I hope everyone had a nice Easter vacation. We had six days vacation, but I was sick in bed and could not celebrate Easter very much. Now I am in good health again, which is all that matters.
I have very nice pen pals, all of them. Three are from Ohio, three from Trafford and a few near Johnstown. Will write again. Lots of luck to all. —Phyllis McKinley, 402 Ohio St., Johnstown, Pa. (Circle 47.)
*
HER BASY BROTHER
Dear Editor:—About two years ago a happy event took place in our family. A new baby boy was added to us.
One morning when I awoke, my dad was talking on the telephone. All at once he hung up and told me I had a new baby brother. Naturally, I was pretty sore, because I already had three brothers, and I always wanted a baby sister.
Well, since he was born on the birthday of my other brother Edward, he said we should name
him Edward Jr. and he would be Edward Sr. Finally it was decided his name would be Richard and we would call him Dicky.
At last the day came when he would come home. At first I could hardly see him, because he was so small. After a while he was getting bigger. Now he is a fine two-year old baby.-—Doroihy Powell
(12), 710 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis 8, Ind. (Lodge 105.)
*
SHE HAS VICTORY GARDEN
Dear Editor:—When this is published in the ML, our school vacation will be on its way. Then I shall have more time to write to the ML.
I imagine my pen pals are wondering why I did not answer their letters. I have been so busy I could not possibly write to them. Some day when I find time, I will answer my pen pals. I am spending most of my time planting crops in my victory garden. I guess many readers of the ML also have their victory gardens. My best regards to my pen pals, including the SNPJ juveniles.— Tom Gornick (12), 331 Third St., Trafford, Penna. (Lodge 629.)
*
ALL IS NOT PLAY
Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the ML for quite some time, for which I am indeed sorry. After looking through this fine magazine and seeing all the contributions, I feel rather ashamed.
I have been very busy lately on account of home Work; you know when you are in junior high school, all is not play. I also have been busy Writing to fifteen soldier-friends.
I would like to remind all my pen pals I have not forgotten them. I shall eventually write to them all. There isn’t much more to write about. My best wishes to all my pen pals and contributors to the ML.—Rose Lipar (15). RD. 1, Hynds-ville, N. Y. (Lodge 393.)’
*
A LOST LETTER
Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the ML for two months, but here I am again. The letter I wrote two months ago must have been too good (I wonder?), for it was not published.
This letter will appear in print after our school is out—'May 25. I shall be a senior next year. I want to say hello to all my pen pals. I got a new one recently. Her name is Viola and she is swell. -—Louise Briselli (15), Box 27, Lawrence, Penna. (Lodge 245.)
*
THREE BIRTHDAYS IN APRIL
Dear Editor:-—It has been some time since I.have Written, so I decided to write again. When I received the April issue of the ML, I took it to school °ne day, and we had a swell time while sister was reading from it.
In April we had three birthdays in our family: my dad’s, my little brother Emil’s and my own. My dad’s was on 23rd, Emil’s on 2nd and my own °n 21st. I was fourteen years old.
I am graduating (I hope) this month (April). We are going to wear caps and gowns. Our school
colors are gold and royal blue. Before I close I want to say hello to my cousins in Racine, Wis., and also to all my pen pals.—Gloria Krilzer (13), 4542 Joliet ave., Lyons, 111. (Lodge 270.)
*
SPRING IN ARKANSAS
Dear Editor:—As I write, Spring is in full swing here in Arkansas. The birds are twittering, frogs chirping and, ah yes, the grass is so pretty and green and the air filled with sweet scent from spring flowers. By the time this will appear in print, the school will have been out—May 24.
I was very proud when we got a letter from my brother Leo who is now stationed in Camp Phillips, Kansas.
At school we are now playing softball, and I love it. My brother Johnny writes from Baltimore, Md., he likes it there. Best regards.—Annie Čretnik (17), Ft. Smith, Ark. (Lodge 24.)
*
HER THIRD LETTER
Dear Editor:—This is my third letter to the ML. First I want to thank the SNPJ for the dollar in war stamps and the Victory pin. I certainly was surprised to get them.
I have seven pen pals now. Hello, Jeanette Tancek, Mary Kordon, Coletta Ursic, Rose Ujcic, Grace Gerdanc, and others.
I am in the second grade of music and still like it very much. I shall write more next time. Best regards to all.—Joan Finco (12), Box 986, Roundup, Mont. (Lodge 700.)
*
WOULD LIKE PEN PALS
Dear Editor:—This is my third letter to this wonderful magazine which I enjoy very much. I would like to have some pen pals my age and promise to answer all letters promptly.—Elsie Galicic (12), Box 73, Diamondville, Wyo.
FRANCES WRITES AGAIN
Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to this fine magazine for a long time, so I decided to write. To start with, I hope everyone had a happy Easter. I did, for I went to the show with my girl-friend. We saw “The Fallen Sparrow” and “No Time for Love.” Both films were very good.
Here is spring again, the time when school vacation approaches. I will be glad when school will end. During the summer, I help various people with work, and also like to play baseball. I go always to my cousin and help her out.
I don’t know whether I mentioned before what subjects I am taking in school. They are clothing, biology, English and typing. I also love gym. I like best clothing and typing.
A girl from one of our high schools went East to christen the U.S. Springfield. On her return she came to our school and told us about her trip and christening of the ship. She won this opportunity because she wrote the best essay on the U.S. Navy. We are going to have a big bond and stamp sale to help build more ships like the U.S. Springfield. Our school is doing everything to help win the war.
I write to four boys in the service; three are overseas and one is still in the States. The three overseas are Pfc. Paul E. Meneese, Pft. Anthony Kamnick, and Cpl. Francis McClusky. Pvt. Bill Ushman is here yet. Pfc. Anthony Kamnick is my cousin, stationed in Australia. We hope to see him home soon.
Across the street from us lived a boy who was sent overseas. He was a gunner in a plane. During one of the fights he lost his right eye, and has shrapnel wounds all over the body. He is back in the United States and came home for a couple of weeks; then he went back to hospital where he was again operated. I really feel sorry for him because he has the sweetest little girl. I wish all the best luck to all soldiers, sailors and marines.
I wish to say hello to my pen pal Annie Horvett, and would like to hear from others, too. Keep buying more bonds and stamps so that victory will corr.e sooner. I shall write soon again; would like to see more Springfield juveniles write to this fine magazine. Wake up, Springfield!—Frances Golob (16), 1904 So. 17th st., Springfield, Illinois. (Lodge 47.)
*
SHE ENJOYS SCHOOL
Dear Editor:—I am writing to the ML again. I was glad to see my letter in the April issue. I would like to say hello to all my pen pals. I have been receiving letters but no snapshots. Please, send me some.
Since the days are nicer and warmer, we are playing ball outdoors. My favorite sports are swimming, baseball and ping-pong. My hobby is saving jewelry and souvenirs from different places. I also like to write.
Roy Rogers is going to be at our show in person. I hope to see him. I am doing fine in school and our tests are near. I certainly want to graduate and go to high school. In closing I hope to have more pen pals from West and South. Regards to all.—Anna Siilinger (13), Box 15, Merrittstown, Pa. (Lodge 744.)
*
THIS AND THAT
Dear Editor:—First, I want to thank the ML for the dollar in war stamps for my writing in the first quarter of 1944. I was very proud and surprised to get it. I am also writing about my favorite sports in other articles.
By the time this will be printed it will be summertime, the time all sports are in full swing. I was very happy to see my letter in the ML last month. I hope I will be able to continue writing throughout the year.
Spring is here and I guess all gardens will be nice and produce many needed vegetables.
I suppose most schools close in May. We received our report cards a few days ago, and I made
5	A’s and one B. School will soon be out. I know that almost every boy and girl will be glad, because sitting inside when it’s nice outside makes one feel as though he was being punished. Best regards to all.—Georgie Močivnik (12), Box 47, Kingston, W. Va. (Lodge 24.)
THANKS TO SNPJ
Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to this fine magazine. At our last meeting we had hot-dogs and pop. We discussed about having another dance, but we have to ask older folks in the SNPJ lodge.
I want to thank the SNPJ for the war stamps I received at our last meeting. I certainly was glad. I want to keep writing to this fine magazine. I hope all SNPJ members had nice Easter.
Slimmer will be around the corner when this will appear in print. We shall all be going hiking and swimming. Regards to my pen pals.—Rosemarie Slrukel (12), 202 Royal rd., Eveleth, Minn. (Lodge 650.)
*
MOVED TO INDIANA
Dear Editor:—It’s a real pleasure to write to such a fine magazine. Each sentence brings more interest to me. My nephew and I are proud to belong to such a grand organization. We used to belong to the SNPJ Juniors in Cleveland where, we lived, but we have moved to Indiana.
I have seven cousins in the armed forces and am proud of them. I know that everyone is proud of all our boys, wherever they are.
I shall close now, hoping I shall have some pen pals. I would like to write letter to anyone between the ages of 12 to 13. I shall answer all letters.—Lillian Petac (I2V2), 80 N. 17th St., Beech Grove, Ind. (Lodge 26.)
*
HIS FIRST LETTER
Dear Editor:—I am a boy seven years old. I go to school at Moniger and my teacher’s name is Miss Edwards. I am in the second grade. I like school very much. I drive to school in a bus and have to get up early. That is the part I don’t like so well.
I joined the Juvenile Circle No. 27 about two months ago and enjoy meetings very much. Also enjoyed the Valentine party last month. Our manager is Miss Mary P. Chesnic. We exchanged valentines and also had very nice lunch and played different games. My valentine I received at the party was from Marlene Popovich. Also received quite a number of valentines from school mates in school, as well as one from my aunt Lt. Frances Tershel who is an army nurse stationed in England.
I have a sister, Mary Lou, and a brother, James. We are all members of the SNPJ including my mother and dad.
This is my first letter to the Mladinski List but it will not be my last, for with the help of my mother I would like to write every month.— John Tershel Jr., R. D. 1, Canonsburg, Pa.
*
HELLO TO PALS
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the M. L. I’ll try to write more often. I wish to say hello to all my pen pals. My birthday was on March 6 and I received many presents.
I have two uncles and one cousin in the armed forces. One uncle is in England, one in Califor-
nia and my cousin is in New Guinea. Best regards to all.—May Simperman (13), Diamondville, Wyo. (Lodge 267.)
*
MOLLIE'S SECOND
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to this interesting magazine. I enjoy reading it very much, especially the section “Our Pen Pals Write.” I shall try to write every month.
I go to St. Vitus school and am in the 8th grade; my favorite subject is English. I would like to have some pen pals and will answer all letters promptly. I uemain a proud member of SNPJ. Regards to all.—Molly Donat (13), 5908 Bonna ave., Cleveland, O.
*
LIKES HER JUNIOR HIGH
Dear Editor:—-I have not written to this wonderful magazine for a very long time. I am a freshman at the South Side Junior High and like it very much. Am taking the following subjects: General science, business training, sewing and a few others.
Last time I wrote, I got quite a few pen pals, but they have not written me often. I would like to have more pen pals from everywhere. One of my faithful pen pals is Florence Ruparich; wish to say “Hello” to her. Please, write soon. So long, 'vili be seeing you next month.—Lillian Samsa, 1516 So. 7th st., Sheboygan, Wis. (Lodge 344.)
❖
WORKS IN STORE
Dear Editor:—It has been quite sometime I have written last to the M. L. Before I continue I would like to say “Hello” to Catherine Gerovac from Marenesco, Mich., and Dorothy Martinčič from Strabane, Pa., and would like to hear from them soon.
I am now working at the largest five and ten cent store in Wheeling, W. Va. The G. C. Murphy Co. I work at the greeting cards counter and enjoy it a lot. Have been pretty busy lately because of Easter trade.
I was planning to write a long letter but I can’t think of anything more. Hoping to hear from all you pen pals. Best regards to all.—Doris Ujcich <1G), Box 198, Windsor Heights, W. Va.
THEY SOLD MANY BONDS
Dear Editor:—I am writing again to the M. L. Was glad my last letter was published. Now we have deep snow, but by the time this will be Published it will be Spring.
. Our school sold $2,000 war bonds and stamps ln February. We are going to buy an amphibian J®eP, a jeep and a small army plan. Our Circle b°ught a $50 war bond. School will soon be over and I shall be glad. I am sending a drawing and hope it will be published in the M. L.
I have a number of war souvenirs—a bayonet !orn the Spanish American war and different nings from this war. Marble season is almost lere. A lot of boys were playing them also dur-the winter—they just stamped down snow, isest regards to all.—Frank O. Bavdek, R. D. 2,
LIKES SWIMMING
Dear Editor:—Soon it will be summer and I can again sleep as long as I want. I can hardly wait, so I can go swimming again. Last year I went swimming just about every day. But since the White River is pretty dangerous, I guess I shall have to go to the West Lake for swimming.
I could go to Sheboygan, Wis., this summer, but I think I could be of more assistance to my mother at home. I was in Sheboygan three years ago and still remember the wonderful time I had there. At my first visit there I had an opportunity to go through the city Water Works which I certainly enjoyed. Best regards to all.—Josephine Powell (14), 937 N. Holmes ave., Indianapolis, Ind. (Lodge 105.)
*
MOTHER HORSE AND COLT
A long time ago horses ran wild in this country. The horses we know about have always lived in barns. They are the farmers’ most useful animals. The mother horse is called a mare and her baby is called a colt. When a colt is born, it’s legs are the most grown up part of it. They seem too long for its body. When only a day or two old, the colt trots after its mother. Horses can be trained very easily. At the circus you can find them doing very clever tricks. The horse is strong and can pull heavy loads.
CHARLES BEAM, Circle 47, 438 Ohio St., Johnstown. Pa.
*
HELLO TO PEN PALS
Dear Editor:—It’s about time I write again to the M. L. Perhaps it’s because I have so many pen pals that I haven’t any time to write to the M. L. But now I shall be an active member and write more often to this fine magazine.
It looks like Spring is well on its way. I hope so. I want to say hello to all my pen pals.—Anna Bukovac (14), R. D. Box 232, Adah, Pa. (Lodge 269.)
>:<
COLLECTS POST CARDS
Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to this fine magazine. Was very pleased to seey my last letter published in the March issue of the M. L. Also saw quite a few letters from Salem, O., and hope we shall all keep it up.
I have five pen pals but would like to get more. I have a large collection of picture post cards and wish some of my pen pals would send me some.
This is my second letter this year and will try to write every month, if possible. Am also sending a poem which I hope will be published. As I have a lot of studies to worry about, I have to close. So long.—Jenny Mozina (12), R. R. 1, Salem, O. (Circle 10.)
*
THANKS FOR THE SNPJ PIN
Dear Editor:—I wish to thank you all for the beautiful SNPJ victory pin. I was really surprised to find it when I came from school.
I joined the Frances Susel Cadets and we have meeting every first Wednesday of the month. We
get our uniforms free, but if we damage them we have to pay for them.
I wish to say “Hello” to all my pen pals. I hope Ralph Taucher answers my letter soon, for I can hardly wait for it. I never told you what my sports are. First of all, I love roller skating, writing letters, horseback riding, etc. Am reading some swell mystery stories by Carolyn Keen; they are very interesting. If anyone would like to exchange postcards with me, I shall gladly do so. I shall send my picture in the next letter and hope it will be published. We are getting our report cards and surely hope to get good marks.
Mother was watching me as I was writing this and said I am doing fine and should continue my good work. This will be all. I remain a proud member of SNPJ.—Louise Petrovič, 683 E. 159 st., Cleveland 10, O. (Lodge 142.)
*
THANKS FOR THE PRIZE
Dear Editor:—I want to thank the SNPJ for the prize I won for my writing to the M. L. in the first quarter of this year. Also want to thank Mary L. Amfro for the nice post card.
Our sophomores will have given their class assembly by the time this will be published. Will try to write more next time.—Delma Tomsic (15), Black Diamond, Wash. (Lodge 57.)
*
THEY ALL BELONG TO SNPJ
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to this fine magazine. I have a few pen pals and would like to have more from different states. Will answer all letters. We in our family all belong to SNPJ. Would like to say “Hello” to Mollie Donat, Lois Revely, and Mary Mauser. The most important part of the M. L. is the Pen Pals section which I like to read best.—Fred Tauzel (14), R. D. 4, Box 126, Carrollton, O. (Lodge 734.)
*
THANKS TO SNPJ
Dear Editor:—In writing this letter I want to thank the SNPJ for the award of $2 in war stamps due to my contributions to the M. L. You can be sure I am proud of this splendid award which helped me much in filling up my stamp book.
Since I last wrote to the M. L., my cousin Pete, who is in the Coast Guard, has been transferred to the U. S. S. Tampa.
The Mladinski List is the most interesting magazine I have ever read. I am glad I receive such a fine publication. Best regards to all SNPJ juveniles.—Tommy Gornik (12), 331 Third st., Traf-ford, Pa. (Lodge 629.)
*
A PROUD MEMBER
Dear Editor:—Recently I became a member of the SNPJ lodge 206 and words can’t tell how proud I am to be a member. The M.L. is wonderful, and how nice it is to know what pleasant letters the SNPJ members can write.
I wanted to write sooner, but living on a farm and having to walk daily two miles to get the school bus is no joke. This is my freshman year. I am taking business arithmetic, algebra, spelling, English and band. I made three A-s and two
B-s this semester. I like going to Arcadia High
school very much. We have fine teachers and our baseball team is hard to beat. We got first place in the Universal Belt League and third in the tournament.
My hobbies are reading, hunting and skating. My best regards to boys and girls. Keep up the good work in writing to the Mladinski List and best luck to all.—Robert L. Morozzo (13), Arcadia, Kansas.
*
SHE FORGOT . . .
Dear Editor:—I am sorry for not writing sooner to the M. L., but I guess I must have forgotten. Another uncle of mine left for the army. I see my cousin Mary Anne is still writing to this fine magazine. I now have 16 pen pals. I like school very much. We have a basketball team in our school which has four rooms, two sixth grades, two fifth grades and a fourth grade. Best wishes to all.—Mary Jane Bisich (11), 1010 Nimic ave., Monaca, Pa.
*
LEARNING TO SWIM
Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the M. L. I enjoy reading it very much. I have some pen pals in my rooms, one of whom is Romaine Urbas. I also enjoy swimming. When the pool is open, I go there almost every Saturday and Sunday, learning to swim. I know how to dive a little, but not enough to dive off a diving board. I also know how to swim under water and enjoy it very much.—Rose Kocian, 381 Wilie, Stra-bane, Pa.
*
SPRING IS AROUND
Dear Editor:—Here I am writing again to the M. L., as I promised I would every month. Well, Spring is around the corner; it is already warm and sunny. Spring time is the most wonderful season of the year.
Last year’s April fool day I played sick. Later in the evening I fooled my mother that my uncle Mike, who was in the army, was walking up the street. You should have seen the riot around the house! I just dreaded to tell her it’s April fool, but she soon found out and all was forgotten.
By the time this letter will be published, April fool will be gone and also Easter. As always, a proud member of the SNPJ.—Mary Ann Rudich, 763 Baker st., Aliquippa, Pa. (Lodge 122.)
WHERE THE FUEL GOES
AN ARMY LIGHT TANK may burn one gallon of gasoline a minute.
TRIJE LABODI
Gustav Strniša
Trije mladi labodi so igrali se na vodi, čofotali in se potapljali, s kljuni klopotali in si nagajali.
“Čas bi bil, da po jezercu bi zaveslali in si svet ogledali, da zvečer bi mi kaj novega povedali!” se je mati oglasila, jih svarila, napodila:
“Le hitite čez valove, na bregove se ozrite in pazite ter nevarnosti se vseh ognite; pod večer se zdravi mi vrnite! Glejte, da se res kaj naučite in neumnosti otročje opustite!”
Beli so labodi mamici vse resno obljubili, že so se čez gladino svetlo napotili.
Dolgo, dolgo so okrog veslali in veselo se igrali. Že se je nad njimi zamračilo, tisočero zvezdic zasvetilo, a labodom, labodičem, tem nemirnim mladim ptičem nič se ni domov mudilo.
Blizu brega oživela glasna žabja je kapela Že je godba zabrnela:
“Rega, rega, rega, dosti nam je vsega.
Vode tri korita, vsaka žaba sita.
Muh je tri pehare še za žabe stare!
Rega, rega, rega, kar preveč je vsega!
Vsi trije labodje so strmeli, take glasbe niso si želeli. Zdaj pa tudi vmes posegla hripava je krota, se iz blatnega je kota oglasila in hripavo zatulila:
“Kvaka, kvaka, kvaka, ej, med navii vsaka je junaška, naj bo žaba ali krota, me nobenega falota se ponoči ne bojimo, bojni krik kričimo:
Kvaka, kvaka, kvaka!”
To labodom bilo je dovolj:
“Kaj si drznejo te drobne zelenice? Daj-tto, s kljuni kar razbijmo jim butice! To bo naša mati zastrmela, ko bo čula, da sovražna je kapela tu ob vodi onemela, ker smo mi jo Pomendrali, jim godala potopili, godce pa nabili!”
Že so se trije junaki proti bregu zakadili, drzne žabe naskočili.
Žabe pa so se smejale, skrile v ločje se in jim regljale:
“Rega, rega, kaj pa vi v srajčkah belih otročički, nihče se vas ne boji, mlečozobi ste fantički!”
Labodi so po ločju se trudili, svetla krila si zmočili, umazali, žabe niti ene ne dobili.
Kvake so še bolj nagajale, dokler niso štorklje privabile, ki labode v kraj je zapodila in jim zapretila, da jih mamici bo zato~ žila. In je že nad žabji zbor skočila, z mastnim se kapelnikom je pogostila.
Trije mladi so labodi spet odplavali po vodi, pozno se domov vrnili in od mame jih dobili, ker umazani so bili. Trudni in osramočeni tiho v domek so se skrili, mami lahko noč dejali in zaspali.
THE "ML" NAME CONTEST
(Continued from page 4)
ing the Lodge Secretary submit the name and address along with the first membership application to the main office.
Attractive regular prizes of $1, $2 and $4 are offered by the Society for each new member enrolled and, on top of that, special prizes up to a maximum of $125 to all contestants who secure ten or more new members. But prizes or no prizes, our juvenile members, especially those in their teen years, should make a sincere effort to build up the membership of the Circle as well as the lodge. Every member, who has friends who a? not members of the SNPJ, should encourage them to join. All necessary information can be obtained from the local Lodge Secretary or the Circle Manager. Have them help you enroll your prospect and in that way give your Circle a prominent place in the SNPJ 40th Anniversary Membership Campaign.
ANSWERS TO RIDDLES ON JUST FOR FUN PAGE
Fill Ins—1 & 2—Money; 3 & 4—Beauty; 5 & 6 Flower.
Math Puzzler—1—65 mi.; 2—28 eggs.
Poetry Jumbler—-
Once upon a midnight
Over many a quaint and curious volume
While I nodded, nearly napping
As of someone gently rapping
Dance Quiz—ballet, table, beat, bat, at, a
Word Juggling—1—leap; 2—trap; 3—team; 4— lead; 5—tear; 6—item
Word Quizzer—1—June; 2—Mind; 3—Wrath; 4
—Words; 5 Star
WE POINT WITH PRIDE
TO THE FACTS ....
• That the SNPJ this year celebrates 40 years of continuous and successful service to thousands of members in the United States and Canada.
• That the SNPJ is founded on progressive principles and ideals and, as such, has always given generous support and cooperation to the welfare of the common people.
• That the SNPJ has grown into the largest Slovene fraternal organization in the world and we, the members, own and manage it.
• That the SNPJ now numbers well over 64,000 members, more than
47,000	of whom are adults and nearly 17,000 are juveniles.
• That the SNPJ has assets amounting to more than $11,000,000, of which in excess of $5,000,000 are invested in U.S. Government Bonds.
• That the SNPJ has paid to members, since its organization in April 1904, over $21,000,000 in benefits and donations.
• That., the SNPJ has in force nearly $44,000,000 of mortuary insurance, every dollar of which is adequately secured.
• That the SNPJ has a solvency of 126.91%, which means that we have approximately 27% more money than is required to meet all obligations.
• That the SNPJ mortality rate, which is 2. fairly accurate measure of its health condition, is less than 75% of expected.
• That the SNPJ offers to prospective members six attractive, low-cost plans of protection, three for adult members and three for juveniles, this in addition to sick, disability, operation and special benefits.
• That with these facts and figures to inspire us and to substantiate our claims of stability and progress, we urge SNPJ members everywhere to join the 40th Anniversary Membership Campaign and, in so doing, STRENGTHEN THE UNITY. SECURITY AND PURPOSE OF THE SNPJ BY ENROLLING NEW MEMBERS. ONWARD TO A GREATER SNPJ EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA!
MICHAEL VRHOVNIK, Juvenile Director.