Crown Point High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Crown Point, IN)

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CROWN POINT INKLINGS have raised a protest asserting that their works are being infringed up¬ on by scab labor. They maintain that depression poets, not having the great overhead to maintain in¬ spiration, can undersell the market While the depression product is of high standard the dissenting part ies claim that the genuine appeal of the poetry is lost. It is not my purpose to take sides in this conflict; but I do wish, for fairness sake, to point out a simil¬ arity of a happening of a genera¬ tion ago. The picture of the young man, nattily dressed riding on a bicycle through the lanes and by - lanes of the beautiful coutnryside, which prompted your father and grandfather, your mother and grandmother, to seek the beauties of nature on a bicycle, was taken ii a small photography shop agains a painted background. Since I have introduced the de¬ pression poet, it is fitting to presen one of his products—a poem written no doubt, under the inspiration of steam heat. By examining any number of weekly and tri-weekly publications, I found a number of poems evidently sent in by depres¬ sion poets. This one was hidden among the want ads, but it’s rhy¬ thm, its meter and subject matte ' show how the poet makes use of steam heat. “INSPIRED CONFIDENCE” Out of a world a million years ago Comes foliage of palm and tropica! growth; Changed is the fresh green to an ebony glow, Brought forth from its sleep to give me warmth. The warmth of the tropics was stor¬ ed away When the ear th was young and new, To come again a tribute to pay With the heat of its flames, red an blue. Others may search for a sunny clime While I remain snug and happy at home, Enjoying a southern atmosphere aged by time, For the rest I just let my Imagina¬ tion roam. The crimson, orange-disked sun is sinking low Swallowed in the haze of a lazy- languid sea; Upon my fevered brow orchid scent¬ ed breezes blow, Bringing with it serenity, peace and calm, to me. In truthfulness I should add that this was used in solicitation for the Cash and Carry Coal Company.) Far be it from me to stray from my original purpose of showing the influence of steam heat on modern poetry, and take a negative view However, it should be clearly under¬ stood that while much has been saiu about the influence of steam heat on modern poety, it is equally true that a great deal can be said on the influence of modern poetry on steam heat. Toby: “You’re driving me crazy Williamson.” Jim: “Not a drive my boy, only a short putt.” COMPLIMENTS OF THE DOCTORS DR. GRAY DR. HOUR DR. PETTIBONE DR. TRACHT DR. IDDINGS DR. FARLEY

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CROWN POINT INKLINGS 23 THE MORRIS 5 10c TO $1 STORE CONGRATULATES THE GRADUATES OF 1935 BUY YOUR GRADUATION GIFTS FROM OUR LARGE VARIETY DEPARTMENTS identical with that of the tropics. In a vase on the table are a very few large wax orchids on which quantities of cut-rate drug store perfume has been poured. Around are other vases of flowers using the same principle. Your eyes search to see where the breezes come from; there in the corner stands a vener¬ able rubber tree concealing an elec¬ tric fan. The rubber tree, you learn, was left by an old lady, a former tenant of the poet’s quart¬ ers. It was this relic of the Vic¬ torian days that produces the sway¬ ing palm effect. The window is covered with a ten-cent store blind on which is painted an orange- disked sun glistening over a blue lagoon. This hides the fact that there is two feet of snow outside. So it is with these simple things, steam heat being all important, that the poet is inspired to write his poems about the tropics Though glowing with enthusiasm, the poet tells you confidentially that the plan has certain defects. At night the humid air condenses with the lowering of the outside temper¬ ature into puddles of water on the floor; this sooner or later trickles down to the apartments below, thus ruffling the calm and peace of the tropical scene. The poet sighs as he recalls former days when he could depend on the sun and its warmth for his inspiration and be¬ moans the fact that his present imitation of nature cannot always be relied upon. Not everyone real izes the importance of steam hea to depression poetry. Far below in the basement tend¬ ing, but somet imes neglecting tht glowing furnace is a man who little knows that he is in no small way contributing to modern literature. If the janitor only knew that the flow of steam to the apartment above inspired countless ideas which the poet turns into wordy rhythm, verses multiplying into books which find themselves event¬ ually in the bookstore window, he would become enthusiastic and with a new outlook on his occupatior would do the work of twenty men No doubt he would even seek the bookstore window to view the by¬ product of his labors; thus inspired to his importance he w ould assume i that self-significant air, worn so effectually by men who realize their self-importance in the realm of economic and social affairs. Elevat¬ ed above the common crowd, no longer just a link in a vast chain, the custodian would become as faithful as nature, and far more convenient, in supplying creative impulse to the depression poet. Suppose the coal merchants and miners also realized the import¬ ance of their product; there would be much more speed in bringing coal out of the earth to the furnace. Fully aware of their responsibilty these workers would forget labor troubles—the strike and the lock¬ out. Peace and harmony would re¬ sult in inspiration individuals work¬ ing hand and glove for the sake of modern poetry. While the poetry of the depression era has the poss¬ ibilities to bring peace and union to its manual contributors, it has not been so fortunate within its own ranks. As there is a labor question in every modern industry, there is also a labor problem in the verse busi ¬ ness. Some of the moneyed poets

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CROWN POINT INKLINGS Compliments of THE NORTH MAIN FANCY GROCERIES QUALITY MEATS GROCERY MANAGER H. G. Gerdt MEAT MANAGER Joe Cilek and Store Personnel AUTO SUGGESTIONS Check the wheel—make sure that a loose nut isn’t holding it. Be sure the “miss” in the motor is sitting beside you. Don’t race trains to crossings. If it’s a tie you lose. For jaywalkers every year is leap year. Be sure the only crank in the car Is in the tool box. A pedestrian is a man who miss¬ ed the payment on his car. If you must have a blow out have it at home. A bird at the wheel is worth two in the ambulance. Beware of green drivers on rec lights. A minute gained at the cost of an accident is no bargain. The optomistic driver believes in taking a chance. The pessimist has a sadder life but a longer one. Be tolerant with the pedestrian He has his faults but they are no. crimes punishable by death. A drivers license doesn’t provide an open season on pedestrians. Each living creature is supposed to have some purpose in nature’s plan but the road hog must have been a zoological error. Speeds of cars have increased but how about the motorist’s mind. The proper place for an antique is in the home. A car like a dollar bill should be retired from circula¬ tion before it is down to the Iasi shred. One little error in judgment has caused a lot of grief. Alcohol is all right in the radiator but not in the operator. Insist on the right-of-way. It makes a nice thought to take along to the hospital. There Is no easier way to get your name in the paper than by driving in a careless manner. Alert today—alive tomorrow. HOW NOT TO STAY ALIVE A good way to attract attention— use the horn instead of the brakes. Emergencies in traffic are likely to happen any time, but it’s more exciting to be caught unawares. Time waits for no man behind the wheel of a car. When there ' s a car ahead step on the gas to prove your importance. There once lived a noble reliever Of the sick and the poor a receiver. When he became ill There wasn’t a pill That could cure this doctor ' s spring fever. There once lived a noble reliever Of sick and the poor a receiver. He worked day and night To make a cure right That would check the dreade.: spring fever. Kirk: “Can you tell me, Bob, what a mouse likes to do most?” Briggs: “Naw, sir.” Kirk: “Correct.”