De La Salle Institute - Torch Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 57 text:

.9- EVQH . V' at 'i was 1 fefaeistxg TGA?-:gil-A --use .assist now a well-known criminal lawyer and at that time a candidate for Representative of our district. W'hen we left, we all assured Jim of our votes in the approaching election. On the way home, Gene bought a paper. Boy, look! Pat Christopher, you remember him, has just closed a 34,000,000 deal for the big world's cham- pionship iight in his 150,000 seat stadium. The next morning we learned to our gratification that 'Archbishop Anton XNeinig had been elevated by the Holy. Father to the Cardinalship. Arriving at my office next morning, I went into conference with Charlie Nobile, the great contractor. After the conclusion of a contract for the construction of a million-dollar residence for Jack O'Connell, the big collar and tie manufacturer. PART II This particular year was a Presidential year. As the Democratic convention was being held in Chicago, we decided to go out there. VVhen we arrived in the VVindy City, we were greeted by Mayor Kennedy. VVith him was Joe Hayes who was the chief accountant for the Federal Reserve Banks in the Illinois dis- trict. From the station the Mayor took us to the Connell Hotel, named after the architect. After being shown to our room, I sank into an easy chair and picking up a paper I read an article by Norman McKenna, Associated Press reponter, stating that Senator McCormack, whose candidacy was being directed by Tam- many Curry, was the leading Democratic choice. My friend looking over the sports page found out that a fight, better than the forthcoming convention, was being held in the stadium that day. Since we had nothing else to do we decided to attend the bouts. But we were temporarily doomed to disappointment. All the purchasable seats were sold and the only available tickets were held by the promoters. As we were rather prominent we decided to attempt to get two of these tickets. VVith faltering hearts we entered the office and asked for the promoters. Oh, what a Grand and Glorious Feeling when we found that the governing officials were Costa and Bertini. Our two old school day friends readily gave the two much desired tickets and after thanking them for their generosity w'e began to weave our way through the crowd down to our seats. After being comfortably seated we began to look about and there, grinning into our faces with that old smile of his, was Tom McGuinness. He' told us that after losing the title to Tom Manning's pupil he secured a job as referee and that that accounted for his presence in the ring. ' The notables present at the fights were then announced. Among them was the Hon. Dominick Spina, Ambassador to Italy and a dark-horse candidate for the Jeffersonian nomination. At last the main iight started and was proceeding briskly and entertainingly along when it was suddenly halted inthe fourth round. Benny Blois, the manager of one of the boxers, jumped into the ring and claimed that his man had been fouled. As the argument grew bitter the crowd became restless and then active so that the affair ended ina semi-riot. As we walked out of the park a glaring l53l

Page 56 text:

in At the 19th we met him and got talking. Do you know who I met recently in England? he asked. ' Pop ' Manning, now a military attache in London And in Paris I met Jimmie Ryan, who is travelling for his health and appetite after cleaning up a nice bit of money ,from his world-famed Saxophone Octet Dan Donovan is now the Yankee consul in Rome. Finally we left Harry and hurried home. The next day I was in my office, reviewing a project, when the door opened and the office boy admitted a big, handsome man, resembling an ad for Mennen s Shaving Cream :-Felix Conlon, old Whiskers of eld. We shook hands warmly and sat down. Al, he said, I want you to design a garage for my company, the American Express Co. You see, I am the president, he explained The transaction completed, he remarked, I met James Edwards the other night as he was coming in from Scranton to see the Big Town over the week end He is in the coal business and is doing very well. Did you see this, drawing a newspaper from his pocket, 'HCANIGLIA COACHES ANOTHER' VVIN NING COMBINATION AT MANHAT'TAN.' Old Connie, well-known for his athletic and coaching prowess. VV hen Felix had gone, I settled back to scan the news of the day. I noticed that Tom Mahoney, sport editor, was writing a series of interesting articles. Back. at the hotel jim said, as soon as I entered, I'll bet you don't knovs whom I saw today in my office. No, I don't, I replied. It was VVa1t Vifhalen He's a boss politician now, he came to see me about a fall oii a soapbox. VVe decided to eat, so we were walking through the lobby when a well dressed man stumbled into our arms. XV hen he had recovered his equilibrium and picked up his glasses, who was it but our old friend, Gene Galvin. Im sorry, he said, but I'm just recovering my landlegs. just back from a little trip around the world. Getting to be a regular globetrotterf' IVe were very glad to see him again. By the way, he added, meet the wfife. . He presented a beautiful blonde, in whom we recognized the former Miss Tompkins, the famous movie star. VVe were very much flattered. I Over dinner we spoke of daily matters, but Gene seemed to be one of those big. silent men who say little but eat much. However, he ventured, You know Doc, Jeannette is to appear in the screen version of the latest novel by the famous Frank Dolan. Doc suggested a show after dinner, so we got some good seats in the great Metropolis theatre. As the curtain rose, a chesty tow-headed man appeared in the ballet act. He was great, in admiration I looked over my program: ohn Clarke. Not until then did I recognize our jawn. It was an agreeable surprise and after the play, we went behind scenes and pushed our way through a crlowd of his ardent admirers. There we renewed our acquaintance with Jack. VVell, here's a man we're mighty glad to meet, he exclaimed. VVe turned to meet jimmy Broderick, come back for the same purpose as we had. He is I E521 y

Page 58 text:

l l 1 T . 5 I ., X 1 Ai Q - i -'i . i ,-4' 13 5 - Sg c, 0 53 - 1 6 jg h -.U 3 .' C N! headline caught our eyes. Here is what we read: Use Canavan's Tooth Paste. Manufactured by the Cana.van Chemical Laboratories. While riding home I remarked to my friend that we had met quite a few of our old pals from De La Salle, had found out about some others, and that we would probably meet no more of them for another long time. But the morrow, the opening day of the convention, held more surprises in store for us. As we entered the convention hall the band was playing the National anthem. Standing at attention we could see the band director majestically waving his baton in ythe air. Somehow that figure was familiar to us. Suddenly it dawned upon our minds. It was Sousa's successor, jack Cunningham. The applause of the crowd after the rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was silenced by John Tierney, the chairman, banging on the desk with his gavel. He announced that the first speaker would be Mr. Stavracos, candidate for Governor of New York. In his speech George nominated Roy Kenel, President of Cornell University, as the Democratic candidate. The following speaker, George Conboy, seconded Kenel's nomination in a long, sleep-producing oration. Other speakers followed, nominat- ing various men, and finally Mr. Curry took the speaker's dais. In Tammany Hall style jawn lauded Senator McCormack and termed him as the leading American. As he left the platform, all agreed that McCormack's candidacy was a failure so far. Curry was worse than Conboy. However, jim Prior, old Genial,' himself, saved the day for the Senator. Mixing oratorical brilliancy, biting sarcasm, and clever wit he prepared a compound that won the dele- gates over to his side. Closing his speech with one of the most dramatic finishes ever heard in an American hall, he brought the crowd to its feet. Amid wild cheering and applausing delegation after delegation joined McCormack's ranks and he carried the convention on the iirst ballot. Kenel was given the second place on the ticket and the convention adjourned. Then a most unusual thing happened. Charlie Billings, who was on the road selling iron toy balloons, arrived in the city with the full intention of attending the convention. On being informed that the convention was over he tried ito sell us' his ware. For the Sake of Olde Lang Syne we bought the encumbrances. At last we bid adieu to Chicago as the train roared along the track. VV hat a happy group. Everyone joyful of the fact that two De La Salle boys were on the Democratic ticket. As the veils of night obscured the sun, a telegram came over the wire with the news that Dan Thompson had been nominated by the Republicans. Gladness and sadness prevailed. VV e were glad that the Red and Blue had scored again but in November an Institute graduate must fall. Murphy, Republican boss, and Congressman John Thompson, a former insurgent, pledged their full support to Dan. Q - In the morning as the train rolled into a small town we recognized in a farmer, chewing tobacco on one side of his mouth and straw on the other, old VVenel, or properly, Harry Vifenning. He was remarking to a group of hay- ' i541 -