Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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QUILL CLUB

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NINETEEN-THIRTEEN-FOURTEEN 45 E ,----: -- k f ,QI .-..x-.-,-. .. .f....: T ..,.' l.,s.,,,l?.-S,,.,.f,y,-W ,..,,.:,,, , ,.,..,. A- s- ql ' H , V T , 'aj E A up i Vg 1 l y , i , T YW Mi lli , A . . i.ri 1' - J r. W 1, ,I T: 3 V ,,g',,,,,,gimme-L,.n,,A,,Q.,..V.i.,,a,g-,, ,,h,, ru....,,,i,,,,,,,,,,,,,4,,,..,s,MQ,,i.,J,i ..,,1 Q..i.s,g,a,,..:im,1l,i.,MH,.i.ini..,.,,QQ.,.i.,,.i, lf- ff rf -'fl the beffinnin of the Fall term of 1912 one of the most i ' 'Q . g. . . . Iprominenzf associations of Harris, the Quill Club, was or- , ganized. A few fellows, who had a talent for writing which 'they were- desirous of improving, and who were supported 'if by Dr. Friedland, of the English department, conceived the idea of forming a society whose purpose, as indicated by the name. was to be writing. After a little deliberation, the students suddenly announced the organization of a new club-the uQuill. The response of the school was instantaneous. The few pioneers were speedily joined by fifteen or twenty young men, students who were already known for brilliancy in composition work. This impetus established the future of the society, the Quill Club had become a reality. From that time on the club progressed steadily. Term after term it has proceeded unwaveringly forward,,spreading its benefits over all those embryo Shakespeares who had wisdom enough to be- come members. Although the original scope of the club had only included the writ- ing of compositions, the members soon tired of this narrow field and ventured out into the more glorious realm of short-story writing. This fascinating form of literature grew very popular, and, in order to fully satisfy the boys' fondness for the short story and, at the same time, instruct them, Dr. Friedland decided to give a little talk each week upon this subject. These talks were immensely popular with the members and, as a result, the prestige of the club grew by leaps and bounds. From the short story point the work of the club expanded further and embraced higher forms of literature. From time to time, little gems of poetry from such men as Schneider and Forgione, have appeared and much favorable criticism was inspired as a result. The increasing popularity of moving pictures caused the writing of many scenarios which were acknowledged to be fully as good as some of the leading thrillers Not a few full-sized plays have appeared, and, while they never approached a possibility of being staged, still showed talent with a promising future. The Quill Club has steadily progressed since its founding and is in no frenzied struggle for existence. But practice makes perfect and it can only work to the welfare of a literary aspirant to become a member of this club for he will learn how to write in the only way- by writing.

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' I M ,J-zsyvsrxvzn-' t I 11 , -4-:arf-Nisils, -rf?-' -Q if 'fa ,4..' . 'Q T T in T I T I lg T 'ff5'i gTf'2'Lm f,:'. .-v. -f.- xiaftac-:2.cf.::.fsifm-MQ:va-,LI.A XQ.. Tract-l-4,-'w ff., riff: e4L,.C.f1Zrh:.a.f -.fw4-1.2-'fsi-haziufms-.1LmJsL,Q' g for the purpose of increasing the political knovsledge and Qs- public speaking ability of 1ts members the Townsend XYPQQW9' H - . . .4-Q A arrls Senate was organized by a few energet1c and able- minded students. Gne main function of the club's sound foundation is that it has been modeled upon one of the greatest and most eminent bodies for political discussion in the world. V V ' re?-l z rl i ODELLED upon the United States Senate, and established The club members decided to carry on business in the same way as does that renowned body, and to imitate it in every way, even to the name. For this purpose they secured, through New York State Senator Frawley, a subscription to the f'Congressional Record and a copy of the Rules of the U. S. Senate. Mr. Frawley also referred them to U. S. Senator 0'Gorman who wrote them a letter of com- mendation. At every meeting of the Senate, bills are brought up in regular form to be duly passed upon, bills which are still to be taken up by Congress, and in this way considerable originality is shown. Be- sides these bills, all the political, social and economic questions of the day are taken up and fully discussed. 'XYith the excellent experience that the members of this club are receiving, it may be that in the future we shall number them among our national senators. The officers of the club are as follows: Pres., N. Marksg Pres. pro tem., I. Kantrowitz, Sec. I. Mangioneg Legisla- tive Clerk, B. Margolis, Ser.-at-Arms, H. Marquardt.