West Philadelphia High School - Record Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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.v ,N L , 31.17. h .i .Di ,-L ,g . ., .. ...r ,.,.'. L10 :tin 'T O 28 THE RECORD 1918 EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1943 Produced By The Future Film Company Scenario by the Three Fates Then a sub-title appeared- JANUARY lsr, New YEAR's PARADE, PHILADELPHIA The parade was shown passing in review before a beautiful building, which I did not recognize until my companion whispered to me, That's the City Hall. The dedication exercises were shown in Reel 1941, The plans were drawn by Albert Dagit, who achieved great fame as an archi- tect on account of this building. As a matter of fact, he never did any famous work until his design for this building was accepted because of the pull he had with Mayor Sullivan. Of course, Sullivan had to order his plans accepted when he was put in power by Fred Rosenbloom, who was also a friend of Dagit. Rosenbloom has more political power in Philadelphia and has arranged the details of more corrupt elections than any other politician since the days of Mayor Smith. While I was listening to this, my attention was directed again to the screen by a close-up view of the reviewing stand. The Mayor was not present, but in his place sat another old friend, joe Bauer, who was Chairman of the Council committee on parades and Master of Ceremonies. I readily understood why he had been appointed to this exalted post. The work requires ability to preserve order in a crowd of rough-necks, and joe had received experience in this while presiding over class meetings at West Philly. Then the scene changed. A new title read: WAs1i1NGToN, D. C.--NEW YEAR's BALL AT WHITE HOUSE The grand ball-room was brilliantly illuminated. The great crowd was dancing to the inspiring music of a large orchestra. My guide informed me that it was the famous Heilman's Symphony Orchestra. As I looked at it more closely, I saw that much of the noise proceeded from the fiddle of my classmate Rose. I watched the crowd as it swung by. Resplendent in the dress uni- form of a general of the United States Army, I saw our old friend Sammy Friedman. The youngest full general in the Army, said the Blue Angel. He showed such ability in smashing lines that they sent him to smash . ' v aw., - -1, -.-' .-,' 5--Y.-'W 5 . A ....i,-. fi

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THE RECORD 1918 27 a cloud of falling earth, the Bosches were using high explosive shells in place of the usual shrapnel. The enemy did not get the range, but soon sections of our line were missing when the geyser of earth had settled. Curiously, these happenings seemed' entirely impersonal to me. I and the men around me kept marching forward as if nothing had happened or ever would happen to us. My mind was far from the thoughts of battle. Automatically, my feet carried me toward the barbed wire, now only a few yards away. It did not seem possible that in a few seconds I would be engaged in deadly combat with a fellow mortal. I was still wandering in the realms of the future as we drew near our first objective. Suddenly, a blinding flash dazzled my eyes. I heard no sound and felt no pain, but it seemed as if I was sliding down a steep incline at a terrific speed. Occasionally I felt a slight jolt such as is experienced by a coaster on a hill that is not absolutely smooth. Then I stopped gra-dually and the space about me filled with a pale blue light. A beautiful creature in blue approached me as I lay there, and took me by the hand. I ventured to address her. Madam,', I said, Please tell me where I am. This must be Heaven, although I have never before heard tell of blue angels such as you seem to be. Do not be afraid, friend, she replied, Hthis is the plant of the Future Film Producing Company and I am the guide for the few visitors that come here. In that office to the left the Fates are writing the scenarios of future years. In various locations throughout this land our directors and their companies are producing these new dramas, which you call the Events of the Year. When they are completed they are shown on that screen which some people called the earth and all pictures are endowed with speech. 'fYour friend Shakespeare was almost correct when he said, 'All -the world's a stage' The only trouble with him was that he didn't live in the proper times and consequently did not know enough to say, 'All the world's a screen' He had the right idea but the wrong word. Then over there to the right is the projecting room where they show all the pictures to the International Board of Censorship before they re- lease them to the public. I think that they are now giving reel 1943 its final showing before they store it away for future release. Would you care to see the film ? Of course I expressed my desire to view the picture, and my guide ushered me to a good seat. As I was entering, they threw upon the screen the title- ,

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THE Rnconn 1918 29 the Hindenburg Line. He did it without much trouble. In the centre of the group, engaged in an argument, is Senator Hausman, the leader of the minority in Congress. He is -probably trying to convert Congressman Carman to his pet doctrine of free trade. I know well it was a hopeless task to make Carman change his ideas without good reason and turned my eye to another part of the floor. In the far corner was a small crowd which seemed to center about a per- son who greatly resembled joe Bourne. There is the Hon. Joe Bourne, Secretary of State, my guide in- formed me. I knew that Joe had been a master at making excuses, but I never thought that he would sink to the level of a diplomat. There next to him, she continued, is David Lederhendler, who holds the VVorld's Record for speed on the Typewriter. He is the private secre- tary of Zimmerman, Secretary of the Treasuryf' The next scene showed the people leaving the White House. At the door stood Detective McLaughlin, chief of the Secret Service, seeing that no anarchists ap- proached the honored guests. just as the Secretary of State was leaving, a dark-complexioned individual rushed up and barred his way. Quickly he was seized by the waiting officers, but he was immediately released when he explained he was Roger Bloch, representing the New York Journal, and had created the excitement for the sake of obtaining news. Some other pictures were shown in which I had no interest and I was about to leave when the scene again changed to my own Philadelphia. The date was in the middle of March and the event was a banquet of the Chamber of Commerce. Several of my fellow students were present. In the seat at the head of the table was a stout dignified looking gen- tleman with glasses who reminded me of Everist F rishmuth. He is now owner of the large department store on the site of W'anamaker's, said the guide. His store is famous for having the largest and most brilliant show cases in the world. On the left of him sits Mr. Edward Stafford, President of the American Stores Company. He operates the largest chain of grocery stores in the country. Last in the line is Arthur F irst, head of the Department of Dead and Buried Languages at the University of Squeedunk, who has been invited to address the meeting of distin- guished merchants on the 'Possibilities of a Fall in Price of Latin Roots.' By the time these explanations were made, Toastmaster Frishmuth had given the signal, Up with the napkins, boys. Here comes the soup. At the head of the entering line of waiters was a tall, serious person whom I knew at once to be Wilson Gulick. He preserved his dignity even when he poured a bowl of soup down the neck of Professor First.