davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
No Easy Task Had Slevin.

Slcyin's confidence of success was
based on the american notion that it
is hard to stop a man, even without
money or influence, if he has a big
idea and works at it with persistence
and intelligence. No one questioned
that his idea was big enough, and he
had easily secured the backing of a
motion picture company for his mis-
sion to Rome. He also had letters and
introductions to Roman Catholic dig
nitaries who might assist his pur-
pose.
What the American chiefly relied
upon, however, was his ability to con-
vince the Pope, if he could gain a
hearing, that the progress of the
world made it right and necessary
that the Holy Father submit himself
to the motion picture ordeal. Slevin
had dozen arguments to prove this,
but he must be able to present these
arguments in person, which involved
many difficulties, one being that he
did not speak Italian and could not,
therefore. address the pontiff in his
mother tongue.
This was ar. important point since
here was no task for a routine inter-
prefer; here was need of man able
to reason and Dersuade through his
own power. Accordingly Slevin de-
cidcd to learn Italian, and set about
this so diligently that, within three
months of his arrival in Rome, he
was able to express himself under
standably in the language of the coun-
try. Now he was in a position where
he could talk to the Holy Father. But
how was he to make an effective per-
soual appeal?
The Californian trusted here to the
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
GeolNAL
OOONNeLL IN
The MOTION
PlC1UReS

You are a fine type of American"
Then he smiled sweetly and added
OF course, we are very good au-
dicnce, because we never saw any
thing so extraordinary before"
Again Slevin seized his opportunity
and, continuing his appeal, he spoke
of the two hundred and fifty million
Catholics scattered over the earth
whose hearts would be chcered, whose
zeal would be quickcned, if they could
see the Holy Father moving before
them as in life Motion pictures from
the Vatican would appeal to the faith
full in all lands and in all tongues
as wonderfully as the Miracle of the
Pcntccost
The Pope smiled mysteriously as
before. and again the American
paused. A subtle instinct told him to
avoid a definite refusal Once more
they all knclt and kissed the fisher
mans ring on the pontiff's white
hand, and then the Holy Father with
drew.
The entertainment had been a great
success: but Slevin knew in his heart
that Plus X would not consent to the
motion picture plan.
What Saved Slevin.
1t was a serious situation. The
American had spent months in Rome
under heavy expense and the people
in New York were growing impa-
tient. They had cabled shat Slevin
must get definite answer, YES" or
mo" And he had cabled back: eff
you want No for answer you can
get it Immediately. If you want
Yes you must wait and get it my
way" The Roman Catholic Church
was not to be hurried. 1t was this
that saved Slevin, his stubborn I'M
willingness to be placed in a posi-
ton where he could be definitely re-
fused. TIC be refused was to fail, and
he must get those motion pictures.
He never allowed himself to doubt
that he ultimately would get them.
Difficulties multiplied, however. be-
fore the confident promoter. Within a
fortnight it was made clear to him,
by courteous indirection, that his cf-
fort was hopeless. The papal authori-
ties were most friendly, they appre-
ciated his services, and proved it the
day following the exhibition, when
delegation from the Vatican waited
upon Slevin and presented him with
blue and gold certificate of knight
hood, bene merenti, together with a
gold decoration bearing the Pope's
image.
But nothing was said about the mo-
ton picture privilege, and the Ameri-
can wisely said nothing. He was not
in hurry. He was enjoying himself
in Rome and was glad to give pleas
ure to others. He was interested in
art, in pictures, in life. He talked
charmingly at luncheons. He was
apparently a person of princely leis-
ure who loved to entertain his friends.
Back of his serenity was the haunting
consciousness of trouble brewing at
the base of supplies.
Months of Fruitless Effort.
There followed months of waiting
and of fruitless effort, during which
Slevin was obliged to return to New
York and make new arrangements in
fact, to organize new company. So
tempting was his plan and so con-
tagious his enthusiasm that a day
came. early in 1914. when Slevin
walked out of the Office OF certain
Wall Street multi-millionaire with
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
/ SlENN AND HIS CAMEM IN RONG>

OF millions of the Pope's loyal chill.
dren for whom this long and cxpcn-
sive trip was impossible. In the name
of these millions of poor people in
distant lands. who otherwise would
never have an opportunity to sec the
Holy Father, Slevin begged permits
sion to use the Wonderful art, to
satisfy the longings of these hungry,
pious hearts.
The Pope smiled indulgently, and
something warned the American to
postpone the remainder of his plea
! well, we are really" said Plus y,
and seated himself on a rcd and gold
chair that Slevin had taken pains
to place in most advantageous posi-
ton. Cardinal Merry del Val took the
seat at the right and Slevin scat
at the left of His Holiness. Next to
the cardinal sat the Pope's confessor,
and then came the two sisters of the
Pope. dressed simply in black, and
the Popc's niece. quito pretty girl.
Just back of the niece sat Slevin's
secretary. who leaned forward from
time to time and translated into Ital-
ian for the ladies the English legends
of the pictures before their eyes.
So they sat with eyes fixed upon
the motion picture screen that had
been strangely set up facing the papal
throne. This screen was framed in
red silk draperies from the Vatican
stores. the silk being OF the same
weave as that worn centuries ago by
the doges of Venice. At the opposite
end of the room stood the projecting
machine, placed for greater scemli-
ness in a cabinet painted to match the
dark mahogany of the walls
81 don't mind telling you," said
Slevin, that when | looked around
this magnificent room and realized
that was sitting beside the Pope of
Rome in a place that was hallowed
by the glory of centuries, where kings
and emperors had been crowned
we'll, it rather got my goat"
Delight of the Pontiff.
There were ten numbers in the mo-
ton picture entertainment, beginning
with moths and butterflies in brilliant
colors and ending with forty gorgeous
sunsets in Egypt. His Holiness was
greatly astonished and delighted at
these beautiful effects.
at is marvelous" he exclaimed;
lit is as natural as if one were looking
out of window"
When Plus X saw the pictures of
his beloved Venice his face became
radiant. and he clapped his hands
saying, Bravo! Bravo!" And he was
much interested in the scenes at the
Durbar, especially the procession of
elephants.
At one moment Slevin asked the
Holy Father if he was tired, but Pope
Plus answered him Immediately, mo,
by no means. | wish to see it all. l
am quite comfortable"
So they sat there for two hours
while the films flashed by-Niagara
Falls. the Eucharistic Congress. flow
ers growing miraculously from bud
to bloom by speed magni6cation, the
Panama Canal, and imposing groups]
showing the Emperor and Empress
of Germany, the King and Queen of
England, the Prince of Wales and
many others among the notable per-
sonages of Europe.
When the entertainment was over
the Pope said to Slevin: 1--WE have
been greatly pleased and entertained.
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23

ltScil. nc IOpC ulu not IcdllZt llS
importance of this new invention,
with all of its vast educational posi-
bilities, for the simple reason that he
had never seen a hrst-class motion
picture exhibition. This the American
had ascertained,. the fact being that
Plus y (who, OF course, never entered
thcater) had only had glimpse Of
some amateur and inferior motion
picture entertainments organized for
the servants of the Vatican. If he
could now be induced to look at the
gorgeous film creations, the pagan
try of the Durbar, the grandeur of
Niagara Falls, the wonders of the
Panama Canal, he would, Slevin felt
sure. listen willingly to further argu-
ments, being already half convinced
by the silent eloquence of the films
themselves.
81 counted on the Pope's great in
telligence," said Slevin. ito assist me,
once he saw with his own eyes what
motion pictures really are. and I'M
derstood what they mean to the world
at large in diffusion of knowledge"
Films for the Pope.
As so much depended upon this
exhibition the American spared no
pains to make its appeal to the Pope
as strong as possible He made spc-
oial trip to Venice toAget the most
effective motion pictures OF the pom
tiff's former home, and of his old
church, St. Marks, and of the Grand
Canal, and other places in the beauti-
full city where Plus Y had lived so
happily for many years. Then Slcvin
visited Malta, and recorded in mo-
ton pictures the proceedings OF the
Eucharistic Congress. an important
Roman Catholic gathering that the
Pope would be glad to have brought
usually before him.
Finally, with the same painstaking
effort, Slevin journeyed to London
and, after some negotiations, succeed
ed in taking closeup motion pic
turc of King George, smiling pleas
antly and lifting his hat, as he de-
seconded the steps of Buckingham Pal
ace. This would convey to the Pope's
mind the thought that if one of the
earth's great rulers was thus willing
to have his motion picture taken why
not another?
Meantime, through letters and
through his personal charm, Slevin
had come into the good graces Of
Cardinal Merry del Val, the Papal
Secretary of State.
There is the most wonderful man
l have ever met" said Slevin. HE is
great in every way, as linguist, a
priest, an executive. He
is fine musician and he has genius
for mechanics. In one lesson he I'm ;
derstood the complicated mechanism
of the kinemacolor projecting ma
chine as we'll as the method of tax
ing pictures in color"
Making Pictures at the Vatican!
The cardinal permitted Slevin to
show him privately the films that had
been selected with so much care, and
was SO delighted with the exhibition,
that he agreed to lay before the Holy
Father the matter of motion pic
ture exhibition in the Vatican, thing
that had never taken place and that
was. in fact, looked upon as almost
saerilegious. Great then was the gen
eral surprise and great was Slevin's |
Joy when His Holiness consented, |,
fixing the afternoon of June II, 1913,
at half past four. for the occasion and
for the place nothing less than the
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
CARDINAL GIBBONS AS HE
APPEARS IN The SEEWN MOVIES

r ARLi in February, 1913, James
L Slevin, young American of
adventurous and cnterprising
turn, arrived in Europe on the kron
prinzessin Cecilie, bent on a mission
that was generally regarded as hope
less. He proposed to get series OF
motion pictures of the Pope and
series OF motion pictures showing the
intimate life OF the Vatican. Many
had tried to take these pictures, and
all had failed. Large sums had been
offered and every influence employed
to obtain the Holy Fathers consent,
but the reply had invariably been I'M
favorable. In one instance the prcsi-
dent OF an important motion picture
concern, himself a dcvout Catholic,
had been communicated through
overzeal and importantly in this di-
rcction. Nevertheless, -Slcvin was con-
fidcnt that he could succeed
Who was Slevin: A handsome,
Swapping fellow from California,
rather rolling stone. but full of
rcsourccfulncss who for several years
had been writer of thrilling mclo
dramas and motion picture scenarios
and had finally become the manager
of motion picture company. But he
had tired of this, he wanted to do
something bigger, and the biggest
thing he could think of was the Pope
in motion pictures. To this idea Slcvin
was the more drawn because as a
youth in California he had studied at
a Jesuit college and while there had
learned to speak Latin.
Il had thought of the holy shrine
at Mecca" he said to me, land shall
probably go to Mecca later with a
motion picture outfit, but that will
require years, TO master Arabic and
perfect a disguise. SO l started with
the Pope"
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23

pontiff's private throne-room. open
ing off from his private apartments.
Here, indeed, was an innovation! A
motion picture machine in the heart
of the Vatican! The Pope at the
movies"
AS the important day approached
the demand for invitations to this ex-
traord;nary entertainment became so
great that the situation was enlbar-
RAISING. Every cardinal. every prince,
every monsignor in Rome wished to
be present, and all the distinguished
members of Roman society. The
Pope was to have a motion picture
show-and Immediately it became a
great social function, so much so
that, finally. to avoid jcalousies, His
Holiness decided to issue no invita-
tons. He would sec the pictures alone
with his secretary of state and the
members of the papal household. Also
his two sisters might be present and
his niece. but no other women.
Slevin purposcd to make his per-
sonal appeal during the exhibition,
and for days he worked at his speech,
mcmorizing it in Italian so that moth
ing should be left to chance, and,
when the afternoon came, everything
was ready-thc pictures and the man.
At half past four. in the great red
and gold room of the Vatican, a small
company was gathered: Cardinal
Merry del Val, in rcd hat and flowing
red robes. Monsignor Master
of the Chamber; Archbishop --,
Master of the Sacred Palace, two
Knights Chamberlain of the Sword
and Cape, and the whole body of pre-
lates of the papal household, all in
full court rcgalia. Also the sweet
faced sisters of the Pope and the
Pope's niece. Also James Slevin, in
full evening dress, with a copy of his
Italian speech arxiously folded-in his
Dreast-pocket.
Plus X at a Private View.
Promptly on the hour the doors
opened, and the Pope, dressed in
white, entered without ceremony,
walking before his confessor. His
Holiness did not seat himself, as on
formal occasions, upon the cushions
Of the carved and gilded throne chair,
but moved about simply, while the
little company came forward one by
one and, kneeling. kissed the great
square emerald of his ring, with its
old-fashioned pearl setting. After
this Cardinal Merry del Val led for
ward the American, who had been
standing apart, and presented him to
the Pope.
"This is Mr.. Slevin, whom Your
Holiness remembers" said the car
dinal.
ooh, yes" said Plus X, 81 remem-
Der very we'll" He referred to pre-
vious occasion when the American
had been formally presented.
The Californian knelt and kissed
the ring, and then the pontiff raised
him graciously and said: ut is very
kind of you to give this exhibition"
Here was Slevin's opportunity and
he began his speech. He
gratitude for the immense
honor that had been done him. This
was the proudest moment of his life. !
Like all good Catholics it had been
his dearest wish to make pilgrim
age to Rome to see His Holiness and
to receive his blessing.
Unfortunately, there were hundreds !
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23
But He Meant to Have Those
Pictures.

Finally, one day in the early sum-
mer of 1914 the American called upon
Cardinal Merry del Val and an
nounced his denarture for America.
He would wait for the approaching
eonsistory, when new cardinals were
to be made, then he would say fare
The Washington herald., 1915-05-23

r. ARLl in February, 1913. James
Z Slevin, a young American of
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08
70 CREATE GAME REFUGE.


Through the efforts of the Hutchinson
Gopher Campfire Club, with the
cordial cooperation and assistance of
the landowners around Otter and Camp
bell lakes petition has been signed and
forwarded to the State Game Fish Com
missioner of Minnesota for the creation
of Game Refuge, says the Hutchinson
Leader.
This refuge comprises the waters OF
these lakes, the Crow river between the
city limits and all the land about the lakes,
amounting to some 5000 acres, owned
by the petitioners.
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter
288, general laws of 1915, this will pro-
hibit all hunting and shooting on all the
lands and public waters included within
the boundaries of the refuge and there
wildfowl may henceforth alight, feed,
disport themselves and remain in peace
and safety.
Two refugees have already been estab-
lished in the state, one including Lake
Minnetonka and surrounding lands and
one of over 26 sections at Bemidji.
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08
WORK BEGINS AT COLLEGE.

DR.. Martin Luther College re-opened
last Wednesday. There were % new
applicants and these were examined the
same day and assigned to their classes.
Most of the former students returned
and they Immediately took up their
regular course of work. Several who
we're not able to resume their work at
this time will enroll later. During the
summer all the buildings were thoroly
cleaned and the necessary repairs were
made. The rooms in the dormitory
were newly clacimined and look more
inviting than they did last year. The
faculty remains practically the same
as last year. Prof. Hugo Mosel who
spent his vacation with his family at
Milwaukee returned in time to take
up his duties at the College. Prof.
Meyer will be leaving but his successor
has not yet been named. A student
will take his place until this is done.
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08

two things can be deduced with certainty.
One is that the corn crop is as good as
it ever was, but from two to three weeks
late. There has been but little rain
lately, although little farther south of
here, across the Iowa line much of the
country is flooded. The second thing
cleaned from these reports is that the
wheat crop is above the average.
The difficulty in getting accurate re-
ports at this time is that only the re-
turns from shock threshing are availa-
BILE. Much of the grain is in stack, but
the farmers claim that there is not a
very material difference in the grain
| which is threshed out of the shock and
that which is stacked. In fact this de-
ponds mostly on the convenience and
fancy OF the individual farmer, and not
because the grain is earlier, or later OF
better.
The wheat yield varies, according to
these reports, everywhere from fifteen
to thirty-fve bushels to the acre. In
several cases variation of this kind has
been given from the same township.
Often it depends upon the condition OF
the soil, or the method of working it.
Again slight difference in drainage or
elevation will mean difference OF from
five to ten bushels, especially in rainy
season. If a rough average Of the re-
ports of the wheat yield be struck, it
will range about twenty-five or above.
In any case this means that Brown and
Nicollet County farmers are getting a
bumper crop this year. Wheat pays
well when it yields above fifteen; and in
a year like this, when the newspapers
have been full of scares of crop failure,
a note of optimism is introduced into the
situation by report that the crops are
mile above the average.
What little oats has been threshed,
shows the same variety OF yields, but
each report places it we'll above the
average. While in some cases oats run
as high as ninety bushels or more to the
acre, usually more conservative figure
is given. Thirty-five or forty will repre-
sent the average yield in many districts.
Barley will range from thirty-fve, al
though little of it has as yet been
threshed.
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08
ATTEND OLD SETTLERS FEST.

Preparations are we'll under way for
the annual celebration Of the Old Settlers
Picnic which will be held Sunday, Sept.
10Th, at Turner Hall Park. The date
was fixed at recent meeting Of the COM
mittee and was practically the only
available date as the Conference Of
Corrections and Charities will be held
the subsequent week. AS result, there
can be and will be no postponement of
this annual event. In case of inclement
weather the celebration will be held in
Turner Hall. The program has not
been definitely agreed upon but will be
along lines similar to these events in
previous years. The Review hopes to
be able to publish the program in full
next week.
| Under the rules adopted some years
ago, all who have lived in New Ulm
and vicinity for at least forty years
and are go years old or over are con-
sidered old settlers and as such are
entitled to the courtesies of the Junior
Pioneers. They will receive free adj
mission to the Park as will also the
Pioneers, those few surviving ones who
were here before the Indian Massacre
and took part in the defense Of New
Ulm. An admission fee Of 10 cents will
be charged to the Park for all others SO
that the expenses incident to the cele-
bration Of this event can be met. These
old settler TESTS have always been very
enjoyable affairs, and the committee
looks forward to a very large turnout
on Sunday, Sept. 18th, not only Of the
old folks, but also Of the Junior Pioneers
and their friends. I'D
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08
BUMPER CROP FOR MINNESOTA
FARMS.
CONTINUED from first page.)

CONTINUED from first page.)
grading at No. l., when not badly mixed
with weeds.
Farmers who have begun threshing their
barley around St. Peter and in the ter
ritory north of New Ulm report that the
yield is above the average, in some places
40 to so bushels to the acre. In other
places the crops were slightly damaged
by too much rain.
In Mcleod county the early reports
give the barley yield at about forty
bushels to the acre, although most OF it
is badly discolored. The late crops are
in better shape, although but little OF
that has been threshed.
Early potatoes will be almost total
loss on most farms in that county be-
cause of the setting in of rot caused by
wet weather. Late potatoes are not
affected that way. The yield of potatoes
is fine, but the rot gives them little COM
mercial value.
Last week one of the early threshers,
Axel Engberg, in Redwood county, re-
ported yield of 2,014 bushels Of oats
from twenty-three acre field. This rep
resents an average of 81 IL bushels to
the acre. While this is an exceptional
yield, it is estimated that the average
will run close to sixty bushels; the wheat
average is about fifteen, and most of
the corn is expected to mature although
the total crop will be smaller than usual.
Stearns County, from the early thresh-
ing, is Boosting of banner crop of oats.
One field, owned by James Caughren,
yielded Sc bushels to be the acre.
Rice County has announced dis
play of twelve foot corn last week, taken
from a farm mile and half north of
Mortified. This field was planted May
IL, and Mr.. Brimes, the owner, expects
good seed corn to mature before the first
killing frost. This corn is of the White
Rustler variety, and the good results
are due in a large measure to careful
seed selection.
From various reports which the Re-
view has received from farmers in the
six townships surrounding New Ulm,
New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1915-09-08

And we can show you plenty Of others.
Come here and see how well we can satisfy
you-in style-in individuality quail
ty-in fit in actual value.