New-York tribune., 1921-12-05
Il ather Duffy
Hailed by Host
At Hippodron,e
Fighting Chaplain Hears His
Praises Sung by U. S.
Senator, Archbishop and
Others of Prominence
Otto III. Kahn Gives Check
Opera Stars and Boys Band
Represent Music World
in Wonderful Tribute

NepreSent Music World
in Wonderful Tribute
Father Francis P. Duffy Crank, he
gwaA as boyl, wearing the sober
oroadcloth Of his calling, looked very
much like any other parish priest as he
sat on the great stage Of the Hippo
drosne yesterday afternoon and heard
glowing words in praise of him from a
United States Senator, an Archbishop
and other notables In nation, church and
city. He blushed to the top of his
glistening bald head when the praise be-
came fervid and looked as uncomforta-
bic as his tremendously high, straight
up-and-down clerical collar.
OF sudden. at the first note of sThe
Star~Spangled Banner" Father Duffy,
pastor of the Church of the Holy Cross,
was on his feet--erect. eyes front, heels
together. head up, chin out, at attention.
In the eyes of beholders priest was
transformed to soldier, and they saw
before them the Rev. Francis P. Duffy,
fighting chaplain" Of fighting regi-
ment that even now service designa-
aon--in the war they called it the 165th
lnfaatry-could not effectually disguise
as New York's famous 69th.
AS many thousand persons as the Hin
podronle could hold had come through
the seasons first snowstcrr- .o honor
Father Duffy on the occasion OF his sill.
yer jubilee, the twenty fifth anniversary
OF his ordination to the priesthood. But
IT seemed more as hero of the war
that they regarded him-more as a man
who. with the cross of Christ for
shoulder straps, an officer in the army
ct the Lord, had gone through what
Senator James w. Wadsworth jr. spoke
OF as "the most terrible horrors of
war;
Opera Songbirds on Hand
archbishop Hayes. ruling prelate of
the Catholic Diocese of New York, was
present in the cardinal robes and
Jewels OF his Office to say to the former
chaplain words to make him proud.
Senator Wadsworth came from Wash
from President Harding. Famous song
birds of the Metropolitan Opera sang
TO him and boys brass band of 200
pieces played for him.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies
Otto H. Kahn presented the soldier
priest with a check for large amount
OF money, just how much will not be
known until to-day, contributed, as Mr..
hshn said, by those who love him "and
with the best wishes of full heart"
Check in hand, Father Duffy arose to
express his thanks and to say in the
game breath that he hoped the com
Fnittee wouldn't give him the money all
at once.
If l get it all at once,s he solemnly
told his audience, 81 won't be able to
keep 1t. AS soon as the word gets
around that Father Duffy is in funds
again every bum in the five borouehs
VIII be calm on me and gettin' some
OF it, Let me have it in dribbles.''
Laughter Turns to Applause
Everybody roared at this, but with
Father DufFy's next words stopped
laughing to applaud when he an
iiounced that he already had made
plans to give some Of it to the Knights
OF Columbus, who, he said, hadn't been
having fair deal in their campaign
Tor funds for a new home in the last
week because "Otto Kahn and Martin
Conboy and Father Kelly had been 60
ing round with basket asking for a
little somethln' for poor Father Duffy"
Mr.. Kahn, who because of his friend
ship for Father Duffy broke q lifelong
rule never to act in such capacity. is
treasurer of the fund for the priest.
He could not be persuaded to hazard a
guess as to it's possible size until he
had seen this mornings mail, but when
$4,000 was mentioned he didn't say he
thought it wouldn't amount to that
much.
1t was almost five minutes before the
cheering, applauding crowd would al
low Father Duffy to begin his speech of
thanks. Every person in the audi
toriunl was OH his feet in an ovation
that threatened for just the fraction Of
minute to rob the fighting clergyman
OF his equanimity, which has with stood
many an assault on the battlefield, on
the platform and over after dinner
coffee: Finally, when the tumult had
died down he waited full minute be-
fore he said word.
my grandfather's philosophy" he
said at last, CONSISTED of just four
words IT'S queer wor-r-ld.' And
there are SO many pleasant things in
this queer world that can't help wish
ing he were here tonight to see his
grandson on this platform.
Proud for Boys of 69th
"This is a proud moment for me. I
am proud for the brave boys OF the old
seth who sit here with me, and I am
proud for those who gave their lives
to increase the fame of that great
regiment.
II suppose that on an occasion Of
this kind / should have a message to
deliver But have no special message.
This event testifes better than any
words could that we are building UP
in this country a union of hearts gov
erned by no restrictions of race or
creed"
Mr.. Conboy, who was chairman of
the meeting, introduced Archbishop
Hayes, who spoke of Father Duffy as
"a hepherd-soldier or ,soldier-shepherd
who served his God and also his fell
low man."
"Father Duffy fought" he continued,
for American and Christian principles
and that those who fell might feel that
the hand of God was raised above them
and blessing them and guiding them,
even unto their supreme sacrifice. We
all glory in Father Duffy as a good
soldier and a good priest and good
American.
"The spiritual power that has helped
make America great was contributed in
tho war by our splendid chaplains,
Catholic, Protestant and Jew, who went
to the battlefelds for the mothers Of
our country that the prayers their sons
learned at home might be said in the
trenches.
Pale on East Side
II knew Father Duffy when we were
Aoth working on the East Side and
:.rxe both humble. We're neither of
70 50 humble now. knew him when