The Washington times., 1923-04-03
POET Tells HIS
GRIEVANCES
To PUBLIC
John Martinowski Declare.
He Was MuIcted Of His
Life Savings.

For nearly ten. years John Mar
finowski, born in Riga, Latvia, but
now naturalized citizen Of the
United States, has carried 4 griev-
ance against his adopted country.
Today he set about to tell the
people Of the District all about it.
Attired in a black broadcloth
overcoat with astrakhan collar, derby
hat and black shoes, John began q
parade Of the streets in the down.
town section of the city carrying a.
banner upon which is printed open
declarations of protest addressed to
Attorney General Harry III. Daugh-
erty and Postmaster General Harry
New.
He was mulcted Of his life
savings, he says. He has never
been able 10 get satisfaction either
through the Department Of Justice,
the Postoffice Department or the
local courts, he alleges. The people
Of the nation should be made ac-
quainted with the facts, he con-
tends.
Seeks Pay for Ten Poems.
And so John has started on his
pilgrimage Of enlightening the
American public.
Johns story, while an old one,
Is filed with pathos, when told by
John In 1913 he was a resident
Of Boston, noted as the American
seat OF culture. Naturally he be-
came imbued with the spirit there
prevailing. He would write poetry.
The thought grew rapidly and he
passed 1t along to his friends.
So in 1918, after he and his poeti-
ca1ly inclined friends had worked
diligently, ten poems were brought
forth. So good did they appear
after numerous readings that 1t
was decided to send them along to
Q well advertised firm in Washing
ton for a proper musical setting.
John states, and not without
sigh, that he paid the firm 1895
IN cash. Time passed Finally. &C.
cording to John, he received about
100 copies each of the musical COM
positions He then, with his
friends, for whom he had advanced
the money to put forth their
poetical endeavors into musical hits,
patiently awaited the big profits
which he claims were to be re-
ceived from the publisher an a re-
suit Of the sale Of the songs.
Fails to Realize Profits.
But the profits never materiaIized,
@ENOLuuSs 10 JOHN. ne Is sui walt
ing. He had at the time an eighteen
room boarding house in Boston, he
@ys, which paid hiro fairly well.
BE was making living. The outlay
OF the 1896 set him back. however,
and he was compelled to mortgage
his furniture in order to meet cur
rent expenses, he declares. Then
tn1ngs began to prove hard for him.
Inc matter was, taken UP with the
department. Of Justice. john says,
ana with the postorfice inspectors,
out nothing was ever done.
John Is ranked. He feels that a
zreat injustice had been done him.
Inc public should know these facts.
ne VIII walk the streets with flaunt.
ns banner and put them wise. 2
1ype then something will happen.
1onns nome Is AT AIS H street
Northwest. When. in Boston he re-.
siued at 2S1 Shawnaut avenue He
- hVed In the United States for
ne past nineteen years and re-
Ved his final naturalization
pefs eleven years ago. Accord.
ing 70 his story he has also taken
up the matter OF his alleged Rrtay.
ances with the Judiciary COMMITTEES
OF the Senate.
lie says the fight has Just begun
WIN stick until he gets aorne
klna q satisfaction, he says.