Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-12
New York
Letter

NEW ~YORK-Whenever a ques-
ton arises concerning the handi-
caps and opportunities OF a great
city. New York points proudly to the
Grand Street Boys"
Here, says Father Manhattan, Is
outstanding proof that lads OF the
sidewalks and tenements can rise
TO any position in life. And when
some cynic comments that the world
Is changing and that gangsterism is
abroad in the land and that things
are harder now, the answer comes
that the Grand Streeters continue
to turn out a quota OF successful
men.
They point out, furthermore, that
the organization began as a fort
reSS against hoodlumism. Gangs and
rackets may flourish in new forms,
but the history OF New York's East
Side is filled with tales of mobs and
gangsters. Years and years ago. when
judges and financiers, statesmen
and actors, musicians and mer-
chants. were youngsters the Grand
Street Boys came into existence for
the purpose Of saving lads from. the
streets, and turning them into
healthy-minded citizens.
Al Smith was a Grand Street boy.
SO was Ben Bernie, the orchestra
leader, who was born in Broome
street and showed signs Of consid-
cradle musical talent as a lad, but
shifted TO the study Of engineering
at Columbia. Finding himself weak
In mathematics. be called II off and
turned TO pedtSng fiddles, grad
uating to vaudeville.
There are hundreds Of prominent
men scattered over greater Manhat-
tan who graduated from the Grand
Street club. Annually they have a
get-together. Some come in limou-
sines and some by subway, and the
old-timers use themselves as exam
pies for the younger generation.
Not all Grand Streeters have
made good in a big way, TO be sure;
but few OF them have ever made
badl"
Speaking OF Ben Bernie reminds
me that the accordion vogue prom
ises TO reach a peak in Man.
haitian sometimes about autumn.
Little shops have been cropping up
all over town. displaying piano &C
cordions. And these are a couple
OF dozen schools for tyros. Most
cafe bands and radio bands now
have an accordion soloist and the
uncertain, asthmatic puffings can
be heard in any neighborhood. AL
most all the youlg gents who failed
to learn the saXophone are trying
again.
Nor Is the rage entirely local.
From Diero. the accordion wiz" who
has turned teacher. I learn that
gents come from as far away as
washington D: G, to take lessons.
There Is some indication that the
appeals Of musicians for the re-
turn Of flesh" music, as against
the canned variety, is getting re-
suits.
Pawnshops report that dozens OF
musical instruments have recently
been taken from hook. Oh yes.
things were that badl And still are
with hundreds OF them.
The pawnbrokers also report that
musicians hook practically every
other form OF valuable before fall
ing back on their beloved fiddles.
Manhattan's most interesting
theatrical experiment Is under way.
The depression has hit the actors
quite as hard as the musicians. And
Haywood Broun, the columnist. got
the bright idea Of putting on a re-
vue which would be casted by out
of-work players and chorines. The
sketches. costumes, songs and all
the rest have been contributed oy
prominent theater figures. Only the
performers are paid, and they will
share comparatively the box office
rewards.
II II works. the idea may grow and
something new happen to Broad
way.