The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-22

JdINeS w. JlMINy fOley, NOrCn
Dakotas own poet, has been claimed
by California as "favorite son" of
the Golden state.
The former Bismarck man was the
guest Of honor at q recent banquet in
Pasadena, sponsored by the chamber
Of commerce as compliment to the
poet.
Though Foley was born and grew up
In North Dakota, California claims a
share of his glory since he has lived
there for many years.
At the banquet for the master of
verse, who many years ago was editor
OF the Bismarck Tribune, were many
North Dakotans as we'll as Pasadena
citizens Of all walks of life.
When Joseph Scott, DR.. Daniel F..
Fox, DR.. Robert Freeman, President
Charles A. Seward Of the chamber
of commerce, and President D. E.
MCDANIEL of the Tournament of
Roses association had each in turn
told Of the good works of Foley, the
guest of honor responded in verse
Foley was presented with an engraved
scroll by the chamber of commerce,
and with desk set from the Tourna-
ment of Roses association.
Has No Worldly Riches
Jim Foley will never have enough
money to endow hospital" said
Joseph Scott, In his tribute to the
writer. HE has not rolled up a big
bank account, but when he comes
to the meridian Of life, he will realize
that the game was worth playing.
This mans soul Is his own. He is
clean Of heart. He has kept himself
young and has kept others young. He
has no cynicisn, no sarcasm. sHe is
always showing the way up, lifting
up.
I'VE have been chasing two things,
you and money and intellect. We
have called them success. But money,
intellect, huge buildings mean moth
ing unless you train your boys and
girls to think of things above them,
and this is what Jim Foley is trying
to do"
DR.. Daniel F. Fox, introduced as
POSTMASTER, called upon Henri van
Praaf, close friend of Foley, to
lead his musicians in several selec-
tons. He presented Mrs. Foley with
a bouquet after the scroll and desk
set had been given the guest Of honor
DR.. Robert Freeman told of the
tradition Of good cheer brought and
carried on by Foley. He said that he,
for the ministers, came to speak per-
sonal gratitude for his wholesome
philosophy.
Has Big Congregation
"This quiet man has brought into
life the thing worth WHILE" said DR..
Freeman. He has the biggest con-
|gregation of any of us, and he is
q preacher worth while. We all agree
that the guest Of honor unites us all
in the brotherhood Of happiness. Mr..
Foley finds Golcondas at our feet"
Responding, Foley introduced some
old North Dakota friends, among
whom were c. B. Little, banker Of
Bismarck, and Martin Thompson, Da-
kota schoolmate.
Then he told of intersections in
life"- with friends who
helped him along the road. These
good friends, Foley said. made the
poems just bubble OUT
He read many Of his verses, in
GLIDING one about q meadowlark.
and one which ended In the words
Someone like you makes life worth
WHILE" He made a strong appeal
for the dissemination Of human kind
ness and liberation, and said he be-
lieved the aim Of education was to
teach the child to give itself to this
end.
Found Philosophers Stone
DR.. Fox said in part: "The an
clients believed there was q SUBJ
stance which could convert the baser
metals into gold. Many sought it.
None found 1t. But in the search
other things were discovered which
brought satisfaction, wealth and
fame.
IT do not know to what extent the
life OF our friend parallels the expert
ence of others but I do know that
he has found the philosophers stone
In his poems and friendly talks he
deals with and interprets human In
terests.
HE sings the song Of human pos
sibility. Having found the key that
opens the door Of the human heart
he turns the Imagination to win
some thing and makes character and
career heroic.
However much he may arraign our
follies and frailties, he never loses
sight Of the fact and never fails. to
revere the fact that no soul is wholly
disfigured and no life IS an utter
waste. He may accuse, but he for
gives. He does not tear down; hs
builds up. Always In singing his song
.of life, its struggles and disappoint-
ments and follies. he is reaSSuring anC
comforting. His work Is within US
the realities Of our better selves.
Works Arc Youthful
And his poems do not smell Of en-.
cyclopedia. He reads and interpret.
Gods out-of- doors, the hearts Of me,
and Of women and children. He sing
OF childhood-of youthful expert
ences; of the laborer with his shovel
the mechanic with his dinner pail
the boy with the ragged jacket: tn
typist, the sales girl. All Of thcs'
lare near and dear to him. He doe