davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-05-10
by ELSIE Mccormick

job as runner in the public library where his
father worked as book binder. After that he
attended night classes at the Boston High
School of Commerce
The future comedians association with
bellies lettres had one important result = he
discovered in the library book on juggling.
This he read carefully during the noon hour,
Evening star., 1936-05-10
HeI6pez Got the gong!

So boasts Fred Allen, who started
out as an amateur jugger; and it's
the truth they used hooks in those
days! Now, a star humorist of the air,
he runs an amateur show of his own
Evening star., 1936-05-10

using sandwiches, apples and other items from
his lunch as laboratory material When the
library gave an entertainment, young Fred
Allen (or John Sullivan, as he was listed on
the pay-rolD put on his Juggling act. 1t was
quite success - or would have been II an
orange he was using had not leaped out of
bounds and struck member of the audience.
Thus encouraged the young performer be-
gan to make appearances at amateur nights
held at the various neighborhood theaters in
and around Boston. 1t was, to say the least,
a strenuous apprenticeship. Radio amateurs
who blanch at the sound of gong seem
extremely n-skinned to MIR. Allen; during
his stage novitiate an amateur stood a
chance of being hit over the head with a
bladder from behind the scenes, seeing a
stuffed fish whiz across the stage, or having
a sign, Don't be harsh; he's good to his
mother" appear at the high moment of the act.
The performer who blew up under these cir
cumstances was encircled by wooden hook
and dragged off into the wings. Young Fred
Allen thus left the scene number of times;
so did youngster named Jack Donahue,
whose dancing act was sometimes on the same
program.
Later Fred Allen became what might be
called professional amateur. The popularity
of amateur nights gave young Boston man.
ager the idea of organizing troupes and send
ing them out to local theaters. AT the end of
each contest the winner was decided by
popular applause and awarded little white
envelope supposed to contain $25. Although
the recipient appeared overwhelmed with
sheepish delight, he tossed the envelope aside
as soon as he entered the wings. 1t was always
empty; each amateur, whether prizewinner
or Lemon act" destined in advance for the
hook, received the same compensation. 1t was
generally so.
When weekly amateur contest was added
to Town Hall Tonight" Mr. Allen used to
include ''gong act" or. two, just to add
variety to the program. Later he gave it up;
audiences, he said, took these episodes to
heart and felt distressed over what seemed to
be the blasting of a career. "As matter of
fact, no one amateur appearance can per-
manently make or break performer" MIR.
Allen says Before got my first professional
engagement Id been an amateur two years"
Fred Allen got his first chance on vaude-
vile circuit by impersonating another actor
who considered the job beneath his dignity.
1t was then that his name began its transi-
ton. He decided that as Fred ST. James from
the West he stood better chance of getting
bookings than as someone who had gone
round and round the amateur circuit for
(Confinvsd on pose 13)
Evening star., 1936-05-10

-.HE story of Fred Allen is the story Of
an amateur who made good = an anna
teur who was threatened with hook
instead of gong and who encountered
audiences that would have been considered
ill-mannered at performance in the Roman
Colosseum.
At nine o'clock every Wednesday night
more than one-third of the radio set owners
in the United States - about 81 per cent,
according to recent telephone census - tune
in on the hour known as Town Hall To-
night" Fred Allen, the former amateur, is
the programs comedian, responsible for lead
ing the ceremonies, writing the script and
directing the general performance. His de-
lightfully insane dramatic situations and his
flow of original quips are rapidly earning for
him the reputation of being one of the fore
most humorsts in the United States.
The impresario of 'Town Hall Tonight" is
a tall and rather anxious looking gentleman
about forty years old, with heavily lined
forehead, high cheek bones, blue eyes, brown
hair smoothed straight back, and very solid
looking ears. His is a versatile face, and
the list of people whom he is said to look likeis
surprisingly long and varied. He has been
compared most frequently, perhaps, to Gene
Tunney, Jack Sharkey and Admiral Byrd
When he assumes the role of One Lung Pan,
the epigram-loving detective sometimes fea-
tured by the Mighty Allen Art Players, he
develops quizzical wrinkles that make him
look like Chinese merchant wondering whe
ther he can put over that soapstone vase as
pure jade. Television will add much to Mr..
Aliens performance.
When he is away from the microphone Mr..
Aliens manner is likely to be serious, with
sardonic overtones He confesses that writing,
directing and taking the leading part in
weekly broadcast is the hardest work in the
amusement field. Every night he appears is
first night to him, burdened with all the
strain and doubt that accompanies the pres
entation of new show. His pockets are
full of old envelopes covered with jotted quips,
and he sits up until three or four O'Clock,
almost every night, whiting his program
into perfect form.
Mr.. Allen, whose real name is John F.
Sullivan, was born some forty years ago in
Cambridge, Massachusetts,. He will not reveal
his exact birthday because he breads the cas-
cade of frosted cakes, hand embroidered sofa
pillows and tame feld-mice which would de-
scend upon him if his fans knew the right
date; he admits only that he was born in the
sign of Cemini, which, he says, makes its
victims work twice as hard as people born
under any other section of the zodiac.
Mr. Allen was brought up in Somerville,
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14

ing, posing like Joan Crawford did
in the show that time. He grin
ned, gripped the knob in his cold
hand and pushed opened the door
The wind gushed in behind him.
Disappointment swept over him
when he did not see her posing rs
he had expected She wasn't even
on the davenport. The fire was out
The house was cold and dismal and
quiet. Still down town, he thought.
But no. 1t was late. He closed the
door, stopped in the middle of the
floor. His tired eyes swiveled
around YEARLY.
Net he called. He listened to
his voice boom through the hush
in the house and fade with the
rushing wind outside. Slowly, he
plodded to the bedroom and push
ed open the door.
The dresser was bare. He clicked
a look toward the closet. 1t was
empty. Racks Uttered the floor.
His lips dipped at the corners. His
chest rose laborously then col
lapsed in a deep sigh. He leaned
against the door jamb and stared
at nothing.
(END)
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
YPSILAN II.

Sunday services at Browns
Chapel A. NJ Il. Church were well
attended both morning and evning.
Pastor S. c. Davis brought two
very splendid messages. The mem
bership is working together to do
the badly needed repair work on
both the church and parsonage. On
the fourth Sunday, Nov. 22 the
Layman's inspiration meeting will
be here as guests of this church.
At. Second Baptist, Pastor G.
Robertson brought an inspiring
morning message after which a
very impressive service was held
when 2 babies were blessed. MI.
and Mrs. Sylvester Patterson baby
Irwin Leroy, God parents Miss
Viola Freeman and Mr.. Chauncy
Green, Mr.. and Mrs. Austin Patter-
son parents of Mr.. and Mrs. Syl-
vester Patterson and their baby
Robert Leon God parents, Mr.. and
| NlI Ild w MID
On Friday evening the Harriet
School auditorium was the scene
of an inspiring gathering Of more
than 200 persons paying tribute to
| the 5Oth anniversary of the marri-
age of Rev and Mrs. G.. w. Carr,
The program for the evening was
under the direction of Michigan
Baptist Building Association, with
the president, Rev. A. l.. Merritt
! presiding. The president introduce
ed the mistress of ceremonies, Mrs
Nance of First Baptist Church
Inkster. The welcome remarks
were offered by Dr. l.. c. Perry
f., representing Second Baptist and
Ypsilanti at large. Literary and
musical numbers were rendered by
several, from the various churches
in the Association. Short talks Were
made made by the Reverends Fos-
ter of Romalus, Davis of Ecorse
Copeland and Merritt of Inkster
Robertson of Ypsilanti. Many hon
orable tributes were paid to both
Rev. and Mrs. Carr. The couple
were the recipients of many use
full gifts. A very tasty luncheon
was served by the Kentucky Won
der Club. Rev. and Mrs. Carr's
ages are 70 and 6S years. Mr.. and
Mrs. Alonzo Collins of Battle
Creek, Mich. spent the week enc
with his sister, Mrs. Emma Free
man and Mr.. and Mrs. George
: Perkins Mr.. Andrew Watson l.
| Soil Technician in Camp Freesoil
spent his furlow visiting his father
} Social Ten met last week at the
home of Mrs. Rose Starks this
|, week at the residence of Mrs. Eli
sabeth Whistenant. The sick are
Messrs. Robert Fletcher and Bill
Wilson
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14

to the other and smiled. In good
condition, all of them. Got them
when Jim was working steady.
Just a coat That's all she needed
now. Her smile broadened. She be-
gan to hum, Sophisticated Lady"
Again the wind gushed in when
Jim opened the door. She leaped
up to greet him this time, helped
him out of his coat and pouted her
lushy lips for a kiss.
Jim said, holding her in his
arms, Got tn check, hon. TIL
coal'll come aftah while" He
paused and grinned. His heart was
in his eyes.
Nets eyes were two big question
marks burnt into the smooth
bronze into the smooth bronze of
her face.
"Didja see Levine?"
Jim's even white teeth flashed.
He said:
"Ah wus comm tn that. Levine
didn't have a bundled. Seventy-five
wus tn best he cd do
"Didja take it?' she asked. Her
look was tragically expectant.
Jim's grin widened. He pushed
his hand slowly into his pocket.
She almost hid herself in his
arms.
The shades of evening fell quick
ly The wind grew sharper crisper
Night soon blanketed the city. Far
into the night Net and Jim lay list
ening to the wind whistling around
the house.
Morning, as bleak and dreary as
many a one before, dawned. Jim
stirred, got up, made a fire and
dressed. He hummed at his usual
chores inspite Of the cold desolate
atmosphere stealing through the
house. His spirit was light, gay.
He'd go all over town looking for
work today. To the Garbage Plant
down by the river; the Iron Works
on the other end of town. All Of
them would see him today. Him and
Net had to win.
| And who couldn't win with a wo-
man like her. She loved him. He
was sure of it now. She wanted to
help him to weather this trying
period. The seventy-five'd get her a
coat. There might be little left.
He tipped to the side of the bed
as usual Sweet. So sweet she was.
Sort of cold for her to go shopping
| today. But hell. She'd weather It.,
He couldn't remember her ever
flinching from anything. She was
sweet and delicate, but strong
willed and capable. A mans wo-
man, a jewel. He bent and kissed
her and quit the room smiling.
Thoughts of her rambled with
him from one factory, from one
place to another At each it was
the same thing. "Nothin' today, Big
Boy" He'd heard it so much ne
expected it, looked for it on the lips
of every foreman. Undaunted, he
plodded on, searching, asking,
"Need a man tday, subj Finally,
the hopes he received and the
approaching shades of evening
turned his steps homeward.
He was cold, little hungry, ex-
ceedingly tired. But his thoughts of
her warmed him inside, filled him,
quickened his steps. She'd just
about be posing in the middle of
the floor, with her new coat on,
when he got there. That's what
she'd done the time he bought her
that brown dress. He grinned and
hurried when he thought of the
way she smiled when she was
pleased with something.
At the door he paused, pan Ing
heavily. He listened. 1t was MET
inside. She'd heard his steps She
always did She was probably v ait
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
GOLD MEDAL
HARLEM Oil Capsules
Fine for Weak Acid Kidneys
and Bladder Irritation
STOP GETTING UP
NIGHTS

One 35-cent box of these famous
capsules will put healthy activity
into your kidneys and bladder. -
flush out harmful waste poisons
and acid and prove to you that
at last you have a grand diuretic
and stimulant that will swiftly
cause these troubles to cease.
But be sure and get G OIL d
MEDAL Harlem Oil Capsules
safe and harmless the original
and genuine-right from Harlem
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pect it-some symptoms besides
visits to bathroom at night are
backache, moist palms, puffy eyes
and scanty passage that ofttimes
smarts and burns.
11-11
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
P r O T E ST
nj EFT HELD
LAST WEEK

NEW YORK-A resolution re-
questing the Department of State to
explore the sources of European
propaganda against the Liberlan
Government was passed at a meet
ing of the Advisory Committee on
Education in Liberia held on Thurs
day i'm the offices of the Phelps
Stokes Fund, 101 Park Avenue.
The organizations represented
were the American Colonization So
ciety, the New York State Coloni-
cation Society, the Foreign Mission
Boards of the Episcopal, Methodist,
African Methodist Episcopal, Afri-
can Methodist Episcopal Zion, Ma
tional Baptist and the Lott Carey
Baptist Churches.
The Committee was prompted to
pass this resolution because Of ar
ticles appearing recently in maya
zines and papers published in the
United States and Europe. These
articles, the Committee claims, are
"a gross Misrepresentation of eco
nomic, social and governmental
conditions in Liberia.
RESOLVED: That the Advisory
Committee on Education in Liberia
respectfully requests the u. s
State Department to explore the
source of the very unfav-
orable and misleading European
propaganda appearing in the news
papers and magazines Of the Unit
ed States. We respectfully remind
the Department of State that the
American people, especially the
twelve million citizens Of African
descent, have a vital and immediate
interest in the welfare of Liberia
and Liberians. We appreciate the
wise and sympathetic service of the
American Government in Liberiar
affairs and we have every confii'
dence that the Department Of State
will continue to give the Liberiar
Government it's moral support II
its efforts to establish needy re-
forms and to bring about the bet
torment of economic and socia
conditions throughout the Republic
Dr.. Malaku Bayen, official repre-
sentative of the Emperor Halle
Selassie in the United States, wai
present and appealed to America
not to be Indifferent to Liberia!
interests. He predicted that un
less the people of the United States
manifested great concern in Ii
beria's future, the Republic woult
suffer the fate of Ethiopia through
invasion by a foreign power. DR.
Bayen declared that Ethiopia hal
been crucified but not conquered
and that his people believe in Di
vine Justice.
The meeting was held to hea
the report of conditions in Liberi
by the Hon. Lester A. Walton, A
merican Minister to Liberia, VIII
spoke on the educational, socia
and economic development of tn
country under President Barclay
Three Year Plan.
man Of the Committee and Educa
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
ONE LIGHT LOUIE

Maybe that gladstone day of two
cars in every garage hasn't yet ar
rived; but certainly the day of two
service stations for every corner is
est excuse for driving width one
light out nowadays because a new
bulb is always available at the
nearest gas station. A car with a
missing glim is source of an
noyance to the motorist coming
your way; also 1t is a source Of
danger, for about all one can do
when approaching a one-light car
is to guess which light is shining
And accident statistics show that
traffic guessers muff the ball all
too frequent.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14

Jim urdppeu Ills coa' o'oi 'A@
back of a chair, plodded over and
eased down on the davenport be-
side her.
He said: NAV. Same ole story,
hon. Ahll git sump'um, tho. Things
gottuh change" His arm stole
around her. He kissed her, sighed,
looked eagerly, admiringly at her
hair.
She leaned against his broad
chest and stared thoughtfully at
the floor.
Got tn last on tn check t'day,
she said in a brown study Her
head was still on his chest, Some
thin s in tn stove
"Aint hungry now" Jim said.
"Ah1l eat aftah while. huff coal
till t'morrow"
She raised her head.
fiesta 'bout-if we go t'bed
early" Both sighed and gazed at
the little roaring stove with a
crestfallen look on their faces.
Suddenly she turned to him,
clutched his arm, said, earnestly;
"Lis'n, Daddy. Yuh've been outta
work a year All we got is tn car
We can't eat it like it is. Can't
even get money t'ride in it. / en-
get work easier than yuh. All /
need is good coat and few
few things" She released his arm
looked away, waited expectantly.
Jim did not take his eyes from
the stove. He looked wooden, in
tensely thoughtful. She'd hintet
this before. She wanted to work, t.
help him. He got up, walked to thu
stove, stood looking down on il
with tired, reflecting eyes.
He felt her arm sliding around
his waist.
why dontcha ask Levine t'let
yuh have a hundred on tn car
Daddy. | en- get coat and few
other things. Gettin' job then'll be
easy. Willya?'
Jim gathered her slim, soft body
in his arms. A woman. He had a
better one than he'd thought. She
was a jewel, the kind of woman 2
man needed in times like these. He
bent and kissed her passionately
The next day broke bleakly. jim
was up, dressed, sitting by the
cracking fire listening to the winC
bowling around the house.
1t was miserably cold out. Blu
he had to face it. First he had to gC
to the welfare office for the week.,
check and an order for some coal
And then he'd. slow, wan
smile crept across his rugged
brown face as the thought broke
and flowed into his heart. "Itll
make 'er happy" he mumbled.
He got up, tipped softly to the
bedroom door and entered. Net was
sleeping. Her face was turned tC
him. She was pretty, little brown
jewel with hair so black and sc
thick it seemed to be quietly
breathing on the pillow. He KISSED
her tenderly, stroked her hail
fondly, then stole from the room.
He paused by the stove, looked
down into the half-filled coal buck
ct and frowned. After throwing &
few Jumps into the stove he wig
gled into his sheepskin and turned
towards the door. The wind BIZ
into his face when he stepped out.
side.
Netty got up at twelve. She
stretched her willowry beautiful
ly put together body, went out and
chucked up the fire. Her large
brown eyes roamed idly, thought
fully around the room. A little
SILVER ran over her. She frowned
shrugged and turned and re-enter-
ed the bedroom.
Her dresses were lined across the
closet She slid her eyes from one
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
GARFIELD
PUPILS VISIT
TRIBU N E
BY Wilfred Caldwell and
Edward Davis


20, twenty-five members of our ga
Group at Garfield School made
visit Of inspection to the plant OF
the Detroit Tribune, located at the
corner of st. Anoine and Columbia.
We were accompanied by our
teacher, Miss Buckrell.'
After being introduced to the
editor and office force, we were
shown how news is written and
advertising copy checked before 1t
is handed to the linotype operators
to set into type. We were then es-
corted through the mechanical di-
visions Of the plant and the vari-
Gus machines were pointed out and
their use and operation explained.
First, one of the linotype opera
tors, young man from West Vir-
ginia State College, demonstrated
how linotype machines are operat-
ed by molten metal being cast in
90 mOulds to form solid lines of
type. Each of us was given a line
of Metal on which was written
The Detroit Tribune
We were then shown how the
columns of linotype is placed in
galley pans and run through a
proof machine, to see if it is cor
rectly printed, before being put
into the steel forms, called chases,
which hold the pages of type that
print each page of the newspaper.
Another worker demonstrated
how the type, after being used, is
poured into melting pot and
melted into pigs" which are plac-
ed back in the linotype machine to
be made into new lines of type.
The pupils in our group were
then shown the job presses, electric
saw that cuts metal, and the cleo
trio cutter for cutting large piles
Of paper, and the machine in which
newspapers engravings are cast in
TO metal from paper mats"
The stock room where supplies
Of paper, envelopes, cards, and SO
forth are stored was also inspect
ed, together with the big newspap-
err press on which the Detroit Tri-
bune and other local papers are
printed each week. The press is
very large and is run by electric
power; also the electric folding
machine on which the papers are
folded, after being printed on the
press. 1t was all exceedingly in
teresting.
At the Tribune office, we were
introduced to two of the young EN-
ployees who are working their way
through high school, also another
, who has been employed with tn,
firm since he was eleven years o.
age, having started as errand boy
and floor sweeper. Now he is an
expert printer and operates some
Of the complicated printing ma
chinery.
The visit to the Tribune plant
was very instructive, and we learn
ed that this progressive paper en-
ploys many workers in the shop
office, and on the field, some OF
them being young men and women
who have helped themselves
through high school and college, by
working for the Tribune. The
paper also has scores of hustlinl
newsboys in all parts of Greater
Detroit and other cities and states
Subscribers receive the Detroit Tri
bune in many parts of the United
States, and in India, Virgin Is
lands, Canada, and other foreign
countries.
To our amazement, we learned
that the editor of the Tribune i:
totally blind.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
30L0RED amer. PROTEST PROPAGANDA AGAINST LIBERIA

fessed at headquarters that he had
not been robbed but had lost the
money in a poker game with four
colored men. He said the money
represented rent collections for the
realty company for which he
worked
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
H,d;;|:z:Xx..a, B;

At all Stationery Stores and
News Stands Get Prof. Konje's
Dream Books: The II. p, The
Lucky Star, The Success, The 3.
O., The Policy Joe, The Emer-
gency and that famous red cover
Combination Dream Book, also
Konje's Weekly Number Reviews.
These are the best in the world.
You will be surprised at their re-
suits and quick action. Send $1.0O
for 1 or $120 for any two books.
One review sent by mail costs CSC
No c. o. DIS. Agents write:
C. PARIS
SO st. Nicholas Ave.
New York, N. Y.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14

tional Director of the Phelps-Stokes
Fund, presided. Others present
were: DR.. William Jay Schieffelin;
Henry l.. West, President of the
American Colonization Society;
DR.. f. ID. Patterson, President OF
Tuskegee Institute; A. b. Parson,
Secretary of the Episcopal Board;
DR.. Arthur ID. Wright, President OF
CONTINUED oh Page ~
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
G. II A N G. E S
"HOLD.UP"
STORY

st. Louis, Mo.-(ANP)-Marvin
Crow, a white rent collector, after
first telling police that he had been
held up and robbed by two Negroes
at the point of a pistol, later con-
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14

If you are in the market for a
reliable used car, don't fail to read
our automobile advertisements on
Page 10 of this issue.
The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-11-14
SNAPSHOT
of A LADY
(By HARRY DOUGLASS)

The the through the blanket of Net
with that were ageand
in
i'm to
walked little
in bboned
mule on floor
"Nuthn' tday eh?" she Her assoftclea