davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-17


curity Administration. "The Fight
for Life" was written, directed and
produced by Pare Lorentz, who Is
also the director Of the United States
Film Service.
Using the simplest material, care
fully avoiding any Of Hollywood's 8
spectacular effects, THE Fight for
Life" Is moving and dramatic pres
entation Of the struggle to save the
lives Of women and children at
childbirth In complex society IN
which there are slums and desperate
poverty. In many respects the pic
ture Is more successful than the two
shorter Aims L,orentz made for the
Government, "The Plow That Broke
the Plains" and '"The River" It is
obvious that he has genius for the
technique Of the motion picture, for
the camera and people and things in
front Of the camera. Quite under
standably, Hollywood has repeatedly
made handsome offers to this fiercely
earnest young man.
New York Is the Test.
Just now the Film Service is a
little apprehensive over the reception
of the new picture by general audi
ences. It has powerful impact.
Without recourse to sensationalism,
Director Lorentz has made the moral
Of Americas high rate of mortality
at childbirth abundantly clear. The
New York showing Is in q sense Z
test run to determine whether the
picture shall be offered to general
audiences. The hope is. of course.
that it will be widely shown In movie
houses all over the country, as was
THE River"
1.-THE Fight for Life" begins in the
delivery room of a large. modern
hospital. A young inferno is deliver
ing q child 18th all the aids Of the
most advanced medical science. The
child is born under seemingly normal
circumstances. Yet within a brief
time the mother dies while still on
the delivery table.
Young DR.. Ballou goes out into
the rainy night, oppressed by this
u dSCAys 1Ao 4AC W0lAS dlOllk CllC
empty streets, a small, helpless fig
ure, the audience hears what is 60
ing through his mind, a soliloquy
that is paced to the gloomy tempo
OF his walk. Why has this hap
pened, he demands of himself. This
use Of the soliloquy is q new and
highly effective contribution to
screen technique which future di-
rectors are likely to adapt to their
own uses. =.
Drama in Simplicity.
DR.. Ballou goes for advice to his
old teacher, who urges him to enter
the Chicago Maternity Health Gen.
ter in order that he may get the
widest possible range of experience.
The rest Of the picture deals with
the work of the center, showing
simply and without supernuous
drama" the struggle to save moth
ers and children who go through the
ordeal of childbirth under slum con-
ditions., g..
Once again Lorentz makes use Of
something Ike the soliloquy. DR..
Ballou and two older doctors from
the medical center are walking
away from the tenement room Of
. mother over whom they have
worked all night long. DR., Ballou
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Top Photographer

Gregg Toland, voted the foremost
cinematographer In motion pictures
in 1899 by the Motion Picture Acad-
emy, has been signed by Director
John Ford to photograph the Argosy
perturbation of Eugene ONeill's
Evening star., 1940-03-17

graphed Ford's current screen hit
THE Grapes of Wrath"
Evening star., 1940-03-17

speaks in bitter rebellion against
poverty and sQualor that they must
combat. But his face Is not seen
In closeup. The camera follows the
three men from some distance, with
slums and tumble -down shacks In
the background, and the voice seems
to come almost disembodied. Again
this device Is enormosuly effective.
Most Of the actors In The Fight
for Life" are actual patients at the
maternity center. For the principal
scenes professionals were used. Ny.
ron Mccormick Is the young inferno.
WIN Greer. the current Jeeter Les
ter In Tobacco Road" plays the
part Of one Of the older doctors.
Incidental music for the picture was
written by Louis Gutenberg. As In
Lorentzs earlier pictures, faces
stand out, faces with character, peo-
pie not actins but inherently dra-
matte.
Other Noted Directors.
The cost of this first fuu-length
Government MIN mas not yet 0een
allocated, according to Film Serv-
ice ofncials. Part of 1t will be as
signed to later pictures, since q
great deal of footage was taken
which eventually will be used In 4
picture on housing.
Two other distinguished di-
rectors are now working for the
United States Film Service. Joris
Ivens Is making q 1ilm that has
been tentatively called Power and
the Land" It is to be . three-reeler,
made with IN estimated $40 900 sup
piled by the Rural Electrihcation
Administration. Ivens, who recently
came to this country from Holland,
made a brilliant Aim for the Meth.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Doug. Fairbanks, Jr.
and Joan Bennett II
SA1~AA. IY~rf -
Evening star., 1940-03-17

r. Donat. q. Gordon,
"0ood-by. Mr..
Chips" Cart. News.
Robert Montgomery,
Edward Arnold. THE
Earl Of Chfcago"
Evening star., 1940-03-17
New Pare Lorentz Picture
Enters Full>Length Field
Governments The Fight for Life
Continues Directors Success
In Documentary Medium
.Bv MARQUIS ". Child.

The Federal fullensth motion
picture which being shown
New York This the nrst time that
picture was adapted from the book Of the by
1t filmed in Chicago Hollywood States Film
Service which has finally after much pulling hauling
Evening star., 1940-03-17

'The Long Voyage Home" at Walter
Wanger studios. Toland photo
Evening star., 1940-03-17

particularly in its chronological
phase. In its implications this will
naturally cover q field perhaps even
broader than "The Fight for Life" :"
It will be financed by the Works
Division Of the Security Admins
tration. The aim is to show what
unemployment really is, in human
terms.
|, "The Film Of Ideas"
Great Britain, France, Germany,
Russia and many other countries
have been busily making such docu-
mentary Aims for . decade or more.
The British have, in fact, made more
than $50 documentaries, including
The Face of Britain" and might
MAIL" by Paul Rotha and Indus
trial Britain" by Flaherty, who Is
generally regarded as the originator
Of the documentary form.
Lorentz believes in the possibilities
Of the documentary film-the Aim Of
ideas-with q passionate intensity.
He has fought red tape, bureaucracy
and indifference for four years to
be able to apply his own ideas Of
motion picture technique In the
making of significant documentary
Aims. When Rexford G. Tgwell
was head of the old Rural Resettle-
ment Administration, he gave
Lorentz his first opportunity. For
the first time the Government en-
ployed a skilled producer to take
charge Of the entire production from
filming it to scoring 1t with sound.
Until this departure Government
departments, such Is Interior and
Agriculture. had relied upon experts
In various fields to direct camera
and laboratory technicians in the
making Of simple expository pic
lures.
Lorentz first wrote . script show
ing what had happened to Western
glasslands under pioneer plows.
Next he hired three cameramen ana
went on location in the panhandle
Of Texas, in Nebraska, wyoming,
Montana, Oklahoma and California.
His actors were native types he
found in the Western States. The
shooting Of "The Plow" completed,
Lorentz's next job was THE River. Z"
ordination II Goal.
Like "The Plow," it presented q
closely knit story, starting with the
drops of rain that fall in Northern
headwaters Of the Mississippi and
ending with some extraordinary
shots of q poor white family in the
Deep South, . family Of half lf-starved
tenant farmers in the eroded cotton
country.
The new movie unit has gone q
long way toward co-ordinating the
Governments diverse fim activities.
Fifteen Of its agencies now either
make and distribute or contract for
and distribute motion pictures. And
within these agencies perhaps two
or three bureaus and divisions have
their own motion picture projects.
For example, in the Department Of
Justice the Bureau Of Prisons and
the Federal Bureau OF Investigation
both make extensive use Of educa-
tional Aims. An effort is being made
to put AL this activity On some sort
Of standardized basis after deter
mining the most emcient and eco
nomical way to produce and dis
tribute Government Aims.
That Is the practical, routins side.
On; the creative side three top-rank-
ing directors are at work On signifl.
cant and exciting pictures that may
have . wide influeuce On Americas
thinking. That is how far the Gov.
ernment has gone IN molten picture
production. =
Evening star., 1940-03-17
handsome regalia with gloves and

handsome regalia with gloves and
gauntlets."
The Knights of st. Patrick were
under command Of 1t. John r.
Kelly, one of the finest, an ofncer Of
the Metropolitan Police Force, still
remembered for his sterling worth.
Just before the parade started upon
this occasion. 1t. Kelly and his
men marched to st. Dominic's
Church, where the ladies Of that
parish presented the commander
with beautiful nag Of green silk,
bearing on it the harp and sunburst,
encircled by shamrock, with the
words Erin Go Bragh." Miss Fen
ton presented the banner and
Comdr. Kelly received 1t.
The parade Of 1877 was marred by
bad weather, but still there was a
good turnout, with Maj. M. Emmett
Urell as chief marshal, and the band
played such airs as "St. Patrick's
Day" Wearing of the Green" and
"Garryowen."
Four years later, on March II,
1881, another important st. Patrick's
Day celebration took place and The
Star, as usual. gave q full account
of what transpired, saying:
This being the anniversary of
st. Patrick. the patron saint Of Ire
land, the natives Of the Green Isle
and their descendants in this COM
Evening star., 1940-03-17
peHdence,

blue baldrick, swords and caps
with silver band; J. r. Spellman,
commander; John Cady. deputy.
Knights of st. Peter, headed by
field music, 10 men in line, COM
mAnded by ]. p. Barrett, with fine
United States nag: purple baldricks
and belts, swords, white chapeaux
and purple feathers. Knights Of
st. Joseph, No. /; J. T. Dunn, about
80 In line: blue baldricks and gaunt-
lets, swords, chapeaux and white
feathers; banner. nag and guidons. !"
Then came the second division
with w. Smith and P. Mccartney
Is assistant marShals.
Reviewed by Executive.
When the parade reached the
White House 1t was reviewed by
the President, who stood uncovered
and was saluted by all who marched
by. and the bands played Hail to
the Chief"
There were comparatively few Of
the emisrants who came to this
country who had q bed of roses at
home, and II they had, they would
quite likely not have come here; and
this is true of the emigrants from
all countries. Naturally there were
many bright, intelligent and superior
members Of the Irish race who early
settled in the District of Columbia
and who had to put up with most
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Families and Persons Mnacd Financial Trouble

painfully acquired savings Of two
years as a down payment. The
place had q yard where their q
year-old son could toddle around
and grow brown and sturdy.
The first blow fell when Mrs.
Baker had to 60 to . hospital, DRAIN
ing her husbands small income to
the point where he had to skip some
payments on the house. Mr.. Baker
got panicky. Blindly, he accepted
the offer Of a relative to adopt" the
boy, thinking the arrangement
would be only temporary.
It was the threatened foreclosure
that led q friend to refer Mr.. Baker
to the bureau. BY that time, Mrs.
Baker had returned home and
wanted her son. But now an ad-
ditional complication had arisen
the relatives were determined to
keep the boy and adopt him legally.
Through the efforts of the bureau,
Mr.. Baker was enabled to save his
home and his family was reunited
through proceedings which termi-
mated in his regaining custody of the
child.
Problems involving installment
contracts, deeds Of trust. and estates
also have been increasing. Bureau
attorneys are instrumental in saving
homes, settling contract breaches,
and obtaining small cash settlements
from estates for people who might
otherwise have been in want.
Averts Injustices.
Among the new cases handled last
year, bureau records show, were
534 contracts" The bureau sue
ceeds In averting many injustices
and losses to people in poor circum-
stances. BY acting Is legal advisor
and concidator, it protects the man
who buys . radio or other article on
time, and then, although he has
paid for practically all Of 1t, Is In
danger Of having 1t "snatched" be-
cause he is late with one Of the last
installments.
Wage claims. too. come under the
contract" classification in the
bureau cases. These may originate
with the domestic worker who was
hired for few days or weeks and
then fired; the nan who cleaned up
. yard, or shoveled snow; the boy
who attended the furnace. They in
volve sums Of money that are small
but vitality important to people whose
income is constantly too slight to
meet all their needs.
Willie j., for example, worked on
Mrs. Smiths automobile for eight
days as private mechanic. He was
promised 5 q day. but received
nothing. VIII the bureau help?
An Investigator IL sent to Mrs.
smith TO learn hsr side Of the story.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

and acquaintances In Washington
were boys. Then upward Of 1000
members Of the Sons Of st. Patrick
and kindred organizations would
parade up the Avenue and be re-
viewed by the President, regardless
Of weather conditions.
These parades were notable events
and were looked forward to by
many. The event which took place
on March II. 1874, Just 66 years ago,
is an instance some old timers will
recall, and Of which The Star said:
1T was the finest the Irish had ever
had here on this day, when all of
those IN line wore black suits and
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Seven Years Reveal
Value of Various
Kinds of Work

the work may continue with un-
diminished efficiency"
Summarized, the efforts of the
bureau in 1899 afforded real financial
relief to clients in the amount of
nearly $4,000 as compared to SO 900
in 1888, according to Mr.. Stanley.
These financial results represent the
accumulation from a large number
OF cases, since the amount in one
case can never be large, because Of
the bureaus strictly observed policy
never to accept case from which a
practicing attorney could earn fee.
In addition to the services to the
community which the bureau is
rendering, it is af1ording real op-
portunity to capable students in the
local law schools to secure practical
experience.
At present the staff Of the bureau
includes student assistants from
George Washington University,
Washington College Of Law, Catholic
University, Columbus University,
Georgetown University and National
University. These students are
chosen by their respective schools on
the basis Of scholastic standing.
While they are expected to per-
form services In the bureau, every
opportunity is afforded them to
obtain practical experience In the
practice Of law.
The Legal Aid Bureau Of WASH
ngton Is one Of many such organi-
zations established in cities all over
the country. Figures from the Ma
tional Association Of Legal Aid
Bureaus show . membership Of a
legal aid organizations, handling
approximately $4,000 cases, at q
total expense Of $481 ,756.
Attorneys serving on the star OF
the local organization besides Miss
Clephane are Mrs. Elizabeth N. Coz,
Allan Fisher. James B. Hogan, Mrs.
Pearl B. Klein, George A. Didden,
r.; Francis w. Taylor, Mrs. Willie N.
Gauss, Culver b. Chamberlain, An
drew D. Vozeolas, Miss Marion +.
Poole, Matthew T. Sawtelle and
Eugene 8. Robb. The Board Of d.
rectors includes the following MEM
bers Of the profession, In addition to
President Stanley: George 0ertman,
vice president; Harryman Dorsey,
secretary; Gregory Cipriani, treas
urer;; Seiforde n. stellwagen, Ed
ward Stafford, Arthur HELEN, the
Rev. Francis Z. Lucey, Wilbur l..
Gray, Seton Darr, Godfrey Mmter
and Hugh J. Eegan.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Let us suppose the investigator finds
that Mrs. Smith did not pay the
mechanic because she was not salts
fed with his work. She is willing
to pay something, but not all he
asks. A fair compromise is usually
made without court action. As .
matter Of fact, less than one-tenth
Of the civil cases handled by the
bureau are taken into court. When
more peaceful means fail, however,
the bureau files suit for its client
and after q Judgment Is obtained
measures Of satisfying it are sought
and usually found.
Property" cases, of which 152
were handled In 1880, also find the
bureau In the role Of conciliator,
paving the way for understanding
between LANDLORD and tenant. Land
lords are usually willing to CO.
operate, 50 the bureau is able to
avert many a threatened eviction.
"Torts" Handled.
"Torts," representing cases of yet
another legal classification handled
by the bureau, usually involve minor
personal or property injuries. Such
cases are handled only when the
injured person Is on relief, or must
apply for aid because Of unem-
ployment resulting from disability
caused by injury.
Mrs. K, for instance, q widowed
mother who was trying to support
two small children through 4
W.P. A. job, had her ankle broken
In an auto-pedestrian accident. Her
small income left her no margin
to meet the doctors fees or to
bridge the gap between the job and
any other aid she might be able
to get. The bureau induced the
motorist to settle out Of court for
Z small amount to be paid weekly.
In another case the bureau recov-
cred for = little old woman the
cost Of her eyeglasses which were
Knocked Oh and broken in . minor
collision.
That estate" cases should occur
In % high . number as the 66 listed
for last year might seem strange
In IN agency serving people who
are INDECENT or nearly 30. But Miss
Clephane explained:
The estate settlements we han
die involve pitifully small amounts,
cases that the average attorney
could not afford to take. And, Of
course, II the amount were larger,
the bureaus policy would not allow
the case to be accepted"
The bureau cannot handle di-
rectly any case in which the amount
involved Is more than 800, except
those cases in which social agency
Is furnishing the client with his
entire support, In which event the
maximum amount Is 1900.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

anything until their means permit
ted them to do better, and the
chances are that Thomas Corcoran,
father Of the great philanthropist,
w. w. Corcoran, had very limited
means when he settled in George
town.
As in w. w. Corcoran's case, so it
Is with many Of our wealthy Irish
residents Of today who are descend
Evening star., 1940-03-17

munity are celebrating the day In
the usual manner-a grand demon
stration in the way of a procession,
followed by q banquet at Abner's
tonight.
"The procession organized in the
neighborhood Of the City Hall at
III o'clock.
After the police escort came
Thomas Broderick, chief marshal:
Daniel Shannon and r. Mcdonald,
aides.
FIRST DIVISION,
m. Shugrue and T. Sullivan, as
sistant marshals.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

crises known to them were the Chill
drens Protective Association, the
Florence Crittenton Home, the
Health Security Administration, the
Instructing Visiting Nurse Society,
the Jewish Social Service Agency,
the Family Service Association, the
Life Adjustment Center of the
Washington Institute Of Mental
Hygiene, the Salvation Army, St.
AIMS Infant Asylum, the Travellers
Aid Society and the Y. w. G. A.
In addition to Miss Clephane, IL
practicing lawyers spend varying
periods Of time on duty in order
to handle the heavy load of appeals
for legal aid from persons who
either cannot afford or who have
not the information necessary to
obtain other legal counsel. Con-
ference hours for clients are held
daily between 2 and 4 pm, and
on Saturdays between 10 am. and
noon in the bureaus headquarters
at 1409 L street NV.
Two of the staff attorneys are on
duty during these periods, which
means that each lawyer has a week.
ly conference period, and, in addi-
ton. does whatever follow-up work
is necessary on the cases which
come to him at that time. Only
six Of the attorneys are paid for
their services, each Of these six
receiving $25 q month. Six Junior
staff lawyers and IL assistants are
volunteers. T.
The busy waiting room, which Is
crowded to capacity during the con-
ference hours. is presided over BY
Mrs. Lorena Galbraith, secretary Of
the bureau.
Range Of Work.
Thoroughly familiar with the
problems, Mrs. Galbraith Arranges
for conferences with the attorneys
on duty, obtains signatures to
necessary afhdavits. gives informa-
ton, soothes excited and impatient
applicants, and handles payment Of
money to clients for whom amounts
have been recovered.
According to President Stanley,
the increase shown last year in the
number Of cases handled by the
bureau Is typical Of the steady
growth that has occurred since It
was established, and there Is every
reason to expect that 1t will con-
tinue."
Nevertheless" Mr.. Stanley con-
tinued, because Of the inability Of
the Chest to collect in the last CAM
paign the amount sought for social
welfare In Washington, the bureaus 3
budget for 1910 Is the same q for
1889, or approximately $500. With
the increasing case load Of the
bureau, the constant exercise Of
economy is imperative In order that
Evening star., 1940-03-17

knights Of st. Patrick, q fine
drilled body. Comdr. Ragan, mi-
formed with green baldrick, belt,
sword, chapeaux with green and
white feathers and carrying the
United States and Irish colors.
Knights Of st. Columbkill, 10 men
In line, headed by field music, r.
A. Dore. commander, with silk nag
representing st. Columbkill leav-
ing Scotland and United States
nag; uniform, green baldrick, cha
peaux with green and orange feath.
ers. and swords. Knights Of st.
Barnard, headed by Repetti's Band;
Evening star., 1940-03-17

Miss Clephane recalled the case
Of Uncle Joe" an elderly man who
had been q missing heir" for so
many years that his legacy had been
turned over to the United States.
Nineteen years ago his Great-Aunt
Sarah left him $50, but at that time
Uncle Joe could not be found. Now
destitute and waiting for certifica-
ton to old-age relief, he had
another social agency appeal to the
bureau to help recover his fortune. :"
The bureau drew up a petition
explaining the circumstances, pre-
pared afndavits containing proof Of
Uncle Joe's identity, obtained a
court order and got the United
States District Attorney to approve
the payment. And Uncle Joe got
his fortune"
The bureau, with the close of 1899,
has completed its fifth year as q
separate member agency Of the
Community Chest. It was first
opened under the auspices Of the
Council of Social Agencies on Octo-
ber 10, 1882.
That only civil cases-and never
criminal cases-may be handled is
an inviolable rule of the bureau.
This Is because. under Federal
statute, the local courts have power
to appoint attorneys to defend in
criminal matters, when such request
Is made.
Personal Applications.
That each applicant must come
to the bureau in person, for no in
formation can be given to pros
pective clients over the telephone,
except in great emergencies" also
is a rule. 1871.
Careful inquiry and investigation
OF financial status Of the applicant
is made before accepting his case, "
said Miss Clephane. Sometimes it
is difncult to decide whether to
handle the case here or send It to
. reference attorney. But no client
with . good case Is sent away with
out assistance Of some kind"
Cases dow into the bureau from
every conceivable source within the
community. Last year. the nine
local courts referred 224 cases, Of
which the Juvenile Courts referrals
totaled 100. Only 656 came direct.
Friends" referred 800; hospitals,
"A; is Government departments q
total Of IS. Hundreds Of others
were accounted for through the re-
ferrak Of attorneys, bar associations.
the Better Business Bureau, the
Board Of Public welfare, Represent
atives and Senators, and through
members Of the United States At
torneys staf1.
Community Chest agencies asking
that the bureau intervene In human
Evening star., 1940-03-17

ants Of Irish families of moderate
circumstances who settled here in
the early days. The names of some
of these early settlers are recorded
by Christian Hines. who employed
them to accompany him to repair
Fort Washington after it had been
destroyed in the summer of 1914.
Included in the list mentioned by
Mr.. Hines are: John Comfy, Tim