The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-02-28
WHO'S
NEWS
THIS
see~
WEEK
By LEMUEL F. PARTON

consolidated Features-WNU Service.)
NEW YORK.-Having enjoyed a
ward-room acquaintance Of six
or eight weeks with Rear Admiral
Russell Wilson, who recently took
Wilson Can Pilot perintendent
Ship Annapolis of the United
Through ANY Sea states Na va:
writer feels that everything will be
shipshape at Annapolis-come what
may. When the then Commander
Wilson deployed the destroyer fleet
around Greenland and Labrador,
shepherding home the army world
fiiers, in 1924, we were stalking
Capt. Donald Macmillan, the explor-
er, in the sub-Arctic, and found gra-
cious hospitality on the command
er's destroyer, Lawrence, at Indian
harbor, Labrador.
He's an alert disciplinarian, with
out being in the least stiff-necked
about it. When we began issuing the
Labrador Gumdrop," the spright-
lest piece in it was written by the
commander. He is tail, grave, slen-
der, distinguished in appearance,
deliberate in speech, but quick and
precise in action.
The latter became clear when
q black squat sOcked the Law
renee one day, with almost the
suddenness OF an explosion. With
a rock bottom under Indian har-
Dor, the ship had nothing to get
her hook into. She started Slith-
ering and spinning like Japa-
nese dancing mouse. The shore
was rocky and the chances for
q crack-up looked fairly good.
The commanders job was
something like chauffeuring
sIkidding automobile. We aren't
sufficiently nautical to tell what
happened, but he brought the
ship through top-side up. A
young lieutenant told me later
that it was brilliant piece Of
seamanship.
Under a generous naval lease-lend
plan, we borrowed the commanders
fishing tackle and shotguns, to shoot
puffins. We won the war and re-
turned the armament. He, as one
would have known, moved smoothly
on up through grades to the post Of
rear admiral.
He was born in Sardinia, N. T.,
In 1883, put i'm two years at the
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology and transferred to An
napolis. In the World war, he
commanded the sixth battle
squadron Of the grand fleet. He
holds the Navy cross, the Vic
tory medal and the Vera Cruz
medal. Unfortunately, there is
mo file Of the Labrador Gum
drop" but I remember that the
last issue was a heartfelt tribute
to Commander Wilson.
Jack BENNY, radio and screen
- comedian, may be rusty on his
calculus and Albert Einstein not so
quick on the gags, but here they are
Ribbing BY Gobs Honor nor Roll &, Il Of
Effects Gagging Race Rela-
cited in Ne
gro History week for their service
to race relations, 'sin terms of real
democracy" Mr.. Benny is named
for his tact and understanding in
the use of his Negro fellow-comedi-
an, Rochester"
Born in Waukegan, H., the
SON Of small merchant, he was
theater d00rman, property
man and then a vaudeville vio-
1inist for years before he ever
said word ON the stage. In
the navy, playing classical mu-
sic for sailors, he was ribbed
and ragged by them, impulsive-
~ talked hack and uncorked his
talent for gagging.
He married Sadie Marks, the
Mary Livingston Of his radio pro-
gram. His new picture, Love Thy
Neighbor," in which he is co-starred
with Fred Allen, is right on his tar
get. His friends remark his gen.
tility, pressed for further explana-
ton one of them said, "He seems
to have an instructive regard for
other peoples feelings"
He was born Benny Kubesky,
his recreati0ns are bridge and
casino, and he is rarely seen
without q cigar. He meets re-
p0rters th0ughtfuIIy and never
does any exhibition gagging for
them--no matter how they prod
him.