The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-30
POLISH GIRL IN
 REALSPOTLICHT
President Roosevelt Re- wards Her for Practical
 Joke of Her Brother
By RONALD G. VAN TINE Limited Press Staff COrrespOndent)

United Press Staff COrrespOndent)
 Washington, Jan. 30-UP)-Pres- ident Roosevelt celbrates his 59th birthday today under a self-imposed rule of business as usual"
 Tonight, he will broadcast five minute thank you" message to the nation for making his birthday the occasion for contributions to the annual drive for funds to combat in- fantile paralysis.
 Hollywood stars and celebrities from the sports, opera and the stage were arriving for the round of birthday balls here that will cele- brate MT. RooSevelt's birthday and further the drive against paralysis They are few of the thousands of balls to be given throughout the country.
 Although there were such top- flight names as Deanna Durbin, Wallace Beery, Lana Turner, George Raft, Tommy Horman and Lauritz Melchior, 8 modern Cinderella girl Ann Skleplovich, Gary, w. Va, high school girl who is IA today was stealing much of the spotlight
 Her Fairy Story
 From a West Virginia coal-min- ing town and a night in the women's bureau of the Washington police department, to the White House and, tonight, as special guest oi all of the presidents birthday balls here-that was Ann's fairy story tc tell the folks back home.
 A family joke was the magic wand that made her a 1e41 Cinderella with two prince charmings-the presi- dent of the United States an6 George Allen, former district com missioner and co-chairman of the birthday balls.
 Except for them, these might have been the bitterest days 1T Ann's young life, but yesterday sht had a command visit" with tht president and tonight will minglt with the top-flight movie stars.
 Ann's visit resulted from her de. cision to send MT. Roosevelt greet ings on his birthday anniversary the same date as hers. MT. Roose. welt replied with his felicitations but before the presidents letter wa! delivered, her brother opened il and added this postscript: "Wt would like to have you come to thu White House and meet the presi' dent"
 All Thought It Real
 Ann's mother and father thought it was genuine. So did Ann. Sht was dressed in her Sunday best ant sent to Washington. Arriving Tues. day, she went directly to the White House but secret service agents tolt her the postscript was somebody: joke-it had not been written at tht l White House.
 Bitterly disappointed, she spent the night at the police department News of her plight reached Allen who invited her to attend the bal celebrations as his special guest MT. Roosevelt heard about Ann ano sent word that he wished to see her She called at the White House yes terday.
 She spent last night at one oi the capitals swank hotels. She alst has & new dress to wear to the bal tonight. :. MT. Roosevelt's associates sait the president was in perfect health as he begins another year of hL life. He has fully recovered from | slight, cold that put him under { physicians care earlier this week.
 He will follow long-standinl birthday custom tonight by enter taining as dinner guests the mem bers of his "Cuff Links" club cronies who were associated witi him when he was assistant secretar. of the navy during World war days These friends will sit in on tn "thank you" broadcast to be mad from tho White House study . ii:24 p. m., EST, over the thre major networks.