The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-06-30
The Education Of Frank Sinotro

he meant when he said every
Kid. every kid In the world,
should have his quart Of milk
day"
About two years ago, he went
on. % prepare himself for some
kind OF service, ne had begun 10
read books on social problems. He
bought small trunk. hlled II with
books, and took II along with him
on his travels He read on trans
and planes, ard a. night, after
he'd gone 10 bed.
Il started with the mos, prolific
books: mean the kind that are
easily understandable 10 q person
like me, with a newly found joo
in my mind-snd in my heart"
He stopped. slightly embarrassed
by his show OF sentiment. then
doggedly went on. Il say that,
about my heart. because mean II.
! don't care what me wise guys
say. II never do anything else.
I'm going 10 60 on with what I've
started. It's the most lmportsn,
thing there is"
The Books He Reads
What books had the greatest in.
fluence on him. He thought /,
while. then mentioned hrst The
History OF Bigotry in the United
States, by Gustsvus Myers That's
a great book he said enthusiastic.
cally Then he named '-The
American Dilemma he tried TO
remember the name OF the author
but couldn't. It's in two vol.
umes.' he said II read that one
twice Next he mentioned Free.
dom Road'-he named il as II
making a proclamation-"a sensa.
tlonal book, everybody in the
United States should read tia,
one.
Il wish you'd make mention of
THIS one too he said. Its called
One God by Mary Florence
Fitch. 1t helps you understand
about the other fellows religion
You'd never raise your hand. or
your voice. against another mans
religion after you read that"
When last years presidential
campaign opened. Sinatra wanted
70 do something for FDR but his
friends advised against il. They
'old him entertainers had no busi-
ness in politics: that taking sides
would ruin his career.
Il thought about II q lot" he
said. The way I saw II. II you
- live In country-if you're Q IA
ther. and you've got kids-and
II you love your country" He
stopped. II want 10 have nv
saw rs q citizen. and doing Il Is
going to hurt me in show bust
ness" he burst out, then l said.
To hell with IT,"
His decision made. he volun.
teered his services "a pAC and
National Democratic Headquarters
Shortly afterwards. he received
his hrst invitation 10 speak-at q
rally AZ Madison Square Garden.
That was the big rally on Oct. 81
az which Wallace. Truman. Ickes.
Biddle. La Guardia and other New
Deal leaders appeared. Sinatra
said he had been stricken with
stage fright.
y said | was for Roosevelt be-
cause he was good for me. He was
good for me, and for my kids and
my country. SO he must be food
for all the other ordinary guys
ana their Kids. tSinstra has two
children. Nancy seven. and Frank
Jr.. one)
When go, through" he wen,
on. flushing. II felt like o foot.
bali PLAYER coming of the field
weak and dizzy and excited. and
everybody coming over to shake
hands or pat me on the back. Tn
not ashamed 10 say it, fel,
proud"
He made number Of othe,
speeches., and al the end OF the
campaign. invitations 10 speak be.
fore youth organizations were Dill.
ins up on his managers desk.
Sinatra accepts speaking en-
gasements only II there has been
no advance notice. He likes 10
appear nj . meeting unexpect-
edly. Il don't want this baiiy-
hooed like . show. This isn't
business. When I 90 some place
10 talk. I'm FRANK SINATRA.
CITIZEN. not an entertainer"
I'd read in fan magazine one.
that FRANKS ambition was 10 re
tire some day and spend his de.
Ginning years under a maple tree
az his Hssbrouck Heights. " J
q. home, and | asked IL that were
true.
Maybe sad tina, once" NJ
said sravely ~ guess ri retire
from show business some day But
"nen ! do. ! won't De sitting un-
der any trees. want 10 20 into
some kind Of public service work
! want TO so on doing what I'm
dong now-out better"
Would he 90 into politics, run
for Office"
He cooked his head. "No-o-o."
ne started, then changed his mind
We'll. maybe. II some ward heel
er that didn't mean the commun.
ny any good was running for an
office" he sad scrappily. and
couldn't beat him any other wav
then I'd run for an once. Sure
would
He was grinning when ne An.
iShed
The American Dilemma"
nv Gunnar Myrdzl. Is a study II