When his mother died in 1923 and his father became unemployed, Howard's youngest brother, Julius, went to live with relatives, while he and his older brother Jerome worked by selling newspapers.
Ao morrer a súa nai en 1923 e co seu pai en paro, o irmán máis novo de Howard, Julius, foi vivir cuns parentes, mentres que Howard e o seu irmán maior Jerome traballaron vendendo periódicos.