HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1958-04-24, Page 9He Was "Father
Of The Blues"
When W. C. Handy, composer
of the "St. Louis Blues", was
thinking of a. career„ his minister
father in Alabama told him: "I'd
rather follow you to the grave
Oen see you become a musi-
cian." But the syncopation of life
around him pounded harder in
his ears than did his father's
warning. He immersed himself
in the Negro folk music of
hunger and hilarity as he wand-
ered over the South, working as
a laborer and playing his trum-
pet in honky-tonk bands.
Out of work in St. Louis,
Bandy slept on the riverfront
and knew the winter cold after
"'the evenin' sun" went down..
One .night he heard two.lovers
quarreling ."A•readheaded wo-
man done made a fool out of
me," the man pleaded. He heard
a woman sob: "My man's got a
heart like a rock cast into the
sea." From such snatches of the
Negro's rueful tragedies he wrote
snore then 60 songs, . many of
which are included in the movie
version of his life (Nat "King"
Cole plays Handy) which opened
recently. Of all Handy's tunes,
Though, the greatest was born
when he lifted his haunting
memory into the haunting "St.
Louis Blues". That was. in 1914
and its tough poetic realism
powerfully molded the new era
of the Blues.
With the fabulous success of
the "St. Louis Blues", Handy
founded his own publishing firm
in New York and built the repu-
tation' that became the title of •
his autobiography and, after his
death at 84 from pneumonia re-
cently in New York, his epitaph:
"Father of the Blues."
Front Newswek.
Newspaper Sold
For Record Price
For the highest price ever
plaid for a single newspaper
property — an astronomical
#5.5 million -- a syndicate last
inonth bought Canada's biggest
and ` brassiest newspaper ,: The
Toronto Star.
The purchasers, appropriately,
were the trustees of the estate
of Joseph E. (Holy .Toe) Atkin-
son. It was Holy Joe — so nick-
named because he stood four
square f or Methodism a n d
against alcohol — who made the
prosperous Star what it is today.
Orphaned at 14, Holy Joe be-
gan reading books at 22, and
rose to - be managing editor of
The - Montreal Herald ten years
later. He 'hitched his future to
The Star in 1899, when a group.
of Canadian Liberals bought it
for $32,000. The Star then had
a circulation of 7,000. To persu-
ade Atkinson to run it, the new
owners promised him first crack
*t any stock they decided to sell.
By 1918, Holy ,Toe owned
over half the stock and had
launched The Weekly Star. By
1929, The Star papers were do-
ing well enough to move into
their own: $4.5 million, 23 -story
skyscraper,
Holy Joe ruled The Star -Daily
and Weekly -- with a stern and
vigorous hand. Bone-dry, The
Star turned down advertisements '
'that mentioned cocktail lounges.
Holy Joe also kept it militantly
Liberal. Often at war with con-
lervative advertisers, he worked
overtime to woo news readers.
The Star : became what one
writer called "the greatest three-
cent show on earth." Bossed by
Holy Joe's hard -driving son-in-
law, Harry Comfort Hindmarsh,
The Star's editors jazzed up its
pages, promoted stunts, and dis-
patched reporters on missions of
FAREWELL SOLO—Charles (Cootie) Williams plays W. C. Handy's
favorite hymn, "Holy City", at the composer's funeral in New
York. More than 150,000 persons Tined the streets of Harlem to
pay their last tribute to the "father of .the blues". Handy, 84,
died of pneumonia.
derring-do. One reporter was
Ernest Hemingway — who quit,
Hindmarsh later said, because
"he got too big for his breeches."
Better known for its enter-
prise than for its accuracy, The
Star hired tugboats and even
trains to bring back the news.
Hindmarsh once sent thirteen
reporters to tip over in a canoe
in an icy lake so a Star photog-
rapher could reconstruct a fatal
accident.
When Holy Joe Atkinson died
in 1948, worth an estimated $65
million, The Star noted his pass-
ing in true Star style with 127
stories that filled 75 columns.
Holy Joe left the newspaper
to the Atkinson Foundation, a
charitable institution. But Tories,
charging he had evaded "mil-
lions" in inheritance taxes, push-
ed through a law requiring the
trust to sell it.
Last month, the Ontario Su-
preme Court approved a deal
by which the five trustees thent-
selves'beeaTne the'btiyers,'along
with The Star's young associate
city editor, Harry A. Hindmarsh
(son of the paper's longtime.
editorial boss, who died in 1956).
Banded together as the Haw-
thorn Publishing Co., the new
owners took over the Daily (cir-
culation: 378,524), the Weekly.
(circulation: 931,654), and the
paper's skyscraper. They paid
$19.5 million cash and assumed
$6 million in obligations.
Head man, under the new set-
up, is Holy Joe's son, Joseph S.
Atkinson. An unassuming busi-
ness executive who rarely dab-
bles in editorial matters, young
Joe, now 53, last week planned
no major changes. "Our constant
guide," he said "will, be the news
and editorial opinions established
by my father."
-From NEWSWEEK.
CROSS-PURPOSES
Most puzzled town in England
in recent years was Shrewsbury,
where posters 10 feet high were
put up urging citizens to use the
pedestrian crossings — but there
were no pedestrian crossings in
Shrewsbury.
BAILED OUT AT 650 MPH—Despite his broken bones, test pilot
Leo J. Colapietrio, 34, manages to smile from his hospital bed.
Colapietro 'cracked' two "vertebrae, dislocated, his shoulder,
fractured his pelvis, and broke his right arm in two, places when
he bailed out of his uncontrollable Douglas F4-0 Skyray that was
traveling pt a speed of 650 mph. .Colapetrio landed in the
Pacific and was picked up ,about 45 minutes later by a life-
guard tounch.
PAPER JOCKEY—The "pony ex-
press" comes back to life to
Cromwell, Cann., where 14 -
year -old Leslie Pearson covers
his newspaper route an horse-
back. Well-trained "Stardust"
carries the businessman on his
mile -and -a -half route and waits
quietly outside" while Leslie
visits the homes of his 50 cus-
tomers on collection day.
Democracy
And Teeth
There are certain good people
who would compel us all to take
a fluoride in our drinking water
whether we want it or not. What
is more, they will not even trust
us to decide whether we want
it or not,
Their purpose is so excellent—
a reduction in tooth decay —
that we shall seem most ungraci-
ous to object. But object we
shall, because we want to retain
some shreds of decision in this
increasingly paternalistic society.
The Legislature is mulling a
bill to require the approval of
the citizens by referendum be-
fore any city or town fluoridates
its water supply. The good peo-
ple who want us to take fiou-
rides denounce this as a device
to prevent it — which, no doubt,
it is. Many voters could be
easily panicked against fluorida-
tion by exaggerated charges of
its danger.
The New York Times, which
editorially opposed a referendum
in New York City, explained that
the lay public was not qualified
to pass judgment on this, a medi=
cal question.
We vigorously dissent and de-
mand the right of the electorate
to be wrong on occasion.
In this campaign to force fluo-
rides on every American, willing
or not, the organized medical and
dentalprofessionshave adopted
a most: un wonted and unscien-
tific 'air of complete certitude
about the safety and 'usefulness
of mass administration of this
drug. Where else have these
professional organizations shown
such dogmatism? Not in the re-
lationship between smoking and
lung cancer, not on the role of
fats in arteriosclerosis, not in
the significance of other factors
in tooth decay. Just in fluorides
in water supplies they say this
is it, and no doubt of it,
We don't believe they believe
it's that certain, and we charge
they are attempting to master-
mind the 'American people into
a particular regimen. We charge
,k GREEN
THUMB
r`.
Few birds are really destruc-
tive iii the gardens. Most of them
do far more good than harm..
They will heap keep down bugs
and eat weed seeds, and they
are beautiful and interesting to
' have. around.; Shrubs and trees,
bird houses, feeding stations and
watering or bathing pools, all
will help to bring wrens and
orioles and robins, But we can
do more than this. There are
certain bright flowers that have
a special appeal for humming
birds: There are all sorts of
shrubs with bright and edible
fruit, or seeds that will invite
cardinals, There are others that
are particularly attractive for
the goldfinch. It pays well to
study the special likes of • the
birds, to plant things that will
produce food and shelter in
winter as well as insummer.
MOST FROM VEGETABLES
With a little planning and re-
search with a good Canadian
seed catalogue it is amazing the
volume and variety of vegetables
One can get out of even a tiny
piece of land, and of course any
vegetable from the garden, right
at the door, tastes entirely dif-
ferent from any that we can
buy.
For the very earliest crops we
depend on permanent perennial
types, ,things like asparagus,
perennial onions, parsnips left
in the ground all winter and so
on. These will be ready for the
table almost within a few weeks
after the. snow has gone.
As soon as the soil is fit to
work we plant lettuce and radish
and onion sets which only take
a fortnight or so, to be ready
for salads. Also sown early but
not ready for eating quite as
soon will be carrots, beets, peas,
then a little later, after danger
of frost is over, beans, corn, to-
matoes, cucumbers, melons and.
what ever we fancy.
Most of this stuff, if necessary,
can be crowded together in rows
12 to 18 inches apart. Space can
also be saved by growing the big
things like corn and staked to-
matoes along the fence rows.
Then to make sure the vegetable
garden keeps on producing we
make two or three sowings of
each vegetable from two to three
weeks apart and we also use
early, medium and late sorts.
In most parts of Canada one
can go on sowing carrots, beets,
lettuce, beans and corn right ap
to the first part of July and still
be sure of getting a crop. By
using different varieties and sow-
ing a little and often rather than
all at Once, the smart gardener
will have something ready for
use at all times from early spring
until late fall.
EASIER AND FASTER
Compared with most other
hobbies or recreations, equip-
ment costs for gardening are
trivial. If necessary we can get
along with little more than a
rake and a spade. But a few
other special tools won't cost
much and they will make things
easier and more interesting.
For stirring up the soil and
thinning and killing weeds, for
instance, there are several types
and sizes of hand cultivators.
These range from little to ones
two pronged things 10 to 12
inches long and wheel hoes which
we push through the larger gar-
dens. It is well to have two or
three cultivators of various sizes
for working around plants and
rows of different sizes. Then
there are such things as dutch
hoes for wholesale weeding and
for cultivation under bushes and
spreading plants, and single
bladed affairs t o r making
trenches for seeds and bulbs.
Except for the very small tools,
it is advisable to get all these
,hings, as well as rakes, hoes and
so on, with long handles. These
save stooping.
In fair sized suburban gardens
one would be well advised to
investigate power tools. Garden
tractors and power lawn mowers
are not expensive and with rea-
sonable care they will last for
years. And as for getting the
tedious work done in a hurry,
one Can cultivate a vegetable
garden and cut a [awn at least
five times as fast with power as
by hand. Don't make the mistake
of getting bigger tractors or
mowers than you really need.
The smaller sizes are much
easier to handle on the turns.
they have failed to offer the
people a fair statement of the
medical pros and 'cons so the
people can decide for them.
selves.
And if they doubt the Ameri-
can people will deeide right, we
would reply that that is the
people's business.
The issue we want to make
very clear is that fluoridation is
being passed along to us . on a
pappa - knows - best , basis, We
think most people want to be
able to have something to .say
about it themselves — Boston ..
Herald.
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
AGENTS WANTED
FREE Gifts. $25 and more can be
earned by showing the Laurentian Line
of Everyday & Religious box assort•
ments in English and French, Write..
for details: Laurentian Greeting Cards,
6971 St. Denis, Suite 5W, Montreal Que.
GO INTO BUSINESS
for yourself. Sell our exciting house-
wares, watches and other products not
found in stores. No competition, Prof-
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EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
OILS, GREASES, PAINTS
Sell the best. Dealers wanted, Write
WARCO GREASE 8, OIL LIMITED,
Toronto 3, Ont.
AGENTS
MAKE YOUR SALES THE EASY WAY
With TENDERAL, the on iy Instant
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14 Temperance Street, Toronto T.
ARTICLES FOR SALE
CROSSBOWS for Fish -shooting, Hunt-
ing. Recurved metal Hunting Bows.
Factory -Direct -To -You -Prices. Literature
sent. Jayhawk Archery Co., 705 No,
Grove, Wichita, Kansas.
GENUINE Lion and Zebra Skin Belts
$4. Matching Hat Bands $2. Lion Claw
Badges $2. Cash with order. Jones,
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$1 LOOP TIE FREE $1
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solid nonfade colours, Blue, Fawn,
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CONSUMERS SHOPPING SERVICE
50 Jones Ave„ Toronto.
BABY CHICKS
YOUR best markets Broilers? For May -
June should be ordered now. Have
pullets (some started). Mixed chicks
wide choice. Heavy cockerels. Prompt
shipment. Ask for complete list, Bray
Hatchery. 120 John N., Hamilton, or
local agent.
15-137 Klmberchiks were entered In five
randam samplelayingtests last year
that report income figures. Kimber-
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chicks entered in at least three of
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FERGUS ONTARIO
BOOKS
BABY BOOK complete Information pre-
natal through child's sixth year. Guide
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ENTERTAINMENT
PICNIC, or Garden Party? Cowboy en-
tertainer with Ropes, Whips, Boomer.
angs, Laughs. Dave Stewart Malvern
P.O., Ont Phone (Toronto). el,Xminster
3.4080.
FOR SALE
DAIRY Farm. Good house, barns,
Hydro, near highway, school, church.
Erwin Fretwell, Prescott 2, Ontario.
LUNCHROOM Ice Cream, Tobaccos,
Soft Drinks,
LUNCHROOM,
on Highway
518. Good Tourist Section, Geo. Dem.
berline, Sprucedale, Ont.
RETAIL and wholesale feed business
In Eastern Ontario. Centrally located
with rail and truck facilities. Fully
equipped with machinery and trucks.
Buildings and machinery In good re-
pair. Vendor will take back one open
long .term mortgage. Reason for sell -
mg — owner has other definite com-
mitments. For further particulars
write Box 167, 123 Eighteenth Street,
Toronto 14.
INSTRUCTION
EARN more! Bookkeeping Salesman-
ship, Shorthand, Typewriting, etc. Les.
sons 500. Ask for free circular. No. 33.
Canadian Correspondence Courses
1290 Bay Street, Toronto
MEDICAL
FRUIT JUICES: THE PRINCIPAL
INGREDIENTS IN DIXON'S REMEDY
FOR RHEUMATIC PAINS, NEURITIS.
MUNRO'S DRUG STORE
335 ELGIN, OTTAWA.
$1.25 Express Collect.
POST'S ECZEMA SALVE
BANISH the torment of dry eczema
rashes and weeping skin troubles.
Post's Eczema Salve will not disappoint
you. Itching, scaling and burning ecze-
ma.... acne, ringworm, pimples and foot
eczema will respond readily to the
stainless odorless ointment regardless
of how stubborn or hopeless they seem.
Sent Post Free on Receipt of Price
PRICE $3.00 PER JAR
POST'S REMEDIES
2865 5t. Clair Avenue East
TORONTO
OPPORTUNITIES' FOR
MEN AND WOMEN
FREE 1958 Catalogue. Gifts, cosmetics,
novelties, greeting cards, ate. Write
for your copy. Bern's Novelty, 6108
Jeanne Mance, Montreal.
HOBBYIST! Any old or new bottle be-
comes a Lamp with our lamp adapter,
no drilling. For Details, write;
w. PowEn.
R.R. No. 1, Newmarket, Ontario.
YOU CAI DEPEND ON
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remove excess acids '•
and wastes, back-
aoho, tired fooling,
disturbed rest often
follow. Dodd's
Kideay Pills idiom.
Tate kidooya to
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fool bettor—sleep
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Get Dodd', at. WV
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AND RELIEVE NERVOUSNESS
01U i4Y' TO -MORROW!
To be happy .and tranquil ipttead of
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SEDICgN®
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MEN AND WOMEN
FREE! - Bible 'Study Lessons by Inter-
national Teacher. Different and easy
to Understand, Hutchinson Publishing
oncern, 4021 Porter Street, Detroit 9,
chigan, U.S.A.
LEARN old .time Fiddle Playing quick
ly, easily. Play for Square Dances.
Complete Course $2.98, Satisfaction
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PATENTS
FzeneesTONHAUGIL & C o m p a n y
Patent Attorneys, Established 1890.
600 University Ave., Toronto
Patents all countries.
PERSONAL
$1.00 TRIAL offer, Twenty-five deluxe
personal requirements, Latest cata-
logue included. The Medico Agency,
Box 22 Terminal "Q" Toronto, Ont.
WANTED
WANTED — steam traction engines
give details ss to make and condition,
Box 166, 123 Eighteenth Street. New
Toronto,
ISSUE 16 — 1958
Pity Those Poor
Baseball Slaves!
The longer you watch big
league baseball, the more con-
vinced you become that certain
phases of the game are sadly
negected.
It was encouraging, therefore,
to learn recently that the Cleve-
land Indians are letting Harri-
son Dillard, the former Olympic
hurdler and sprinter, teach their
ball players how to run.
Speed is important all over a
hall field, but what the Indians
no doubt hope comes out of Dil-
lard's teachings is more intelli-
gent and faster work on the
bases.
Perhaps no fundamental me
the major agenda is as neglected
as base running and certainly
the chief offenders are pitchers,
who throw away a flock of
games annually because they get
lazy and dumb once they get on
base.
Even pitchers who can make
good time running straight ahead
get all tangled up when trying
to go from first to third in the
midst of a rally.
If Dillard gets results in the
Cleveland camp, look for others
to follow suit.
If the EDGE of an aluininwn
SINK SMUDGES the clothing
of anyone leaning against it, rub
the aluminum with steel wool
and apply two thin coats of
shellac.
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• Business English and
Correspondence
Write for free catalogue today.
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