Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/323
A Czechoslovak corporation which is engaged in business in the Far West, is seeking to purchase three American steamers having a net tonnage of 4,000. It is rumored that the price they are prepared to pay is in the neighborhood of $1,400,000.00. The government has also contributed a certain sum as a subsidy.
General Jan Syrový, Commander in Chief of the Czechoslovak Siberian armies, arrived in Prague on June 17th. This is the first time, since the opening of the war, that he and most of his army have set foot on Bohemian soil. One of the first persons to greet the General, who in many respects resembles the hero of the ancient Bohemians,—Žižka, was his aged mother. The city extended its welcome.
The Ministry of Justice has introduced a bill in the National Assembly to punish business corruption. With the revival of active trade and increased business demands for “fees” and gratuities by officials and clerks became so common that they were regarded as a scandal. In many instances unscrupulous purchasers were enabled to obtain goods destined for other firms by “tipping” the proper clerk. The revulsion of feeling against this practice was such that its prohibition became necessary
On June 20, an immense sale of people’s wear was opened in Prague under the auspices of the Minister of Supplies, Mr. Johanis. Over 1,300 individual buyers from all corners of the republic, representing no less than 5,000,000 people were present, making arrangements for furnishing their localities with suitable and inexpensive apparel. The sale was a signal success, not only from the consumers’ standpoint but also for the producers.
President Masaryk is to appear in a film entitled “For the Liberty of the Nation”, which is being produced by the Bohemian Film Company “Weteb”. Mr. Vladimirov plays the leading part, while playing opposite him is the leading Bohemian film artist, Mrs. Susan Narmille. The scenario depicts the struggles of the Bohemian and Slovak people for liberty. The hardships of the Czechoslovak troops throughout the war are shown as well as the activities of the political leaders of the movement. It is a production on a scale heretofore never attemped in the Republic. This film will be shown not only in Czechoslovakia, but also throughout the world.
Ten and twenty crown certificates of the Austro-Hungarian Bank, which were stamped in accordance with the provisions of the act of February 25, 1919, are no longer legal tender within the Republic. On June 20th these were all exchanged for new certificates of the Czechoslovak Republic.
Stephen Husty, a Slovak, has perfected a type-setting machine, which does away with the unhealthy process of melting the metals used on the ordinary machines. It may be set anywhere, just like a typewriter. It also does away with reheating of the cast metals. Patents have been applied for in all countries in the world.
“The two year reign of Lenine brought blessings to no one except possibly to the comrade-commissaries. With us every effort tending to a forced upheaval would be worse than the disastrous (effects of the battles) of White Mountain and Lipany together. Let us not be afraid of necessary compromises flowing from a sacrifice of socialistic principles. Life is but a single chain of compromises and a noncompromisist is only to be found among the felons, the insane and in death”. (From a letter of a working man, an adherent of the National Socialist Party in the Národní Listy.)
Reports are current that the Czechoslovak Republic has granted concessions to a company organized by the Živnostenská Banka, the Prague Bank, Agrarian Bank and a foreign producing company, “Galizia”, to seek oil. Under the terms of the proposed agreement 40,000,000 Cs. Crowns are to be paid for the exclusive privilege to