Near riot at HS basketball game in ‘52

Questions of the week: Who were the unhappiest children in town (West Pittston) in 1952?

In conjunction with provisions of the Loyalty Oath Act adopted by Legislatures in Harrisburg and approved by Governor John Fine, many communities held Loyalty Oath ceremonies.

The law stated that all municipal, school district and state employees take the oath under which they deny connections with any subversive groups intent on the overthrow of the government.

In Dupont, the following program was arranged: Lord’s Prayer, audience; oath of allegiance, audience; song, “The Red We Want Is the Red We Got”.. Remarks were made by Edward Plisga, administer of oath; address by Atty. Mitchell Jenkins and the audience sang the National Anthem.

Avoca defeated Pittston Twp. 53-52 for the C Title in the E. Anthracite League. Avoca’s win climaxed one of the longest drawn out bits of campaigning ever staged by two clubs for an E. Anthracite League title. These two teams had to play 12 league games and add on 3 playoff games to decide the C Title Championship.

With moments to play, Pittston Twp. led 52-51; then Bill Henning made a foul shot to tie the score and Danny Donovan with another foul shot put Avoca in the lead to stay.

Police officers were called when a series of demonstrations neared riot stage just as the game ended. Tempers were flaring and fists were flying in several sections of the gym as some irate fans tried to get to the officials in the dressing room.

“If it were possible to do so, who would you want to change places with in the world today?”

Patrolman John Rekalitis (Pittston): “I wouldn’t trade with anyone. I’m satisfied this way. I’m happy. I have a steady job and lots of friends. I’m married with a wife and family and if there’s anymore I could want, I don’t know what it is.”

The VA recommended that the tuition rate for Pittston be slashed by $8 a month and that the Joint Districts be saddled with $32,000 for ’51-’52. The Joint Committee was fearful that the school was now operating at a $2400 a month deficit and may go into bankruptcy, close its doors and force out 360 GI students currently enrolled.

Striking exhibits, sparkling entertainment, talent night, piano solos and trumpet solos took place in March during the cavalcade of progress. The lineup included: Paul Wrazien – piano solo; Joe Kuna – trumpet solo; Frank Rome Jr.- sax solo; Eddie Vough – accordion solo; Geraldine Magda – soloist; Dona Mitchell - piano solo; The Hilda Mann Herts School of Dancing; The Mayfair Night Club Stage Show; and the “Haddock Trio.’ Admission price: 15 cents – 25 cents.

A rough road was ahead for the Duryea gym project. Two engineers were consulted. A special meeting was held to select a committee. Everyone was urged to set aside political bickering and work in harmony to realize the goal of the gym for the youth of the town. A similar project was recently accomplished in New Sharon, PA which had similar obstacles like Duryea.

John Salek was elected chairman of the committee. They found out that the gym would cost $60,000. Their next step – to try and seek state aid for the project. Members of the school board suggested that a poll be taken to find out just how many people really want a new gym. Want a new gym? Send in a post card.

150 Avoca taxpayers sat in for a three hour board meeting during which time Secretary Dolan tried to point out how badly the money was needed from the per capita tax. The debt in town was $107,961 – $55,000 was owed to the school district employees; $3,000 on a bond issue; $6,000 unpaid bills; $43, 961 owed for loans.

Frank Kuna, tax collector, hired Sandou Deutsch of Luzerne as delinquency tax collector. In Avoca, delinquency notices were sent by mail. In Dupont, the collector made inquiries of neighbors until he located the delinquent. He then attached a notice to the door stating that unless the taxes were paid within 10 days, an article of personal belonging would be sold for payment. Avoca refused to hire Deutsch because of his 25% commission.

People in Avoca and Dupont were angry about the forced collection of delinquency per capita taxes and although they were yelling their heads off collectively, they were afraid to voice their opinions individually. After a Dispatch reporter spent 3 hours in Avoca and 1 hour in Dupont he only got 4 people willing to use their names in connection with the complaint against the forced collection. (The 4 were all from Avoca).

Avoca Police Chief Robert George said, “The housewife should not have to pay. All wage earners should pay.”

Tom Frew said: “If somebody can show me how I can get out of paying taxes; I want to find him.”

Francis Woods said, “Those working should pay it. But there’s a lot of women working for only $10 - $15 a week.”

Lester Keith, Avoca School Director, said, “Any working people should pay the tax, but a married woman with a family shouldn’t have to pay it. 25% to the collection agency is too much and it is time the people of Avoca did a little checking.”

Financial pinching had been going on over a long period of time in school districts in the region – and it had been going on in Dupont for 25 years. A town committee of hose company members and other groups were stirred to action because of the neglect in the town. They found the bitter truth.

Dupont’s plight was caused by lack of money from: failure to pay taxes over a 25 year period, a drop in coal valuation and a drop in enrollment in Dupont schools

Dupont was still talking about building a new high school just the same as it did 10 years before.

West Wyoming received a windfall in the form of the amusement tax. The school board and council passed a tax totaling 10% on amusements in the borough. The Moonlight Drive-In would be the principal generating these funds. The tax would greatly aid the coffers.

Youngsters between the age of 13 and 15 were the forgotten lads in local sandlot baseball. Unless other neighboring towns expressed interest, West Pittston would be without baseball for this age group. Old Forge and Dupont expressed interest about getting the teen league going. The league needed Avoca, Duryea and Pittston to make it a reality.

Local college students were home enjoying Easter vacation. Sources close to campus disclosed that some students had new nicknames: Dan Snopkoski of Dupont, President of Alph Xi Fraternity is “Prexy.” Joe Piokowski of Wyoming, a member of the varsity basketball is “Hawk.” Joe Bonchonsky of Pittston, semi-finalist in wrestling and boxing and fraternity representative in swimming, basketball, handball and golf is “Versatile.” Myron Fetch, architecture, is “Archie.”

Mack’s advertised communion dresses from $3.95 to $23.95. Also, white or blue gabardine suits for boys are available.

Radio City advertised an all new Majestic 2 fuel range that burns hard coal or wood on one side and is electric on the other side.

Freed’s advertised a d iamond ring sale- take 1/3 off. $149.50 diamond for $99.50. (Take up to a year to pay)

Anthracite Paint - all you need to paint your house this spring: 6 gal house paint, 1 gal porch, 1 gal. linseed oil, 2 qts. Turpentine, 2 brushes and 5 lbs. of putty for $48.33 (free delivery)

Chiamp Motors advertised a ’52 Henry Vagabond with vinyl lounge interior, velvet road ride, 30 miles a gallon - $1,407.12

Local high school seniors listened to a call of WAVES. The lure of the sea was evident at West Pittston High when the girls listened with rapt attention as a member of the WAVES told of the need for women in the service.

If you said the lads who played Little League the previous year and who turned 13 before the 1952 season got underway, you were right.

Mike Buckley, West Pittston first baseman (too old to play this year) told the Dispatch reporter, “Boy, I wish I was president. Do you know what I would do? I’d let all the 13 year olds play Little League baseball.”

PD Peeking into the Past

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