Among the Literati

On May 1, when the Reds, Pinks and other political colors turned out to celebrate May Day just about every type of protester against capitalism could be found in the line of march. I noticed in the seemingly never-ending-line of communists, groups devoted to art, music, the theatre and writing. The last named contingent struck my fancy. It was composed of one lone man, marching proudly in disheveled array and bearing a ragged card stuck on a pole which read “Writers Union.” Carrying that banner was our poet and novelist -Maxwell Bodenheim.

EXPLOITATION, ETC.

In July when Coviei, Friede publish Grace Adam’s book on child psychology entitled “Your Child Is Normal,” the jacket will consist of the title surrounded by the pictures of four children-these youngsters are the children of the publishers who, however do not guarantee the normaley of their off-springs.

The annual convention of the booksellers was held in New York last week and it was the first time in ten years that the composite facial expression was a smiling one. At last the ladies and gents who care for your reading habits had something to smile about.

GOLD AND LIVERIGHT

Mike Gold, communist, novelist and playwright and one of the more charming of the boys who follow the Red flag, tells a good Liveright anecdote. When that astute publisher was alive and had occasion to call Mike into his office to discuss something in connection with one of Gold’s books an argument would often ensue; as a clinching point Liveright would lean over to Mike and say in a conciliatory way, “Mike, us radicals must stick together.” Liveright, as you know, just about typified the entrepreneur of the capitalist system.