The marriage of Irving Berlin, composer of popular songs and Miss Ellin Mackay, daughter of Clarence H. Mackay, president of the Postal Telegraph Company and the Commercial Cable Company, evoked much comment. Mr. Berlin, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, and Miss Mackay, who is a Catholic, were married Monday at the Municipal Building.
It was rumored some time ago that special permission for the marriage was obtained from the Pope on condition that children born to them would be reared in the Catholic faith.
The bride’s father, when informed of the wedding, declared: “The marriage comes as a complete surprise to me and was done without my knowledge or approval. Beyond this I have nothing to say.”
Irving Berlin, the son of Moses Baline, a Cantor, was born in Mogilne, Russia. He came to America in 1893 when he was four years old.
After selling newspapers on the streets of New York, he was a singing waiter at “Nigger Mike’s” on the Bowery. He rapidly rose to fame as America’s greatest composer of popular songs.
At the beginning of his success he changed his name from Israel Baline to Irving Berlin. His composition, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” was the basis of his success on Broadway.
Mr. Berlin’s annual income is estimated to be more than $300,000 and according to his friends, he is several times a millionaire.
Commentators on Berlin’s life agree that he can not read music, does not know the instruments of his orchestra and plays the piano in a solitary key. He has a piano which is equipped with a shifting device which enables him to play in that key while the piano transposes. His melodies are “dictated” to a musical assistant.
Mr. Berlin’s most recent successes were “All Alone,” “Remember,” “Lazy” and “Then I’ll Be Happy.”
His first wife died in 1913. In memory of her he wrote “When I Lost You.”
ABRAHAM GOLDBERG’S SPEECH
The speech of Mr. Abraham Goldberg, member of the National Executive Committee of the Zionist Organization of America, was omitted in the report of the Executive Committee’s meeting on Sunday, published in yesterday’s issue of the “Jewish Daily Bulletin.” This was due to an oversight which the “Jewish Daily Bulletin” regrets exceedingly.
Mr. Goldberg delivered an excellent address, which made a great impression, even on the opposition. He brought out the point that just because of the views held by the opposition, the resignation of Dr. Wise could not be accepted.
COMMUNICATION TO THE EDITOR
Sir:
In your issue last Wednesday, you listed me as voting for Wise’s resignation. It must have been an error of the telegraph operator. The following is a correct copy of my telegram:
It is my opinion that Rabbi Wise should under NO circumstances be allowed to resign.
It would please me very much if you can find a way to correct it.
Respectfully yours,
M. L. ROSEN.
Bangor, Maine, Jan. 2, 1926.
Opposition to alien registration and deportation bills pending in Congress will be discussed at a luncheon meeting in the Hotel Astore next Saturday, under the direction of a joint committee of organizations interested in the welfare of immigrants in the United States.
Senator Royal S. Copeland, Walter Lippmann, chief editorial writer of the “New York World,” Louis Marshall and the Rev. Charles K. Gilbert, executive secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, will speak. Sherwood Eddy will preside.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
