Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 3

HE'S WITHIN EARSHOT OF APPLAUSE Jo Mendi, lit -1 1 III i if! 1 1 i I 1 1 i if I I III. I I- erful Ape? A live? Bu Forgotten i JVond i i i i i Is Still as the fondest memory of their visit to the zqp. I I 1 I XI I 1 1 V- I i 1 BY JAMES POOLER Free Press Staff Writer Jo Mendi is still alive. He's 17 years old. And greyed and forgotten.

We think dank tears run down his puckered face when he hears the applause that goes to lesser actors. Don't tell us you never heard of Jo Mendi! Yes, it was this "Jo Mendi" not the first one who through his art laid the foun-dation for the $650,000 Great Ape House in which today there are gorillas and gibbons as well as the clever performing chimps. Only "Julius" comes close to being as great an entertainer as But he is walking in the shadow of the greatest chimp performer who ever came to any zoo or circus. FIVE "YEARS ago they rang i the funny costumes he loved and which wowed the audiences. And "Jo Mendi," who had entertained 1,500,000 people in his time, stopped getting fan mail which honestly used to come in.

So fleeting Is fame that now five years later most folks think he is dead. While in his cage he hears the laughter and applause for lesser actors who have come along. It must sadden his old trouper's heart. This spring or summer or fall when you are out at the zoo, drop by his cage. Give him a little applause, a little laughter and, maybe, toss him a banana from a distance.

We're sure the greatest per i if I I I 4 I I I I 1 I I I 4 I I 4 I i It was Jo and the gift from James S. Holden and his wife that built our fine and fabulous "Great Ape "House" at the Detroit Zdo. For Jo Mendi was, in his time, probably the greatest Chimp actor that ever came along. The Barrymore, the Chaplin, the Joe Jackson, all rolled into one, among the great chimp actors. down the curtain on Jo's last performance.

He was 12 then and getting a mite too big and powerful to handle. Pooler Young Jo younger chimps who came along forming chimp of all-time will appreciate it. Some day Mclnnis told us, if another great, talented young chimp comes along they will name him "Jo Mendi, the third." But Joe the second, doesn't understand this. It took three keepers to drag him away when he felt that he had the audience "in the palm of his paw," and could keep on entertaining them all day. And, as many great artists, he was developing "tempera- ment," Would cuff, even bite, a lesser member of the act for not giving a performance up to standard.

SO THEY put him in a fine cage, with a trapeze, and stopped dressing him up in to jomhis act. BUT IT always was "Jo Mendi" who was the great star, the dazzling performer." It was "Mendi," merry clown, that millions of people recalled A fabulous performer who drew audiences by the hundreds of thousands and always delighted them. And now retired and for-gotton, so that most people think he is long dead, he can only poke his hand out of his cage to shake with four or five friends who remember him. And whom he remembers from the "great days" when he drew audiences to pale the attendance at any theater in Detroit. For his is a strange story.

Jo IMendi Today Comic Dictionary Today's Chuckle A tight-fisted man may not have many friends. Also he is less likely to need them. Basic Blast LOVE The belief that two can live as cheaply as one though it costs them twice as much. TELE SECOND FRONT PAGE Section Page 3 Sunday, April 13, 1958 Stores for- ew LONG AGO, the late John Millen brought out to the Detroit Zoo the first "Jo Mendi." He was a mighty fine performing monkey who had appeared in a Broadway play. And he did his trioks and he gained his local fame.

National fame, too, when, once years ago, a political furore built up after a local newspaper reported that Jo Mendi outdrew Franklin D. Roosevelt when he first was campaigning here for President. So the original "Jo Mendi," who was a danged fine performing chimpanzee, gained a great of national note- First Boss Of State Police Dies Roy Vandercook Succumbs at 84 UNITED APPEAL Eastern 71 Asks Food Fair Will Add 7 Markets riety all because on a fine my Orthodox Sets Rites 200,000 Faithful To Observe Easter For U.S. Ai mil wwajBPwwi mssmmmmmmmm'i''wm ihnininig Trmfi iiiinnnhi.i,Hi;yffiriimi i yi'iMiitfivrinijirr-TVnrrw-nr ii)-1 btti ill I I I I i- K-r 1 V-i Ml l'y I r-'- WILLIAMSTON UP) Col. Roy C.

Vandercook, 84, first Commissioner of the Michigan Stat? Police, and longtime legislative representative for the Michigan Railroads Association, died Saturday at his home. His death removed from the state political scene one of its most colorful figures. Vandercook's career included service in the Spanish-American War and in the Michigan National Guard, of which he was named adjutant general by Gov. Chase S. Os- Program to Provide Up to 1,000 Jobs A $5,000,000 expan Sunday he drew a greater crowd than the man who was to become a great President of these United States.

WELL, THE original "Jo. Mendi" who in his private cups was an unruly soul having hung around with Broadway actors died. And Frank Mclnnis," our fine zoo director, looked around for a promising young chimp actor and in 1945 found just the lad he wanted. And then the really great "Jo Mendi" arrived on the local BY ADRIAN FULLER Free Hrc Religion Writer Some 200,000 Detroit sion program which will BY FRANK BECKMAX Free Press Staff Writer Mayor Miriani will call a meeting of Detroit-area mayors late this month for a united appeal for Congressional aid in fighting unemployment. Fifty mayors from Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, St.

Clair and Washtenaw counties will be asked to join bring seven new stores and up to 1,000 jobs to the Detroit area was an forces in urging immediate help from Washington. nounced Saturday by Food Fair Supermarkets Miriani, together with mayors from Philadelphia and St. Louis, of Michigan, Inc. is scheduled to appear May 8 scene. He began as "Jo Mendi, the Second." But what skill.

What talent. They made- him unsurpassed as the greatest performing chimp of all time. This tiny chimp a ham ac to describe urban unemploy Al Borman, board chairman, ment problems before the House said the new locations will open Banking and Currency Committee. Don't Miss 'How to Be A Father' born in 1912. On his return from the Spanish American War in 1899, he joined the Lansing State Journal and became city editor.

In 1910, after serving as Lansing correspondent for the Detroit News and the Booth newspapers, he was named the first resident correspondent for the Associated Press in Lansing. AT THE START of World War he was named Secretary of the State War Pre this year, bringing to 35 the total of Food Fair stores in the metropolitan area. tor at heart who loved people and their applause began per forming at the Detroit Zoo in 1945. He wants to meet with metropolitan-area mayors beforehand to get their views and support for a large-scale appeal to lawmakers. Gov.

Williams will be invited rx ADDITION, Borman said, ers were celebrating Sunday as Easter. They are members of the many Eastern Orthodox churches which observe the Julian calendar. This places Easter a week later than for the western churches observing- the Gregorian calendar. The traditional rites of Holy Week came to a climax just before midnight Saturday when the Services of the Resurrection opened. IN MOST of the churches the rites were featured by nations of the Resurrection beginning with the hymn "Come Receive The Light," at midnight.

The lights were dimmed. Then the priest took a flame from the vigil light and gave it to the faithful through candles they were holding. From that moment every Eastern Orthodox christian holds the Easter candle lighted as a symbol of his faith in the truth the Resurrection. floor space at the company's HE LOVED to put on quaint costumes of humans to delight warehouse at 12450 Greenfield the hearts of all children. will be doubled, to 300,000 square feet.

He rode out on skates a fur paredness Board, the civil de- to the Detroit conference to report on bis appearance Tt r-w ry, funny-faced little counterpart of mankind. scheduled for April 22 before the House committee. Later, he learned to walk on I "We are announcing our expansion at this time," Borman said, "to show our continued faith in the future of the Detroit area." MIRIANI SAID he would Btilts, to ride a scooter. And then, as he built up i something happy in his heart the jungle was long lost-he began to add to his tricks to delight crowds, the people to "whom he thought he suggest that the mayors ap He estimated that 600 to point a committee to accom 1,000 jobs will be created with pany him to the capital. in the company.

Increased em ployment in construction fields A laugh-filled book comes to the pages Oi Monday's Free Press. "How To Be a Father" is the new best-seller by Frank Gilbreth, well known as the co-author of "Cheaper By the Dozen." Gilbreth says, "Most men live for the day when they'll become fathers. But it is a day the husband will never From the moment he hears he is going to be a father, life is no longer the same. It becomes one obstacle course after another. There is the shock of seeing his first-born.

Sleeping habits get an overhauling when baby comes home from the hospital. Keeping his temper and blood pressure down becomes a problem for the new father. i A $260,000 SMILE is worn by 17-year-old singer Ricky Nelson as he leaves a Los Angeles court with his mother, Harriet Hilliard Nelson. They just received a judge's approval of a new contract between Kicky and a recording company. He gets 44 per cent of gross sales of his records, exceeding $1,155,000 annually, and a five-year salary.

and industries furnishing ma terials also will result. He was so attuned to his "Our unemployment problem has hit surrounding cities as much as it has hit Detroit," he said. "It would be a good idea if some of the other mayors were to go along." In the midst of this the priest audiences, growing to thousands, that often we wonder if "Jo Mendi" didn't think he fense agency of that day. When National Guard troops were called to Federal service, Gov. Albert E.

Sleeper named Vandercook as head of the newly established State' troops, designed as a home front security unit. From that group, Vandercook established the- State Constabulary which in 1919 was reorganized into Michigan State Police with Vandercook as the first Commissioner. He resigned as Commis--sioner in 1923 to become manager for the Michigan Railroads Association, a position he held until his retirement three years ago. He is survived by his widow, Ruth and a daughter, Mrs. Gerald Peterson of Lansing.

Funeral arrangements are not complete. STORES WILL BE erected holds high the ikon of the Resurrection as the people sing at the following locations: was one of us. A people! Christ is Risen." 6TH IN YEARS Plymouth and Middle Belt, Then follows the Divine Livonia; Plymouth and Wayne, The metropolitan area is Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom He began walking a tightrope to please us doffing his hat to the applause and he Livonia; Pelham and Cham paign, Taylor Township; Gra Most churches continue their Easter observance with Divine "vitally interested in proposals to supplement unemployment benefits through federal grants because mounting welfare loads tiot at Harper; East Grand learned more amazing feats Riding a bicycle a unicycle Liturgy later in the morning or Blvd. and Mt.

Elliott; Van Dyke Albert's Will Open A Store Doivntown which operates eight dress shops, is open in afternoon vespers. And finally, driving a little and Utica, and W. Vernor are putting a critical strain on municipal finances," the Mayor automobile. i and W. Grand Blvd.

EASTERN ORTHODOX said. The company recently opened It wasn't just what he could do. It was that "Jo Mendi" be faithful in the Detroit area a new store in St. Clair Shores, He said that the Detroit comprise people of many na came a wonderful performer at Little Mack and 12 Mile. ing its first downtown store in August.

tionality origins. The rite is region could spend a billion dollars on needed improvements if friendly little cuss who drew a responsiveness from his audi- the same in all of the churches, The new store at 1437 Woodward, between Grand River and Clifford, will be the sixth opened by the firm in five the money were forthcoming. Made It! although language customs are Killed by Tree observed. I years, The groups include: Alban i GOBBLEDEGOOK He loved entertaining, warmed to laughter and ap-, plause as does any great "ar- tist" he threw himself into his role, so to speak. lan, Armenian, Carpatho-Kus Albert Schwartz, president, founded Albert's with his wife, Gets Audience sian, Greek Macedono Bui Bertha, in 1932 in a rented ganan, Romanian, Kussian, DALLAS LT) "Looks like I'm here in time," a man said as he dashed into a drive-in grocery five minutes before closing time Friday night.

He pulled a pistol and forced clerk Marvin Coyle to hand over $225. KALAMAZOO Wilf ord D. Angell, 21, an employe ot the Northern Tree of Kalkaska, died after he was struck on the head by a falling tree limb Friday. He had been cutting trees for the Consumers Power Co. at nearby Comstock.

Serbian, and Ukrainian. building. Mrs. Schwartz is vice presi For nine years he was the VATICAN CITY 3 James A. Farley, former United States postmaster general, was received in private audience Saturday by Pope Pius XII.

'biggest attraction at our zoo TV Show Will Judge Tax Contest dent; their son, Ernest is secretary, and a son-in-law, I They built a theater in his 'name. He helped to train the escapes Gil-breth's sense of humor. With a pen dipped in laughter, he writes about new techniques in folding diapers, training the baby to feed himself, and sizing up another baby's-so-" cial background by the cut of his perambulator. Gilbreth covers everything from choosing a name for the baby to laying down the law to doting grandparents. "How To Be a Father" is your invitation to reading fun.

You can enjoy this special treat the easy home-delivery way. Just call WO 2-8900 in Detroit and ask for home delivery. If you live outside the Detroit area, you can find a Free Press distributor under the "D's" in the local phone book. William B. Klinsky, is treasurer.

Specifically the reason for the variance of Easter observances is its follows: The date of Easter was fixed by the first council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. In addition to certain com plex provisions, it decreed that "DOWNTOWN Detroit is to continue to grow and we The Weatherman Is a 'Budding' Genius want to grow it," said Ernest Schwartz. His father added that cus thereafter the day should be celebrated on the Sunday fol tomers caU to ask where Albert's downtown store is. lowing the first full moon after the vernal equinox, but always after the Jewish Passover. "We hated to tell them we didn't have a downtown store he said.

U.S. Temperatures C4 Hours Ended at 8 P.M. Official Government Figure MICHIGAN Hirh Low Hisrh Low Alpena 53 33 Jackson 54 35 rKTKOIT 37 Marquette 4fi 31 Flint 6 37 S.S.Marie 57 31 Gd. Rapids 56 38 Trav. City 55 28 MIDWEST In the Western church the same formula was followed without the Passover Other stores are two in and in Northland and WASHINGTON (W Senator Wat.kins Utah), happily announced Saturday that someone has volunteered to judge his income tax gobbledegook contest.

He said the 'tremendous load" of reading the entries and picking the winner has been taken over by the producers of the CBS television program, "The Last Word." ATKINS offered last month to give a copy of a book on simplified English as a prize for the best translation of a 212-word sentence in an income tax booklet. He only intended to have a litte fun at the expense of the Internal Revenue service, but he has been swamped with entries. Eastland centers, Lincoln Park. Michigan Forecast V. S.

Weather Bureau) Detroit area: Mostly fair, somewhat warmer. Nortlj to northwest 8-15 mph. Low 30-34, Jhigh 56-60. One year aro Sundays Low 37. hirii 39.

Drecioitatioa O.Ol. Temoeratnres Aoril 13 nce 1872: Low J9 1950). hiich 87 fl941). Shippers forecast: 23. 35.

28. 8 32' AREA FORECAST SB and SW Lower Partly cloudy, little change in temperature. Korthwest winds 8-15 moh. Low 30-S6. hitch 54-BO.

NF and KW Lower Partly cloudy with little temperature chance. North winds 8-15 mph. Low 24-30. hiith 60-55. and TTnner Partly cloudy.

BOt much temperature chanse. North winds 8-15 mph. Low 20-28, hiich Flint, on Gratiot near E. Seven Mile and oh E. Jefferson.

Bismarck hieasro rinoinnati Cleveland Duluth DTs in Mexico MEXICO CITY Mexico's Anti-Alcohol Medical Institute reports delirium tremens are becoming a problem among the upper classes and it is making a study to find out why. It says prior to 1920 dee-tees were con Vandals Damage 12 Parked Cars Twelve car owners woke Saturday to find windows smashed from their parked vehicles in Dearborn Township. There was no clue as to what the vandals used to damage cars on Virgil, Appleton and Dale. Boston York 54 3 Kant. City P9 40 50 39 Milwaukee 55 31 48 33 Paul 55 36 51 37 Omaha 59 40 44 22 St.

Louis 66 41 EAST 44 34 Pittebunrh 43 3 49 40 Wash'rton 51 40 SOUTH 73 51 Miami 76 63 69 4:3 N. Orieana 70 55 WEST 46 Si Phoenix 76 50 68 47 Sr. Fr'eisco 81 53 86 59 Seattle 73 41 Train Wrecked EAST LIVERPOOL, 0. LJ) Twenty-four cars of a 142-car Pennsylvania Railroad freight train were derailed Saturday near Toronto, 15 miles south of here. No one was injured.

Memphis Ftgwi SKow Wtfh Tc mp rat SHptl fined almost entirely to' the Monday' outlook: Fair with little rwnver ft. Worth L. Angeles lower classes. temperature ehanie..