Activist on Society

In the shadow of Benito Mussolini, generally from three to ten paces behind him on all public occasions, strides pantherlike Achille Starace. If the Dictator ever develops an Achilles' heel, most Italians feel that Starace is in a position to pierce it. As Secretary of the Party he holds the key post from which Joseph Stalin in another land succeeded another Dictator. Last week Italian society in general and Fascist bigwigs in particular digested uneasily a Party bulletin in which they were lashed by Achille Starace, steel-nerved, steel-muscled Apotheosis of Action.

"Our so-called Society people," blazed the aggressively plebeian Party Secretary, "instead of going in for sport, persist in holding conversations in their drawing rooms, generally in a foreign tongue.* They engage nurse maids, personal maids and governesses of all nationalities except Italian. They play poker and bridge with the accompanying drinks, certainly not Italian brands!"

From this Activist Starace, who has a zero sense of humor, passed to a condemnation of "passive words and phrases such as insediarsi" (to install oneself). According to Starace, to say that a Fascist has been installed in a new post "is to bring to mind a sedia [chair] or worse a poltrona [armchair]. Such words give the impression that an official's first act in his new post is to sit down. Inadmissable! Say instead that he has assumed or shouldered the burden of his new office."

Activist Starace created more dismay by abruptly ordering all prefects of provinces, mayors of municipalities and presidents of charitable institutions to omit from their necessarily stereotyped public orations the following time-honored phrases:

"I have been appointed through the confidence of my superiors. . . .

"I will administer my post with honesty and severity. . . .

"I am aware of the seriousness of the undertaking. . . .

"I am conscious of my heavy responsibilities."

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