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Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 29, 25 January 1935, Page 19

"Who ‘Once ‘Eats Out of the Tin Bowl," Hans Fallada’s New Book, Traces Career of an Ex- Conviet — Will Kufalt Rebels — "Red. Saunders," Thorn in the Side of Petty Officialdom.

HE saying is: Whe once eats out of ‘the tin’ bowl eats out of it again and again. And knowing this, ani knowing that it meuns once a gaolbird always a gaol-\ird, it is easier to understand the me:ning of the title of Hans Fallada’s new book, "Who Once Eats out of the Tin Bowl." Herr Fallada first brought himself to notice with "Little Man, What Now?’ and his new novel has a depth. a sympathy and a complete lack sf sensationalism that will make it one of the really memorable books of the year. Willi Kufalt bas been in gaol for five years when the book opens, and. he has become versed in the art of fauning and scrounging The reader likes him for his ocessional flashes cf fire and spirit, despises him at other times for his lies ani his weaknesses. Fallada gives a brief picture of him: There he stood, in blue dungaree trousers and a striped prison shirt, his"feet im list slippers, with a -pointed yellowish nose, pale and thin, but noticeably potbellied. About 28 years old, His browu: eyes should have been frank and friendly, but they looked haunted, and furtive,, aud-unsteady, His hair was brown. He stood and listened, and tried to catch what was being said . . . It is May; the sky is blue beyond the wall, and above it the chestnuts are in flower. The circular yard, round which the prisoners. are marching, has been planted with. swedes, which are just coming up-a patch of meagre yellowish green against the melancholy bleak background of cinders, dusty earth and cement, They walk in a circle and whisper ,, . Upon his release Kufalt goes to a place in "Hamburg recommended by the prison. chaplain-the Home of Peace in the Apfelstrasse Here, the men are expected to type addresses for their keep, under the watchful eye of Herr Seidenzopf. Seidenzopf is one of. those people who has never done anything that is punishable under the law-and feels smug snd righteous for this reason-but he kas’ brow-beaten the men under his care under-paid them, under-fed them. and continually reminded them of the love and mercy of his God and the blessings of the Home of Peace. Willi Kufalt rebels and gathering some of his gaol friends about him, starts a typewriting agency of his own. But disaster was in the air before the little agency even opened its doors, and Kufalt eventually finds his friends deserting him and_ the police on his heels over the matter of some typewriters purchased on the time-payment system. Seidenzopf comes to him, wily ol Seidenzopf. andl reproves him for his ingratitude: "Oh, my dear young friend, we of rhe ‘Home of. Peace took you in ‘7hen you came out of prison, when you were helpless and in despair, and almost penniless. We gave you food, good plentiful homely fare, a roof over your bead and a decent life, We of the Home of Peace first taught you to work, with unwearied patience we trained you to the habit of regular work ouce more-and is this your gratitude?"

His voice shook with anguished emotion, and in that moment-God knows-the old Pharisee may really haye beheved in what he said . .. Then he shook his head and roared like an: infuriated lion: "You'll come Whining to us on your knees: Give me shelter, Father Seidenzopf, give me a warm meal! For God’s sake help me, I’ather Seidenzopf, you. can't let' me Starve! ,., But then we shall. , ." LPP