GalleryAdministration of the Centre
Each day of a Latvian refugee is tinged with different needs and worries. If every person individually tried to settle the problems that confront him or her, the result would be more chaotic than it would be positive. Then we should be like people who get lost even amidst three pine-trees, not to mention the whole forest. In order to create an organic and normal flow in the life of the Centre, UNRRA gave permission for the Latvians themselves to create their own inner administrative offices: the Latvian Council and the Board of the Committee. The Council which consists of 50 elected representatives discuss all problems of major interest, which emerge in the life of the Centre and require thorough consideration. As soon as there is a necessity to confer upon some questions Mr. A. Kacens, President of the Council, calls upon the representatives, in order to discuss the burning problems and to find the best possible solution. Mr. Kacens has given much subject matter to the witty newspaper-men who say that the former Latvian Consul General of Ankara would be able to settle even the difficult problem of the Dardanelles. This Council is something similar to a "Parliament" of the Esslingen Latvians, which elects the Board, as well as the Chairman and his deputy for the Centre.
A kind lady who made the author of this pamphlet familiar with the activities of the Board and, by the bye, besides the necessary information, as a "special ration", awarded me a bright smile, was at the same time writing the 104th Protocol of the Board's meetings. Reading the Agenda of the Board alone makes one wonder at the variety of questions discussed in the meetings.
The Latvians in Esslingen have been lucky in one respect. They have not elected persons who would lead them along erroneous labyrinths. Their representatives have proved to be men capable of efficient work. Still more lucky they have been in finding the right chairman for the Settlement. This man has been more than a year now always on the alert to give the right course to the life of the Centre, just like a captain on the bridge who directs his ship through all the dangers and tempests of time. As soon as difficulties emerge anywhere, one always hears somebody call out: "But where is our Chairman, Mr. K. Kalniņš?"1 This call hardly ceases when Mr. Kalniņš is already to be seen knocking on the various doors of the authorities. All trust him and all know that the Chairman possesses much inner strength, that he knows the "traffic" signs and knows how to find the correct way of solving the most difficult and diverse problems.
The various administrative sections are being supervised by members of the Board. There are the Administrative, Educational and Cultural, Economic, Supply, Welfare and Labour Sections.
| 1 | Kārlis Kalniņš (March 31, 1902–January 5, 1967), career diplomat, Esslingen DP camp Latvian elder. |
