3/17-3/23/46

3/17 Sunday [...] Soviet Russia has charged Iran broke its 1921 oil treaty with Russia for provocative purposes. Russia had waived its oil rights in Iran on condition no other country would get them. However US & Britain have received its concession.

3/18 The C.I.O. delegation which visited the USSR has asked for closer cooperation between the two countries. LaFollette's Progressive Party has returned to the Republican Party. Eugene is carrying on a "courtship" with Gloria Singer. They walk together to and from school.

3/19 [...] The Nazi underground has printed and distributed Churchill's speech while Dubinsky here passed a C.I.O. picket line to honor him at a banquet. H. Glintenkamp has died.

3/20 Went to Sydenham Hospital in the morning with mother where she had an operation on her hemorrhoid. Shvernik has replaced the ailing Kalinin as President of the U.S.S.R. Wallace attacked the "Anglo-Saxon Century" idea of Churchill's.  Lillian visited mother in the evening.

3/21 Went to the hospital in the afternoon to see momma. She was all right. Later I met Sylvia Lillian and the kids at the zoo. In the evening Mollie came over, then Sam. Mollie stayed here while Sam Lillian and I went to the movies. We saw "Home in Indiana", a cute technicolor about harness racing and "Double Indemnity" with Edward Robinson, Fred McArthur [sic] and Barbara Stanwick - a murder mystery very good. Russia has asked for a postponement of the UNO meeting as Iran brought up her dispute with Russia before the Security Council. Ukraine and Czechoslovak delegates to the UNRAA [sic] Council meeting complained of insufficient aid to their countries. The Combined Force Board dominated by England and the U.S.A. was criticized especially. Sen Popper urged friendly treatment for the USSR.

I checked; it was Fred MacMurray. Dad definitely wrote "UNRAA", but I'm sure he meant "UNRRA" (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration); in checking, I found that same typo often.

3/22 Took Mama home this morning. LaGuardia will replace Lehman as head of the UNRAA [sic]. O.P.A. has O.K.'d some food and clothing price rises. Kurds in Western Iran are said to be attacking gov't garrisons. Kentucky defeated R.I. in the Nat'l Invitation basketball final 46-45 in overtime as Ernie Caverley [sic], sinker of the 52 ft. goal in the last seconds of the semi-final round game to clinch the victory was awarded the outstanding player trophy. L.A. voters have recalled Councilman McClanahan who supported GLK Smith.

It was Ernie Calverley.

3/23 Eugene today drew "Racketty-Packetty House" by F. H. Burnett and "Peter Pea" by Grishina. In the PM afternoon we bought some lamp-shades at the Frank Art Shop ($10.) At home we played some chess. Mr. Beder came over in the evening and signed us up in the I.W.O. H. H. Richardson, Jung [?], and Largo Caballero have died. The UAW convention opened at Atlantic City. Addes will ask for increase of dues from $1. to $2. Reuther will oppose Thomas for the Presidency. The latter attacked Dubinsky and Lewis for trying to smash the C.I.O. Stalin has backed the U.N.O. saying all countries want peace but individuals and organizations are driving for war.

It's interesting that he crossed out "PM" and replaced it with "afternoon". Not sure who "Jung" was who died; not the famous psychiatrist, who died in 1961.

3/10-3/16/46

3/10 Sunday We went to Lillian's for dinner with Mom and Pop. It was Lil's first cooked meal for guests - roast beef. Sylvia in line with her newly found fears clung to Lilly most of the time. She was barely persuaded to take a lolly-pop. Eugene got an album "Tubby the Tuba" from Lil and Harry. He answered capitals of states and countries of which he knows almost all. Sylvia did a tumble-set. A new Army order bars "subversives" from all "sensitive" positions. It transpires a Soviet request for a billion dollar loan was lost for six months. Lillian went to the movies in the evening seeing "Too Young to Know" - problems of the married young and a western. Lillian also read "Giants in the Earth" by Roelvaag. The settling of the Scandinavians in the West with their sufferings and determination. I read "Pickwick Papers". Dickens satirizes and exposes society courts of law and their surroundings, debtors prisons in a background of amusing experiences. Sylvia today wrote an 'a' and a 'w'.

I remember the "Tubby the Tuba" album well, but did not realize it came from Lil and Harry. Aunt Lil always gave me good presents; more about that later, I'm sure. 

3/11 There is much protest against Hoover's appointment as a food administrator for Europe again. Franco is trying to purchase arms in Switzerland with Allied permission. Ickes is now executive chairman of the Indep. C. Comm. of Arts Sciences and Prof. A Jewish boy has been stabbed by some anti-semitic hoodlums. Sylvia and Eugene exchanged compliments - Eugene called her a bad german and she called him a 'stoopid' german. Italian conservatives won in elections in small towns.

3/12 Stayed home from work today as I didn't feel very well. O'Dwyer is being severely criticized for appointing Dr. Ed Bernecker as Commissioner of Health. It is based on Bernecker's lack of qualifications for the post. Soviets have pulled out of Mukden in Manchuria with Chinese forces taking over. Nylon and butter lines are the vogue these days. Thomas has criticized Reuther's plot to displace him as president of the U.A.W. We have rejected France's proposal to bring the Franco question before the U.N.O. Many Greek ministers have resigned in protest against Bevin and Sophoulis insistence on holding the Greek elections on schedule March 31. Under the fake registrations and rampant terror free elections will be impossible. Transit Commissioner Gross has called for a 10¢ fare to make the subways self supporting. Lieut. Col. Ebey [?] has spoken out against Russia baiting amongst American soldiers and German civilians. Hull has criticized the anti-Soviet drive. Got Lillian a pen and earrings. Played chess with Eugene, following two of Marshall's games.

Not sure of the Lieutenant Colonel's name. I usually use the New York Times to verify names in the news; on this occasion, the story about his order on the subject is there, but his name was not published, at his request, "for reasons of modesty". Obviously, Dad's source was not the NY Times!

3/13 Eugene stayed home this afternoon as he complained of being tired. Halifax has defended Goering as desirous of keeping the peace. Demonstrations in Iran forced the end of the old conservative parliament with new elections promised. A plea for Franco drew applause from both sides of the State Assembly as Isaacson A.L.P. denounced him amidst silence.

3/14 Eugene out of school and in bed today but no temp. A Stalin interview blasted Churchill. Bernecker is out as Health Comm. after protests. Pauley has been withdrawn for post as Asst. Sec'y of Navy after six weeks of Senate battle. Senate Comm. has OKd military control of the atom bomb 6-1. GM and G.E. strikes have been settled. G.M. after a 113 day strike settled for 18 1/2 increase better vacation pay, equal pay for women, higher overtime rates. G.E. has also settled for 18 1/2 after a 2 month strike. British fascists were routed in London by hundreds of anti-fascists who took over the hall.

3/15 [...] Eugene better today but still out of school on a very rainy day. Reported Soviet troop movements in Iran have been called a fake by Moscow. Churchill is being picketed here.

3/16 [...] We went to the library where Eugene examined a large map professionally. He drew "Gloucester Boy" by R & R Holberg, "My First Horse" by Will James and "Travellers All" by Irma E. Weber. Fred Rose, Canadian Labor Progressive M.P. has been arrested in connection with the spy ring. Churchill in New York was met by several thousand pickets. Some demonstrators were arrested. He repeated his anti-Soviet provocations. American soldiers in a French disciplinary camp were subjected to inhuman treatment. The kids went to Arlene Drucker's fifth birthday party.

3/3-3/9/46

3/3 Sunday Greenwich has voted against having the UNO in it's locality 2 1/2 to 1. Mom and Pop came over and I made out pop's income tax. Eugene was in bed today with 100 degrees in the morning but normal later. Sylvia is getting shyer in the street. She calls us now if she has to go during the night. Eugene reads to the class in school sometimes.

3/4 32 Cardinals were officially ordained at the St. Peters Cathedral in Rome. Eugene was in bed part of the day. Lilly went down town with Sylvia to get some wool and bought her a doll. I got a chess game and Eugene got his first lesson. Later I went to the movies and saw "G.I. Joe" with Burgess Meredith as Ernie Pyle. It is the saga of the infantry man, played with much restraint. Also "Snafu" a comedy of errors. Molly over in the evening. Lillian read "The Darker Brother" by Bucklin Moon. The plight of the Negro. Peasant leader Mikolajczyk has refused to form a united slate in Poland unless his party got 75% of the mandates. Spaak and De Schryver have failed to form Belgian gov'ts. GM has rejected arbitration and demanded a secret union vote on return to work. It has given a "final offer" of 18 1/2¢ raise. The Union is sticking to 19 1/2¢.

3/5 Thousands of girls that our soldiers married on the other side are coming over on special boats, many with their children. Several "Stars and Stripes" editors have been removed and transferred for their anti-fascist exposes with many colleagues resigning in protest. Eugene was out of school again today but better. The House defeated a veteran's housing bill of $600,000,000 for construction material subsidies. British shot down Indian food rioters. U.S. Britain and France called on the Spanish people to quietly remove Franco. Canada charged the espionage was directed from Moscow. Lillian went to the movies. Hundreds of Chicago vets invaded Washington in their cabs to protest refusal of their city authorities to give them licenses. Lillian saw G.I. Joe and Snafu today. Played chess again with Eugene.

3/6 Eugene returned to school today. Churchill in a speech in Fulton Mo. called for a British-American alliance aimed at the growing democratic movement led by the Soviet Union. The F.B.I. is probing "outside influences" in Columbia Tenn. Eugene lost his first pencil in school.

3/7 Twelve Negroes in Columbia Tenn. are being held on charges of "attempted murder" and "carrying concealed weapons". It is called a frame-up. There is much criticism of Churchill's speech here and in England. Eugene was cute in his first chess game as he tried to capture pawns oblivious to the danger his queen was in. Davis and Cacchione were the only city concilmen to dissent on a resolution welcoming Cardinal Spellman back to New York. Ben Davis read a statement objecting to the latters political views. He was vigorously attacked by all except Isaacs [?] and the ALP and Liberal Party councilmen. An N.M.U. squabble has Curran asking for the ouster of Myers Smith MacKenzie and Stack alleging they act in concert indulging in character assassination. An investigating committee has lined up against Curran on the issue. Lillian read "Song of the Valley" Sholem Asch. She didn't care for it.

Not sure of the name of the councilman who didn't object. 

3/8 [...] Ever since Mrs. Peterson took her into her apartment and closed the door without Lillian's presence causing Sylvia to burst into tears her shyness has greatly increased, her fears multiplied and she cries more often. She eats by herself but must be reminded to take almost every forkful. She has finally shown interest in learning her letters. She knows about a half-dozen. We have vigorously asked USSR to remove its troops from Iran under the March 2 deadline treaty. The Iranian premier has been conferring with Stalin on Soviet requests for autonomy for Azerbaijan Iran, oil concessions. A 1921 treaty gives the Soviet Union the right to occupy Iran in case war threatens. O'Dwyer has named a Negro to the Board of Higher Education but pro-Franco Timone to the more important Board of Education. An eviscerated Patman housing bill has passed the House. A national telephone [strike] has been avoided at the last minute with $5-8 weekly increases granted. 15000 attended a C.P. Union Square rally against the war drive and Negro killings. Foster Everett Thomas Rabbi Felshin and Patosh were among the speakers. Lillian asked Eugene since he was such a smart boy how was it he didn't etc. etc. "I'm not so smart", he said, "I don't even know the capital of New Brunswick" (Canada). Played chess with Eugene and Lillian who got her first lesson.

The word "strike" is not in the entry, but seems obviously meant. Not sure of all the names of the speakers at the rally.

3/9 City College basketball team pulled a terrific upset on the N.Y.U. team which was considered #1 in the country. Score 49-44. N.Y.U. now has 18-2. City lost 4 games this season. Joan Crawford won her first "Oscar" for "Mildred Pierce". Ray Milland was chosen among the men for "The Lost Weekend". Played chess with Eugene. Brought the typewriter over to Milton's on a visit after his recuperation and borrowed a chess book. German Communists are being arrested in the American zone for violations of regulations. A "rank and file" group in the "Brotherhoods" was formed with Wellington Roe at the head. Truman appointed a fact finding board in the Railroads dispute to postpone a strike.

2/24-3/2/46

2/24 Sunday 7000 Transit workers picketed the B. of T. for a $2 a day raise. The 'Board' has refused to bargain collectively so far. Stalin in a "Red Army Day" speech has exhorted the Army to grow stronger and guard the peace. Lillian went to Mt. Sinai Hospital to see Milton who was operated on yesterday for an undescended testicle. I went to the movies seeing "Quality Street" with Katherine Hepburn and Franchot Tone. Also a Bob Hope picture.

2/25 Took haircut. Citizen's Committees are being formed to aid the transit workers and help settle the dispute. A demand to break with Franco is sweeping France after the execution of ten anti-fascists including Christine Grandi [?]. 3000,000 voted in Argentina for a president. Lillian went to Alexanders in the morning and found it Monday bargain day. She got a hat for Sylvia at 50¢ marked down from $2. She also returned Eugene's pants which were too small and got a nice pair for $4. After school she took the kids downtown to Grand street for a bargain in wool.

Not sure of the name of the one executed. The last sentence is crossed out, probably something she planned to do but didn't (see next day's entry). 

2/26 The T.W.U. is threatening a strike on the subways any time after 12 o'clock tonight unless the B of T bargains collectively with the union. The city claims an agreement with the T.W.U. is illegal. Lillian went downtown this morning for wool. The State Dept. wishes to exclude Russia from participation in the search for German assets in Spain Argentina Sweden and Portugal. Big industrialists and bankers in Germany are not being molested, cartels are not being broken up by British and American officials with financial and industrial background. Such was the testimony of Army official Russ Nixon before the Kilgore Committee. Eugene took haircut.

2/27 Sylvia gives a "zoftig" kiss by her own admission. She seems to have corrected her fault of saying "howem" for home, etc. I take her now when I get home at 1:30 A.M. A transit strike has been averted with a 5 man committee named to arbitrate grievances. A. S. Meyer will be chairman of the committee. France has sealed its Spanish border and voted an economic boycott. 5000 Jews have been jailed in Palestine as sabotage continues. Guardsmen and terrorists have invaded Columbia Tenn after a fight between a Negro woman and son and a white Navy veteran. Soviet unrationed food prices have been cut. All the armed forces there have been merged under Stalin's leadership. J.A. Krug former W.P.B. head has been appointed Sec'y of the Interior to succeed Ickes. A youth delegation of 12 Americans has returned from a favorable tour of the U.S.S.R. Judge Levy has replaced Pomerantz with S. Seabury as arbitrator after W.U. complained of the former's pro-labor sympathies. The A.C.A. will protest.

2/28 Kuomintang and Communists have signed the army merger agreement as hostilities continue in Manchuria. Eugene last night wanted to know what maggycelly (magnificent) denny (deny) and keys (cease) mean. Miss Quinn has been let off with a reprimand and fine of two months salary by the B of E with James Marshall the only dissenter. Ford has signed with the union giving an average pay of $1.40 per hour. Wildcat strikers will be liable to discharge. Certain standards of production will be met. The Progressive Miners of America have voted to leave the A.F.L. with Lewis' entry. W.U. is discharging active unionists in violation of the agreement. It has also transferred some circuits to other cities. The Quasi-fascist "Common Man Front" in Italy is organizing with allied connivance. Ickes will be a "Post" columnist.

3/1 Two of the Negroes jailed in Tennessee have ahve been killed and one wounded by the authorities. 100 Negroes have been arrested with the two whites who were detained already released. 1000 police in the G.E. strike in Phila. have unleashed terror as unions are coming to the aid of the U.E. there with a general strike discussed. Maertz, Elmhurst and Mertig have been sentenced to 6 mos. to 1 yr terns. All Europe is seething with Anti-Franco demonstrations. 12000 heard a F.E.P.C. rally where Schwellenbach, Randolph, Carey, Morse, Chavez, LaGuardia, Mrs. Roosevelt and others spoke.

3/2 Vandenberg has enunciated a "get firm" policy with Russia with Byrnes and Truman assenting. Soviet troops are withdrawing from Eastern Iran but will remain in Azerbaijan Iran until the situation is cleared up. American Chief prosecutor at Neurnberg RH Jackson has advocated the prosecution of the chief Nazi organizations. Eugene had a stuffed nose today and sneezed all morning. He got the argyrol treatment three times today. Sylvia appears to be 'dry' at last. Benjamin Feldman will die in the chair for poisoning his wife in a hospital for insurance money. He is a Brooklyn druggist.

2/23

We took a walk today to Fordham in slushy streets the kids walking in the snow. Mom and Pop came over and took Lillian to the Windsor for Jewish 'vaudeville'. Hundreds are being killed in the Indian uprisings. Ghandi [sic] is in favor of capitulating to the British. New York's transit workers are demanding a $2. per day raise with a strike threatened. Yamashita has been hung.

The Windsor was a theater on Fordham Rd. that, when I remember it, showed triple features. I had read that it used to host vaudeville.

2/22

Sylvia didn't call so I took her at 2 A.M. when I got home. She was not wet. Eugene refused to carry Gloria's books after a hint from Lillian to do so. There have been uprisings in India and Egypt. Indian sailors struck for better conditions taking over warships. Indian demonstrations are being machine gunned. Finnish trials have resulted in jail sentences of 2-10 years for Ryti, Tanner, Linkomies Rangell and others for acting against their nation's best interests. Lancaster AFL won its general strike for the transit workers there. Policeman Romeika has been whitewashed in the killing of the Ferguson brothers.

I have a vague memory of that incident; clearly, I was anticipating the advent of feminism.

2/21

1,000 famous people appealed to Truman to take the lead in forming a World Gov't. Clare Booth Luce has become a Catholic and dropped out of politics. Lillian spoke to Mrs. Curry who said Eugene is a fine lad and a leader. He recently told her he was tired of being teacher. Moscow has charged that Canada's attitude in the 'spy scare' is an unfriendly act. It clains some Canadian citizens gave certain members of the Soviet Military attache staff unsolicited information of a secret character. Higher techinical information than this is available to all in vaiours publications The American Jewish Conference 3-day session heard Col. Bernie Bernstein, Eisenhower staff member say only Russia meant to exterminate fascism. Retired Gen. Holdridge attacked compulsory military [?] the caste system in the army.

Paper is torn, one or two words missing in that last sentence.

2/20/46

Franco is executing anti-fascist leaders as strikes and open demonstrations increase inside Spain. Sylvia is delighted with her new white shoes. She is a bundle of sunshine. Bowles has disclosed that Henry Ford II asked for price increases of 55%! A.G. Klein (D) won a special Congressional election in the 19 district over Johannes Steel (A.L.P.) 17,366 to 13,505. Shea (R) got 4,351. It was the ALP's first solo attempt. Marine workers are unifying in answer to shipping provocations.

This is the first entry in Book II. As I said, starting on the next Sunday (2/24/46), I'll put a whole week in one blog post. 

Deaths [Book I]

2/14/45 Henrietta Szold
4/18 F.D.R.   63
4/19 Ernie Pyle - killed
4/24 Kaethe Kollwitz    78
6/27 Erns Roper
8/1 D. McK. White
8/12 Major Bong, Sen Hi Johnson
8/24 Bose   killed
8/28 Franz Werfel      54
9/17 John McCormack    61
9/20 A. Tardieu
9/24 Msgr. Ryan - Begoon
9/25 Argentinita
11/2 Henry Armetta
11/11 Jerome Kern
12/17 B. DeCasseres [note - the diary actually says 12/7]
12/29/45 T Dreiser    79
1/10/46 Countee Cullen
1/30 Harry Hopkins   56
2/4 E. P. Oppenheim
2/6 George Arliss

Index [Book I]

2/5/45 Eugene starts kindergarden. We take Manila.
2/7 First meeting of World Labor Parley at London
2/8 Churchill Roosevelt & Stalin announce plan for total victory
2/9 A.D.A. report decries preponderance of Jewish dentists. Pierlot government forced out in Belgium
2/10 Poll Tax repealed in Georgia
2/14 Henrietta Szold dies
2/18 We take Bataan
3/8 Ives Quinn Anti-Bias bill passed in N.Y.
3/17 Hottest March 16 ever yesterday 76°
3/19 Groza gov't replaces Radescu in Romania
3/28 Eugene has acute sinusitis
4/1 Susan Gail Thaw born
4/2 Eugene has pneumonia
4/5 Russians denounce non-agression pact with Japan.
4/12 Roosevelt dies.
4/19 Ernie Pyle killed. Prestes freed.
4/22 Red Army enters Berlin
4/25 World Security conference starts at San Francisco
4/27 U.S. and Red Armies meet at Torgau
4/29 Mussolini captured and executed by partisans
5/1 Argentina seated at World Security Conference
5/2 Hitler's death announced. Russians take Berlin.
5/6 World Federation of Trade Unions formed
5/8 V.E. day
5/10 Goering captured
5/25 Himmler takes poison. Duclos criticizes Browder's liquidations
6/8 Critics of State Dep't Japanese policy arrested on a pretext
6/11 We pay first carfare for Eugene
6/13 Anti-Poll Tax bill passes House. Eugene gets silver star for reciting poetry.
6/19 Eisenhower day in N.Y. Trial of 16 Poles for sabotage starts in Mosc. Harry Bridges deportation voided by Supreme Court
6/20 Parri forms new Italian government
6/23 We leave for Lawrence's Farm in Divine Corners for Summer
6/25 All nations sign United Nation's charter
6/26 New Polish gov't formed
7/2 Byrnes replaces Stettinius as Secretary of State
7/3 Newspaper deliverers start 15 day strike
7/4 President signs P.O. reclassification bill [note - this isn't in the journal on that date, or, I think, any other]
7/11 Eugene has attack of diarrhea on farm
7/14 Sylvia has grippe developing into mumps
7/17 Stalin Churchill Truman meeting starts at Potsdam
7/27 Attlee Prime Minister as Labor Party wins British elections
7/28 C.P. is re-formed
9/29 Racial strikes are going on in midwest and NY City [note - this gap of a month occurred between the bottom of one page and the top of the next. I would guess he did the next page after a break, and misread the date he left off.]
9/30 Cubs win Pennant
10/1 Chiang and Mao agree on a Political Council; Tigers win pennant. 50,000 participate in a Zionist rally in the "Garden"
10/2 Hazel Scott barred from Constitution Hall. Eugene starts injections
10/3 Foreign ministers parley fails. Patton is discharged.
10/9 Laval sentenced to death
10/10 Voulgaris gov't resigns
10/11 Tigers beat Cubs in World Series;
10/19 24 leading Nazis indicted; longshoremen's strike ends; Peron back
10/20 A negro lynched in Florida; Venezuelan gov't overthrown
10/22 French communists gain the most seats in the Assembly
10/24 Dodgers sign Jackie Robinson for their Montreal Club.
10/25 Over 200,000 protest the Labor Gov'ts continued closing of Palestine
10/28 We have a party for Sylvia's birthday
10/29 Civil war begins again in China
11/1 Lillian starts doing home-typing
11/3 Canellopoulos forms a new Greek gov't
11/5 Labor-management parley opens
11/6 O'Dwyer elected Mayor
11/16 Mrs. Lyston says we should be proud of Eugene
11/26 Lillian has the grippe as the Parri gov't falls in Italy
11/28 Gen Marshall appointed special envoy to China. 16 children killed in bus [accident] [paper is torn, I'm guessing at the last word]
11/29 First Int'l Womens Congress opens in Paris
12/8 4 1/2 Billion loan to Britain floated
12/11 DeGasperi forms a gov't in Italy
12/15 Minissters of the "Big 3" meet in Moscow
12/21 Gen Patton dies of his automobile accident injuries
12/25 Milton returns from Army; Spellman and 31 others made Cardinal
12/29 Dreiser dies
1/3/46 Gen. Fred. Morgan charges Jews are "plotting" to leave Europe
1/4 Dr. Holzman diagnoses slight sinus infection for Sylvia
1/7 G.I demonstrations start against demobilization overseas
1/9 Western Union struck
1/11 Spaak is President of UNO Assembly; Mrs. Lyston praises Eugene highly
1/12 Truce announced in China
1/16 200,000 U.E. workers strike G.E., Westinghouse, and G.M.
1/17 300,000 meat packers strike
1/25 Radar contact established with the moon
1/26 Lewis back in the A.F.L.
[there appear to be two more index entries on this page, but the page is so torn at the bottom as to be unreadable. The remaining index entries are actually written on the inside of the back cover.]
2/5 3500 Tugmen strike
2/6 Eugene enters 1A
2/7 Greek dispute initiated by USSR has been shelved by UNO
2/10 Stalin announces tremendous production drive; F.E.P.C. Bill killed by filibuster
2/12 City closed down for one day due to tugboat strike
2/14 Ickes resigns. Browder expelled. UNO rejects Indonesian probe
2/16 US Steel signs 18 1/2¢ raise. $5. ton price rise
2/18 Much talk of Soviet spies ferreting out atom bomb secrets
2/19 Christian Socialists win Belgian election C.P. gains; Sylvia calls.




.

End of Book I

Actually, there are two more parts to Book I; an "Index", in which Dad lists dates in the book with important happenings, and a list of "Deaths" recorded in the book.  

I'm going to do the Index as one long post, and the Deaths as another post. 

For the next book, based upon comments, and my thinking about it, I'm going to try one week's worth of entries in the diary as a single post. That will make it very unlikely that I'll make the mistake I made earlier (leaving out two diary entries), since it will be easy to see seven days in the post. Of course, if I should leave one out, it would be almost impossible to notice it after the fact, as I did before, but I like the idea of a week at a time. I'm going to start with a Sunday, so the first four posts in the next book (2/20/46 - 2/23/46) will still be individual entries.

2/19

Lillian took Sylvia to Alexander's where she got her white shoes 10D $3.99. I went to the library with Eugene after school where Lillian and Sylvia met us. Eugene drew "Rusty Wants a Dog" by Huber Salisbury and Gates - Alice in Wonderland by Carrol [sic] and Jack and Susan Stories by Darby. Eugene got a list of words to study in school which were all easy for him. Mayor O'Dwyer's rent tax idea has been dropped after a storm of protest. The Nazis buried children alive it was disclosed at Neurnberg. Chester Bowles criticized the NAM and insisted on retention of price controls to prevent inflation but also asked labor to accept temporary gov't controls and some cuts in take home pay due to loss of overtime. In Belgium elections saw the Christian Socialists gain 92 seats in the Chamber of Deputies Socialists 69, C.P. 23. In the Senate so far it is C.S. 51, S.P. 35 C.P. 11. Socialist Premier Van Acker resigned with Christian Socialist De Schryver forming a government. Sylvia called today at 1030PM to urinate. It was about the third time recently giving us hope she is at last "dry".

2/18

The Atom witch-hunt in Canada has been criticized by British scientists. A general strike has been called in Lancaster to support the strike of the Conestoga Transportation Co. Kuomintang troops have resumed their civil war against the Communists in Manchuria.

2/17 Sunday

Eugene was a chatterbox at lunch today but breezed through a silent five minute period afterward to earn a piece of chocolate. Republic and Bethlehem Steel have signed ending strikes. Alcoa signed for 19¢. N.Y.C. radio firms have signed with the U.E.without a strike giving a 20% raise.

2/16

U.S. Steel has signed for 18 1/2¢. 9 1/4¢ is retroactive from Jan. 1. Steel will get a $5. per ton increase. Frankenstein has resigned. Western Electric and Westinghouse strikers are defying injunctions against mass picketing. The Egyptian Premier, Mahoumd has resigned. At Neurnberg, Hans Frank is accused of guilt for 3000,000 Jewish murders. Two staff members of Stars and Stripes who were removed and branded disloyal are fighting back. Read "Focus" by Arthur Miller. The insanity of Anti-Semitism. We both read "Main Street" by S. Lewis. A terrific indictment of small town customs and morals. I also read Cyrano de Bergerac by Rostand. Beautiful poetry of the noble swashbuckling, quixotic, Cyrano. 

2/15

There is a strong movement to name a Negro to the B. of E. Chester Bowles will direct an Office of Economic Stabilization. Paul Porter will be the Price Administrator. Gen. W. B. Smith has replaced Harriman as Ambassador to the S.U.

2/14

Sylvia does tumble-sets. Eugene is teacher in school. The tugmen will return to work under arbitration. Ickes has resigned his cabinet post lashing Truman on the Pauley controversy. Browder has been expelled for anti-party activities. UNO has rejected the Indonesian probe. Other labor organizations will receive the same representation as the W.F.T.U. in the U.N.O. Indian demonstrators are still being shot down. Polish, Latvian, Yugoslavian and Serbian fascist refugees are being harbored in the Anglo American Zone in Germany. 35,000 Filipino longshoremen are on strike. Ezra Pound has been found unfit to stand trial. He will be confined in an institution.

2/13

Eugene is learning tic-tac-toe. Indonesia has been offered some concessions by Holland. Students in India and Egypt are demonstrating against British rule. There is a power strike in Pittsburgh. There is a controversy on the subject of 'Art as a class weapon' between Albert Maltz and some "Daily" writers. Finland plotted with Germany in 1940 it transpires at Nuernberg. We will send much food to Europe. We may have to use 'darker' bread. The State Dept. has submitted proof of Argentina's Nazi activities. Reps Sabath and Delacy tangled with Rankin on Jew baiting. Arlene Drucker has been coming up lately. Philadelphia transit workers won their two-day strike. No school today.

2/12

Mayor O'Dwyer has closed down amusement centers, office buildings, schools and other places not essential to health in a fuel crisis. Tug owners refuse to arbitrate demands of the union. Soviets are pressing the Indonesian investigation. Housing expediter Wyatt is planning 2,700,000 housing units within two years. The Soviet Union was promised the Kuriles and part of Sakhalin Isles when it agreed to fight Japan. Philadelphia transit workers have struck tying up the entire city. We visited Mom and Pop. Ida and Max dropped in. Lil Harry and Susan were present. Susan is starting to walk.

2/11

The Justice Dept. is suppressing evidence of Coughlin's connections with the Nazis according to a [sic] under-cover gov't agent. 100000000 are voting in the Soviet general elections, the first since 1937.

2/10 Sunday

G.M. Electrical division has settled with the U.E. for 18 1/2 cents. Stalin has announced a production drive to reach two to four times pre-war production. The F.E.P.C. Bill has been killed after cloture failed by 8 votes. The projected 2 hour C.I.O. stoppage, changed to an after work rally has now been called off. 1 killed and 100 injured in Egyptian riots against British occupation. We took a walk today, the kids enjoying window shopping. They got a bath and head wash in the evening. Bernie and Sadie came over and I objected to his statements on Mussolini's benefits for Italy.

2/9

The Chilean four day strike participated in by the Communists but not Socialists aimed at bringing in a more liberal cabinet but resulting in a middle of the road cabinet has ended. Fuertwaengler has been arrested. Tugmen have voted 2-1 to continue their strike despite gov't seizure because of an inadequate offer. Many public buildings are closing and a brown out is in effect due to lack of fuel. A GLK Smith meeting resulted in a riot with Smith and some picketers arrested. The Western Union strike has ended with the disputed clause in the NLRB contract to be arbitrated. The clause reduced payments to W.U. workers by 6 million dollars. Eugene is Mrs. Curry's right hand man. She also lets him read in school. Soviet leaders have warned of 'capitalist encirclement'.

2/8

Manuilski condemned the use of British troops against the Indonesians at the Security Council hearings. A policeman has shot and killed two Negro brothers in Long Island. Briggs has signed for 18 1/2 cents.

2/7

Women are standing in lines for hours to get nylon stockings at a few stores $1.19. A trial in London has been going on for weeks concerning the brutalities committed at the Army detention center at Litchfield against U.S. Army men. Sam Altschuler dropped in for a few minutes. Al & Ediths baby boy has been in the hospital for almost two weeks having infant diarrhea. The Greek dispute has been shelved by the UNO with Norman JO Makin, Australian president of the Security Council making a statement incorporating declarations on Greece by various countries. 2 railroad strikers have been killed and 3 wounded by guards of the Toledo, Peoria and Western R.R. Deniken[?] has been allowed in the country and has spoken here.

Don't know who has been allowed in. 

2/6

Eugene entered 1A today. His class is 1-2-2 room 201. Teacher is Mrs. Curry. He goes from 9-3. Uruguay has asked the UNO to bar death penalties for the top Nazis. Syria and Lebanon have asked UNO to see that British and French troops withdraw from their territory. The Gov't has seized the tugboat companies. We have recognized Romania, its gov't newly broadened. Geo Arliss died.

2/5

Sylvia makes two syllables out of one-syllable words: ho-wem for "home", allow-wed for allowed. Eugene seems to have a bad 'th' as in 'wit' for 'with'. He pores over the atlas these days looking for mountains. He interrupted my shower to say "I didn't know the Allegallanies[sic] were in Oregon also". The kids make an apartment which is a replica of ours down to minute details out of their blocks and toys. The Supreme Court has refused to intervene in Yamashita's death sentence. Some 500 British brides of American soldiers have landed here. The UNO has picked Greenwich-Stamford area for a permanent home causing the usual protests from the landed gentry. Today was promotion day and Eugene will go into 1A tomorrow. Lillian went to Grand street with my sister for wool. I took the kids to the library. Eugene drew "The Indians in Winter Camp" by Therese and Edwin Deming, "Three Policemen" by W. Pene DuBois  and "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo" by Berta and Elmer Hader. Lillian finished "Being Met Together" by Vaughan Wilkins. I read "These Are The Russians" by R. Lauterbach. Also The Last Frontier - Fast - a saga of a group of Cheyenne Indians determined to leave their reservation and go home. 3500 Tug-men have struck for higher wages and better working conditions. They are affiliated with the I.L.A. 

2/4

On Feb. 1 Marty Servo knocked out Freddi Red Cochrane in the 4th round to win the welterweight title. E. Phillips Oppenheim died. An injunction has been issued against the Homestead steel strikers.

This finishes one full year of the diary!

2/3 Sunday

I took Lil and the kids over to momma's then went to work. Susan was scooting about in her tailer-tot. We are selling planes and arms to the Dutch for use against the Indonesian independence movement. American Legion head Stelle has attacked V.A. head Gen. Bradley as responsible for the breakdown in the Veterans Administration. General support is for the latter. We are supporting reaction with arms in the Philippines against the Hukbalahap. Adm. Connally is trying to block W.F.T.U. representation in the U.N.O.

Not sure exactly what Susan was "scooting about" in.

2/2

GI demonstrators in the Pacific are being punished contrary to Eisenhower's orders. Byrnes has attacked alleged Polish political murders following Bevin's similar charges.

2/1 [1946]

The Chinese Political Consultations Council established a democratic coalition interim gov't. The "Case" bill up before the "House" Monday is begin bitterly opposed as "the most vicious anti-labor bill ever". Eugene was monitor today in K.G. Vishinsky demanded British withdrawal from Greece today calling Greece a threat to the peace of Europe while Bevin charged Moscow propaganda and C.P.'s of other countries are the greatest danger to the world. Ed Pauley's confirmation as Ass't Sec'y of the Navy is being fought due to his oil deals.

1/31

The UNO has agreed to have USSR and Iran settle their dispute privately. Senator Wagner has become a Catholic.

1/30

Eugene got a lolly-pop for being quiet passing by graduation exercises. Sylvia's sores in her mouth persist. Trygve Lie is Sec'y Gen'l of the U.N.O. Harry Hopkins is dead at 56. The Dodgers have signed a second Negro, pitcher John W. Wright for their Montreal farm. Strikers are fighting for unemployment compensation especially for veterans. Leon Blum is Ambassador at large. Union heads have been arrested and many killed and wounded after riots in Chile. Lehman has re-instated Gen. Morgan to UNRAA. Greece has dismissed foreign minister Sophianopoulos who would not oppose Russia.

1/29

Eugene brings home drawings and paintings from school which we have hung on the walls. Sylvia likes to dry the silverware. Strikers are being shot in India.

1/28

I took Eugene to see Pinocchio again today which he enjoyed. Also saw "And Then There Were None" with Walter Huston, Barry Fitzgerald, Louis Hayward, June Duprez - an interesting murder mystery. Lillian went in the evening to see "Kiss and Tell" with Shirley Temple and Walter Abel - comedy and "Voice of the Whistler" with R. Dix - a dud. R.C.A. signed for 17 1/2¢ raise without a strike. Ford and Chrysler signed without strikes for 18¢ and 18 1/2¢ raises. The Popular Socialist Party (Com.) Convention in Cuba called Grau San Martin's rule liberal. Izvestia attacked the Vatican Cardinal elections as designed to aid reaction. Richard Monka comes up often to play with Eugene. Eugene made a jewelry box in school which we gave to Sylvia for her trinkets.

I didn't remember that I played often with Richard Monka.

1/27 Sunday

Finished V. Sheean's "Personal History". Lillian read "Last Frontier" by Howard Fast - the dispossession of the Indians. Also "The Narrow Corner" by Maugham. A jet plane broke the non-stop transcontinental speed record taking 4 hrs. 11 mi. 26 sec. Meat strikers will return to plants seized by the gov't with wage raise guarantees. We had a dinner today at which were Mike Evelyn and Isabel, Sam, Molly and Milton, Harry Lillian and Susan. Sylvia had several crying spells apparently resenting Susan's lying on her bed.

1/26

100 Negro vets in [sic] marched to the registration boards but were turned down - in Alabama. HV Tamborian [?] and 100 supporters of his candidacy were arrested then released in provocations against Anti-Peronists. India independence demonstrators are being fired on. Thousands of Southerners are denouncing the filibuster of the F.E.P.C. bill. Western Union strikers were arrested and attacked on the picket line.Took haircut. Lewis is back in the A.F.L. and on the Executive Council.

Not sure of the name. 

1/25

Bevin charged the Polish gov't with being a Police state murdering political opponents. Radar contact has been established with the moon.

1/24

The Mayor's Committee on Unity charged that most N.Y. colleges and schools have quotas for Jews, Negros and Catholics. A general strike in Cyprus is protesting imprisonment of union leaders. Elections in small German towns gave S.D.s an easy victory with C.P. fourth. 

1/23

Felix Gouin will replace DeGaulle as head of the new French gov't. He is a Socialist. Quill's T.W.U. has prevented the sale of the city's power plant to Edison at a cost of over 5 million dollars. Weinstock has been cleared by his union of charges due to his party affiliations. Thousands of Greek Royalists are battling gov't forces. The Peruvian gov't resigned Monday.

1/22

Milton called up to say he is discharged from the Army as of today. We saw, alternately "The Last Chance". It portrays refugees of many nationalities fleeing the Nazi terror and how two Englishmen and an American finally achieve solidarity with them. Soviet Russia has requested the UNO to act on Greece and Indonesia. 30,000 farm equipment workers are on strike. Premier Hakimi of Iran has resigned. Truman has asked raises and lower prices.

1/21

750,000 steel workers have gone on strike after the steel industry turned down the President's proposal for an 18 1/2¢ raise. DeGaulle has resigned on the issue of a cut in the armed forces and reduction of his powers. We had a children's party for Eugene's birthday. Present were Arlene Drucker, Bruce Solomon, Bobby Rosenberg, Gloria and Vivian Singer, Fredi Heineman, Richard Monka and Betty Ann Lamphear. Mom Pop and a few adults were also there.Eugene didn't go to school today due to the bad weather.

Most of those guests have been mentioned before; Bruce Solomon I don't remember too well. Betty Ann Lamphear was the daughter of the building superintendent; she was a little younger than me, I believe. All lived in the building except for Fredi. Bobby Rosenberg was my most common playmate. I was now six years old. 

1/20 Sunday

Kaiser has signed up his steel plant for 18 1/2¢ per hour raise. Iran has asked the Security Council for a probe of the Azerbaijan situation. Russia is asking for W.F.T.U. representation in the U.N.O.

1/19

1000 Jews are being held by the British for attempted illegal entrance into Palestine. 17 died in an airliner crash in Conn. Ch. Keith Seaman has been expelled from the C.P. Several shipyard locals have repudiated actions of the convention. Dr. Shuster of Hunter has been persuaded to rescind his ban on the demonstration at the college against The "News" and O'Donnell. The French Assembly has voted to break with Franco. Senate poll taxers are filibustering an F.E.P.C. Bill.

1/18

Eugene drew "Peter & Polly in Autumn" by Rose Lucia, "Millions of Cats" by Wanda Gag and "Here Comes the Postman" by Dorothea Park. Sam Altschuler was over last night. Tear gas and clubs were used on U.E. pickets in L.A. Eisenhower has also banned all G.I. demonstrations and labor is protesting the order. Lillian read Maugham's "Christmas Holiday" and I read "Alice in Wonderland" & "Thru the Looking-glass".

A duplicate; he mentioned Mom reading "Christmas Holiday" a few days ago.

1/17

300,000 CIO packers and AFL butchers are out on strike. The wave of strikes all for increased wages to meet the higher cost of living is meeting with sympathy in entire towns and from Mayors, small business men and even the police in some instances. A large delegation of F.E.P.C. supporters will see many Congressmen in Washington. Eisenhower has promised all eligibles will be home by July 1. Gen. Mcnarney has banned any more GI demonstrations. Eugene has to be reprimanded for his rudeness very often now.

1/16

Mollie over with a dress for Lillian. 200,000 C.I.O. electrical workers struck G.E., Westinghouse, and G.M. Hearst is again trying to put over his Anti-Vivisection Bill. S.C. has failed to eliminate its poll-tax provisions in a vote. 20000 at the Lenin Memorial heard Foster, Dennis, Winston, C. Jones, B. Norman with Hal Simon presiding. 13 were killed and 18 injured in a W. Va. mine blast.

1/15

Sylvia still wets herself in bed occasionally as she did last night. She still has to be taken once during the night. The childrens' room is decorated with Eugene's school paintings. Chinese students are demonstrating against American soldiers presence. The American Legion has awarded Hearst a medal for "Americanism" A document discovered in Berlin places the Reichstag fire blame on Ernst Roehm. The Romanian gov't has been reorganized in accordance with the Moscow agreement but Bulgarian reorganization has failed. Six right wing parties have united against "Right" and "Left". Lillian and the kids went over to momma's. Lillian read "Christmas Holiday" by Maugham.

1/14

Alabama Democratic primary has been opened to Negroes. Van Gelder has been defeated in the IUMSW as Green's machine politics dominated all the sessions. Scolded Eugene at lunch and he broke into tears, not finishing his lunch.

1/13 Sunday

A son was born to Al and Edith today. Lillian read "Strong City" by Taylor Caldwell, a typically powerful "Caldwell" story with an industrial background. Einstein and Rabbi Wise have testified before the Anglo-American inquiry Commission on Palestine. Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland have been chosen as the temporary members together with the five permanent members to be on the Security Council. Sam Mencher, just discharged from the Army, came over and entertained us with characterizations of the French and the English. The French have a caste system in their tennis. They go in strongly for the arts. The English are more democratic in general. Judge Hastie has been appointed governor of the V.I. and R. O'Hara Lanier Minister of Liberia. Both are Negroes. Sylvia leaned on Rumpelstiltskin, breaking it.

1/12

Mollie & Milton over. I played him ping-pong winning all the games but he plays well. A fascist American Action Committee has been set up. Pettingill, Gen. Wood, Avery, Hart, Close, Rabnett are some of the leaders. GM has rejected the fact-findings commissions proposal if 19 1/2¢ per. hour increase. A general strike in Haiti has ousted dictator Lescot and his government. A truce has been achieved in China with promises of equalization of parties, cessation of illegal arrests. The People's All-Party Council, now meeting will work on the merger of the two armies.

1/11

Telephone workers are going on strike today in all parts of the country. A "Garden" rally for Frank Foy attracted a crowd of "fronters" and Coughlinites. Fascists Maertz, Mertig and Elmhurst were found guilty of unlawful assembly at their Queens anti-semitic rally. Spaak was elected president of the Assembly of the U.N.O. over Trygve Lie. Mrs. Lyston told me how logically Eugene thinks. She wondered what he would turn out to be, a Rabbi or a leader of some sort as she considers him a very superior child.

1/10

The first meeting of the General Assembly of the U.N.O. met in London today with 51 nations represented. Took Sylvia down for a while and called for Eugene. Eugene has a "Pierotti" box where he keeps the paper on which I draw the pictures and his list of state licenses. At Neuremberg Coughlin's and Hearst's pro fascist activities were aired. The Shipbuilders Union convention is ridden with factionalism under Johnny Green with Van Gelder opposed. GI demonstrations are gaining momentum and spreading all over the world. Truman has reprimanded them. Eisenhower has stated they are not challenging Army discipline. He has ordered unnecessary soldiers home. W.U. is sending telegrams by special delivery mail. This is cheating the public and violating the Federal Communications Act. Countee Cullen died yesterday.

1/9

Eugene out of school again today but up and around the house as was Sylvia. 7000 C.I.O. Western Union workers in the New York area struck yesterday. Russell Nixon resigned U.S. official has charged the State Dep't is sabotaging Potsdam, protecting German investments and assets in many countries

1/8

Eugene stayed out of school and in bed today. Sylvia went out today for an hour and was irritable. She was tired when she came up and fell asleep in her bed. A pro-fascist "Society of the Sentinels" has been formed with industrial leaders in key positions. It is out to wipe out progressive legislation. The head of six year old Suzanne Degnan, kidnapped for $20,000 ransom in Chicago, was found in a sewer in spite of her father's offer to pay the ransom.

1/7

Eugene wasn't very well today. Lillian went downtown to get some wool. Went to the movies. Saw "This Gun for Hire" with Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake and Preston Foster. A cold-blooded killer softens slightly for a woman. Also "Northwest Mounted Police" with Gary Cooper, Madeline Carroll, Paulette Goddard and Preston Foster. Cooper saves the day with his customary aplomb but loses the girl. GIs are demonstrating again in Manila against the slow demobilization.

I'm always checking the movies and actors, and it looks like he confused like names here; the first movie, according to IMDB, stars Robert Preston, not Preston Foster, and the second movie stars both of them! Too bad he didn't have IMDB!

1/6 Sunday

Lillian and Eugene went over to see Lilly and Harry who were not home so they visited mother. The Chinese factions have agreed on a truce in the fighting. General Marshall and representatives of the two sides will form a three-man commission. Eugene broke a Burl Ives record today remonstrating with Sylvia while he held the record in his hand. Finished "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy. Today we had the highest temperature for Jan. 6 in the city's history (62°)

1/5

Today is G. W. Carver day. Hundreds were killed and wounded in Mexico in a Senaquist [?] inspired demonstration against the inauguration of a PRM Mayor. The Stamford one day general strike was a huge success. Gen. Morgan has been discharged by UNRAA. The Anglo-American Commission on Immigration in Palestine meets for the first time today. Mom and Pop came over and played cargo and lottos with Eugene. An eyewitness described the Nazi murder of men, women, children and infants (Jewish).

1/4

Peron has ordered industrial raises and agricultural division of some large estates as a vote-getting device in the coming elections. Eugene drew "A Jungle Picnic" by Clifford Webb, "The Ferryman" by Bishop and Wiese and "Peter and Polly in Winter" by Rose Lucia. 17,000 Western Electric strikers have shut down 21 metropolitan plants. Truman has asked the people to press Congress to act on his program. Admiral Horthy has been released. Lord Haw-Haw died on the gallows. John Amery [?] did [sic] on Dec. 19. Chiang is out to capture Communist held Jehol. Lillian took Sylvia to Dr. Holzman. He diagnosed a slight sinus infection. She is to get argyrol packs and pills for iron, so now we have a baby elephant in the house. Mrs. Lyston read Alice in Wonderland in school. I borrowed the book from library today and Eugene is devouring it.

Could not find reference to a "John Amery" or any name like it; it would seem that "did" should be "died", but it's clearly written "did", and since I can't find a reference, I'll let it stand. 

1/3

We both read "Germinal" by Zola. This saga of the French coal miners runs the gamut of human emotions and trials in describing the inhuman existence of these heroic people. It is the great "labor" novel of the 19th century. Eugene and Sylvia like to darken the room and play "movies" occasionally. A general strike in Stamford Conn. will aid the "Yale& Town" strikers. British Gen. Morgan UNRAA chief in Gemany has shocked decent mankind with the sensational charge that a secret organization is plotting the second exodus of the Jews, from Europe this time, on the "pretext" of persecution in Poland.

1/2

There is much dissatisfaction in Korea with the Moscow decision on trusteeship. Rightists are taking the lead in creating disturbances. Britain and Siam signed a peace treaty giving the latter her independence. Sylvia was off the bed today although she has some temperature.

1/1/1946

We threw out the broken down crib today. Sylvia will sleep in the youth bed and Eugene in the day bed. 24 have been lost and 7 saved in the Pineville Ky mine disaster. Dockers who struck a few months ago have won all their demands except reduction of slingload and increase in each gang. Eugene is 4 ft. tall. Sylvia is 3 ft. 3 1/2 in. Lillian saw Danny Kaye in "Wonderman" [sic] very funny. Also, "Forever Yours" telling of a new cure for infantile paralysis. 

12/31

Bardossy , former Hungarian fascist Premier will die. Hitler's last testament just discovered confirms his suicide with Eva Braun and spews both race hatred and seeds of future wars. Lillian waited up for me tonight and we had a New Year's Eve party when I came home. Eugene took haircut.

12/30 Sunday

Lillian went to Mollie's for dinner taking Eugene with her and coming home to let me go in the afternoon. Saw Milton and Sam Altschuler for the first time. They both looked fine. Present were Mom and Pop, Lilly Altschuler, Mike. Milton's face is fuller and he is broader. He will be out of the Army in a couple of weeks.

12/29

Eugene assembled four pieces like this into a square having more success than many adults. Chester Bowles, OPA administrator who is doing a good job in holding prices down has condemned Jim-Crow in gov't agencies. 9 of 31 entombed miners have been found alive. Theodore Dreiser died at the age of 74 yesterday.

"like this" - see the scanned-in page below. 

 

12/28

A "Big 3" Communique has announced the following decisions 1. Atomic control authority is vested in the Security Council. The "big 3" retain veto power. USA, England and Canada are not obligated to reveal atomic bomb secrets. 2. An 11 power Far Eastern Commission will guide post-war Japan. 3. China must be unified and democratized. Foreign troops will leave soon. 4. A trusteeship over Korea will prepare for independence. 5. Romanian and Bulgarian gov'ts will be broadened. 6. Peace treaties for defeated countries will be participated in by major countries involved.

12/27

Mother came with toys for Eugene & Sylvia. A blast has trapped 50 miners in Kentucky. "Big 3" conference in Moscow has ended. A new fascism is reviving in Italy. Jews in Palestine have bombed a police station, killing several and will oppose the British everywhere.


I was too young to appreciate the Jewish struggle in Palestine against the British while it occurred; I only really remember when the State of Israel existed. But it brings to mind an incident, many years later, when I was a camp counselor, when a fellow counselor, of Irish descent, said "I know you hate the Brits also". At the time, I hadn't thought of it, but I understood his reasoning very quickly. 

12/26

Sylvia is just about the same today - still in bed. Eugene got his monthly injection today. Took haircut.

12/25

Sylvia seems to be better. Her cough is not as bad. She calls me Izzie Pizzie. Eugene writes down the names of all the state licenses on automobiles he sees. Mrs. Kreisler came in with Christmas presents for Lillian and the kids. We got a record for Robert. Milton came home this morning after more than three years in the Army. He called up here and it was great to hear his voice again. Lillian and Eugene went over to see him. It has been announced from Moscow that peace treaties will be drawn up for the defeated nations by the countries that signed the armistice terms except that France will participate in the case of Italy. The treaties will be drawn not later than May 1. Gen. Marshall, arrived in China is conferring with both sides. Pres. Truman has asked that refugees from Central Europe be allowed in our country up to the quota limits. Lillian saw State Fair with Jeanne Crain and Dana Andrews. She read All This and Heaven Too by Rachel Field and Mother by Pearl Buck - both good stories. Archbishop Spellman and 31 others have been named Cardinals by the Pope. A Smolensk trial has condemned a group of Nazis.

I'm sure it's not coincidental that this is his first long diary entry in a while; as a Post Office clerk, the weeks leading up to Christmas were very busy, with lots of overtime. 

12/24

Several Negroes have been killed and wounded by a police officer in Alabama. Former president Arias has been arrested in Panama for instigating a coup. Sylvia's temp is still wavering. Stalin has conferred with Byrnes twice.

12/23 Sunday

 Eugene listened to Fanny Brice as "Baby Snooks" over the radio for the second time and is now a confirmed fan of the feature. Both Eugene and Sylvia commented on a red white and blue tie I was wearing. Sen. Kilgore has again charged the Amgot composed of bankers and industrialists is blocking the break-up of Nazi war industries.

12/22

Mrs. Roosevelt is one of our delegates to the first meeting of the UNO Assembly in London. Ezra Pound has been declared insane. Russia wants the return of some territory Turkey wrested away in 1921 from Soviet Georgia and Armenia. Sylvia's temperature has been rising and falling and is 100° again. The IFIU has been dissolved. Several State Dep't critics on Japan have been released and one fired.

Not sure of the acronym for the organization which was "dissolved".

12/21

Sylvia's temperature was normal today. Her urine was negative. Truman has extended F.E.P.C. to June but killed all but its investigatory powers. Congress OKd our membership in the U.N.O. Sylvia's temp. 100 at night. Gen. Patton died of his injuries today. Eugene made a pot holder for Lillian and a calendar for me for Christmas in school. He was Santa Claus in school today.

12/20

Sylvia's temperature went down to 100 and then up to 102 in the evening.

12/19

Ernie Koslan, discharged from the Army was here today with all his problems more confused than ever. Lindbergh has come into the limelight again with his dirty work trying to salvage some part of the Nazi wreck. The U.A.W. has rejected Ford's 12.4¢ raise offer coupled with demands to freeze wages for 2 years, cut shop stewards and guarantee against outlaw strikes. Sylvia got 101.5 temp at night.

12/18

Santa Claus came with a coat and legging set from Al & Edith. The Supreme Court has stayed Yamashita's execution. The Nazis planned to kill tens of millions in U.S.S.R the trial at Neuremberg has disclosed. The British have rased [sic] a second Indonesian village in reprisal.

12/17

Eugene returned to school today. Azerbaijan Iran has announced an autonomous government separate from Iran proper. Sinclair Oil has given 18% increases and its plants returned by the gov't. Australian industry has forced a crisis there in a union smashing drive.

12/16 Sunday

Eugene went to Arnold Pachman's Eighth birthday party. Phil Cavaretta won the N.L. batting crown (.355)  Tom Holmes in second place hit safely in 37 consecutive games to break the N.L. record. Prince Konoye has committed suicide.

Just got back in touch with Arnold Pachman last year!

12/15

Seven of ten F.E.P.C. offices have closed due to lack of funds. Six million Jews were murdered in Europe. GM has gotten a writ to limit picketing at its Cleveland plant. The "Pearl Harbor" inquiry legal staff is quitting due to G.P.O partisan tactics. The censure of Frank Fay by the Equity Council was upheld by the membership. Fay had attacked anti-fascist actors. A half million Nazis are still under arms in the British Zone in Germany. "Big 3" Ministers met in Moscow. Sylvia called to urinate at 10 P.M. to thrill Lillian.

12/14

Eugene loves the "twinkly eyes" doll Aunt Lillian sent cutting out various dresses to try on her. He got off the bed this P.M. We are not disarming the Japs in China but using them to guard railroads and cities. 30,000 Jews have died in Belsen since V.E. day.

12/13

Truman has restored building priorities and placed ceilings on old and new housings and named a housing czar Wilson Wyatt to cope with the crisis in housing. 40 Nazi torturers of Dachau are guilty. 36 will die. Mama came over with some toys from Lilly & Harry and a frame for our enlarged colored snapshot. Stayed out of work again with a sore throat. British and French troops will leave Syria.

12/12

For several weeks now Sylvia has started to cry when she has to go to the toilet instead of asking to go. The reasons are inexplicable to us. Eugene's temperature is fluctuating. He is getting argyrol packs. Lillian as the old witch comes on a broomstick and changes Eugene into an elephant, the packs being tusks. When the time is up she comes as the good fairy with her magic wand and transforms him into the fairy prince. Steel workers have rescheduled a national strike. Jan. 14 with Pres. Truman naming fact finding commissions for auto and steel. American policy for Germany is for three stages 1. Germany to help the liberated countries 2. revival of industry sufficient to pay for imports and reparations 3. standard of living to equal the rest of Europes (this step in 1948). The Sophoulis gov't is retreating before reaction in Greece. The A.C.W. has won 20 to 31% wage increases. The "May Bill" to ban labor political action and outlaw striking unions as collective bargaining agents has been barely beaten in the "House". The "Hurley" hearing has ended with his charges repudiated by implication. Stayed home from work today with a cold. Jews are fleeing Polands Anti-semitism. Gen. Dutra is the new Brazilian President with over 2,900,000 votes. Gen. Gomes over 1,800,000 Communist candidate Fiuza over 480,000. 

12/11

Eugene back in bed with 100°. Manufacturers in most industries are on a sit-down strike until O.P.A. allows higher prices and taxes go down on Jan. 1. The Nat'l Committee on Human Aspects of Reconversion has presented a grave report on 19 cities since V-J Day. Negroes Veterans Women and aged are suffering the most. G.M. has canceled its pact with the U.A.W. Auto union leader Leonard has proposed to Ford financial penalties for individual workers or management responsible for unauthorized strikes or provoking strikes respectively. This is a dangerous proposal. The AMG in Korea has set up a council rife with Quislings. DeGasperi has finally formed a six party cabinet in Italy.

12/10

Agrarian reform has been ordered in Japan. Eugene still out of school. The Iran gov't has been replaced by a six man Superior Council.

12/9 Sunday

Sam and Molly, Frieda and Evelyn and Isabel came over for dinner. Isabel is adorable and much improved in eating and general behavior. A Chinese village has been shelled in reprisal for the killing of an American Marine. Gen. Patton has been seriously hurt in an auto crash.

12/8

Eugene out of bed. Sylvia still in. The "Big 3" ministers will meet in Moscow Dec. 15 on atomic energy. Truman's labor plan is winning support of N.A.M. Pegler etc. The Administration is abandoning F.E.P.C. as borne out by resignation of Att'y Char. Houston from the body. Our Gov't will make a loan to England of 4 1/2 Billion dollars. Gen. Yamashita will be hanged.

12/7

Eugene and Sylvia in bed with slight temperatures. Eugene's main speech fault has been 'f' for 'th' still present to some extent. He used to say 'free' for the number 'three'. Lillian had been correcting him. Now in singing "America" for 'freedom' he is inclined to say 'threedom'. The U.A.W. has turned down a 13 1/2¢ per hr. raise in a conference with GM. More royalty has been ordered arrested by MacArthur in Japan among many new war criminals. Ben DeCasseres died yesterday.

12/6

General Motors strikers will not return to their jobs pending a fact finding commission as asked by Truman. Gen. Hurley before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee charged five State Dept. aides were in favor of supplying Chinese Communists with arms to fight the Japanese as against his policies of favoring Chiang only. A Nat'l Citizens Group invited by the U.A.W. is studying the factors involved in the strike. Eugene stayed home from school due to bad weather and a slight stomach-ache. The Soviet Union has rejected Britain's implication of its interference in Azerbaijan Iran's movement for autonomy. Hoxha's Albanian Democratic Front won 95% of the votes in the recent election. The U.P. All-Amer. E Duden (Navy) T Coulter (Army) G Amling (Ohio St.) C Mancha (Ala.) G Green (Army) T Savitsky (Penn) E Foldberg (Army) Backs Fenimore (Okla. A.&M.) Davis (Army) Wedemeyer (St. Marys) Blanchard (Army). Szalazi, Hungarian Quisling will die.

The letters before the All-American's names are positions (e.g., E=End), not initials.

12/5

Norman dropped in by surprise as he was hanging drapes in the house and had lunch here. The housing situation is deplorable with returning veterans hardest hit. A "Garden" meeting with A. J. Thomas, Wallace, J.Huxley, Tobey, Col. Carlson, Urey, Shipley, speaking advocated "Big 3" unity and turning over the atom bomb to the U.N.O. Eugene drew "Timid Timothy" by G. Williams and "To Market We Go" by Jane Miller from the library.

12/4

Truman has announced a compulsory arbitration scheme entailing a thirty day cooling off period and a fact-finding commission to end strikes. It is opposed by labor. Documents prove Goering's plot to burn the Reichstag and arrest many Anti-Nazis for responsibility which was carried out. Eugene made a truck in school. Sadie came over with the kids. Fredi is more docile. Lillian read "The Folded Leaf" by W. Maxwell and "Dark Legend" by F Wertham, psychological stories of adolescences.

12/3

The Labor-Management Conference broke up in disagreement. Lillian went downtown with the kids and bought some hard to get shorts for me.

12/2 Sunday

Took the kids over to mothers and then had "Chow Mein" out and saw a "movie" to celebrate our 8th Anniversary. We saw "Colonel Blimp" a London production and "The Southerner" with Zachary Scott and Betty Field portraying realistically the plight of the tenant farmer. Rudolf Hess has admitted his amnesia claims were a hoax. Army has completed its season with a 32-13 defeat of Navy. It is undefeated for two years and  considered by some the greatest college team ever. Fullback Doc Blanchard is the star.

12/1

Sylvia doesn't like to have her hair combed and says "I want to look funny". Truman says another "Big 3" meeting is unnecessary now. Romped on the floor with the kids before going to work. Afterwards Sylvia asked Lillian to play with her. When she was refused Sylvia said reproachfully "Daddy should've being here". Lillian read "Capricornia" by X. Herbert and "Double, Double Toil and Trouble" by Feuchtwanger.

11/30

Sylvia O.K. The Nazis on trial are being shown the "horror Camp" films. The Yugoslav Republic was proclaimed yesterday. Eugene has learned "God Bless America" and "America" in school. This is another: "Oh! Jolly Santa Claus riding o'er the snow, Bringing joy and happiness, wherever you go." "Oh Jolly Santa Claus, we will help to, and bring Joy and happiness just like you".

11/29

Sylvia back in bed with 100.° temperature. Hurley has blasted certain State Dept aids who are in favor of china Unity as Coast Congressmen led by DeLacy opened a drive to end our intervention there. Steel is voting 5-1 for a strike. The Int'l Women's Congress opened in Paris with 800 delegates including La Pasionaria and E. G. Flynn. John Amory, son of Britain's former Sec'y of State for India will die for treason. Maritime workers will hold a stoppage in protest against failure to use our ships to bring home our boys. Eugene was home today due to the bad weather. The first snow of the season came today.

11/28

Lillian was up today as she felt better. Gen. McNarney successor to Eisenhower as chief of U.S. forces in Europe has announced a ten year occupation of Germany and continued de-nazification program. Gen. Eisenhower has replaced Gen. Marshall as U.S. Army Chief of Staff. Gen. Marshall has just replaced Gen. Hurley, resigned, as Ambassador to China. Sixteen schoolchildren drowned when their bus plunged into a lake in Wssh. state.

11/27

Lillian better but still in bed except for necessary work now and then. Ezra Pound has been extradited and indicted for treason. Ford is shutting his new plant. American officers are directing the Kuomintang drive into Manchuria. There is a wave of crime being inflated by the sensational newspapers. 100 Jews were killed and wounded in clashes with British troops in Palestine. The Conservative People's Party has won 50% of the votes in the Austrian elections. Socialists have 45% and Communists 5%.

11/26

Lillian was not well today. She was affected by the delicatessen we had the night before and had a cold also. She had 101. fever but after treatment it went down to normal. Mollie came over to help out. Parri gov't fall in Italy is attributed to the U.S. bankers. Sylvia told Lillian to leave the room a few days ago, as she wasn't a nice person. Why? She didn't have a nice dress on.

11/25 Sunday

Eugene knows the meaning of money. When offered an erector set in addition to the "Pinocchio" records he wants for his birthday he was afraid it would cost too much money. Molly and Sam over in the evening. Mama was here in the afternoon as Pop sprained his back.

11/24

Eugene makes a terrible, hoarse noise when he starts his bicycle. That's the motor. Sylvia has no temperature but is hoarse and has a stuffed nose. Norman Armour, Carleton Hayes successor as the Spanish Ambassador has resigned. Bought a new vaporizer $2.69. DeGaulle has a good nationalization program. Several parties have left the Italian cabinet after a Liberal Party demand to reshuffle the cabinet. In the Nazi trial, four of the original twenty four are not in the dock, Krupp, who is senile, Kaltenbrunner - ill Ley, a suicide and Bormann, tried "in absentia". General Motors has turned down an arbitration offer. Meat rationing has ended leaving sugar the only item on the ration list.

11/23

Liberal Republican Sophoulis is forming a cabinet in Greece. Elections and the plebiscite are postponed. Sylvia is in bed again. The Nazi leaders personal documents are being used against them in the trial. Eugene got his last (16th) injection today. Gen. Patch died.

11/22

Robert Benchley and Ellen Glasgow died today. Sylvia went outside today, but her nose is still bad. Hal Newhouser has been awarded the Most Valuable Player Award in the A.L. (Det.). Four new Ministers of State without portfolio have been created in France with Thorez getting one. The C.P. got four other cabinet posts while the Socialists and MRP got six posts each. Thus the first crisis has been solved and a Nat'l Unity cabinet established. Boxer Al "Bummy" Davis has been killed in a tavern hold-up. He had challenged the thugs. To see Eugene's eager, alive face as I read him a story is worth many heartaches.

11/21

Eugene borrowed "Little Indian Folk" by Deming and Friendly Village by O'Donnell & Carey. Sylvia was up and around the house today. Twenty leading Nazis went on trial. The Portugese [sic] elections, boycotted by the "left" found 56% voting. Lillian finished "The Turnbulls" by Taylor Caldwell. Sadie over with her mother-in-law troubles. The U.A.W. struck G.M. today after the latter refused last minute arbitration. Sylvia got a nice dress and Eugene a book from the Altschuler's. The President has projected a national health insurance program for adoption by Congress.

Wow, that last line is timely! 

11/20

The Canellopoulos gov't has resigned in Greece having been let down by its British godfathers who refused a loan. Over 100,000 Greeks demonstrated against Allied recognition of Albania and for annexation of Northern Epirus. Vichyite forces are in control of the French army and secret political police. Dr. A. H. Silver has been elected President of the Zionists. He is in favor of including the Soviet Union in the Palestine commission. Lilly Altschuler & Thelma came over for supper. We spent a nice evening. Thelma is quite attractive. Mollie also was over. The other gold fish died.

I believe they were relatives, but I don't have them in the Family Tree.

11/19

Sylvia is in bed with a nose cold. American Marines are being enlisted in Chinese Nationalist Armies. DeGaulle has insulted the Communists in a radio speech calling them unfit to take part in the country's politics. A revolt in Azerbaijan Iran is being attributed to Soviet encouragement and assistance. Nationalists in Iran are complaining of the lack of democracy. Mark Ethridge investigating Balkan democracy has concluded that the election apparatus in Bulgaria does not permit full democratic rights to all parties. However, close to 90% of the electorate voted - for the Fatherland Front candidates in the main. Another "Black Market" raid was made in Germany by our soldiers.

11/18 Sunday

Councilman elections brought Quill on top in the Bronx, Ira Palestin (Lib.) and Keegan (Dem) among five elected. Isaacs led in Manhattan with Davis next and Connolly among five elected. Cacchione was first in B'klyn with Goldberg (Lib.) among eight elected. Restrictions against C.P. in Brazil have been lifted with democratic steps being taken by the gov't. Lillian and the kids went to Ida Guzman for a gathering in honor of Frieda and Joe's imminent departure. I got up at 7:15 and set the kids up as usual with their books and toys. Lillian got up at 8:45 and the kids had been waiting patiently for their breakfast.

Ida Guzman (nee Patchenik, married to Max Guzman) was my grandfather's first cousin; Frieda was their daughter, and Joe Gerber was her husband; presumably, that's who's referred to here. Interestingly, their son, Bob Gerber, and I worked together for several years at Sperry before we found that we were third cousins. We lost touch some years ago.

11/17

Kramer and Griese [sic] the "Beasts of Belsen" and 28 other Nazis were found guilty of mass murder by the British. Fourteen were acquitted. DeGaulle has resigned in protest against the C.P.'s demand for a major ministerial post.

All references show "Grese".

11/16

Lillian went to school today to see Eugene's class in action during "open school" week. Mrs. Lyston said we should be as proud of him as she is. We are continuing to send much help to Chiang. A "Pearl Harbor" probe is going on. The Japs were negotiating secretly with influential persons in Washington in addition to talks with Hull and Roosevelt, it is revealed. Laski has denounced the Labor Government's policies in India and Java. The Radical Party has joined the Anti-Peron bloc in Argentina. Finnish war criminals, including Ryti, Rangell, Tanner & Linkomies are in the dock in the trials starting yesterday. Jewish demonstrators against the Truman Attlee decisions were shot at in Palestine. Gabriela Mistral Chilean writer has won the Nobel Prize for literature. Zoltan Tildy has formed a Hungarian gov't including 3 C.P. and 3 S.D.s. "Blackie" one of the gold fish dies today. It didn't mean much to Eugene.

11/15

Eugene got a star in school today for telling the "Three Bears" very nicely. A "Garden" meeting celebrating Soviet-American relations heard the Dean of Canterbury, Soviet Charge d'Affaires Novikov, Dean Acheson, Davies, Robeson, Lamont and others. Cavaretta has won the "Most Valuable Player" award in the N.L. He was the batting champ (.355). Eugene had a slight attack.

11/14

Lillian read "Kitty Foyle" by Chris. Morley. A cheap story. I finished "White Fang" by Jack London. A wolf, part dog grows up to be a ferocious killer but some human love, late in her life, works a change in her. Truman has accepted Attlee's 1500 a month Palestine quota plus joint investigation of the situation. DeGaulle was elected head of the Provisional Gov't. The Indonesian Republic gov't has been reorganized along conservative lines with Soekarno reduced in power.

11/13

We went over to Momma's today. We picked up the candlesticks which Harry has wired for us to be used as lamps. Votes have given Tito's party about 90% of the ballots cast (unofficial) in Yugoslav elections. The Force Pa miners on strike have won retroactive un-employment benefits. Attlee proposes turning over the industrial know how of the atom bomb secret to Russia if its political, territorial and economic aspirations are satisfactory to us & England. 600 Jewish leaders have petitioned the White House, in person to open the gates of Palestine. Cordell Hull has won the 1945 Nobel Peace prize 1944 prize goes to the Intern'l Red Cross.

I remember that Harry turning those candlesticks into lamps was big deal. 

11/12

Richard came to play with Eugene and they played robbers and shooting. Eugene and Sylvia gave injections to the dolls and bunnies. Sylvia has broken out in a rash of reciting. Gen. Wedemeyer head of our forces in China and Ambassador Hurley are responsible for our intervention there. The Colmer Committee on planning and finances has published a pro German, anti-British and Soviet report. Moscow has recognized the Albanian Hoxha gov't. Sylvia has stopped after lunch rests about a month ago.

11/11 Sunday

We saw alternately "Pride of the Marines" with John Garfield. Perhaps the finest of the war pictures, it discussed the possibility of struggle for democratic ideals and justifies the war's sacrifices. Jerome Kern died today. He had been found a few days ago unconscious and brought to a hospital unidentified. I read Rumpelstiltskin to Eugene and he moralized that it wasn't right for the former to demand the Queen's baby. The British are attacking Indonesians in force. The new Greek government is no improvement. Attlee and Truman are conferring here on the atom bomb and other things.

11/10

Another lynching has been discovered in the South. 25000 rallied at a Union Square C.P. meeting yesterday against our intervention in China. There is much protest throughout the country against this policy. Secret documents have been uncovered linking British agents with Nazi occupationists in Greece during the war in actions against the EAM and Elas. Green is siding with the N.A.M. in refusing to have wages discussed at the L-M conference. Sylvia has stopped wetting at night for about a week now. She is picked up at 10 O'clock

11/9

Foster appeared before the Rankin Committee again and as usual took the offensive as if he were the prosecutor. He denounced the committee's aid to our imperialism and warmongering. 

11/8

Mayor Jeffries was re-elected over CIO man Frankenstein 274,435 to 216,917. Several hundred Jews were killed or injured in Tripoli riots. The Small Landholders Party won 191 seats in Hungarian elections. C.P. got 54, J.D. 52. Eugene learned "A'hunting We Will Go" in school. He is now a conductor instead of Burl Ives as he plays the records. Chinese Communists have defeated a Nationalist army. The IAM will grant industrial charters.

11/7

American soldiers going home have been thrown off a ship in favor of arms for the Dutch imperialists. Lillian still has the remains of a cold. Eugene drew Twinkle the Baby Colt by L. Barrett and The Five Chinese Brothers  by Bishop and Wiese from the library.

11/6

We voted today for O'Dwyer and the ALP slate. We voted for Quill Rubenstein & G W Klein for Councilman. Molotov has asked for sharing of the atom bomb secret. Philip Murray wants wages discussed at the L-M Conference. IAM convention has retained its Lily White clause by a narrow margin.  The Illinois AFL has asked for an end to color bars in AFL Unions. Chinese Communists charge our Marines are actively intervening in the Civil War. A Federal court recently declared the Georgia "White primary" unconstitutional. W. O'Dwyer won the Mayoralty election today 1,119,175 votes to Rep. lib. J J Goldstein 434,050 and No Deal N. Morris 399,437. The ALP gave O'Dwyer 259,898 votes. The Liberal Party gave Goldstein 123,218.

11/5

The Labor-Management parley opened today with representatives of the CIO, AFL Industry and J. L. Lewis & Cashen. The Soviet press has hailed the liberation movements of the N.E.I. and French Indo-China. A historic Alabama C.I.O. conference is going all out for equality of the races, political action and economic progress. 

11/4 Sunday

We went alternately to see "A Bell for Adano" with John Hodiak and Gene Tierney. A selfless Civil Affairs administrator in a small Italian town makes good with the people but loses to red tape. Shipbuilder Higgins, supposed liberal will close some of his plants and crusade against unions. Finished "Oliver Twist". I was struck by the fact that Fagin was a Jew, so designated throughout the book.

11/3

Gen. Yamashita's trial for war crimes is uncovering murder rape and torture of thousands. Lillian is delighted with Sylvia's beautiful curls. 4 B29s have made a non-stop flight from Japan to Washington. Prof. Canellopoulos has formed a new Greek gov't. Anti-Jewish riots are sweeping Egypt. Palestine High Commissioner Gort has resigned on account of "ill health". Norwegian C.P. has gained in the elections with the Labor Party making slight gains.

11/2

Senator Pepper has praised Tito's democracy. Dr. Holzman is as great a partisan of Eugene's as Mrs. Lyston. Lillian has a cold again. Pres. Truman's speech on labor and wages called for raises but was very vague. Ben Davis Sr. Henry Armetta and former Premier Witos of Poland died recently. Happy Chandler assumed his new duties as baseball tsar two days ago. The World Youth Conference in London opened a few days ago. The I.L.O. Conference has rejected Argentine delegates unanimously.

11/1 [1945]

Lillian went downtown and got home typing from Donnelly's. They pay $3.60 per M for cards and $3. for envelopes. Yenan has taken two cities. Danish C.P. made gains and S.D. have lost in elections. Sylvia is in a defiant stage. When told not to do something, she says "I'll do it anyway". Booker T. Washington and Tom Paine have been awarded places in the Hall of Fame. 

10/31

Our transports are landing Chiang's men in Communist held Shantung. 59000 U.S. Marines and GIs are also entering China. A military coup has displaced Vargas and installed Chief Justice Linhares in Brazil. Prestis is under house arrest. House Military Affairs Committee has has approved the anti-labor Arenda-May labor bill.

Not sure who was under house arrest. 

10/30

The World Telegram will support and try to build the Liberal Party. O'Dwyer is supported by 90% of labor. Goldstein is staking his campaign on charges that the underworld is associated with and is behind O'Dwyer. Newbold Morris is getting some independent and liberal Republican support. We went to the G. Washington Bridge but the fleet had already gone. Sylvia was a great nuisance claiming she was very tired and very hungry. Eugene likes to see animals in the big dictionary, to look at the atlas where he is learning the states and to have me draw him - Pierottis at present. Sylvia makes Pinocchio movie houses for Eugene to see when he comes home from school. The kids have bunny dolls which they call "robbers" since Eugene learned the word in the country. Split with Levy. Lillian saw Abbott & Costello in a moving picture "Naughty Nineties" and "On Stage, Everybody" with many stars - very poor.

10/29

Civil war is raging in 11 Chinese provinces. The I.A.M. was suspended recently by the AFL for non-payment of per-capita dues. A jurisdictional dispute with the Operating Engineers and Carpenters is responsible. Prof. Einstein has been criticized for advocating keeping the atom bomb secret for the present. Eugene returned to school today. Mrs. Lyston praised him highly to Lillian for his intelligence, poise and stability. She again compared him to her former pupil Arthur Feldman now head of the American Broadcasting System in London.

10/28 Sunday

We had a dinner to celebrate Sylvia's birthday. Mom and Pop, Lilly Harry & Susan, Sam & Molly. Sylvia was jealous when Susan was placed in her crib. We played some cards. I won $.50. President Truman wielded a big stick in his "Navy Day" speech. He supported a big Navy and Army and retention of the atom bomb "secret". J. L. Lewis who called a strike recently to unionize foremen and suddenly called it off is now speeding up production.

10/27

Another negro lynching has been uncovered. Frankie Sinatra is touring the country talking to youth groups on racial tolerance. G.M. workers have voted 6-1 to strike for their demands and Chrysler 20-1. Miss Quinn fascist teacher has finally been suspended and will be tried. We have authorized the stripping of our insignia from lend-lease goods to be used against East Indian revolutionists. Silvia still in bed. Eugene took a haircut.

10/26

Eugene out of bed and Sylvia in with a slight cold no temp. Landon wants us to aid Germany, oppose Russia. U.A.W. local is using an airline company union to fight the T.W.U. organization drive. Ryan must submit his contracts to the rank and file before signature. Chungkung troops are attacking Communist armies.

10/25

Msgr. J.A Ryan and Dr. W.B. Cannon died recently. Eugene still in bed with no temperature. I stayed home today with a sore throat. Sylvia is getting stars for not wetting herself at night lately. Labor is against military training. Eugene drew "Happy Days" by Drs. Charters Smiley and Strang and "Lets take Turns" by Nemec, a Democracy Reader. Rank and file longshoremen have rejected Ryan's contract with the shipowners. Over 200,000 people rallied in Madison Square yesterday for a Jewish refuge in Palestine. Speakers were Louis Lipsky, Rabbi Israel Goldstein, Louis Hollander, Tom Murray of the AFL. Nine Congressmen condemned the Rankin committee in a "House" session as Rankin answered in anti-semitic and anti-negro terms. Export Import Bank loans to Soviet Russia and Eastern Europe people's gov'ts are being withheld. Budenz was sponsored and mentored by Msgr. Sheean and Ford's in laws. The Hollywood strike is over, with reinstatement as of March 9, recognition of Painters local 1421. Dr. Ley has committed suicide in his cell. MacArthur has ordered Japan to cease relations with other countries. Fleming has won the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

Perhaps he crossed out that first name because he realized that he had noted his death last month.

10/24

Eugene had over 100° temp. today.and stayed in bed. Lillian read "Above Suspicion" by Highet, short stories by Pearl Buck and "Family Way" by Myron Brinig. The N.M.U. accused the shipowners with help of the W.S.A. of going out for private gains and delaying the return of GIs. Betancourt is an opportunist. The Dodgers have signed Negro player Jackie Robinson for their Montreal farm. Truman has asked a year's Army training for youth. Sylvia has suddenly blossomed out with lovely curls, delighting Lillian very much. Twenty organizations have joined to abolish the Rankin committee. Took haircut.

10/23

Eugene had a slight sinus attack and stayed home from school. I went downtown to pick up my suit. Lillian took Eugene for his injections. I went with Sylvia to sister Lillian to pack up the doll carriage Harry's mother gave her. French Communists have gained the most seats in the new assembly. The referendum results were to adopt a new Constitution but to allow DeGaulle dictatorial powers in the interim. A new gov't is installed in Venezuela with Betancourt the leading figure. Lillian went to the "movies" and saw "Along Came Jones" with Gary Cooper - Fair and "China's Little Devils". U.S. and Britain have protested Russia's "excessive" trade contracts with Bulgaria Romania and especially Hungary.

10/22

Wilson, G.M. head proposes to raise hours and raise pay 5 to 8 percent. France voted yesterday with the left sweeping the country. The Mayor has attacked the "News" and O'Donnell for the Patton incident. Lillian went downtown to try and get home typing but got nothing yet. A kindergarden song: "Clang (six times) (humming) Firemen brave have lives to save, Clang, Clang, Clang".

10/21 Sunday

Warren, leader of the rank and file in the recent longshoremens strike and Barone, suspected undercover agent have sold out the rank and file on the pretext of having been Communist dupes. They claim "Blackie" Meyers gave $25,000 to the strikers to stay out. Mrs. Kreisler gave Sylvia a lovely doll.

10/20

Another negro was lynched in Florida due to laxity of the law. Revolutionists in Netherlands East Indies and French Indo-China are being opposed by their own imperialist rulers plus British and Japanese troops. The military has overthrown the democratic Venezuelan gov't. Dubinsky has replaced the late Flore on the AFL Executive Council. O'Donnell has retracted the charge that the soldier Patton slapped was a Jew. Max Horowitz, overseas for 3 1/2 years is back and visited us today. He is to be discharged soon. We had an interesting conversation. Read "God's Angry Man" by Leonard Ehrlich. It is the story of John Brown fanatic who thought he was ordained by God to free the slaves. A beautifully written book.

10/19

In an historic indictment 24 German Nazi leaders including political industrial and military chiefs were charged with crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Fascism itself is to be put on trial in this indictment drawn up by the four power War Crimes Commission. Among the defendants are Goering, Ribbentrop, Hess, Rosenberg, Ley, Schacht, Von Papen, Von Bohlen und Halbach, Streicher, Keitel, Doenitz. The longshoremens strike ended today with Ryan, who is negotiating with the shipowners a temporary winner. 20,000 picketed a G.L.K. Smith meeting in L.A. Paul Robeson has been awarded the Spingarn Medal. The AFL executive committee has blamed the Soviet Union for the London conference failure. Quislings in De Gaulle's regime are rampant. Peron is back in power in Argentina by the impetus of armed goons.

10/18

The painters finished this afternoon. Foster, before the Rankin Committee denounced its aid to American imperialism. Liberal commentators are the object of investigation by the committee now. The "News" is being picketed by vets. With the A.F.L. coming to the support of the gangster Union leader Ryan the rank and file uprising against him is in danger of subsiding.The C.I.O. is aiding the rank and file.

10/17

The painters came today. They are to do every room but the children's bed-room. The Indonesian Assembly voted a provisional gov't. Eisenhower defended the Army authorities on treatment of Jews and criticized "German Communists" for alleged desire to dominate other parties. Joseph Vitolo, 9, "saw" the Virgin Mary in a Bronx lot.

10/16

Harry Bridges has come to New York to help the striking longshoremen who have accepted Mayor LaGuardia's proposal to vote secretly on a delegation to represent them in negotiations whether Ryan or a rank and file committee. We went to the Museum of Art but it was a failure as we were all tired. Bilbo is being picketed by some of the victims of his scurrilousness and many vets.

10/15

Sylvia got a blackboard and doll's highchair for her birthday from us, a blouse from Aunt Lillian, cash from Aunt Mollie, Frieda and Momma. We have lost our Saturday pay starting with last Saturday. John Foster Dulles, a leading aid of State Secretary Byrnes has had many Nazi and fascist ties. Indonesians are being mowed down by French and British guns. A C.I.O. labor delegation in Moscow includes Curran Haywood and Carey. A C.I.O. Soviet-American T.U. Committee is in the offing.