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.