10/26-11/1/47

10/26 Sunday Woodlawn where I lost to Levine. Then we took a hike through the woods. At home played "stealing bundles" with the kids then beat Eugene a chess game after being behind. Sam came over followed by Milton and Shirley. Beat Milton a tough chess game. Sylvia's cough is still bad.

10/27 Eugene complained of a slight belly-ache last night and this morning. Sylvia found a 3 yr old playmate in the park with whom she gathered leaves bringing home a bouquet. She put water in the tooth powder box this morning. Eugene lost his comic books for hitting Sylvia violently. 27 Hollywood notables are flying to Washington to protest the inquisition.They are led by Bogart and Bacall. They represent the Hollywood Comm. for the first Amendment. Many meetings of progressives are denouncing the UnAmerican Comm. Vishinsky made another hard hitting speech promising retaliation doubly for every slander in the American press. Milk and bread go up another penny. The first war dead from abroad arrived here with a quarter million mourners. The 500 Cuban workers were released from jail after a hunger strike and protests. Greeks are being executed daily for Communist activity and the C.P. press has been closed down. Communists and Gaullists clashed during run-off elections.

10/28 Eugene got his comic books back for being a good boy. Sylvia's cough persists. Mikolajczyk has fled Poland. The UnAmerican Comm. will charge J H Lawson with contempt when he refused to expound on his Communist affiliations. Eric Johnston for the producers asked the Comm. to allow Hollywood to do the dirty work itself. A Trenton mob barred an Eisler meeting, supported by a court injunction but he spoke elsewhere. An Anti-war propaganda resolution was passed unanimously by the Gen'l assembly. Duclos disclosed Cominform membership is open to any C.P. Fielding announced he will make sweeping changes in relief and bar all pressure groups. Lillian read "Earth and High Heaven" by G. Graham.

10/29 Sylvia had a bad day, her cold bothering her greatly. She put up a great resistance to an agyrol [sic] pack. Eugene drew "The Little History of the U.S." by Mabel Pyne "Grimm's Fairy Tales - Part I" and "Hoppity Bunny's Hop" by E. W. DeHuff. Sylvia chose "Many Moons" by James Thurber. I beat him in chess when he couldn't answer an offered pawn sacrifice. Attorney Kenny was threatened with jail and three more writers, Dalton Trumbo, Albert Maltz and Alvah Bessie were cited for contempt for refusing to appease the Gestapo. The Board of Ed rejected a ban on left-wing meetings 5-2. 15000 demonstrators against a de Gaulle meeting were dispersed by the police. The Democratic League was banned in China for collaboration with the Communists.

10/30 Stayed home from work due to a sore throat. Sylvia made a paper basket from the book of things to make and do. Beat Eugene a chess game also studied from the chess book. Sam over and Milton followed. Lost a tough chess game to Milton. Sam phoned Molly at Hot Springs. The Presidential Civil Rights Comm. headed by G.E.'s Charles Wilson and including Dr. Graham, Tobias, Carey, FDR Jr. Ernst and Bishop Haas recommended strengthening 1. The Machinery for Civil Rights 2. The right to safety and security of the person 3. The right to citizenship and its privileges 4. The right to freedom of conscience and expression 5. The right to equality of opportunity 6. Rally the people to support and strengthen Civil rights. Four more screen notables were cited for contempt. Sam Ornitz, H J Biberman, Adrian Scott and Ed Dmytryk.

10/31 SYLVIA [see scanned-in page] Sylvia can print and spell her name now. Lester Cole & Ring Lardner Jr were cited for contempt. Berthold Brecht not wishing to enter into court proceedings as a guest in this country denied he was a C.P. member. F.B.I. witness Russell told of an alleged plot to steal atom bomb secrets.The hearings were abruptly adjourned by Thomas. Ramadier won his smallest vote of confidence. The UN voted a Korean Comm. Russia will boycott it. Colston Warne refused to fill out Govt "Loyalty" forms. Many investment banks were cited as trusts. Maniu and 18 other Nat'l Peasant Party leaders are being tried for plotting with the U.S. to overthrow the Romanian gov't. Eugene went to Richard Monka's birthday party. Also Hallow-een party. Eugene did not dress up but was given a dunce cap and acted a school-boy. He went at 7 PM and Lillian called for him at 9:15.

11/1 Eugene sets the alarm for 5:15 to remind him to put on Superman on the radio. Sylvia is very interested in coloring pictures lately. Lil and the kids went to Bathgate Ave. in Harry's car. She got some material for a house dress. Murray demanded aboliton of the "Unamerican Comm." Hanscom's settled its 5 month old strike with 15¢ per hr. raise. 

I remember being criticized by my friend and upstairs neighbor Gloria because I insisted on going home to listen to Superman, instead of continuing at whatever we were playing.