Friday, November 28, 2014

1/2-1/8/49

1/2 Sunday We went to Lilly's meeting Rochel, Mayer & David, Ida and Max, Sandra, the Beckers and A. Edelstein. The kids had a small party for Barbara's recent birthday. We saw several television programs the poor reception being attributed to the lack of an outdoor aerial. Peggy is adorable and there is never a peep out of her. Israel threatened retaliation for any future Egyptian attacks. We have given full recognition to the South Korean gov't as against the left-wing No. Korean gov't.

1/3 Sylvia learned 'red' 'yellow' and 'blue' and guessed two out of three on the blackboard. Jerusalem was twice bombed from the air. Chinese Communists are mapping a coalition gov't in all China under C.P. control.

1/4 In the early morning Sylvia complained her belly hurt her. A little later she vomited. At 8 o'clock she had 101°. Dr. Holzman came at 5 P.M. He said she had tonsilitis [sic] and called her an actress again as her stomach appeared normal. Sylvia answered all his questions - spelling her name, giving her address, what she wanted to be (a moth-er) etc. although her temp had shot up to 104. She got the usual sulfa medicine, lavoris, ... etc. State bans on the closed shop were upheld by the Supreme Court. 11 Yale students were killed in a plane crack-up. Chinese nationalist peace activities reached a new peak. Chiang offered to resign if it would help negotiations. 

1/5 Sylvia was normal this morning. Bobby R. came up to play with Eugene. Bobby wanted to play with the blocks but Eugene was tired of playing with them so he read comic books which he had just traded with Vivian S. Sylvia is an expert gargler. We have denied our marines will leave China. We have warned Israel not to invade Egypt. England will send combat troops back to the Palestine area with the purpose of forcing Israel to relinquish the Negev. Hungary published letters purporting to involve Sec'y of War Royall and Cardinal Spellman in Mindszenty's plot against the gov't. A wave of attacks against Puerto Ricans has hit the city. An Arkansas tornado has killed 59 with hundreds injured. Left wingers have been defeated in the painters union and are even losing in many electrical plants as part of the nation's anti-Communist hysteria. When we told Eugene it was not proper to read his comic books while a friend was here, he made a big scene. The result was we banned comic books. Bobby, obliviously continued to build his block house until time for him to go. 

1/6 Sylvia's highest temp yesterday was 100.5 at bed time. Today she is normal. Truman outlines his "Fair Deal' before the 81st. Congress. It included - Higher taxes, especially on Corporations, greater gov't controls to combat recessions, repeal of the Taft Hartley law, higher minimum wages, stronger anti-trust laws, a farm program to aid the farmers, greater aid to Education, housing, social security and passage of the civil rights program, universal military training. Israeli troops made a deep raid into Egypt territory capturing much war material and creating general havoc. A new plot to fix basketball games was uncovered. George Washington co-captain David Shapiro worked with the police to expose the plot after being approached by gamblers. 

1/7 Sylvia out of bed and in good shape. Egypt agreed to negotiate directly with Israel for a truce. An Army investigating board asked mercy for 29 Nazi killers. Die hard Bullitt asked 600 U.S. officers to direct Nationalist China's Army against the 'reds'. Many bills were introduced to carry out Truman's program. 

1/8 Sylvia drew "The ABC Bunny" by Wanda Gag which is her favorite, "The Brave Bantam" by Louise Seaman, "Rain Drop Splash" by Alvin Tresselt and "Ola" by I & E D'Aulaire. Eugene drew "Giants on the Earth" by D. Pessin (stories of great Jewish people) "Old Peter's Russian Tales" by A. Ransome, "Dr. Dolittle's Zoo by H. Lofting and "The Animals Own Story Book" by E.C. Babbitt. Mom and Pop came over and stayed for supper.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

12/26/48-1/1/49

Dad pasted in the anniversary card I made here (see 12/5/48); I've scanned in first the cover, then the body of the card.




12/26 Sunday Eugene heard "Hans Brinker" on "Tell It Again". Sylvia and Carol are inseparable. The Dutch ignored a UN cease fire order. A school teacher, questioned about Communist activities, committed suicide. Chinese Communists captured Kalgan. 4 hrs. O.T.

12/27 The kids took their first fluorine treatment, a discovery expected to prevent caries. Sumner Welles was in serious condition after being stricken and lying in a field near his estate in freezing weather all night. A Senate sub-comm. decried the clemency granted Ilsa Koch and urged a re-trial. Lillian took the kids to the "University" to see "Bambi", "Killer McCoy" and other cartoons.

Don't remember seeing "Killer McCoy". Definitely remember seeing "Bambi"!

 12/28 I took the kids to the park where they went sleigh riding. Truman accused Russia of breaking accords. He also claimed certain Soviet leaders want to reach an agreement with us. Mediator Bunche denied he had blamed Israel for violation of the truce which has resulted in renewed fighting in the Negev. Faye Emerson cut her wrist. The Sheriff claimed it was deliberate. Cardinal Mindszenty, leading opponent of the Hungarian regime, was arrested for treason. The UN council rejected a resolution by Russia to order Dutch troops to halt fire within 24 hours. Abstentions were responsible for the defeat. Stack was expelled from the N.M.U. in a vote called fraudulent. Rocco Franceschini is dead at 50.

"Sleigh riding" = riding our sleds

12/29 I AM IN IA. I AM LEARNING TO READ. "UnAmerican" Committeemen Mundt and Nixon proposed several changes in procedure for their committee. Witnesses should have counsil [sic], right to cross examine, reports not to be made public till majority approval. Also proposed were stiffer penalties for contempt of Congress. A Ruhr Authority was set up by the Western nations. Egypt Premier Nokrashy Pasha was assassinated by a student. The UN ordered the Dutch to release leading Indonesian officials still held. NY film critics picked their annual 'bests'. Best movie - "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre". Best actress - Olivia De Haviland. Best actor - Laurence Olivier. Best foreign film - "Paisan".  Best director - John Huston.

Obviously, that's Silvia's writing at the top; see scanned in page below. 

 

12/30 Gloria S. was down here all day. In the morning the kids built houses of blocks with which she likes to play. After lunch they all played more exciting games on the floor, under beds etc. The UN ordered the Negev war to cease at once with Israel again ordered out of the territory in a British resolution. Eugene finally completed his 300 piece jig-saw bought several weeks ago. Ten pieces were missing at the end.  Lillian read Stefan Heym's great novel of the war "The Crusaders".

12/31 The kids had their second fluorine treatment. Lillian worked two evenings to make Carol a two-tone sweater. We will give no aid to China until Chiang resigns. Chambers claimed he stole a secret a week for transmission to Russian agents while he was a "spy". All Catholics implicated in Midszenty's [sic] arrest were excommunicated. 

Jan. 1, 1949 The new year started with a lecture on unselfishness to the kids when they bickered over the blocks ending in my taking away the entire box. Lillian made a hat to match Carol's sweater. Read Alan Paton's compassionate and universally proclaimed [sic] novel of South Africa "Cry, The Beloved Country". Sylvia 54 lbs 3 ft 11 1/4 Eugene              4 ft. 6 1/2. 

He left space for my weight, but I apparently didn't get to the scale.                         

Friday, November 7, 2014

12/19-12/25/48

12/19 Sunday Eugene in playing with Bobby R was running after him. He pushed him and Bobby fell against a baby carriage, breaking two of his teeth. Eugene ran upstairs without saying anything to anyone. We discovered what happened when Mrs. Rosenberg chided Eugene for not coming to her. We have also discovered that when a kid broke Eugene's glasses a few days ago he broke his in return. Sylvia has developed a cough as an aftermath to her cold. The Dutch resumed police action against 'undisciplined Indonesian Republicans'. The "UnAmerican Comm." released to the public the last of the "safe" documents found in Chambers' pumpkin, retelling much history of the last ten years. Israel's application for UN membership failed although U.S. and Russia supported it. Lester Cole, one of the Hollywood 'ten' won back his job with back pay in a decision by a federal jury.    5 hours O.T.

12/20 A 20 inch snowfall blanketed the city. Eugene got a D for forgetting a composition assignment. The Dutch seized the Indonesian capitol of Jogjakarta interning Republican officials including Pres. Soekarno. The secret documents Alger Hiss was supposed to have stolen were termed not so vital and accessible to dozens of persons. 3 hours O.T.

12/21 Sylvia is leader of her table and wants me to write it in the diary. Eugene is on the entertainment comm. Lawrence Duggan, former state dept. aide committed suicide by leaping from a 16th floor window. The UnAmerican Comm. claims he was one of the six men who passed documents to Chambers. The Supreme Court reviewing death sentences of Tojo and other Jap. war criminals refused to commute the sentences. Wolchok has taken an indefinite leave from office. He is believed to be through. Irving Simon is acting president. C. Aubrey Smith is dead at 80. 4 hours O.T.

12/22 Eugene got some pencils to donate to the class grab bag. Sylvia had two relapses, the only ones we can recall, apparently due to some nervousness about the work in school. 4 hours O.T.

12/23 Sylvia woke up with a 24 inch doll staring her in the face. It is beautifully dressed with rubber arms and legs. She has named her Carol and is in seventh heaven. She had ordered a big doll. I got it in the place for $6 (worth $14). Eugene asked for a note today saying Lillian knew he had been late six times. This is the first we heard of it. Duggan has now been cleared of any suspicion of espionage and is revealed as an anti-communist. Tojo and six hung. Sayre testified for 1 1/2 hours. He denied there were only four persons who had access to the secret documents. Marshall Plan funds were cut off to Netherland East Indies because of the Dutch attack in Indonesia. 5 hours O.T.

When Dad says "the place", he is surely referring to where he worked; the Canal St. Post Office.

 12/24 We saw "She" and "The Last Days of Pompeii" at the Marble Hill. Eugene enjoyed them and Sylvia suffered. 17 Jap. war leaders were given a Christmas amnesty by MacArthur. Fighting resumed in Israel. Lil and the kids took their second anti-flu injections. 

12/25 Christmas Mom and Pop, Molly and Sam were over for dinner. Eugene got a polo shirt. Sylvia pyjamas and a set of dishes. I split chess games with Pop while Lil won in open poker with Molly Sam and Mama. Eugene keeps telling untruths denying everything he does which is forbidden or for which he feels he will be punished, even though it is obvious he is guilty. He says he doesn't know why he 'lies' but he can't help it.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

12/12-12/18/48

12/12 Sunday Played Eugene a chess game, he being out of practice as we don't play very often now. Then played anagrams with the kids, Sylvia looking for the few words she has learned - look, jump, Jane, Dick etc. Eugene heard "Gulliver's Travels" on "Tell It Again". The apartment looks beautiful after the painting. Sylvia's nose was stuffed today. At night she had 100.6. She got milk of magnesia, neo synephrin, privine and the vaporizer. Also sniffing in salt water and Vicks. The UnAmerican Comm. made public 12 State Dept. documents which Chambers claims that Alger Hiss and two other aides made available to him for transmission to Russia, ten years ago. Romania ousted English and American diplomats for spying, with reprisals in similar vein by us. Costa Rican Prov. Pres. Figueres, who reigns due to a recent revolution announced forces invaded his country from Nicaragua. Churchill asked for recognition of Israel and Spain. The National Comm. on Segregation in the Nation's Capitol released a report on shocking discrimination against Negroes. Ezzard Charles Ko'd Joe Baksi in the 11th to win a place as a leading contender for Louis' title.

12/13 Sylvia didn't go to school but stayed in bed all day. 14 Leftists were arbitrarily suspended by Curran in the N.M.U. "UnAmerican" Committeeman Nixon asked for tighter laws to cope with a "fifth column" as liberal Congressmen renewed efforts to reform or abolish the Committee. Hiss again denied giving away secrets, resigning from his leadership of the Carnegie Endowment for Int'l Peace. The UN endorsed the South Korean gov't of Dr. Rhee. Mother and Molly dropped over this P.M.

12/14 Sylvia is better today and walking around but didn't go to school. Eugene had a 3A Arithmetic test. The Supreme Court ruled that criminal suspects must get greater protection of their civil rights in several decisions. Robert Briffault is dead at 74.

12/15 Eugene will be in a play in his class. But he must learn to whistle. Sylvia still out of school. She is playing with the anagrams. Spy probers charged Russia got military secrets ten years ago. Chinese Communists are storming Peiping. Grace Hutchins denied she had questioned Chambers' lawyers in 1938 in a plot to kill him. New witnesses in the probe were a. Pigman, Phil Reno[,] Berle and and Isaac Don Levine.

12/16 Sylvia keeps coming in and asking what letters words start with. Eugene is part of a group which will recite Eugene Fields' "Jest Fer [sic] Christmas". Alger Hiss was indicted on two perjury counts for denying he ever gave Chambers documents for transmission to Russia. The C.I.O. ordered the Retail Wholesale and Dept Stores Union to transfer to the A.C.W. for lack of organizing. A filled "Garden" heard Wallace, Robeson, Dean of Canterbury, Gailmor, Hester, Sondergaard and a message from Ambassador Panyushkin on peace with Russia. Yesterday we had our first snowfall. Lillian read Shellabarger's "Prince of Foxes".

12/17 Eugene came home from school yesterday without his brief-case and didn't even know it. He had been playing with some kids. Lillian went out with him to look for it. They found the brief case near the corner opposite the school. It was open and the books outside. Missing were the pencil box and homework note book. A little girls helped them look for the things then said there was no use looking any further upon which the pencil box fell down from under her coat. The note book was not found. Sylvia returned to school today. She was delighted with a pair of mittens Lillian bought for her. The French blew up the Russian radio in Berlin but did not silence it. We have declared a coalition govt in China will continue to receive aid but not Chiang or the Communists. Pay check $157.45. 4 hours O.T.

I remember the story about the little girl, but I don't think I actually remember the incident.

12/18 Eugene drew "Peter Duck" by A. Ransome, "Stories of Norse Heroes" retold by Wilmot-Buxton, "Magyar Fairy Tales" by the Poganys and "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle" by Hugh Lofting, a series in the tradition of L. A. Carrol. Sylvia drew "The Gay ABC" by Francoise "Farmers Boy" by L. Caldecott, "Wee Willow Whistle" by Kay Avery and "Children of the North Lights" by the D'Aulaires. 8hrs. O.T.

Regarding "Dr. Doolittle", I suppose "Lewis Carroll" is meant, but I'm not sure, because of the misspelling, and I see no reference to a middle initial.