Feb 1 Sunday We spent a quiet day at home. Lil's back began to bother her again. Sylvia made cupcakes for her girl scout group bazaar. Former magistrate McQuade testified that "Mr Big" extorted $81,500 from Tex Rickard in 1923. He denied it. The ferry Princess Victoria sank off Northern Ireland with about 130 dead. Union tug workers struck.
Feb 2 Western Europe's worst flood disaster ever has cost hundreds of lives. Holland and England are worst hit as hurricane lashed seas smashed and inundated coastal towns. A million are homeless. Eisenhower's message to Congress advocated freeing of Chiang's Nationalists on Formosa to raid Red China. He also hinted at the end of wage and price controls.
Feb 3 Lillian bought a special corset for her sacroiliac. The flood death toll neared 1500 in Europe.
Feb 4 Sylvia came up here with her friend Susan and Howard whom she introduced as Susan's boy friend. She wants to know at what age it is all right to go steady. The 13 C.P. leaders got terms ranging from one to three years and fines totalling [sic] $64,000. Tenants and landlords lobbied in Albany on rent increases.
Feb 5 Remington was sentenced to three years for perjury in his retrial. Steve Hannigan is dead at 53 and Ben Ames Williams at 68. Sylvia and Norma went to the library by themselves where Sylvia drew "The Lost Treasure Box" H. Rushmore, "Busby & Co." H. Coggins "The Windy Hill" C. Meigs &
Looks like Dad thought there was another book to add.
Feb 6 Lillian went downtown to get Eugene a coat but could find nothing.
Feb 7 We stayed in on a rainy day. We played anagrams, made up riddles. Dr James Bryant Conant was confirmed as High Commissioner for Germany after some Senate opposition for his "radical" views. The vice trial of Mickey Jelke started with a request for secrecy.
My father started a "diary" in 1945 (more accurately, a journal, covering both family and current events), and I'm going to see if this is a decent way to publish it. Since I'm doing it as a blog, to get to the beginning of the journal, you have to go to the beginning of the blog.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Sunday, January 27, 2019
1/25-1/31/53
Jan 25 Sunday Mom & pop, Molly and Sam over and we had a nice chat over coffee and cake. Also read the nursery rhymes. Sylvia played "In Sunny Italy" by Heller and Eugene played "La Zingara" by Boshin [?]. They they played a duet "Tales of the Vienna Woods" All selections were played beautifully.
La Zingara was written by Gaetano Donizetti; while I can't be sure of the name Dad wrote, it definitely wasn't that.
Jan 26 Things began to clear up as Eugene went out for the first time to the library and drew "Organized Labor and Production" M.L. Cooke (for his report) "Rose Bowl All-American" C.P. Jackson, "Son of Tomorrow" E.R. Silvers, "Best Sport Stories - 1950" Marsh & Ehre and "Mr Basketball" G Mikan's story as told to Bill Carlson. Lillian also felt better and went to a meeting. Prof. Walter B. Pitkin is dead at 74. Mike Jacobs is dead.
Jan 27 Lillian had a bad day. ... Dr Holzman, over the phone, advised heating pad and some empirin compound. She spent most of the day in bed. The three [sic] had supper at Madeline's. The Vietnam government won a decisive electoral victory. The Vietminh rebels battling the Nationalistsand militarily and banned from the ballot, failed to disrupt the voting. Remington was found guilty of perjury again in his second trial.
Presumably, Dad left out "of us".
Jan 28 Lillian collected for the "March of Dimes" in the building. Teamsters Union official Joe Papa was accused of taking thousands in graft. Susan Woodruff [?] is dead at 83.
I could not find an obituary for "Susan Woodruff", or a name like that, near that time.
Jan 29 Mama came over with a dress for Sylvia. Buses in the city, idle since New Year's Day began to roll as strike issues were given over to arbitration. Bishop Wurm is dead at 85 and Gen'l Wingate at 91. Lillian read Waltari's "The Egyptian". We both read John D. Carr's "Life of A Conan Doyle". The Siamese twin died.
Jan 30 We had our Bar Mitzvah in the Beth Israel Temple. Lillian and Eugene were better and the affair came off beautifully. Everyone raved about Eugene's appearance and speech; also about the entire affair. We had rye, scotch, wine, soda, cakes of all kinds, coffee, trays of hot hors d'oeuvres. Rabbi Stern officiated with Mr. Marks assistance. Jerry Gallins and Lillian and I were called up. Eugene got much cash, four wallets, five books, identification bracelet, camera, football, shirts. Guests were mom and pop, Lil and Harry, Sam and Molly, Mike and Evelyn Isabel, Abe and Blume, Anne and Barbara, Harry and Molly, Sam and Helen and Richard, Milton and Shirley, Lil Altschuler, Frieda K., Rochel and Mayer, Sandra & Edeen, Morty and Ray, Jerry Madeline and Joyce and Norma, Sarah and Irving and Bobby & Danny, Hy and Milly, Molly's sisters Rosie and Annie, Miracha [?] Dora, Milly, Mrs. Rubinstein and Larry, Morris Rose and Charles, Al and Dotty, Allen and Lilly.
At the end of this entry, the following was taped into the diary. It's hard to read; it says "BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION OF KINGSBRIDGE 2632 University Ave. A talk on "Jewish Survival" will be given tonight by Rabbi Leonard Stern at Sabbath services. This program also includes [a?] Bar Mitzvah celebration of Eugene Edelstein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isidore Edelstein, and an Oneg Shabbat.
The people mentioned included "Mr. Marks", who was the president of the temple, and our neighbor.
The guests listed were:
"mom and pop" - Dad's parents, Barney and Becky Edelstein
"Lil and Harry" - Dad's sister Lillian and her husband Harry Thaw
"Sam and Molly" - Mom's brother Sam Modelson and his wife Molly
"Mike and Evelyn Isabel" - Mom's other brother Mike Modelson, his wife Evelyn and daughter Isabel
"Abe and Blume" - Barney Edelstein's brother Abe and his wife Blume
"Anne and Barbara" - Abe and Blume's daughter Anne, and Anne's daughter Barbara
"Harry and Molly" - Harry Goode and his wife Molly (Harry was a cousin of Barney; we believe, but can't be sure, that they were first cousins
"Sam and Helen and Richard" - Harry Goode's son Sam, who was our piano tuner, his wife Helen, and son Richard (who became a famous pianist, and about whom my mother was always very proud that he played the piano at my Bar Mitzvah)
"Milton and Shirley" - Sam and Molly Modelson's son Milton and his wife Shirley
"Lil Altschuler" - we are sure she was a cousin of Mom's, but do not know the exact relationship
"Frieda K" - Frieda Kamen, who was a friend of Mom's
"Rochel and Mayer" - Rochel Leah Patchenik, a first cousin of Barney's, and her husband Meyer Bardes
"Sandra and Edeen" - Sandra Guzman, daughter of Rochel's sister Ida, and her husband Edeen [Eddin] Spiwack
"Morty and Ray" - we know the names, believe they were friends of Mom and Dad
"Jerry Madeline and Joyce and Norma" - Jerry Gallins, his wife Madeline and daughters Joyce and Norma; they were our downstairs neighbors
"Sarah and Irving and Bobby & Danny" - Irving Rosenberg, his wife Sarah and their children Bobby and Danny; they were neighbors in the building, and Bobby was my closest friend earlier in my childhood
"Hy and Milly" - we know the names, believe they were friends of Mom and Dad
"Molly's sisters Rosie and Annie, Mascha [?], Dora, Milly" - we believe these were sisters of Molly Modelson
"Mrs. Rubinstein and Larry" - Larry Rubinstein was my closest friend at the time
"Morris Rose and Charles" - do not know
"Al and Dotty" - do not know
"Allen and Lilly" - do not know
I also know I had other friends there; I remember Karl Levitt specifically.
The diary entry of that day continued:
"Mr Big" of the piers, W J McCormack testified before the state Crime Commission that he knew nothing of crime and corruption on the waterfront! Bill Spivey's trial for shaving points ended in a hung jury. Dr Sam Hardy is dead..
Jan 31 Mom and pop took us to Lil and Harry's where we spent an afternoon pleasantly chatting and relaxing. Frieda who had stayed here overnight, left at 2 o'clock. Joe Ryan testified before the state crime commission that there was no more crime on the docks than in any other section!
La Zingara was written by Gaetano Donizetti; while I can't be sure of the name Dad wrote, it definitely wasn't that.
Jan 26 Things began to clear up as Eugene went out for the first time to the library and drew "Organized Labor and Production" M.L. Cooke (for his report) "Rose Bowl All-American" C.P. Jackson, "Son of Tomorrow" E.R. Silvers, "Best Sport Stories - 1950" Marsh & Ehre and "Mr Basketball" G Mikan's story as told to Bill Carlson. Lillian also felt better and went to a meeting. Prof. Walter B. Pitkin is dead at 74. Mike Jacobs is dead.
Jan 27 Lillian had a bad day. ... Dr Holzman, over the phone, advised heating pad and some empirin compound. She spent most of the day in bed. The three [sic] had supper at Madeline's. The Vietnam government won a decisive electoral victory. The Vietminh rebels battling the Nationalists
Presumably, Dad left out "of us".
Jan 28 Lillian collected for the "March of Dimes" in the building. Teamsters Union official Joe Papa was accused of taking thousands in graft. Susan Woodruff [?] is dead at 83.
I could not find an obituary for "Susan Woodruff", or a name like that, near that time.
Jan 29 Mama came over with a dress for Sylvia. Buses in the city, idle since New Year's Day began to roll as strike issues were given over to arbitration. Bishop Wurm is dead at 85 and Gen'l Wingate at 91. Lillian read Waltari's "The Egyptian". We both read John D. Carr's "Life of A Conan Doyle". The Siamese twin died.
Jan 30 We had our Bar Mitzvah in the Beth Israel Temple. Lillian and Eugene were better and the affair came off beautifully. Everyone raved about Eugene's appearance and speech; also about the entire affair. We had rye, scotch, wine, soda, cakes of all kinds, coffee, trays of hot hors d'oeuvres. Rabbi Stern officiated with Mr. Marks assistance. Jerry Gallins and Lillian and I were called up. Eugene got much cash, four wallets, five books, identification bracelet, camera, football, shirts. Guests were mom and pop, Lil and Harry, Sam and Molly, Mike and Evelyn Isabel, Abe and Blume, Anne and Barbara, Harry and Molly, Sam and Helen and Richard, Milton and Shirley, Lil Altschuler, Frieda K., Rochel and Mayer, Sandra & Edeen, Morty and Ray, Jerry Madeline and Joyce and Norma, Sarah and Irving and Bobby & Danny, Hy and Milly, Molly's sisters Rosie and Annie, Miracha [?] Dora, Milly, Mrs. Rubinstein and Larry, Morris Rose and Charles, Al and Dotty, Allen and Lilly.
At the end of this entry, the following was taped into the diary. It's hard to read; it says "BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION OF KINGSBRIDGE 2632 University Ave. A talk on "Jewish Survival" will be given tonight by Rabbi Leonard Stern at Sabbath services. This program also includes [a?] Bar Mitzvah celebration of Eugene Edelstein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isidore Edelstein, and an Oneg Shabbat.
The guests listed were:
"mom and pop" - Dad's parents, Barney and Becky Edelstein
"Lil and Harry" - Dad's sister Lillian and her husband Harry Thaw
"Sam and Molly" - Mom's brother Sam Modelson and his wife Molly
"Mike and Evelyn Isabel" - Mom's other brother Mike Modelson, his wife Evelyn and daughter Isabel
"Abe and Blume" - Barney Edelstein's brother Abe and his wife Blume
"Anne and Barbara" - Abe and Blume's daughter Anne, and Anne's daughter Barbara
"Harry and Molly" - Harry Goode and his wife Molly (Harry was a cousin of Barney; we believe, but can't be sure, that they were first cousins
"Sam and Helen and Richard" - Harry Goode's son Sam, who was our piano tuner, his wife Helen, and son Richard (who became a famous pianist, and about whom my mother was always very proud that he played the piano at my Bar Mitzvah)
"Milton and Shirley" - Sam and Molly Modelson's son Milton and his wife Shirley
"Lil Altschuler" - we are sure she was a cousin of Mom's, but do not know the exact relationship
"Frieda K" - Frieda Kamen, who was a friend of Mom's
"Rochel and Mayer" - Rochel Leah Patchenik, a first cousin of Barney's, and her husband Meyer Bardes
"Sandra and Edeen" - Sandra Guzman, daughter of Rochel's sister Ida, and her husband Edeen [Eddin] Spiwack
"Morty and Ray" - we know the names, believe they were friends of Mom and Dad
"Jerry Madeline and Joyce and Norma" - Jerry Gallins, his wife Madeline and daughters Joyce and Norma; they were our downstairs neighbors
"Sarah and Irving and Bobby & Danny" - Irving Rosenberg, his wife Sarah and their children Bobby and Danny; they were neighbors in the building, and Bobby was my closest friend earlier in my childhood
"Hy and Milly" - we know the names, believe they were friends of Mom and Dad
"Molly's sisters Rosie and Annie, Mascha [?], Dora, Milly" - we believe these were sisters of Molly Modelson
"Mrs. Rubinstein and Larry" - Larry Rubinstein was my closest friend at the time
"Morris Rose and Charles" - do not know
"Al and Dotty" - do not know
"Allen and Lilly" - do not know
I also know I had other friends there; I remember Karl Levitt specifically.
The diary entry of that day continued:
"Mr Big" of the piers, W J McCormack testified before the state Crime Commission that he knew nothing of crime and corruption on the waterfront! Bill Spivey's trial for shaving points ended in a hung jury. Dr Sam Hardy is dead..
Jan 31 Mom and pop took us to Lil and Harry's where we spent an afternoon pleasantly chatting and relaxing. Frieda who had stayed here overnight, left at 2 o'clock. Joe Ryan testified before the state crime commission that there was no more crime on the docks than in any other section!
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
1/18-1/24/53
Jan 18 Sunday Barry Gray was slugged for the second time in 5 months. Behind the scenes fight manager "Frankie" Carbo was arrested for defying the crime investigation.
Jan 19 A thousand convicts rioted in a Pittsburgh prison in a protest against conditions. East German police raided homes of Jews looking for "Zionist spies." Bulgaria arrested 10 U.S. spies. Guatemala's left wing regime won the election although several anti-communists were elected.
Jan 20 As Madeline and her kids and Sylvia and I watched the inauguration of Eisenhower, Lillian was examined by Dr Holzman for a back ache. He thought it was a sprained sacro-iliac. He strapped her up, told her to sleep on a board do no pushing or lifting, wear a tight girdle and take the strapping off Saturday morning. I had gone with Lillian but came home to see to Sylvia as it was raining and she still has a running nose. The State Crime Comm. spotlighted waterfront union local 920 where union leaders got lavish funds without accounting. They also got presents from shipping companies.
Jan 21 Lillian felt better today. Bulgaria sentenced one to death and nine to prison terms as U.S. spies. Jim Line & Walter Hirsch testified as to Spivey's complicity in point shaving in Kentucky basketball.
Jan 22 All 13 second team Communists were convicted of conspiring to teach and advocate the overthrow [of] the gov't by force and violence. The verdict came after seven days of deliberation by the jury after a 9 1/2 month trial. Miss Ruth Crawford was ousted by the U.N. after admission of C.P. membership for one year. The new Cabinet confirmed by the Senate: J F Dulles - Sec'y of State, Geo. Humphrey - Sec'y of Treasury, H. Brownell - Att'y Gen'l, A S [sic] Summerfield - P.M., Doug McKay - Sec'y of Interior, Ezra T Benson - Sec'y of Agriculture, S. Weeks - Sec'y of Commerce, M P Durkin - Sec'y of Labor, Mrs. O. C. Hobby - Fed. Sec. Admin. The nomination of Chas Wilson, Pres. on leave of G.M.was contested as heholds retains his stock in the company. Al Simmons and Dizzy Dean made the Hall of Fame. Eugene awoke at 4:30 AM and vomited. Later he complained of a stomach ache. His temp. was 99.4° at 8:30 AM, 100.2° at 10:30 AM and 101° at 11:30 AM. He also felt better. However his temp. began to rise and Dr Holzman came. He diagnosed a virus affecting the neck gland. Eugene was put on a liquid diet, gargling, iodex to the neck, neo-synephrin, aureomycin capsules. He also got a penicillin shot.
We had to call off the Bar Mitzvah until next Friday and Lillian notified everyone by phone.
Jan 23 Eugene's temp was down to normal. He won a chess game from me. Lillian felt ill in the morning as a result of yesterday's ordeal but improved later. Mike came over with half of the tremendous Bar Mitzvah cake which Evelyn had baked. The Robbs also came up to see how Eugene was. Charles Wilson agreed to sell his GM stock to become Sec'y of Defense.
I remember the Bar Mitzvah cake very well. My Aunt Evelyn was known for her baking; I remember lying in bed, and being shown this gigantic sheet cake, made to look like (half of) a book, and being told that it was only half of the cake which she had made.
Jan 24 Eugene's temp was normal all day. We had musical contests, crossword puzzles "go to the head of the class". Sylvia made pot holders for the girl scouts' bazaar. Former Rep Eaton is dead at 84.
Jan 19 A thousand convicts rioted in a Pittsburgh prison in a protest against conditions. East German police raided homes of Jews looking for "Zionist spies." Bulgaria arrested 10 U.S. spies. Guatemala's left wing regime won the election although several anti-communists were elected.
Jan 20 As Madeline and her kids and Sylvia and I watched the inauguration of Eisenhower, Lillian was examined by Dr Holzman for a back ache. He thought it was a sprained sacro-iliac. He strapped her up, told her to sleep on a board do no pushing or lifting, wear a tight girdle and take the strapping off Saturday morning. I had gone with Lillian but came home to see to Sylvia as it was raining and she still has a running nose. The State Crime Comm. spotlighted waterfront union local 920 where union leaders got lavish funds without accounting. They also got presents from shipping companies.
Jan 21 Lillian felt better today. Bulgaria sentenced one to death and nine to prison terms as U.S. spies. Jim Line & Walter Hirsch testified as to Spivey's complicity in point shaving in Kentucky basketball.
Jan 22 All 13 second team Communists were convicted of conspiring to teach and advocate the overthrow [of] the gov't by force and violence. The verdict came after seven days of deliberation by the jury after a 9 1/2 month trial. Miss Ruth Crawford was ousted by the U.N. after admission of C.P. membership for one year. The new Cabinet confirmed by the Senate: J F Dulles - Sec'y of State, Geo. Humphrey - Sec'y of Treasury, H. Brownell - Att'y Gen'l, A S [sic] Summerfield - P.M., Doug McKay - Sec'y of Interior, Ezra T Benson - Sec'y of Agriculture, S. Weeks - Sec'y of Commerce, M P Durkin - Sec'y of Labor, Mrs. O. C. Hobby - Fed. Sec. Admin. The nomination of Chas Wilson, Pres. on leave of G.M.was contested as he
We had to call off the Bar Mitzvah until next Friday and Lillian notified everyone by phone.
Jan 23 Eugene's temp was down to normal. He won a chess game from me. Lillian felt ill in the morning as a result of yesterday's ordeal but improved later. Mike came over with half of the tremendous Bar Mitzvah cake which Evelyn had baked. The Robbs also came up to see how Eugene was. Charles Wilson agreed to sell his GM stock to become Sec'y of Defense.
I remember the Bar Mitzvah cake very well. My Aunt Evelyn was known for her baking; I remember lying in bed, and being shown this gigantic sheet cake, made to look like (half of) a book, and being told that it was only half of the cake which she had made.
Jan 24 Eugene's temp was normal all day. We had musical contests, crossword puzzles "go to the head of the class". Sylvia made pot holders for the girl scouts' bazaar. Former Rep Eaton is dead at 84.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
1/11-1/17/53
Jan 11 Sunday To mother's for lunch. Harry Lil and kids also there. Gerty and her kids and Taubie dropped in. Eugene lost another chess game to pop; Peggy 'wrote'; the girls played, then wrote stories.
Jan 12 Sylvia complained of a sore throat and stayed home from school. Her temp was normal. She got a John [sic] Gnagy paint set which she used with gusto.
Jan 13 Bevo Francis of Rio Grande College scored 116 points in a basketball game. Moscow announced the arrest of eight "terrorist" Jewish doctors, "working under the instructions of Zionist organizations and U.S. and English intelligence Services"
Jan 14 All N.Y. Maritime Unions united to form the Greater N.Y. Harbor Port Council to clean up the waterfromt. Lillian got a black taffeta dress at Lerner's $7.95
Jan 15 Got plastic eyeglass frames $4. Silvia played with Barbara Joan L and Norma. At Remington's re-trial he was identified as a Communist by a former "party" head. Douglas Chandor is dead and Johnny Risko at 50.
The first space was apparently left to add in Barbara's last initial, the second for Douglas Chandor's age at death, but neither was filled in.
Jan 16 Lillian kept Sylvia home from school and took her to Dr Holzman's as she was clogged up. coughing repeatedly. He found she had a sinus infections and prescribed gargling, argyrol and neo-synephrin drops, some medication. She could go out. Ten ex G.I.'s were arrested on charges of espionage for Russia. Seven ex-Nazis were seized by the British and charged with plotting restoration of Nazi power. A runaway train rammed the Union Station in Wash. D.C. injuring 41. The fog here caused 4 harbor accidents. Four Jewish Community leaders in East Germany fled to West Berlin. East German Foreign Minister Dertinger was arrested as a "Western spy". In Israel a Communist book shop was bombed and Histadrut voted to oust all C.P. officers.
Jan 17 Bobby R came over with Danny and the kids played all day here and in the office. New Premier Naguib dissolved all Egyptian parties after an army plot to overthrow the gov't was discovered. Tony Anastasia quit as pier boss and Jerry Anastasia was arrested for refusing to talk to the crime inquiry.
Jan 12 Sylvia complained of a sore throat and stayed home from school. Her temp was normal. She got a John [sic] Gnagy paint set which she used with gusto.
Jan 13 Bevo Francis of Rio Grande College scored 116 points in a basketball game. Moscow announced the arrest of eight "terrorist" Jewish doctors, "working under the instructions of Zionist organizations and U.S. and English intelligence Services"
Jan 14 All N.Y. Maritime Unions united to form the Greater N.Y. Harbor Port Council to clean up the waterfromt. Lillian got a black taffeta dress at Lerner's $7.95
Jan 15 Got plastic eyeglass frames $4. Silvia played with Barbara Joan L and Norma. At Remington's re-trial he was identified as a Communist by a former "party" head. Douglas Chandor is dead and Johnny Risko at 50.
The first space was apparently left to add in Barbara's last initial, the second for Douglas Chandor's age at death, but neither was filled in.
Jan 16 Lillian kept Sylvia home from school and took her to Dr Holzman's as she was clogged up. coughing repeatedly. He found she had a sinus infections and prescribed gargling, argyrol and neo-synephrin drops, some medication. She could go out. Ten ex G.I.'s were arrested on charges of espionage for Russia. Seven ex-Nazis were seized by the British and charged with plotting restoration of Nazi power. A runaway train rammed the Union Station in Wash. D.C. injuring 41. The fog here caused 4 harbor accidents. Four Jewish Community leaders in East Germany fled to West Berlin. East German Foreign Minister Dertinger was arrested as a "Western spy". In Israel a Communist book shop was bombed and Histadrut voted to oust all C.P. officers.
Jan 17 Bobby R came over with Danny and the kids played all day here and in the office. New Premier Naguib dissolved all Egyptian parties after an army plot to overthrow the gov't was discovered. Tony Anastasia quit as pier boss and Jerry Anastasia was arrested for refusing to talk to the crime inquiry.
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