3/13-3/19/55

Mar 13 Sunday Eugene and I drove downtown to shop. He watched the meter and read. Then we met Lil and Sylvia at Central Commercial H.S. for the "Fed" rally for our pay raise and against re-classification. Congressmen Fine, Dollinger, Zelenka and Klein spoke in addition to union officials. Sylvia listened to half the program then read and nagged to go. We left at 4:30 having stayed over 2 hours. We walked into the News bldg. for a while then sent the kids for sodas while we had coffee and cake in an Automat. Sylvia bought post cards again. ...

Mar 14 Eugene Red and Jerry went up to the roof with the telescope but some neighbors thought they were prowlers and called the police. They ordered the boys off. Walter Winchell was forced to with withdraw his accusations of "Communism". publicly, against "The Post" and James Wechsler after a lawsuit. 

I have been waiting for this incident to come up in the diary. As dad said, we went up to the roof to use the telescope, and a cop suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs, saw us, and approached, asking what we were doing up here. As the owner of the telescope, I had to answer, querulously: "L-l-l-ooking at the stars". After which the cop asked "What stars?" A bit dumbstruck, I just pointed overhead. After yelling down to his partner that it was just a couple of kids, he told us to get off the roof. We did. 

Mar 15 Stocks reached 10 year lows as the "market" was studied by a Senate Banking Committee. 

Mar 16 Daylight Savings Time was extended a month by the City Council. Aneurin Bevan was ousted from the British Labor Party. Shavey Lee is dead at 52.  

Mar 17 Came home with four hours vacation tonight. The B'klyn Eagle announced it would never publish again in the midst of a 47 day strike.  

Mar 18 The sensations these days are the release of the "Yalta Papers" and the Vice trial of Mickey Jelke with V-Girl Pat Ward naming big names who were customers. Eugene is on the Math Society Committee temporarily. Had the car repaired at Oldsmobile. Rear light, front light, side dent and chrome: $33.

Mar 19 Sylvia went skating at Wollman with Susan Greenfield. Eugene went skating to IBM with Jerry and Red but it was closed. They toured auto salesrooms and a penny arcade.

3/6-3/12/55

Mar 6 Mom and pop and Molly & Sam came over for dinner. Anne & Mac couldn't come as the kids were ill. We played some cards. Eugene beat pop two chess games. The kids played some piano. William C. DeMille is dead at 76. 

It was Sunday, although dad didn't note it in the date. 

Mar 7 The UN Truce Commission condemned Israel for the battle with Egypt which resulted in many Egyptian dead. The Ford Foundation donated $50,000,000 for the advancement of College professor's salaries.  

Mar 8 Frederick Birchall is dead at 84. 

Mar 9 The Senate is investigating the Stock Market because it has soared to unprecedented heights within the last year. 

Mar 10 Lillian bought a dress $8, shoes $3 and stockings at Alexander's. Ernst Boas is dead at 64, Matt Henson at 88 and Denis Conan Doyle at 43. 

Mar 11 Lillian found notes from Eugene and Sylvia when she got home from work. Sylvia had gone to the park with some girls to do homework. Eugene, in Spanish had gone to the library with Red and Jerry. He drew "Bill Mauldin Over [In] Korea", "The Caves of Steel" I. Asimov, "Kon Tiki" T. Heyerdahl, "The Black Stallion " W. Farley, "Moon Ahead" L Greener. Sylvia drew "You Can Always Tell A Freshman" E.A. Hudnut, "Dancing Star" (A. Pavlova) G. Malvern, "Carol on Broadway" H.D. Boylston. 

Mar 12 Sylvia went to the Kingsbridge with Nancy Korman to see "A Star is Born" Judy Garland & James Mason & Disney's "Stormy". Eugene played baseball with Larry. However Larry abruptly called off the appointment for the evening to see a basketball game or babysit together saying he had to study. Lil and I drove around Westchester County. Sir Alexander Fleming is dead at 73.

2/27-3/5/55

Feb 27 Sunday We drove downtown where I shopped while Lil bought wool for a heavy sweater for me on Grand St. The kids sat in the car and read all the time as it was a rainy day. At home Eugene and I played chess after a long lapse. We ended unfinished. West Germany approved re-armament by a large margin. Quill's T.W.U. failed to prevent the A.F.L.-C.I.O. merger on the grounds that guarantees against discrimination and raiding should be given first. 

Feb 28 Trixie Friganza is dead at 83 and Tom Howard at 69. 

Mar 1 Jerry and Red have taken to coming up here pretty often. 

Mar 2 Lil and I drove downtown to pick up my wallet which I had forgotten (  I took a day's vacation today. We then bought some wood for our wall book case shelves. Sylvia had Susan G. here. Egypt protested in the UN against the killing of 38 of her men in a clash with Israel. Six C.P. leaders finished 5 year terms but five were re-arrested on charges of belonging to a revolutionary party. The sixth Ben Davis must serve a six month sentence for contempt. 

There is what appears to be an open parenthesis after the first sentence, but nothing else. I remember the "lost wallet" incident, which would have been traumatic. 

Mar 3 Lillian began to work today at Paula's place for a "week or two" 12-4 PM. 

Mar 4 Lew White is dead at 52. 

Mar 5 Lil and I visited the Rosenbergs tonight. Present were Dr Samet and wife, Dr & Mrs Bernfield, Paley [?] & Mildred Grosfeld. I damaged the car slightly.

2/20-2/26/55

Feb 20 Sunday Sylvia went to Sherry's house to study Spanish. Then she met Eugene and Lil at Molly & Sam's where they ate delicatessen. 

Feb 21 Eugene drew "Man in the Iron Mask" Dumas and "Theodore Roosevelt" Henry Pringle - both for book reports, "Luckman at Quarterback" Luckman, "A Treasure Chest of Sport Stories" Max Herzberg, "Tales of Adventurers" Geoffrey Household. Eugene usually stops in Woolworths after school with his friends Jerry and "Red" for hot chocolates. Chinese Nationalists sank many Red Chinese ships. ... Lillian saw ''The Barefoot Contessa with Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner Saturday.

Feb 22 We drove to the Vogue to see "The Member of the Wedding" with Ethel Waters, Julie Harris and Brandon DeWilde and the powerful brutal story of crime on the docks "On The Waterfront" with Eva St. Marie St., Marlon Brando and Lee Cobb. Three former Communists who testified against many figures convicted or smeared as Communists have renounced their testimony.  

The red "St." was inserted, and the earlier one struck through, after this entry was written 

Feb 23 Lil and I drove around for business after lunch picking up Sylvia and some of her schoolmates and bringing them home in between. Tony Trabert won the Nat'l Indoor Singles over Ham Richardson 11-[1]3, 7-5, 9-7, 6-3. Trabert & Seixas d. Richardson and Talbert in the doubles 6-3, 13-11. Paul Claudel is dead at 86. We both read "Take them up Tenderly" - New Yorker profiles by Margaret Case Harriman. 

Feb 24 Edgar Faure became French Premier after a 19 day interim. 

Feb 25 Sylvia went to Eileen Danies' birthday party. The girls danced and played charades. They decided to form a dancing club and meet once a month in a different girls house. Eugene had his first dancing lesson at the "Y". At night he invited Jerry and Red over to look through his telescope which they took up to the roof. Sylvia went up there when she got home. The boys broke up after 11 PM.  

Feb 26 We drove down to the Battery and went to the Marine Museum in the Seaman's Church Institute. Sylvia was against the whole thing of course but was appeased by some postal cards which she is collecting.

2/13-2/19/55

Feb 13 Sunday We drove to New Jersey dropping off Sam & Molly at Milton's then going on to Sylvia and Dwight's. Dwight Jr was very cute and outspoken. Marion is very nice also. We saw Lou, May and Frieda. We left after dinner picking up Sam & Molly on the way home. Andy is very beautiful.  

Feb 14 Gen'l Brehon Somervell is dead at 62, Tom Moore at 71, SZ Sakall at 67, Joseph Weinberg at 78. Abigail Adams committed suicide at 

Dad apparently left a space for Adams' age, but didn't fill it in. She was 33. Sakall was actually 72, not 67.

Feb 15 The UN suspended its efforts to solve the Formosan problem following Red China's rejection of an invitation to discuss the situation at a conference. 

Feb 16 Lillian took Eugene to Dr Holzman when he complained he couldn't bend his elbow after banging it here. Dr. Holzman fluoroscoped it and found no break but a contusion of the bone. He put the arm in a sling and advised baking with a sun lamp. 

Feb 17 Five Romanian anti-communists who took over the Romanian Embassy in Switzerland killing a chauffeur and vowing to stay until four resistance leaders were released in Romania have surrendered to Swiss authorities. 

Feb 18 The kids registered for dancing at the Y.W.C.A.

Feb 19 Sylvia went to the R.K.O. with friends.They saw "There's No Business like Show Business" with Ether Merman and Don O'Connor. Eugene went over to Bobby's.

2/6-2/12/55

Feb 6 Sunday It rained all day and we watched television: Crocodiles and Alligators on "Adventure" "Patrick Henry" on Hallmark of Fame" [sic] Jackie Coogan, Mary Small, Bobby Breen, Dicky Moore guest stars on Juvenile Jury. The Costa Rican revolt flared up again. U.S. planes downed two "Migs" off Korea. 

Feb 7 Tachen is being evacuated by the Chinese Nationalists with the U.S. fleet standing by for protection. 

Feb 8 Lillian got Sylvia a bathrobe and skirt which delighted her. 

Feb 9 Marshal Bulganin became Premier of Russia as Malenkov resigned, declaring his leadership had been inadequate. Former Sen. Rush Holt is dead at 49.

Feb 10 Lillian went down to Paula Peterson's place for full time work today addressing letters and made $10. The A.F.L. & C.I.O. approved a formula for a merger. 

Feb 11 Antoine Pinay has failed to form a French gov't. 

Feb 12 We drove over to Lil and Harry's. We played ping pong. Sylvia and Susan played around together. They are very chummy. Peggy showed off her new reading ability. Sylvia also read to her. Ona Munson committed suicide at 49.

1/30-2/5/55

Jan 30 Sunday Sylvia still gets the pains on and off. She doesn't eat much. However she went skating at Wollman with Susan G, Helen P. Harriet C. Nympha D. Jenn H. Lillian read "The Years are Even" H. Stackpole. 

The name of the author was Skidmore, not Stackpole. I guess he made the entry from memory. 

Jan 31 Sylvia went ice skating at St James with Susan G. Lil Eugene and I had the car washed, made a business stop at Burnside, bought two Cherry Ames books for Sylvia in Tremont where Lil shopped and went to the library. Furtwangler is dead. 

A famous Furtwangler died in November 1954. Could not find one in January 1955. 

Feb 1 The U.N. invited Red China to help end the hostilities in the islands of China. The Special Comm. on Veterans named Home Run Baker and Ray Schalk to the Hall of Fame. 

Feb 2 Sylvia is better now and has resumed eating. ... Nationalist and Red China continued to bomb each other in the fight for the offshore islands as the world crisis over Chou's vow to regain Formosa continued. 

Feb 3 The mercury hit 0° this morning - the coldest in seven years. 

Feb 4 ... Red China refused to attend the Security Council meeting to discuss the civil war unless Nationalist China was ousted. 

Feb 5 We drove over to mother's for a while then went to the Kingsbridge to see "Lilli" [sic] with Leslie Caron and Mel Ferrer - beautiful picture with Carnival background. Also "Fire over Africa" with Maureen O'Hara and McDonald Carey. The Mendes France gov't fell because of his soft North African policy. 

1/23-1/29/55

Jan 23 Sunday Mom and pop came over for dinner. Lil had gotten Eugene dungarees as mom's present. Also socks. Sylvia got a pretty sweater blouse. We were supposed to go to Lil's but Susan got temperature. We went for a drive after mom and pop left. 

Jan 24 Eugene went ice skating at Wollman Memorial with Larry, Martin B. and several others.  

The box score for the game we went to on 1/22 was glued in here, and this entry was written around it. 

 

Jan 25 Djilas and Dedijer, Yugoslav Communists who asked for democratization of the "party" were found guilty of hostile propaganda but their sentences were suspended.

Jan 26 Lillian is recovering from a cold. Tonight she made her annual collection in the building for the 'March of Dimes'. The 'House' voted 409-3 to support Eisenhower in any decision on the Formosa crisis. Russia ended the state of war with Germany. 

Jan 27 Eugene drew "Relief Pitching" [sic] R.G. Emery, "The Universe Around Us" Sir James Jeans, "The Real McGraw" Mrs McGraw, "The Silent World" Capt. J.A. Cousteau, "Stories for Tomorrow" W. Sloane. Claude Lightfoot was found guilty of belonging to the C.P. while conscious of its aims to overthrow the government. Joe DiMaggio led Ted Lyons, Dazzy Vance & Gabby Hartnett into the Hall of Fame. 

Jan 28 Eugene plays the piano almost every day. Serge Rubinstein financial wizard and draft dodger was found strangled to death in his apt. at 46. 

Jan 29 ... The Senate approved Eisenhower's Formosan Plan to take any action to defend the Island 85-3. Sens. Lehman, Morse & Langer dissented.

1/16-1/22/55

Jan 16 Sunday We and the Gallins' drove to Bear Mountain where the kids and Jerry ice-skated on the small lake. Norma said her leg hurt her and did not go on. We watched the ski-jumps for the NY State championship. We ate at the cafeteria - soup coffee and cake for us and hot sandwiches milk and cake for the kids. President Guizado of Panama who had just replaced the assassinated President Remon was himself impeached when implicated in the murder by confessed slayer Ruben Miro. Sylvia complained of a stiff neck in the evening and then asked for "drops" before going to bed.

Jan 17 Rebel planes controlled the air in Costa Rica as the U.S. sold four planes to the C.R. gov't. Sylvia got the vaporizer and aspirin tonight as her nose was running badly. 

Jan 18 Sylvia missed school today. She had no temp. but her nose bothered her a great deal. The first atomic powered ship - the submarine Nautilus, was launched today. Johnny Buff is dead at 66. 

Jan 19 Sylvia returned to school today against Lil's advice although she was better. Chinese Communists invaded and captured Yikiang Island. 

Jan 20 Pres. Eisenhower's press conference was filmed for TV and Newsreels for the first time ever. 

Jan 21 Eugene got shirts socks pajamas, etc. from us and relatives. Silvia went to Anne Shiffer's house for an evening party. The girls - about twenty - had refreshments and played a balloon dance game. Another coup in Guatemala laid to the deposed left-wing was put down. Robert P.T. Coffin is dead at 62.

Jan 22 I took Eugene to the Knick-Warriors basketball at the 69th Reg. Armory for his birthday. Bobby R came along. Four convicts at the Mass. State Prison surprised in a get-away, seized four guards as hostages, six fellow prisoners and made a bid for freedom for 82 hours. They finally gave up to a Committee led by Christian Science Monitor editor Erwin Canham.

1/9-1/15/55

Jan 9 Sunday Charles Wertenbaker is dead at 54 and Mrs Earl Browder at 58. Sylvia made butterscotch toast for herself and Eugene this morning. She had learned this in school. We both read "We Barrymores" L Barrymore. 

Jan 10 ...

Jan 11 Chinese Communist planes raided Formosa. The Supreme court refused to reverse the conviction of thirteen high Communists under the Smith Act. Lillian read "Bread from Heaven" H. Buckmaster and "East of Eden" J Steinbeck.  

Jan 12 Sylvia played "Edelweiss Glide" at Assembly for the Seventh grade. It was voluntary. Eugene drew "The Washington Senators" Shirley Povich, "The Cumberland Rifles" N.B. Gerson, "The Big Stretch" D. Decker, "Foundation" I. Asimov, "Star Rangers" A. Norton. A rebel force attacked and occupied a Costa Rican town. It was attributed to Nicaragua. Marshal Graziani is dead at 72.

Jan 13 Had 1000 mile check-up on car. Grease and oil $4.55. Sylvia went over to her schoolmate Susan Grunfield to do some homework. Lil Eugene & I drove to Fordham where we went to the library, got a briefcase for Eugene, a lunch bag for me, two plaid shirts for me, typewriter ribbon bolts for Eugene and brought home chow mein. Lil shopped for a jacket for Eugene. UN Secy Genl Dag Hammarskjold completed a series of talks with Chou En-Lai in China on the release of eleven American Airmen imprisoned there. Chou voiced fears of an American backed invasion. Togliatti is now being opposed by Italian C.P. leaders for his "soft" policy. 

Jan 14 Lil and I went to the Kingsbridge this afternoon to see "Sabrina" with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and Billy Holden. We left a note for the dishes to be dried but were disappointed when we got home. We gave the kids 'hell' for this. In the evening we all and the Gallins' family attended the Motorboat Show at the Kingsbridge Armory. The kids had a good time. 

Jan 15 We drove up to mom's picking up Molly on the way. We chatted for several hours, the kids getting into good natured squabbles. At home we stepped into the Marks' apt. to give our good wishes on Geoffrey's bar mitzvah. Previously we stopped on Tremont Ave where Lil & Sylvia got shoes and Lil got some sheets and towels.

1/2-1/8/55

Jan 2 Sunday Ohio State defeated Southern California 20-7 in the Rose Bowl.

Jan 3 President Jose Antonio Remon of Panama was assassinated by unknown killers. 

Jan 4 The U.S. closed 27% of the country to Russian travelers in retaliation for Soviet bars against us. 

Jan 5 Lil and I drove over to the Cross County Shopping Centre [sic] where Lillian failed to get shoes or seat material for the folding aluminum chair. We bought some butter crunch. The kids had not yet come home from school. Eugene is leaving early these days so he can put in extra work on his S.T.L. project - the Equatorial mounting. 

Jan 6 Wolf Ladijinsy [sic] whose dismissal as agricultural attache in Tokyo on security and other grounds caused a great uproar here has been given a security clearance and hired by the Foreign Operations Admin. 

Jan 7 Sylvia received a commendation from her teacher for her composition on "Champions Choice" JR Tunis. She admired her thoughtful expression while talking also. Dr Eugene Tarle is dead at 81.

Jan 8 Eugene played at Bobby's downstairs. Marian Anderson became the first Negro ever to sing at the "Met." when she sang in "The Masked Ball". Sir Arthur Keith is dead at 88.

12/26/54-1/1/55

Dec 26 Sunday Eugene went out to the park. 

Dec 27 Eugene went out to the school yard. He found no one he knew so did nothing there. Sylvia went ice skating at Wollman. It was jammed. 

Dec 28 Eugene is recovering and reinforcing and varnishing our folding chairs. Sylvia had a friend Anne and Norma here. They played scrabble. The French Assembly approved the entry of Germany into N.A.T.O. 289-251. 

Dec 29 Eugene went over to play with Bobby. 

The U.S. recaptured the Davis Cup from Australia after four years. Trabert d. Hoad 6-4,6-2.

Seixas d. Rosewall                                               Seixas & Trabert d. Hoad & Rosewall 6-2,4-6,6-2,10-8. Hartwig d. Seixas 4-6,6-2,6-3,6-3 Rosewall d. Trabert 9-7,7-5,6-3. 

The New York Film Critics voted "On the Waterfront" the best picture of the year. Best Actor - Marlon Brando Best Actress - Grace Kelly. Best Director Elia Kazan. 

Lillian went to Alexanders with Sylvia and got her a blouse, skirt and belt. Later I called for Eugene then Molly Lil & I drove down to Beth Israel where we saw Shirley and the baby. He is out of danger and very adorable.  

 

Dad left space for the second Davis Cup match score, but didn't fill it in. He also left out the final two sets of the first match, and the score he has is incorrect, as is the score of the fourth match. 

 

 Dec 30 Sylvia drew "Linda Kent, Student Nurse" D Deming, "Joan Foster - Soph." A R Colver, "Sunny The New Camp Counselor" LG Rosenheim, "Seventeenth Summer" M. Daly, "Your Loving Sister Pat Downing" F Wright, "Peggy Covers the News" E Bugbee, "Lynn Decker: TV Apprentice" D.L. McFadden.

 

Dec 31 Came home at 9 o'clock and we spent New Year's Eve watching television and eating grilled franks and rolls, salami, potato salad, sauerkraut, potato chips, sodas, rye highballs. Sylvia babysat with Norma. They alternated between here and downstairs. They slept here, Eugene sleeping on the Castro. The French Assembly reversed itself, voting 287-260 to re-arm West Germany. 

Jan 1 55 We drove out to Bear Mountain. We had lunch at the cafeteria then walked to the Zoo and museum exhibits. We saw bears, raccoons, fishes and snakes indoors, a geology exhibit, a Revolutionary museum, etc.

12/19-12/25/54

Dec 19 Sunday Eugene and Sylvia went over to mom's and Lil Harry and the kids were there. Eugene had a long chess game with pop but stalemated him. An Italian airliner trying to land at Idlewild in the cloudy weather crashed and burned. Six survived and twenty-six are believed dead. 10 hrs O.T. 

Dec 20 I picked up Molly and brought her here. The kids entertained with piano playing including duets. 4 hrs O.T.

Dec 21 Lillian read "Children of Abraham" Sholem Asch and "The Dream in the Flesh" Dan Levin 4 hrs O.T. 

Dec 22 Dr. Samuel Sheppard was convicted of killing his wife on July 4 by a jury out for five days. He received a life sentence. The doctor claimed an intruder murdered his wife and knocked him unconscious. During the trial various love affairs of the defendant were aired. James Hilton is dead at 54. 4 hrs O.T. 

Dec 23 We went to the library with Eugene who had come home early but failed to pick up Sylvia at school. Eugene drew "The Notre Dame Story" F Wallace, "Year's Best Science Fiction Movies" Bleiler & Dikty, "Warwhoop" McK Kantor, "The Bridges at Toko-ri" JA Michener, "Giant Brains" E.C. Berkeley. 4 hrs O.T. 

Dec 24 We picked up Molly and drove to Anne bringing presents for the kids. Sylvia played with Barbara and a friend Susan. Eugene had a time with Richie who shot him up and beat him all over the place. The French Assembly voted down German rearmament but approved sovereignty. The Italian chambers ratified both. The Federal Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the C.P. must register as a subversive organization dominated by Soviet Russia. Al Foreman is dead at 49.

Dec 25 We took Jerry land Joyce for a ride to the Cross County Shopping Center.

12/12-12/18/54

Dec 12 Sunday Mom and pop came over for supper. The kids played piano, quarrelled [sic] a little bit but spent the evening with us.  

Dec 13 Hugh Gibson is dead at 71. Dock workers voted against their union's agreement with the shipping companies. It is believe the no-strike agreement was the stumbling block. 

Dec 14 China has rebuffed all efforts to even discuss the imprisonment of the eleven U.S. fliers. 

Dec 15 Sylvia's class gave their play today for the seventh grade in the auditorium. It was a success. Two Brooklyn youths of seventeen Jack Koslow and Melvin Mittman, part of a gang of four who had committed two murders and many tortures and beatings were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Willard Mentor. Arthur Garfield Hays is dead at 73. Detailed to B.E.S. on 6 PM tour. 4 Hrs. O.T.

Dec 16 We dropped the kids off near the lumber yard and drove down to Canal St. for my badge then to work. I was 15 minutes late.The kids brought home plywood for Eugene. Abbe Ernest Dimnet is dead at 88. 4 hrs O.T. 

Apparently dad was sent to a different post office to work; he normally worked at the Canal St. P.O. 

Dec 17 I felt ill today with an upset stomach and worked only two hours. 2 hrs O.T. 

Dec 18 Eugene played at Bobby's downstairs. Sylvia played at Norma's 12 hrs O.T. 

12/5-12/11/54

Dec 5 Sunday Sylvia rarely has much to eat for breakfast on school days. 

I guess dad was struggling for something to write, because it was not a school day. 

Dec 6 West Berlin election saw the Socialists return to power. The C.P. got 20% of the vote. 

Dec 7 President Eisenhower has been attacked by the McCarthyites on the right and the Democrats on the liberal side as unfit. 

Dec 8 Sylvia has been named to the Press Club in her class after writing a beautiful essay. Jerry Bank and "Red" often call for Eugene in the morning. Eugene drew "Explorations in Science"  W. Kaempffert, "Assignment in Eternity" R A Heinlein, "Lord Hornblower" CS Forester, "The Maverick Queen" Zane Grey, "West of the River" C. Laird. 

Dec 9 McCarthy broke with Eisenhower saying he was sorry he supported him for the presidency. He charged he was easy on Communism. Eisenhower refused to retaliate. The U.S. asked the U.N. to use its moral authority to bring about the release of the US airmen jailed by Peking as spies. One policeman killed himself and one resigned in the "courtesy card" scandal involving traffic violations. Red China warned the U.S. to get out of Formosa. 

Dec 10 We took Eugene to the lumber yard again where he wants to get plywood now instead of the masonite but the piece was too big so we let it go temporarily. We took him to Clinton High where he saw Science lose a swimming meet to Evander. Lil & I made several stops for business. I brought brown shoes at McCann's $8.00 and we brought home chow mein. Gladys George is dead of suicide at 50, Bill McGowan at 58, August Claesssens at 69 and Stephen Penrose at 46. 

Dec 11 Eugene played with Bobby in his father's office. Sylvia went skating at Wollman Memorial Rink with Ann S. and Anita. Sylvia told us she skates rapidly. Lil Eugene & I went to the Kingsbridge after lunch before Sylvia got home. We saw "Rear Window" with James Stewart, Grace Kelly.

Eugene stayed to see "Pride of the Blue Grass". The U.N. voted 47-5 to condemn Red China's jailing of the U.S. fliers.

 

Dad left space, perhaps for the name of the other movie. 

11/28-12/4/54

Nov 28 Sunday We all drove down to Allen St., then from there to Evelyn's. Mike was working. We had a nice meal. The kids played the piano. After taking Ev & Isabel for a short ride we came home. The big rage now is petitions for and against Senate censure of Joe McCarthy. 

Nov 29 Dr Enrico Fermi, architect of the atom bomb and Nobel prize winner, is dead of cancer at 53.

Nov 30 A Madison Square Garden rally to support Joe McCarthy against Senate censure drew 13000 spectators including many of the well known rightists and fascists such as Joe Kamp, G.L.K. Smith, Westbrook Pegler, Ham Fish etc. 

Dec 1 Sylvia had a committee of girls here. They had milk and cookies. They discussed the class play "Oh, What a Dilemma".

Dr Wilhelm Furtwaengler is dead at 68.  

Dec 2 Joe McCarthy was 'condemned' by the Senate after weeks of discussion for contempt by a Senate Election Comm. and abuse of its members 67-20. Half the Republicans voted for censure. 

 

Dec 3 Senator Knowland is leading the fight for a Naval blockade of Red China for its imprisonment of thirteen Americans. President Eisenhower calls it a warlike act, however. 

 

Dec 4 I got Lillian candy for our anniversary and she got me liquor. Sylvia went to the new indoor ice skating rink at the old Oxford Theater. Eugene went over to Bobby's. Lillian started her home typing yesterday for Advertising Enterprises. 

11/21-11/27/54

Nov 21 Sunday It finally cleared up partially and the humid damp weather dissipated so we picked up mom and pop and drove to Lil & Harry's. We all played ping pong. 

Nov 22 Eugene returned to school. He had his first failure of his school career - in S.T.L. He got Good in Spanish & Social Studies & Physics, Very Good in Math & English. Sylvia's lowest grades were 70s in Science & Fine Arts. 

Nov 23 Vishinsky is dead at 70. Mildred W. drove Lillian to the Cross County Shopping Center where they shopped around. They found a summons for parking too near a hydrant on the car. 

Nov 24 Communist China gave out sentences ranging from four years to life to thirteen Americans who had been shot down over Chinese territory during the Korean War, for espionage. William Remington, former State Dep't Aide who is serving a three year term for perjury in denying he passed secret gov't data to a Russian spy ring, was slugged by a fellow prisoner and has died at 36. 

Nov 25 We were invited by Molly & Sam for turkey but as Seth had a cold we all drove out to Fairlawn and had dinner there. Seth had a fine time teasing Sylvia and Eugene as they were reading. Molly had a back ache. Israel Amter is dead at 73.  

Eugene drew "Mama's Bank Account" Kathryn Forbes, "Childhoods End" A. C. Clarke, "Beachheads in Space" A Derleth, "Don Camillo and his Flock" G Guareschi, "Crooks Tour" Bruno Fischer. 

Sylvia drew "The Mystery of the Thirteenth Floor" D. Geis.

Dad did put blank lines in the entry, perhaps to fill out the page, because pages in the diary are out of order here; Dad turned two pages in the notebook when entering 11/24. He apparently noted it, finished that page, and then continued on the previous (blank) page. So the diary entries in the notebook are in the order: 11/21 Sunday, 11/22, 11/23, 11/26, 11/27, 11/28, 11/29, 11/30, 12/1 Sunday, 12/2, 12/3, 11/24, 11/25, 12/4, etc. I have put them back in chronological order. 

Nov 26 Sylvia and Norma played miniature golf. Eugene went to the I.B.M. downtown with the Math Society to see the IBM 701 - an electronic calculator, used the electric typewriters saw the electric  calculating machine. A 2 year contract was signed by the I.L.A. providing for elimination of the shape-up, union shop, no strike, no lockout, 17¢ hourly package raise. Anti-Semitism is gaining in Germany again. Rev. Dr Henry Sloane Coffin is dead at 77.

At IBM, the 701 was an electronic computer, and we got to use the electric keypunch machines, which was great fun. 

Nov 27 We tried to get wood again for Eugene - this time plywood but the lumber yards were closed. We got a rear view mirror $3.29, shopped at Krum's, Pelham then took Sylvia to Joan Luskin's birthday party. She brought some stationery. Robert Edmond Jones is dead at 67 and Bill Doak at 63.

11/14-11/20/54

Nov 14 Sunday Eugene's temp. went down to normal and he felt better. (His temp reached 100°). Jacques Fath is dead at 42. 

Nov 15 Eugene was better today. He stayed in bed but his medication stopped. Chinese Communists sank a Formosan warship. Kenneth Sutherland is dead at 66.  

Nov 16 Eugene was out of bed today. His nose has been badly stuffed. Fred Seal is dead at 57 and Lionel Barrymore at 76. 

Nov 17 Eugene didn't go back to school today as his nose was stuffed and the weather was bad. In the afternoon we went for a drive and had our first car wash. The car wouldn't start at one point and we called the A.A.A. but it started before the man got here. Apparently, it was overflooded. Noel and Herta Field have followed Herman Field into freedom from an "Iron Curtain" country prison. Sylvia recently drew "Whoa Matilda" Janet Lambert, "One for the Money" J. Lambert, "Midge Bennett of Duncan Hall" M.B. Paradis, "The Secret Garden" F.H. Burnett. Eugene recently drew "Clown at Second Base" C.P. Jackson, "Starman Jones" R.A. Heinlein, "True Tales of Pirates and their Gold" E.R. Snow and "Imagination Unlimited" Bleiler & Dikty. Also "The Jacksonian Epoch" CH Peck for his book report. Eugene got a chill in the morning with 101° fever and felt very sick. We couldn't reach Dr Holzman so his associate Dr Halley Rahne [?]. He said it was an incipient pneumonia, gave him a penicillin shot ($10.) He prescribed terramycin and a cough mixture ($6.). Lillian read "The Narrows" Ann Petry. 

Nov 18 Eugene felt better and his temp. was normal today. We had Dr Holzman to check him. He found no congestion in his lungs or chest but a bad sinusitis. He prescribed Alkalol, argyrol packs and privine. I read "Disturber of the Peace (Mencken)" W. Manchester. 

Nov 19 Eugene was out of bed. His temp remained normal and his nose was better. Lillian who had a bad night also said her nose was better. Sylvia has six cavities which are being attended to for several weeks - $33.

Nov 20 Lil I and Sylvia drove over to the library where Sylvia drew "Carol Goes Backstage" and "Sue Barton Student Nurse" both by H D Boylston, "Spring Comes Riding" B. Cavanna, "Bennett High" M.Dickson, "The House of the Seven Gables" N Hawthorne, and "Joan Forster in Europe" A R Colver.

11/7-11/13/54

Nov 7 Sunday We drove to the East Side then visited Al & Edith where Debby never stopped talking very intelligently and Danny as usual reads in a corner speaking only when addressed. "Hot Lips Page" is dead at 46 and Garet Garrett at 76. Arnold Johnson of Chicago bought the Philadelphia Athletics for $3,500,000. The franchise will go to Kansas City. 

Nov 8 A U.S. photo plane was downed by two Russian "Migs" with one airman killed. Gov Umstead is dead at 59.  

Nov 9 Lillian went to the Court of Awards with Sylvia at the Girl Scouts. Sylvia got badges for Adventure, pottery, travelling [sic] and music. 

Early this morning Sylvia woke us complaining of an earache. Lillian applied some hot oil on cotton to her ear. Although it was better at dawn Lil took Sylvia to Dr Holzman who said she had an infection. He gave her a penicillin shot and prescribed sulfa. Sylvia's temp was normal at night and Lil went to her school for "open school week". She got very good reports about her from the teacher. John Marshall Harlan was named to succeed Justice Robert Jackson on the Supreme Court. 

 

Nov 10 Sylvia stayed in bed most of the day. Her temp was normal. Lillian get her learner's permit and I gave her her first lesson. Then I made two business stops with her on Burnside and Tremont. She got rubbers for Eugene, sugar in the Associated. I stopped in the library on the way back. 

 

Nov 11 Eugene went to the UN with Jerry B & Norman R. They heard a debate on Greenland's relation to Denmark. Sylvia was around the house but her nose was clogged up. A new police scandal involving 100 on the force was uncovered. Traffic cops sold "courtesy cards" exempting traffic law violators from penalties. 

 

Nov 12 Eugene stayed home with a cold today as Sylvia returned to school. Eugene's highest temp today was 101°. Lillian gave him Sylvia's sulfa pills.  

 

Nov 13 Eugene's temp. climbed slowly but steadily so Lil called Dr Holzman. He advised her to discontinue the sulfa. He came over in the afternoon and diagnosed a "strep" throat. He gave Eugene a penicillin shot and prescribed the Sulfa. ...  Sylvia and Norma went to the Fordham. They saw "Dragnet" with Jack Webb which Sylvia didn't like and "The Golden Mistress" with John Agar which she did.

10/31-11/6/54

Oct 31 (Sunday) British dockworkers ended a 28 day strike claiming a victory on the basis of winning voluntary overtime. Sylvia went to the library last week and drew "Double Date" and "Practically Seventeen" - Du Jardin, "Hi - Teacher" I McLelland, "County Fair" Ann [sic] Emery, "Going on Sixteen" B. Cavanna, "Marsha on Stage" A.E. Walden, and "The Story of Microbes" Schatz and Riedman. She also went to the "Grand" Saturday with Susan and Betty K. They saw "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" with Jane Powell and Howard Keel. Also the Harlem Globetrotters and Dane Clark in "Go, Man, Go". 

Nov 1 After school we picked up the kids and drove downtown to the D. Wiser [?] Lumber Co. to get Eugene masonite but failed again. We got Eugene shoes in Tom McCann's [sic] $8. Sylvia in Miles $5. (loafers) - Both on Delancey street. 

Nov 2 Election Day We voted for Harriman (D) for Governor. Sylvia played here with Norma. They gave us a recital of piano playing and singing - the latter by Norma. They gave "The Little Shoemaker" and "Ricochet Baby". We drove Eugene over to Bobby's, bought some meat over to Molly then dropped in on pop. Mom had gone out.  

Nov 3 Lillian went downtown with Molly who got a coat. Lil got Sylvia bedroom slippers and a blouse (birthday present from Molly). She also got herself gloves and a hat for me. Lillian met Sylvia at Dr Fleischman's in the Wagner Bldg. There she found Sylvia needed glasses. 

In the Elections the Democrats made a comeback but no sweep. They gained control of the House and Senate. Harriman (D) took the Governor's race over Ives by 9,657 votes to be the first Dem. since Lehman to be a N.Y. Governor. However Jacob Javitz [sic] (R) defeated F.D.R.Jr. 

The A.L.P. lost its legal status polling below 50,000 votes. Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The paragraphing is as dad wrote it.

Nov 4 Henri Matisse is dead at 84. 

Nov 5 Sylvia got her glasses from Attinson's $11, 

Nov 6 Eugene went over to Bobby's. The rest of us started out to mom's but found we had a "flat". We changed the tire then had it repaired at the Bedford Park Blvd gas station. We went on picked up mom and pop then picked up Eugene and back to mom's for supper. At home we went down to the Gallins' for Madeline's birthday. The Cohens, Kleins were there and we chatted. The State Dept discharged John Paton Davies who has been the subject of eight loyalty checks. His loyalty was not questioned but his judgement and reliability.

10/24-10/30/54

Oct 24 Sunday We picked up Molly and Sam and drove out to the cemetery. Then by Holland Tunnel to the East Side. Molly and Sam took the subway to Brooklyn. We came home at 3:30 PM. I went on to the Williams Brooklyn Bridge by mistake but backed off. Going home I went on the Williamsburgh [sic] Bridge instead of the East River Drive. We turned around in Williamsburgh and drove home by the West Side Highway. At home, Sadie Bernie and the kids, here on their way to Wash. D.C. called up and came over. They had supper and stayed awhile. Robert was his uninhibited self, speaking very friendly [sic] and getting after Eugene when he battled with his (Robert's) "girl friend" Sylvia. 

Oct 25 France and Germany have signed an agreement which gives Germany control of the Saar, re-armament opportunities and will result in economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Oct 26 Poland announced that Hermann Field, held five years on charges now proved false, would be released.  

Oct 27 Sylvia was up at 6:30 AM and refused to return to bed when I found her reading in the living room. 

Oct 28 Sylvia takes her lunch to school now as she didn't like the food served there. 

Oct 29 Ernest Hemingway won the Nobel Prize. Judge Augustus N. Hand is dead at 85. 

Oct 30 Eugene played with Bobby. Sylvia went to a Halloween party at Helen Pollner's house.

10/17-10/23/54

Oct 17 Sunday Lillian took the kids out to [sic] for a walk. They visited Krums and had a treat. Ed "Boss" Crump is dead at 80. 

Oct 18 Lillian went downtown to apply for some home typing. Then she went to a parent tea at Sylvia's school. Eugene drew "Mister Shortstop" D. Decker, "Best Science Fiction Stories 1952" Bleiler & Dikty, "Forlorn River" Zane Grey, "Flight into Space" J N Leonard, "A Guide to the Moon" P. Moore. Lilian read "[An] Act of Love" Ira Wolfert. 

Oct 19 The license came today and we drove out for the first time alone. We tried to get some masonite for Eugene at several places but failed. We picked up our typewriter at Kuhns - Webster Ave. near Fordham Rd. $6.13. We returned a library book and dropped off Sylvia at the "Y" for her dancing lesson. From there she went to Carol Schenkler's supper party. In the meantime the car wouldn't start again as we were parked on the Concourse and we were towed in to Kotler's. We left the car there for the battery to be charged up and inspected. 

I believe Kotler's was the Chevy dealer that we bought the car from. 

 Oct 20 Sylvia went to St James while Eugene played with Bobby R. We called for the car and the bill was $11 for charging, presto, thermostat, etc. Hugh Duffy is dead at 87. 

Perhaps "presto" was Prestone Anti-Freeze?

Oct 21 The truck strike ended with a 25¢ per hour package raise won by the strikers. In a dull fight full of clinches, Johnny Saxton won Kid Gavilan's Welterweight championship by a decision. The "kid" claimed the fight was fixed. 

Oct 22 Eugene has joined the Math and Chess Clubs. 

Oct 23 We picked up Molly and went for a ride to the Kensico Reservoir. Charles Skouras  is dead at 65, Earl Whitehall at 54 and George McManus at 70.

10/10-10/16/54

Oct 10 Sunday Frieda came over last night and slept over. The kids played for her (popular music). They are not taking lessons any more. After lunch Lil and the kids went over to Molly's with Frieda where they met Evelyn & Isabel. 

Justice Robert H. Jackson is dead at 62.  

Dad seems to have added the last sentence after, as it is in lighter ink, and a new paragraph. 

Oct 11 Eugene went out to play football but came after the sides were chosen. Vida Scudder is dead at 92.

 

Oct 12 Eugene played with Bobby R. They also went to the Kingsbridge to see "Ride Clear of Diablo" and "Francis Joins the Wacs [sic]" with Donald O'Connor. Pop, Lil, Sylvia, Norma and I went driving. We stopped at the Adventurers for hot dogs and soda. Then we dropped Sylvia off at the "Y" for her first ball room dancing class.  

Oct 13 Temp. 85° - a record. Sylvia and Norma went to the Kingsbridge and saw the same show Eugene and Bobby had seen yesterday. Eugene, Larry and Arthur S. played ball near the school then picknicking [sic] in Van Cortlandt. They packed sandwiches. Sec'y of Defence Charles Wilson made a remark destined to become infamous. He likened unemployed to dogs, saying he preferred bird dogs to kennel dogs. Thirteen members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party here were found guilty of sedition and face six year sentences. 

Oct 14 Sylvia went to the library and drew "Joan Foster, Freshman" A.R. Colver, "County Fair" Anne Emery, "Practically Seventeen" Du Jardin, "Plain Clothes Patricia" M. Urmston and "With This Ring" E. Newcomb. I took my road test today which consisted of two right turns, one left turn, one broken U turn and parking all near the reservoir. The car wouldn't start just as I was about to take the test and we had to have the battery charged up. The examiner waited. Walter Holke is dead at 62. 

 

Oct 15 Sylvia is beginning to remember to cover Prissy at night. 

 

Prissy, the parakeet.

 

Oct 16 I received notice that I had passed my road test. Eugene played with Bobby.

Hurricane Hazel eighth since early summer smashed through eight states killing over 100 and causing great property damage. 24000 teamsters struck. 

10/3-10/9/54

Oct 3 Sunday We all went driving with pop. It started to shower but cleared up. I couldn't park when we got back. 

Oct 4 ... The nine-power London Conference pact was signed. It provides for the end of W. German occupation, rearmament of W. Germany, mutual defense against aggression of Western Europe. 

Oct 5 Lillian attended a meeting for mothers of seventh year pupils. Cosmetics are banned at the school. Another dock strike was called by the old I.L.A. when wage negotiations failed. Marilyn and Joe have split. 

Oct  6 Yom Kippur Eve Went driving with mom and pop and learned how to park. Mom and pop came up and had supper with us. Then a little television. The one day dock strike ended with an eight cent an hour raise. Italy and Yugoslavia signed an agreement ending their 9-year dispute over Trieste. The agreement calls for partition. 

Oct 7 Sylvia played here with Norma. Josh Devore is dead at 66. 

Oct 8 Sylvia had a supper party here for her birthday. Present were Norma G, Susan K, Jenn H, Carol S, Joan L, Helen P, Sherry P. She got as presents three books, handbag, perfume set, scarves, stationery, bracelet. Lillian made the birthday cake. One of the girls had to kiss Eugene as a forfeit but just whispered in his ear. Marian Anderson became the first Negro to sign with the "Met". Joseph Opatoshu is dead at 67. 

Oct 9 Sylvia, Sherry and Lynn Pshenetzky went to the Paradise to see ...     

The 10/9/54 entry is confusing, and is scanned in below. Sylvia apparently handwrote corrections over Dad's entry, as she went to see a different movie from the one he thought she saw. The name of her friend (Sherry Pshenitzky) appears confused (Lynny?), and the stars of the second movie she didn't go to see were apparently added in after, as the writing is darker.