3/26-4/1/50

Mar 26 Sunday Sylvia's classmate Nancy Stewart called her up to have a chat. Took the kids downtown to buy ties. Sylvia got a balloon with sound effects and Eugene got a small jigsaw. He could hardly wait to get home to do it. After lunch we went to Molly and Sam. Present were Sonny & Janice with the year old Bruce, Milt & Shirley with Seth, & Evelyn with Isabel. The kids played hide & seek and Nick Carter adventures. Most of the 85 Czechs who landed in Germany returned to their homeland as their planes had been commandeered by Anti-Communists. Franck [sic] Buck & Arthur Hopkins are dead at 66 & 71.

Mar 27 McCarthy finally named his top spy as Owen Lattimore. There is much to-do about the effect of television on schoolchildren, many of whom watch for more than three hours daily. There are surveys, questionnaires to parents, etc. The kids here watch about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Mar 28 The Supreme Court upheld Dennis' contempt of court Congress conviction, holding that gov't employees could give unbiased decisions. The state Feinberg Law was ruled constitutional a second time after a first ruling against it . F.B.I. Chief Hoover refused to open his secret files to Congress. Russians walked out of two more UN sessions on the Chinese issue.

Mar 29 Molly & Sam, Mr. & Mrs. Peterson and Lil watched the televising of the City-Bradley game which City won 71-68 to sweep both the N.I.T. and the N.C.A.A - the first time it has ever been done. The Mundt Bill was attacked by the A.C.L.U. & A.D.A. Truman again refused to surrender loyalty but ordered his own "Red" probe. Our Ambassador to Canada, Laurence Steinhardt and four others were killed in a plane crash. 

I guess that answers my question about the NIT final game. The Petersons were neighbors. 

Mar 30 Senators subpoenaed loyalty files. Sylvia refuses to wear her slacks as soon as the temperature rises.

Mar 31 Eugene's Cub scout den meeting was held here this afternoon because Ronald Hanstein was ill. The kids rehearsed their parts in the skits for "amateur night" in P.S. 86. Lil took Sylvia to see the show 8 in the evening where all the dens performed. Eugene played "skip to my Lou" on the piano. He also was in the den pyramid. They got home about 10 o'clock to find Mike waiting. He saw the Graziano-Janiro fight which was a draw. Two babies were kidnapped - one in the bronx and one in brooklyn. McCarthy listed his proof that Lattimore was a top Russian agent here. Truman denounced McCarthy, Bridges & Wherry as the Kremlin's best assets here. An arsonist committed to the Belle Vista Sanatorium for mental treatment, admitted setting the fire to the institution causing nine deaths. Hilliard fired four Welfare dep't employees and 27 others after a strong protest by the workers against a previous transfer of one.

April 1 The House voted a $3000,000,000 foreign aid bill. U.S. called on Greece to end corruption or lose our aid. The Brooklyn baby was found but the Bronx incubator baby has not yet been found. Leon Blum is dead at 78.

3/19-3/25/50

Mar 19 Sunday The house was livelier than it has been for a long time. At supper time Eugene was listening to Nick Carter on the radio in his room. He had his supper in there. Lil Sylvia and I were watching television in the living room and had our supper there. Mom had an xray taken of our her injury which xray was negative.

Mar 20 Sylvia took some paper clips to school and her new bag with some money in it. There were Anti-U.S. riots in Indo China against the presence of our warships. Edgar Rice Burroughs is dead at 74.

Mar 21 Italian plans to ban rallies and meetings met with angry protests by labor unions. The State Dep't ripped back at McCarthy's "Communist" charges. Poland took over Catholic Church lands.

Mar 22 Sylvia likes "Little Lulu" & "Nancy" in the comics. The State Senate passed Dewey's sex crime bill. It embodies indeterminate sentences for convicted offenders with therapeutic treatment and parole for "good risks".

Mar 23 The U.S.Court of Appeals approved 2-1 gov't loyalty discharges without due process. In Italy a general strike saw numerous clashes and many injured and killed. One city was temporarily taken over by Communists. Dewey's State Rent Law was passed by one vote.

Mar 24 McCarthy named the top Soviet spy working in our State Dept. although his name has not been published yet. Republicans are the [sic] putting on the pressure for opening of the loyalty files which Truman is still withstanding. "All the King's Men" won the "Academy" Award. Broderick Crawford and Olivia di Haviland won the Oscars for best actors. The City put new water restrictions into effect, banning hose sprinklers and certain refrigerators and air conditioning devices. Liberal Party leader Venizelos was sworn in as new Greek Premier.

Mar 25 The kids went to Lewis Wasserberger's 3rd birthday party where they saw some movies. Riots in Belgium protested Leopold's expected return. 85 Czechs flew to refuge in Germany. Harold Laski is dead at 56.                       

3/12-3/18/50

Mar 12 Sunday Went over to see Mama with the kids. She is better and has been off the bed for a few minutes. Sylvia was chosen to sing in the auditorium as representative of her class. Sylvia wote another book report - on Snow White. Lillian red [sic] Alice T. Hobart's "The Cleft Rock", "Prairie Avenue" of Arthur Meeker. We both read "Jane Grey" by Jean Kerr.

Mar 13 The kids stayed home today in wretched weather. Our television was installed today. Exiled King Leopold won a plebiscite on his return to the throne getting 57% of the vote. The worst commercial air disaster ever killed 80 Britons in Cardiff. There were only three survivors. The N.Y. Medical Society refused to take disciplinary action against Dr Sanders. The C.I.O. denounced the Mundt Bill as evil and repressive.

Mar 14 The refrigerator was fixed today. It was out of order 12 days. Sen McCarthy continued to name Reds in the State Dept. This time it was Haldore Hanson, Owen Lattimore and Mr. & Mrs. Brunauer. 34 individuals and nine corps. were accused of wartime tax fraud by the gov't. Paul Robeson was barred by N.B.C. from appearing on Mrs. Roosevelt's television program. Heinrich Mann is dead.

Mar 15 Sylvia insisted it was too warm to wear pants today. Eugene helps us with the Compass Contest Puzzle every day. McCarthy named four more State Dep't. "reds" Harlow Shapley, Frederick Schuman, Gustavo Duran and John S Service. Gubitchev decided to stay here and fight his prison sentence. Czech Foreign Minister Clementis was replaced by Vilim Soroky. AC Powell assailed the ban on Robeson. H Christoffel got a 2-6 years term for perjury. Charles Chaplin was chosen greatest actor of the half century.

"The Daily Compass" was a leftist newspaper we read. 

Mar 16 Sylvia took a doll to school. She gushed over a velvet dress it had. Gubitchev has changed to his month mind again and will leave the country. Poland quit the World Bank. We had our first adjustment of the set by the television service people.

Mar 17 Sylvia got 100% on a spelling test. Acheson listed seven terms for peace with Russia. 1. Unification of Germany; peace treaties with Austria & Japan; non-interference in Asia, 2. Withdrawal of troops from satellite countries, 3. Abandonment of the walkout-boycott policy in the U.N. 4. Attempt to make atomic and armament control agreements. 5 no use of communist parties to subvert other countries 6. cooperation toward respect for diplomatic reps 7. No distortion of pictures of other countries of the world. School teacher Sylvia Schneiderman was fired as "disloyal" without a hearing. Brock Pemberton and Ralph Greenleaf are dead. 99.96% of the Russian people participated in the national elections. Psychiatrist Dr Adolph Meyer is dead.

Mar 18 We went to mother's who is walking with a limp but getting better slowly. 100,000 Belgian workers struck against Leopold's return. We saw City College win the N.I.T. in basketball against Bradley 69-61. Unseeded in the tourney City with only a good season behind it, caught fire in the crucial competition and swept all opposition aside. Dambrot was the only senior with four Sophs, Warner, Roman, Layne & Roth.

Now I'm confused. Did Dad mean we went to the game? That seems unlikely, as I'm sure I would remember it, or at least remember talking about it. Could it have been televised? Or was he using "saw" in the generic sense, meaning it occurred?

3/5-3/11/50

Mar 5 Sunday I took the kids to St. James where they fed peanuts to the pigeons. Sylvia would not let them eat from her hand although she wanted to. At home we all played some word games. I beat Eugene two close chess games, one yesterday and one today. Mom and Pop were here yesterday bringing a shirt for me and a new cookie jar.

Mar 6 Lil went to Dr Holzman about herself and took Eugene. Lillian has an inflamed ear. Dr Holzman told her to syringe it with salt water and then put some glycerine in. Eugene has a post nasal drip and must get argyrol packs again also some Alkalon to spray into his nose. This causes him to gag. 

Don't know what "Alkalon" spray was, but the writing seems clear. 

Mar 7 Dr Sanders took the stand to assert that Mrs. Borroto was dead when he injected air into her veins. "Something snapped in me" he said in a deposition full of "I don't knows", "I can't explains". A transit strike in France for a cost of living bonus was incomplete but fairly effective. Edgar Lee Masters is dead at 87, Albert Lebrun at 78. Lou Lehr died at --.   

Mar 8 Sylvia keeps drawing pictures in color of her sch class-mates - Paula K, Sandy I, Sherry F., Sally P, Peggy T etc. A young man discharged from an institution as recovered from insanity ran amok with a bread knife, killing four and wounding several others. 15 were killed as a plane crashed into a house in Minneapolis. Judy Coplon and Val. A Gubitchev were found guilty of conspiring to commit espionage but acquitted of transmitting secret documents to unauthorized persons. 

Looks like Dad started to write "schoolmates" and then changed it.  

Mar 9 Lil's cold flared up again last night. Her nose became very stuffed. She went to bed early with the vaporizer on. Sylvia asked for some paper to write a book report. She wrote two sentences on Cinderella. Mama fell and hurt her hip. She must lie perfectly still for several days. It may be a fracture. Rogge as a delegate of the World Congress of Partisans of Peace addressed the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet in an unprecedented plea for free speech for the dissenters from the majority view in Russia. He presented proposals for outlawing of atomic weapons, reduction of standing military establishments and called for a compromise between the Baruch and Vishinsky plans. Michael Shipkov Bulgarian employee of our legation there received 15 years after confessing to espionage. The State Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Feinberg Law. Several Curranites were acquitted of attacks on opponent meetings but three were convicted in hearings before magistrate Surpless. 

Mar 10 Lillian called Dr Holzman yesterday. He told her to use neosynephrine and pyrobenzamine talbets. Today she used some of Eugene's left over penicillin after calling the doctor's office. Sylvia was slow in dressing again and stayed home a half a day rather than be late. Acheson called for "total diplomacy" to defeat Russia's expansionism. Dr Sanders was acquitted of an alleged mercy killing by a jury after an hours deliberation. 5 bandit [sic] robbed the Sunnyside branch of the Manufacturer's Trust Co of $64,000. Judith Coplon got 15 years in jail for conspiring to commit espion. [sic] Gubitchev also got 15 years but can leave the country instead. Superintendent of Schools Jansen recommended the dismissal of public school teacher Sylvia Schneiderman as a Communist who had falsely sworn she was not one. 

Mar 11 Lil finally felt better today. While Molly took the kids to Theodore Roosevelt High School to see Rumpelstiltskin, we went out to the Public Radio Sales on East Tremont Ave and bought an Olympic 16 inch table model television set DX950 for $295 + $20 for the table. We got 23% off. Gubitchev has chosen deportation rather than prison. The Greek Populist Party of Tsaldaris won a close general election. Tear gas was used against French strikers.

2/26-3/4/50

Feb 26 Sunday Dr. Schatzberg came again as Eugene did not respond to the penicillin. He said his throat was quite inflamed and his sinuses appeared to be affected. He injected a stronger shot of penicillin and also wrote out a prescription for a powdered penicillin to be taken orally and also as a solution in the nostrils. Eugene has had two bad nights, sleeping little. His temp. was 102.4 at 8 AM and 12PM and 102.° at 4 P.M. Sylvia passed the day in the living room playing with her doll, anagrams and giant play book of puzzles she just got.

Feb 27 Eugene awoke at 930 PM yesterday and asked Lillian to count to 100. When she questioned him he threw his arms about her and pleaded with her to do it. When she started to count he asked her to count faster. Then she had to count to 50. "You know what it's for, don't you" he said. "It's for the scales in school". He had no recollection of the incident this morning. His temp. was still 102° this A.M. but dropped to 100° finally at noon. He fell asleep also and got his first decent sleep in several days. Progressive Party delegates at the convention approved a resolution which admitted that both U.S. and Russia have made mistakes and that the members are not apologists for Russia. This is expected to settle differences between the left wingers and centrists. Harry Lauder is dead at 79. 

Feb 28 Eugene's temp. was 100° last night. He had a better night but his nose bothered him in the morning. He again had 101° in the morning but it went down to 99.5° at noon. Mr. Borroto denied he had asked Dr Sanders to end his wife's misery. Nurse Margaret [sic] Rose who had signed a statement that Mrs. Borroto was dead before Dr Sanders came into the room testified today that she had heard her gasp before the doctor pumped air into her veins.

Newspaper stories indicate the nurse's name was Elizabeth, not Margaret Rose. 

Mar 1 Eugene's temp rose to 102° unexpectedly last night. Lil called the doctor who said to renew the penicillin prescription. His temp was under 100° today. It may have been his sinus. Russia boosted the value of the ruble from 19 to 25¢. Several hundred items were cut from 8 to 50%. An assistant librarian at the hospital testified Sanders had admitted the mercy killing and said he would never do it again. The escaped leopard after eating two drugged hunks of meat returned to his cage but died 15 hours later. It had been at large for three days and the object of a search by thousands. 

Mar 2 Stayed home from work. A wretched day. Eugene was normal but his eye swelled up. Lillian took to bed with a cold, headache of several days duration and the old pain in her neck and cheek. Her nose is clogged and one ear is even affected. The refrigerator is out of order adding to the aggravation. Dr Klaus Fuchs German Anti-Nazi refugee confessed to giving American and British atomic secrets to Russia. He received a sentence of 14 years in jail. He is reported to have repented and given authorities all information he has on Soviet agents he contacted. Sen. McMahon asked for a UN Gen'l Assembly atomic session in Moscow. Rathborne admitted he has been working with the gov't for over a year and is the strategy behind the Bridges case.

Mar 3 Home again from work as the mess at home slowly cleared up. Lil was better but had a buzzing in one ear. She was in bed part of the time. Her temp was down and her pain was gone. Eugene was out of bed. His eye cleared up finally. The refrigerator was still unattended to causing most of our aggravation. Sylvia's class had a farewell party with dancing for Sandra who is moving to New Jersey. Sylvia danced with a boy. Judge Keech ruled the Mine Workers Union innocent of contempt in the Miners strike refusal to return to work. Russia accused Finland of violating the peace treaty and friendship pact with Russia.

Mar 4 Sunday The refrigerator man came but could not repair the box. Lil cannot hear well from one year ear and has a buzzing sound in the ear. Most of the time Eugene is better and was out for a few minutes. The kids are still writing stories and fun books. Miners signed for a 70¢ increase in the basic daily wage. Increase in the welfare fund. The Thirstday was called a success finally. The U.S. refused visas to famous leftists who wished to attend a 'peace' convention. Russia has extended visas to another group. Anti-Curran Curranites are now being beaten in N.M.U. headquarters Their candidate cannot get on the lists to run in the coming elections. U of Calif. teachers voted overwhelmingly to reject loyalty oaths.

The unusual number of crossings out seems to reflect the aggravation of the days. . 

2/19-2/25/50

Feb 19 Sunday We went to Mike & Evelyn's to attend Isabel's ninth birthday party. Present were Sam & Molly, Mrs Dizon, Julia & Sam, Lillian, Abe & Barbara and adorable three year old Marilyn. The latter sang, danced and talked her way into everyone's heart. Also Dorothy & Abe, Celia, Rose, Lil Altschuler, Thelma & Harold. Eugene didn't care to dance and when Barbara & Isabel rushed him he became flustered. The kids played a little piano. Lil Friedman played a few selections beautifully. Robert Vogeler admitted spying for the U.S. at his trial in Hungary causing a world wide sensation.

Feb 20 Lillian told Sylvia Lil Altschuler had said she was getting prettier all the time and of course Eugene was handsome. Eugene then said "You're beautiful too, mommy". Wallace asked for unity of all who believe in the peaceful settlement of the atomic energy problem. Curranites invaded an Anti-Curran caucus with knives and bricks and beat up four seamen. 15 were arrested.

Feb 21 The kids went to Danny R's birthday party. The United Mine Workers were cited for contempt of court for defying the order to return to work. The Supreme Court in an important decision approved Search without a warrant in principle by a 5-3 vote. Frankfurter wrote a vigorous dissent. Both factions in the N.M.U. promised the court to refrain from further violence.

Feb 22 The U.S. broke relations with Bulgaria. In Hungary Robert A. Vogeler, American IT&T representative, received 15 years in prison as a spy. Two Hungarians were sentenced to death. Other defendants received prison sentences.

Feb 23 Truman denounced Communism as an armed threat and a modern tyranny worse that any previous ones. He warned Russia we are ready to fight. The F.E.P.C. bill reached the floor of the House for the first time in its eight years.

Feb 24 In the Sanders' mercy death trial the defense caused a sensation by stating it will prove that Mrs. Borroto was dead when Dr Sanders injected air into her veins. Harold Christoffel was found guilty a second time of falsely denying Communist affiliation. His first conviction was upset by the Supreme Court. Tito recognized Ho Chi Minh's regime causing consternation here. Truman refused to surrender loyalty files to Senate probers after charges that the State Dept. is still infested with Communists.

Feb 25 Lillian called Dr. Schatzburg, in Dr Holzman's absence to see Eugene who has a "pussy throat".He got a penicillin shot and aspirin at regular intervals. His temp had reached 104.2. It was 101.5 today and 102.2 at night. Sylvia absolutely refused to sleep with me last night when Lillian wanted to sleep near Eugene. Lillian finally slept in the cot. The British Labor Party retained its power won in 1945 in National elections but by greatly reduced margins. It gained 314 seats Conservatives 294. Communists lost their seats but polled 91000 votes. Wallace called for a peace campaign in opening the Progressive Party convention. Dry Thursdays have been weekly failures. Stricter measures are in store for the City. The hospital record keeper Miss Connor testified Dr Sanders had admitted the mercy killing in her presence. Lavern Roach popular and capable young middleweight boxer died after a K.O. by George Small. A watered down F.E.P.C. bill which met the approval of even Rankin was passed by the House 240-177. Liberal F.E.P.C. supporters voted against the bill. The bill has nothing but advisory publicity and educational attributes. 

2/12-2/18/50

Feb 12 Sunday We went to Mom's for dinner, bringin a tie and a valentine flower pot. Lil and the kids came but Harry was motoring in Jersey. Peggy was adorable. She talks much better now. Calls herself 'baby'. Susan is "Sushan". Mom is "mamawr" ... The kids played 'hide and seek' while Peggy exulted. We saw a Hopalong Cassidy Western.

Feb 13 We went to the "Grand" to see "Jolson Sings Again" with Larry Parks and Barbara Hale. Also "Blondie's Big Deal". The kids went to the piano a good deal during the day after their lesson this morning. Mrs. Nadler played a little then Lillian played. The teacher praised her note reading but urged her to practice her scales.

Feb 14 Sylvia got a large star for "good English" in school. The U.S. stated we would further discuss atomic problems with Russia if sincere proposals came. The N.M.U. hiring halls were banned when the Supreme Court refused to review a lower court finding that such 'halls' were in violation of the Taft Hartley Act. Sabatini is dead at 75. Dempsey's K.O. of Firpo was called the greatest sport thrill of the last 50 years.

The Dempsey-Firpo note is apparently a repeat. 

Feb 15 Sylvia's slowness in getting dressed in the morning is driving Lil crzay. The kids are taking their lunch along these sleety days. Churchill promised a Big Three meeting to end the 'cold war' if the Conservatives win the election. Red China and Russia signed a 30 year pact of friendship alliance and mutual aid. It calls for Russian concessions in Manchuria and Port Arthur after a peace treaty with Japan is signed. The NAACP refused to join the 'Legions' Anti-Communist Front.

Feb 16 Lillian had another scene about dressing this morning with Sylvia. She threatened not to let her go to school again but Sylvia just about made it. The Mine Mill & Smelter Workers, United Office & Professional Workers and Food, Tobacco & Agricultar [sic] Workers Unions were expelled from the C.I.O. for "following the Party line". Babe Didrikson Zaharias was chosen greatest woman athlete of the last fifty years.

Feb 17 The House Rules Comm. again failed to bring out the F.E.P.C. bill by a 6-6 tie vote. Truman said it's up to Russia to make a move for peace. The C.I.O. expelled the left wing United Public Workers.

Feb 18 We went to the Lido to see "The Roosevelt Story" with pictures and narration of the historic years of Roosevelt's presidency. Also "Fame is the Spur" with Michael Redgrave. The militant young firebrand who becomes a conservative M.P. A Briton and two Hungarians admitted spying for the West in the Vogeler trial in Hungary. Vogeler will testify to-morrow. An L.I. train wreck killed at least 30 and injured scores. Two trains crashed head on. Lewis ordered his miners to end their strike but the men are determined to stay out for a contract, increase in the welfare fund and dollar a day wage increase. Judy Coplon fired her lawyer Archibald Palmer and got three new lawyers - Sam Neuberger, Leonard Boudin and Sidney Berman. French strikes against arms unloading appear to have failed.

2/5-2/11/50

Feb 5 Sunday Molly and Sam came over. The kids played some of their pieces. Then they brought in their play money and we had some fun. Eugene brought in his sword and gun and slew everyone. We had delicatessen for supper.

Feb 6 A group of atomic scientists called on Truman to seek an agreement with Russia on atomic energy control. Eugene's report card showed the same outstanding marks as before except for his first B in Science. He had erased in a test in that subject.

Feb 7 A girl is bringing a pin to school for Sylvia and Sylvia is bringing one for her. But if Sylvia doesn't like the other pin she won't trade. Truman invoked the Taft-Hartley Act against the striking miners but they will not return without a contract.

Feb 8 Carol Ann Paight, who shot her father to end his agony caused by a cancer was acquitted of second degree murder. Ted Williams signed for the largest salary any player has ever received, an estimated $125,000. Babe Ruth was chosen the greatest baseball player of the last fifty years. Ty Cobb was second. Johnny Weismuller won the swimming laurels.

Feb 9 The kids are supposed to take their lunch along but Eugene begged off. Perhaps he has nothing to do after he finishes his lunch. Sylvia however is delighted to have hers in school. Sec'y of State Acheson rejected appeals to look for peace parleys with Russia. He based our policy on power. Man of [sic] War was called the best race horse of the last fifty years with Citation next.

Feb 10 The courts labelled four of John L Lewis' demands illegal and drafted an injunction against them. Ingrid Bergman won a Mexican divorce from Dr Peter Lindstrom. She will wed Roberto Rosellini father of her new born son.

Feb 11 Sylvia drew "Spick and Span" - Andress, Goldberger, Dolch, Hillok [?] "Through The Year" - Frasier MacCracken & Armstrong "Fun With Us" - Bond, Alder, Cuddy & Wise & "Many Surprises" - same authors. Eugene drew "Dig For [a] Treasure" - Dean Marshall, Green Fairy Book, "Pilot of the High Andes" F.N. Litten & "Glory of the Seas" Agnes Hewes. Sylvia plays some of the "Blue Danube" also "Oh, Dear, What can the Matter Be". Eugene plays Clap Hands and "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians". British scientist Dr Klaus Fuchs confessed to spying for Russia for seven years for $400. Dempsey's K.O. of Firpo was called the most dramatic sports event of the past fifty years.

1/29-2/4/50

Jan 29 Sunday Sylvia will not sit on a pillow at the piano as directed by Mrs Nadler nor sit away from the piano. We went to the "pack" meeting today where each den performed. The "Cubs" had helmets, shields and swords. Eugene's "den 8" had a little skit with Eugene as Dr. Bath who "keeps you clean".

Jan 30 Sylvia sprung the news today - she is not monitor any more - she's Vice President! She gave the only vote to another little girl because she didn't want a boy to be V.P. However she beat the boy. Another girl is president. Sylvia hopes she'll be absent. Sylvia seemed to be easier to handle today at home. Eugene played "Oh, Susanna" in the music room. The American Legion sponsored a conference participated in by organizations representing "50,000,000" members to fight 'Communism'. Speakers appeared from the NAM to the C.I.O. and included B'nai Brith, A.V.C. etc. Among speakers was Sen. Mundt and George Sokolsky. Merwin K. Hart was present.

Jan 31 East St. Louis public schools ended an 85 year segregation policy. A delegation from Sinkiang arrived in Soviet-Chinese Communist negotiations. Hundreds of Chinese Nationalists died in icy wastes of the Himalayas, fleeing from Sinkiang to escape the Chinese Communists. 

Feb 1 Sylvia didn't want to spend any of her money for some toy she asked for. She's saving for a television set. In a historic order, Truman approved the construction of the H-Bomb. He also asked for a 70-day truce in the coal strike. France protested Russian's recognition of Ho-Chi-Minh as head of the Viet Nam regime in Indo China as against the French sponsored Bao Dai gov't there. Many members of liberal and conservative organizations participating in the American Legion Anti-Communist rally protested against collaboration with anti-semitic and anti-labor forces. Several organizations are expected to withdraw.

Feb 2 The kids got lunch kits and used them in school today as it rained. Sylvia had been prodding Lil about it for some time although Eugene is not enthusiastic. Russia asked for the trial of Hirohito and a few other Japanese as war criminals because they plotted germ warfare. George Mikan was named greatest basketball player of the last fifty years. Jack Dempsey was chosen greatest boxer and Bobby Jones greatest golfer. The C.I.O. explained it was in the "Anti-Communist Front" in order to "neutralize" it  We sent Sylvia to bed early without practising [sic] after a big argument about who practises first etc.

I remember not wanting to eat lunch in school.

Feb 3 Lil gave Sylvia a permanent. Senator McMahon asked $50.000,000,000 for economic aid to all countries, including Russia to stop the atomic armaments race. The American Jewish Congress strongly criticized the CIO and AFL's participation in the "Legion's" Anti-Communist Crusade. It was revealed that six organizations had not been invited for sometimes following the C.P. line. C.I.O. officials criticized Carey's now notorious statement that "we will join the Fascists to fight the Communists". 55 members of the East Side Unemployed and welfare council staged a sit down at the Stanton St. Welfare Center against the relief cuts. An N.M.U. membership meeting of 4,500 voted under the supervision of the Honest Ballot Ass'n to reject Lawrenson's ouster by 902-829. Judge Harris cited Bridges' second lawyer for contempt after Catholic priest Rev. Meinecke testified as a charater witness for Bridges. Lillian read "The Peacock Sheds his Tail" - A.T. Hobart "The Man Within" - Graham Greene "The Golden Net" - Ruby Redinger. We both read "The Damon Runyon Story" - Ed Weiner. Lillian went to the Kingsbridge to see "The Heiress" with Olivia de Haviland [sic] and Montgomery Clift. Also "A Border Incident".

Feb 4 Today we went to the "Grand" to see "Adam's Rib" with Katharine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. Also "The Story of Molly X". A British scientist, Dr Klaus Fuchs was arrested as an atomic spy. It is charged he gave A-bomb and H-bomb secrets to Russia. The F.B.I. gave the tip to Scotland Yard on Fuchs' alleged guilt. He had worked here for three years.

1/22-1/28/50

Jan 22 Sunday We had a party for Eugene's tenth birthday. Mom & Pop, the Beckers, B Edelstein, Lil & Susan (Harry home with the ailing Peggy) the Sam & Mike Modelson's, Milt Shirley & Seth Ian. Isabel & Evelyn came last night and stayed over. Eugene got $10 in cash, pants, two shirts, [?] pairs of pyjamas, polo shirt, games, books. Sylvia got a dress, two polo shirts, and a game. We had a beautiful home made birthday cake trimmed by Evelyn, potato salad, chicken salad, cranberry sauce, soda. Eugene, Sylvia and Isabel who is playing for a year gave piano selections. We finished with our usual poker game.

"B Edelstein" is either really "A (Abe) Edelstein" or "B (Blume) Edelstein", Abe's wife. The first error seems slightly more likely to me than his not writing out Blume, if she attended alone. 

Also, I just noticed that Dad stopped putting periods after the month; looking back, it was that way for most of the year. I will NOT go back and fix previous entries. 

Jan 23 Two right wing German groups merged to form a militant Nationalist party which sang "Deutschland Ueber Alles" at its oranizational meeting. Alger Hiss was convicted of perjury in an ominous jury verdict. A permanent Citizens Metal Health Council was formed by 600 delegates in N.Y.C. Miners 2-1 refused to end their walkout. Alan Hale is dead at 57 and C. E. Hughes Jr at 60.

Jan 24 Eugene played "Drifting" on the piano at school. President Truman and Speaker Rayburn have knifed the F.E.P.C.  measure in the "House". With the bill certain of passing it was sidetracked in favor of another piece of business. Bulgarian Premier Kolarov is dead at 72. Acheson re-affirmed his faith in Hiss, bringing many demands for his removal.

Jan 25 Sylvia will not wash her hands satisfactorily. The Rules Committee kept the F.E.P.C. measure bottled up by a 5-5 tie on sending the bill to the "House". The C.I.O. charged 11,000,000 slaves were being worked to death in Siberian slave camps. Guerillas attacked the new Indonesian Republic.

Jan 26 Lil Eugene and Sylvia got their second 'flu' injections. Sylvia made a face for the first time. She had asked Lil why I didn't get any and Lil told her I didn't need it. 85000 Chrysler workers struck for a suitable pension plan. Alger Hiss wass sentenced to five years in prison for perjury. Murray lifted the California C.I.O. charter for following the party line. Joe Maxim won the World's Light-heavyweight title from Freddy Mills in London by K.O'ing him in ten rounds. 

Jan 27 Eugene loses fountain pens after pen. He also lost his dental slip. Several shipowners have appeared to testify as to Bridges' good character at his trial. The Western powers protested against Russia's resumption of interference with truck traffic between Berlin and West Germany. All January temperature records were broken when the mercury rose to 70°. Wallace again appeared before the UnAmerican Comm. to deny he had favored uranium or atomic shipments to Russia during the war. Jessie Owen [sic] has won the A.P. poll as the greatest track athlete of the last fifty years. Jim Thorpe won the football honors. Greatest sport upset was called the 1914 Braves victory of the N.L. pennant after being in last place on July 11.

Jan 28 We went to the "Fordham" to see ""Blue Lagoon" a picture in technicolor of a boy and girl cast away on a South Sea island for ten years. They grow up and have a baby before being rescued. Also "The Inspector General" with zany Danny Kaye. We took home some chow mein and Sylvia had some also. Manufacture of the H-bomb is up to Truman alone he declared. Carol Ann Paight who shot her pain ridden, cancer doomed father to end his misery went on trial with a plea of temporary insanity.

1/15-1/21/50

Jan. 15 Sunday Sylvia and Carol Shenkler are the only two girls in her class that are already considered in 2B. This afternoon we walked around in Fordham. Sylvia got a Little Golden dictionary. Eugene will get a comic tomorrow. He gets one only rarely as it has been taboo here. 

Jan. 16 Thousands of miners refused to quit their unexplained strike. Chinese Communists seized French and Dutch diplomatic property in Peking.

Jan. 17 Sylvia was chosen to see that the children did their work. She had to report one child to the teacher. Several thousand delegates demonstrated for civil rights, especially an F.E.P.C. Left wingers are being screened out of the rally. Russia walked out of three UN groups until the Nationalist China delegate is ousted.

Jan. 18 Sylvia's eyes were examined by Dr Chernick on Fordham Rd. She does not need glasses. Her twitch is due to nervousness apparently. Scientists are agog over a new hydrogen powered super atomic bomb. Many oppose its construction. The greatest cash haul in our history - $1000,000 [also half million in securities] was stolen in Boston from Brinks Inc. An armored trucking firm which 'protects' payrolls. Another million which the gang could not carry was left behind. The NMU announced two Anti-Communist resolutions had been ratified by the membership 5-1. The opposition is being harassed and expelled. Gen. Hap Arnold is dead at 63.

The item in red is about the same robbery that Dad later put in on the wrong date, shown on January 8 of this year. The bracketed item was written between the lines in the diary. 

Jan. 19 The kids got shoes at Tom McCann's [sic]. Sylvia's were size 1 1/2 $4.99. Eugene's were size 4 1/2 $4.99. Lillian is having trouble with Sylvia's hand washing. She must be watched or she will not wash cleanly. A Wallace article in 1944 criticizing Chiang as unsuitable for running post war China is credited with being the criterion for the State Dept's China policy. A Pole and two Czechs quit thir posts here in protest against their countries [sic] policy. Pa'asikivi was re-elected President of Finland. Opposed to him were the Communists. 

Jan. 20 Eugene got bedroom slippers, a bathrobe and a holster for his birthday. He also got his Cub Scout "Bear Book" and went off to the meeting in his scout shirt and a 'sword' after getting his new glasses (7.50). The House ended further aid to Korea in protest against Truman's Formosan stand in refusing to help Nationalist China make a last ditch stand there. Russia walked out of the secret six power atomic control talks. Sec'y of State Acheson set the stage for recognition of Franco by offering to extend credit to Spain.

Jan. 21 Bobby & Danny R. brought up a game for Eugene. Acheson's statement that Russia was annexing four Northern Chinese provinces was strenuously denounced by Foreign Minister Vishinsky as untrue. The State Dep't countered Bulgaria's demand for American minister Heath's removal as a spy with an ultimatum to withdraw the demand or suffer a break in diplomatic relations. The Administration won on the 'rules' fight when the House voted 236-183 against restoring the "bottling" power of the reactionary Rules Committee. Sylvia drew "Sniff" by Tippett & Tippett "We Live on a Farm" Horn, Wickey & Horn, "Race Between Monkey & Duck"  - C. Hurd and "Down Along Apple Market Street" by M. B. Hill. Eugene claimed three of the books were repeats but Sylvia conceded only one. Eugene drew "Swiss Family Robinson" by J.D. Wyss "Peter and Wendy" by JM Barrie "Adventures of Chatterer The Red Squirrel" T. W. Burgess and "Freddy and Mr. Camphor" by W.R. Brooks.

1/8-1/14/50

Jan. 8 Sunday We went to Mom's for lunch seeing the new television set. It is a 16 inch Dumont. Lil Harry & the kids were there in addition to Mr. Sandler. The kids put on their masquerade, even Peggy joining in. They also played hide and seek. ... Two score of patients were burned to death in the mental ward of Mercy Hospital in Davenport Iowa. Lillian again is suffering from a cold in her neck and chin. She uses cold compresses and vicks. 11 men made off with 2 1/2 million dollars in a robbery at Brinks of Boston. An informer turned them in six years later. 

Interestingly, the two last sentences were added years after the rest; this is obvious because a} the ink used is clearly different from the entries around it, b) it's written in a margin at the top of a page, c) he mentions something that happens "six years later" and d) he put it in on the wrong day, as the robbery actually occurred on January 17. 

Jan. 9 Chinese Nationalists shelled a U.S. merchant ship. There were no casualties. 
  
Jan. 10 Eugene got six words wrong in a spelling test attributable to the new fountain pen I got him, which did not write. There is no ink in school these days. Due to a bumper crop of apples the kids get apples in school occasionally. 50 top police officials were transferred in a step believed to be be aimed at gambling in N.Y. City. Truman asked Congress to approve a $42,000,000,000 budget with a $5,000,000,000 deficit expected. $19 billion of the budget is to be for continuation of the cold war. Mayor O'Dwyer asked for legalization of sports betting under state control. Lawrence Ross, gov't witness in the Bridges case admitted many lies. 5 were killed in street fighting in Italy and another general strike is in the offing. 

Jan. 11 Sylvia brought home another apple and again was not allowed to eat it after lunch bringing forth tears. 300 U.S. tanks are being shipped to the Chinese Nationalists in Formosa but we will not intervene militarily. The UN is seething with Russia's demand that Chang's delegates be expelled in favor of a Chinese Communist.

Jan. 12 Sylvia always gets the matzoth when soup is served. Czecho. ordered the J.D.C. to liquidate its business and get out. The Nat'l Civil Rights Mobilization sponsored by the N.A.A.C.P. has refused to accept left wing delegates. 

Jan. 13 The piano man came and glued the music stand, got rid of the squeak in the pedal and the knock in several keys. Eugene got only 'grammar' wrong in a spelling test. Another doctor called Chambers a 'psycho'. A British submarine with 76 aboard was rammed and sunk with the fate of most still unknown. Russia revived the death penalty for traitors. Yesterdays 'Thirstday' saved 45,000,000 gallons of water. Lillian read "Mr. & Mrs. Cugat" - I.S. Rorick.

Jan. 14 We went to the Valentine, first searching for Sylvia and having a scare about her. She had taken a walk with little Joyce around the block and we searched about 20 minutes for her. We saw "Pinky" with Jeanne Crain, Ethel Barrymore, Ethel Waters & William Lundigan. Also "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" with Charles Coburn & Gloria DeHaven. "Pinky" is another fine picture on the theme of Negro discrimination. 1500 delegates will assemble in Washington for Truman's Civil Rights program. Revised figures give 90 as the number of occupants of the rammed British "sub" Truculent with 15 rescued and the remainder given up as dead. Russia boycotted the U.N. again as Nationalist China delegate Tsiang was allowed to remain. Lillian read Taylor Caldwell's "The Arm and the Darkness.

1/1-1/7/50

Jan. 1, 1950 Sunday The kids played in Bobby's house, then Geoffrey Marks house. The latter walks on top of the furniture. Lillian read "The Handsome Road" - G. Bristow, "But Look, the Moon" - McK Kantor & Pearl Buck's "Sons".

Jan. 2 Mrs. Nadler came and Sylvia walked in silently and shyly as usual. She has "Here we come looby looby" to play. The teacher said she was very bright and willing. Eugene has "Oh, Susanna" and plays a little with both hands. Lil Harry and the kids came over. The kids had a parade with music, of course. ... Russia accused Finland of harboring war criminals. Check was $226.67.

Jan. 3 Hoover & Taft advocated U.S. force to 'save' Formosa from the Chinese 'Reds'. Emil Jannings is dead at 62. Sylvia came home from school and complained of being cold there. She felt warm and Lillian took her temp which was 103°. She went to bed to await Dr Holzman. The doctor diagnosed Colitis due to spoiled food. Sylvia got sulfa in pill form ... and a light diet.

Jan. 4 Sylvia's diet went to normal and she felt fine. ... Eugene drew "The Blue Fairy Book", "Little Pear" by E.F. Lattimore, an Uncle Remus book objections to which I must point out to Eugene and "Sam and the Superdroop", a takeoff on comic books by Munro Leaf. For Sylvia he got "The Five Chinese Brothers" - Bishop & Weise [sic], "Little Tooktoo" by M.A. Peary and "The Little Farm in the Big City" by Erick Berry. Bobby R. was also with us. The 81st Congress' second session opened with Truman due to call the nation's prospects good. The U.S. ordered Hungary to close its two consulates in the country because of the imprisonment of Jacobson - subsequently released and Vogeler. Mercy killer Dr Sander was indicted on a first degree murder charge. Lafayette College rejected a contribution of $140,000 which was to be used for Protestants only.

Jan. 5 Sylvia was fine today. She had supper with us and also practised [sic] piano. George painted our kitchen after putting a deflector behind the stove. The cost was $10. Republicans in Congress "booed" Truman as he asked for a moderate tax rise. The state will validate the Sharkey Rent Law declared unconstitutional last week. The "World Telegram" took over the Sun putting 1200 men out of work. A battle goes on in Yorkville between resurgent Naziism and anti-fascists. 5 of the 'Trenton Six' signed papers to retain Rogge as their counsel. He had been ousted by the Judge.

Jan. 6 The Greek cabinet fell and two Army chiefs quit on the question of elections. Dr Sander pleaded "not guilty" to the indictment of 1st degree murder. In an unprecedented act he was freed on $25,000 bail but must not practise. We will bar aid to Formosa and ask our citizens to leave. An N.M.U. meeting was highlighted by violence as usual. Dr Binger, famed psychiatrist told the jury, Chambers was a psychopath.

Jan. 7 Sylvia is proud of having helped Mommy make cookies with her pastry set. She has taken to twitching her eyes alarmingly, however. She also whines at everything she is told to do. We went to the Kingsbridge to see "The Secret Garden" with Margaret O'Brien Dean Stockwell & Herbert Marshall. Also "The Great Lover" with Bob Hope. The kids enjoyed the show. England recognized Red China. The Congress of American Women has been asked to register as a foreign agent. It's disaffiliation from the Womens Intern'l Dem. Fed. on expedient grounds did not satisfy the Justice Dep't.

I remember seeing "The Secret Garden" well; specifically the part when they enter the garden, and the film changes from b/w to color. 

12/25-12/31/49

Dec. 25 Christmas Sunday Sylvia vomited twice in the early morning. She stayed in bed and had 101° all day but felt all right. ... her temp dropped to 100.5. Eugene and I had to go to Lils for dinner without Lil & Sylvia. We had a delicious turkey dinner. Mom and pop, Mrs. Thaw, Taubee & her husband, Phil and his son Sammy were there. 

Dec. 26 Sylvia seemed all right and was up and around today. Sadie & Bernard came over for dinner with their three kids - Fredi, Arline & Robert. With five children there was a minor riot. Lil made roast beef and chicken and everything was delicious. 

Dec. 27 Mom came over bringing a game for Eugene, a cut out book for Sylvia and a wall can-opener for us. Russia said that Japanese during the war had used American prisoners as guinea pigs in biological warfare experiments. 

Dec. 28 Eugene is constructing giant draw bridges and merry-go-rounds. Sylvia plays make believe school with many pupils. The Indonesian Republic was born after 347 years of Dutch rule. The U.S. has recognized it. Hungary released A.J.D.C. official Israel Jacobson after two weeks restraint. Vogeler is still held. Landlords now have to paint every two years as in pre war times. Heat records are being broken. 62° was recorded yesterday. A full day of cross examination failed to shake Hess' story. Einstein announced a great new theory designed to explain the working of all forms of energy whether in the form of gravity or of electro magnetic radiation. 

Dec. 29 The City Council is out to cancel the relief cuts announced by Hilliard. In a cancer research discovery fungi were found in every type of cancer examined. 

Dec. 30 Lillian didn't feel well today and went to bed with a stomach complaint and 100.5°. After Eugene ... she felt better. Trygve Lie urged an end to the 'Cold war' in 1950. The Sharkey Rent Freeze Law was killed by the State Court of Appeals. Hungary seized foreign firms in a nationalization move. 

Dec. 31 Lil is better but feels all washed out. The kids did shopping for her this morning. O'Dwyer will ask for State legislative action to retain the city rent controls. Dr. Herman Sander admitted the 'mercy killing' of a woman patient with an incurable cancer. He was defended by his friends and relatives of the deceased. Premier Bidault won two votes of confidence. 

12/18-12/24/49

Dec. 18 I am taking piano lessons.

I like it very much. 

I play the easy songs.  like See Saw and home at last.

8 hours. All O.T. 
 
Dad did not identify the writer of this entry, scanned in below. But Silvia and I agree that it is probably her.
 

Dec. 19 Eugene was spokesman for his row in a history quiz. He got all questions right. A Georgia Jury trying ten white men for assisting in the flogging of Negroes split 7-5 freeing the defendants. It was reported that Russia is building 1000 Subs. Bulgarian [sic] elected a new Fatherland Front parliament with no opposition. The A.L.P. supported Israel rule of Jerusalem. 4 hours O.T. 

Dec. 20 Former Field Marshall Von Mannstein [sic] was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for atrocities by his troops. Nazis however are back in power in Germany. Hiss took the stand and charged Chambers lied. Anti Bridges witness Paul Crouch admitted he is living on gov't money. Eugene drew "To & Again" by WR Brooks, "Young Patriots [Continentals] at Lexington" by JT McIntyre, "The Violet Fairy Book" & Kipling's "Just So Stories". Sylvia drew "It Looks Like This" by J.E. Webber, "School Friends" by LG Nemec, "Let's Take Turns" - LG Nemec & "Fun at the Playground" Frissell & Friebele. 4 hours O.T. 

Dec. 21 Several Organizations protested the recent relief cuts at a City Council hearing. U.S. barred Americans from entering Hungary because of the forcible detention of I.T.& T. Co. official Robert Vogeler. Widower Mayor O'Dwyer 59 and beautiful divorcee & fashion model Sloan Simpson 38 were married in Stuart Fla. Clark Gable 49 and Lady Ashley 39 were married each for the fourth time. Millions of dollars worth of gifts are coming to Stalin from all over the world on his 70th birthday today. New Jersey Judge Perskie joined the defense of the 'Trenton six'. 

Dec. 22 Eugene stayed home from school with a stuffed nose. Sylvia had argyrol drops in her nose and eye last night. A large stick of dynamite planted in the UAW headquarters failed to go off. The F.B.I. is investigating. Communist reps. from all over the world toasted Stalin at a great birthday celebration in Moscow. Steel raised its price $4. a ton blaming rising costs. An F.B.I. wire tapping probe was ordered in the Judy Coplon case. 4 hours O.T. 

Dec. 23 Eugene stayed home agian and in bed, but no temp. The St. Louis Board of Ed. banned segregation in its public schools. Gov. Dewey conferred with City officials on a long range plan to solve the water shortage. 

Dec. 24 Bought Lillian a compact. She gave me a shirt and socks. The kids learn from Williams and Taylor's first piano book. Molly came over for the day. She is not well but is going to the hospital for a complete check-up. The Pope called on all to join the Catholic church and fight against militant atheism. Russia indicted 12 Japanese as mainsprings [sic] in a "germ war" plot.

12/11-12/17/49

Dec. 11 Sunday Brought ties to Max Weinbrown. Mom and pop, Abe & Blume and Rochel stopped here after visiting Tante Rose and had supper. Pop won a chess game from Eugene. The Australian Lavor Gov't was ousted following New Zealand's similar defeat. A 500 man police force was voted by the UN to enforce its rule of Jerusalem. An anti-Communist labor body was formed to rival the W.F.T.U.

Dec. 12 Two E.C.A. aides were freed by Korean leftists after 81 [days] as prisoners. The West German press accused the Allies of war crimes! N.Y.U. vetoed the fraternity bias Law voted by the students. The kids took their first piano lessons from Lillian Nadler. She gives them 3/4 hour each for $4.50.  

Dec. 13 U.S. accused Bulgaria of false charges and restrictions against our embassy officials. The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 1949 Federal Rent Control Act. Ex State Dept. officials testified in favor of Hiss' loyalty at his trial. At the Judith Coplon trial the Judge barred evidence gained by wiretapping.  

Dec. 14 Lil went with Mama to Fordham where Mom bought us artificial flowers for out Anniversary and an umbrella for Sylvia and gun for Eugene for Chanukah. Israel transferred its capital to Jerusalem in protest against its internationalization. 

Dec. 15 The kids practise [sic] a half hour each day. Kostov was sentenced to hang. 10 Co-defendants were sentenced to prison terms. A second judge within six weeks declared the Feinberg ("anti Subversion") Law unconstitutional. Stool pigeon Manning Johnson identified Bridges as a Communist. Big League trades saw a major deal where Willard Marshall, Kerr, Sid Gordon and Webb go from the Giants to the Braves in exchange for Eddy Stanky & Alvin Dark. In the evening we went to Max Guzman's 60th birthday Lotka party bringing a muffler. Mom came but Pop could not make it. Lil & Harry, the Bardes', Horowitz family and daughter Anita & her husband Joe also came. Sandra & Edeen made lotkas. Ida is improved. Two more couples were present including one from Israel. 

Dec. 16 The City had its first voluntary water holiday today. People were requested not to bathe or shave and use only essential water. Hitler banker Abs is here with State Dept. approval. 27 Peekskill riot victims sued for $2000,000 against 16 veterans org. and county and state officials. 3 hours O.T. 

Dec. 17 Eugene went bowling with his Cub Scout Pack at the Kingsbridge Alleys downstairs. Judge Hutchinson presiding at the re-trial of the "Trenton Six" barred Rogge, Patterson and Block from representing the unfortunate Negroes on the grounds they were N.Y. lawyers. The lawyers appeal to the Supreme Court had saved three of the victims after Hutchinson had sentenced them to the "chair" in the first time [sic]. Kostov died on the gallows. Holes were ripped in Chambers' story of his relationship with Hiss at the trial. Mao Tse-Tung arrived in Moscow for the first time as a Chinese gov't leader and received a great reception. Friday's water holiday was called a success. Miss Quinn got off again with a slight reprimand after her Anti Negro remarks. 8 hours. All O.T. Lil took the kids to the Windsor to see three pictures including a Western also a cartoon.                        

12/4-12/10/49

Dec. 4 Sunday This afternoon we went over to the Music Arcade on Morris Park. Ave. to see about a piano. Lil has been looking around for several days with Madeline G. We bought a rebuilt Chickering having a beautiful tone for $250. He had asked $295. for it. Sylvia asked us later whether it was $2.95 or $2.50. From the piano place we went to a Chinese restaurant on Southern Blvd. where we had Chow Mein, roast pork and egg roll and the kids had pot roast. At home I lost a chess game to Eugene. 

Dec. 5 The piano was our anniversary present to each other. Lillian took Eugene to the Columbia Optometry Lab where he got a new prescription. Czech Catholic Bishops warned the gov't they would fight against destruction of religious freedom. 

Dec. 6 Wallace emphatically denied he has insisted that atomic material be sent to Russia. The UN voted an arms census but not Russia's proposal for a count of atomic stockpiles also. William Rosen accused of being an underground Communist in the Hiss Chambers trial refused to testify on grounds it might incriminate him. Left wing U.E. leaders refused to answer questions at an "UnAmerican Comm. hearing. 10,000 at the Garden heard Polish delegate to the UN Katz Suchy, Benson and others speak at an American Soviet friendship meeting. The piano came as Mom and Molly were here but was brought in through the window.  

Dec. 7 Eugene got all A's and S's again with a 95, 96 & 99 and I in penmanship. Sylvia wanted to know whether a nickel which was a little different was a "Jewish nickel". Lillian got a book of piano music songs and is playing with the kids singing. Former Major Jordan who brought out the latest "sensation" of sending atomic and radar material to Russia during the war was transferred from his job in 1944. Leadbelly is dead at 60. Maria Ouspenskaya died of burns at 73. Rex Beach committed suicide at 72. 

Dec. 8 Mike dropped in yesterday morning with a beautiful blanket for our anniversary. The UN voted an UN internationalized UN regime in Jerusalem with England, U.S. and Israel opposing. The vote was 35-13. Gen Groves cleared Wallace and Hopkins of any misconduct in giving any atomic secrets or material to Russia. Gene Connolly resigned from the City Council in protest against Davis' ouster. There were only two abstinences [sic] and no nay votes in the ouster. The A.C.L.U. probers in the Peekskill riot case found the police guilty of allowing the attackers free rein. They found the riot fostered by anti-semitism with no evidence of Communist provocation. In the Bulgarian trials Kostov repudiated much of his pre trial confession. He admitted to ideological mistakes but no spying. The City Council finance Comm. OK'd the City pay raise 6-3. O'Dwyer will go from $25000 to $40000. 

Dec. 9 The UN voted $8,000,000 to run Jerusalem. Kostov's co-defendants pleaded guilty and implicated Kostov. Nationalist China set up its fifth gov't in a year in Formosa. 

Dec. 10 Sylvia went on a tour sponsored by the school to the         television studio. The children sang in the bus. The UN General Assembly voted 38-14 to internationalize Jerusalem. Israel Jews charge the UN will.never be able to implement the decision. Eisler's ex-wife "identified Hiss as a communist. It is charged she boasted she would convict Hiss. Yugoslavia sentenced the White Russians to prison on charges of working for Nazi Germany during the war and spying for Russia afterwards. 

Dad never filled in which TV studio it was; he just left it blank. It's not clear where the "close quote" was supposed to be.

11/27-12/3/49

Nov. 27 We went to Mom & Pop's seeing Lil & Peggy. Harry wasn't well and Susan stayed to help him. She recently made orange juice and washed and dried dishes. Peggy was very cute. She knew everyone there. Eugene won a game of chess from pop. We had the first snowfall of the season and the kids had gone sleighing in the morning.

Dad neglected to label Sunday again, again requiring me to carefully count to seven. 

Nov. 28 Lil took Molly to the doctor this morning. He said she had arthritis and must lose weight. Vice Consul Stokes was freed by the Chinese Communists following Consul Ward's release. Laureano Gomez became Colombia's president. Liberals boycotted the election. The Young Progressives of America concluded their four day second Nat'l Convention in Cleveland with a call for outlawing atomic warfare.

Nov. 29 Sylvia has a sniffle. A half million people jammed Harlem streets to mourn Bill Robinson at his funeral. The Atomic Energy Commission announced a plan to 'breed' scarce atomic materials. Chambers caused a sensation when he testified he was not sure whether a certain paper had been given him by Hiss or the late H.D. White. The City Council ousted Ben Davis and barred debate. Corporation Council [sic] McGrath had held that Davis' conviction barred him from public office. State Supreme Court Justice Harry E. Schirick declared the Feinberg Law barring left wing teachers unconstitutional. He termed it a witch hunting law. Murray spoke at the first convention of the new Int'l Union of Electrical Workers which claims to represent half the old U.E. membership already.

Nov. 30 Sylvia stayed home today with a stuffed nose. The Cominform asked for an all-out struggle from within and without to overthrow Tito. 28 out of 46 perished in another plane crash. N.Y.U. agreed to restore the "One World" mural it had removed, after protests.

Dec. 1 Rep Parnell Thomas sensationally dropped his fight against gov't charges that he had padded the gov't payroll with relatives and drew kickbacks from them. He threw himself on the mercy of the court. The N.Z. Labor gov't was ousted after 17 years of rule. 400,000 soft coal miners will walk out again with the expiration of the truce. Bulgaria indicted former deputy Premier Kostov and 10 others for treason espionage and sabotage in favor of Yugoslavia. 4 Ben Davis supporters arrested at a rally celebrating his release on bail received 60 day sentences. Chiang took over operations against the Communists again as Chunking fell. Carey's new Electrical Union heard several cabinet members attack Communism and praise him.

Dec. 2 When Sylvia complained about helping Eugene do the dishes and then made a commotion while doing them, she was sent to bed before 7 o'clock. At lunch supper time today both refused to eat their stewed prunes. The UN adopted the Western peace plan rather than the Soviet. Against the wishes of the Jewish people, the UN voted 7-6 for the internationalization of Jerusalem. The miners returned to work on a 3-day basis, eleven hours after starting their latest strike. Negotiations will continue. Curran packed a meeting with out of town seamen to win a verdict of guilty against Drummond  and the patrolmen. They will be removed from office. A large part of the membership did not vote. Yugoslavia placed ten Russians on trial for espionage and claimed another had committed suicide in jail. Italy's labor staged a 24-hour protest strike against the killing of several peasants.

Dec. 3 Eugene went to his first Cub Scout meeting with about eight boys in a Webb Ave apartment and had a good time playing games. The Water emergency is getting more critical and summonses are being handed offenders. It was announced that the F.H.A. will give no aid in the future to any housing having restrictive covenants. An ex U.S. officer told Fulton Lewis that Harry Hopkins gave Russia many confidential secrets during the war. Included was a-bomb material.

11/20-11/26/49

Nov. 20 Sunday We all went over to the Eames PL. Jewish Center where the Cub Scouts were having a meeting and party. We managed to register Eugene. He will meet every Friday between 4 and 530 PM at his den mothers house in [sic] Webb Ave. Later we went to the Paradise where we saw the great picture of a light colored Negro couple who try to pass. "Lost Boundaries" with Beatrice Pearson & Mel Ferrer. Also "The Dude Goes West" with Eddy [sic] Albert & Gale Storm. Eugene seemed interested in the problem of discrimination. At home we had frankfurters and beans. Sylvia had a salad and potato salad.

Nov. 21 Lillian bought Sylvia a pretty red coat at Alexanders' $15. Also a hat. She was delighted with the outfit. She said she was glad she couldn't wear it to school as several children have exactly the same coats. Eugene got a hat. Acting President Li of China flew to Hong Kong although he claimed it was due only to a stomach aliment. Panama police chief Remon and his men ousted President Chanis. 18 survivors of 20 occupants of a B-29 which crashed three days ago off Bermuda told of their severe sea ordeal. City relief was cut several dollars a month. 

Nov. 22 The U.S. asked 30 nations to put pressure on the Chinese Communists to free Consul General Angus Ward. At the 2ND Hiss trial, Chambers made new charges that Soviet underground head Peters O.K.'d Hiss for a State Dept job. Libya became an independent state and Somaliland went under a 10 year trusteeship to Italy but Russia was frozen out of the Trusteeship Committee. 1000 NMU members formed a caucus to back Drummond and his patrolmen. A rival to the Pilot will also be published. Furniture leader Morris Pizer deserted the leftist majority to announce loyalty to the C.I.O.

Nov. 23 Sylvia consented to wear her pants today. Britain defied the UN on several trusteeship resolutions. After a two day search the wreck of a plane which had crashed Sunday with 28 Jewish children and seven adults was found. The sole survivior was 11 year old Isaac Allai. The crash occurred in Oslo. Hungary arrested New Yorker Robert Vogeler and two other I.T.&T representatives on espionage charges and claimed they had confessed. Judge Harris sentenced Bridges' lawyer Vincent Hallman to six months jail for criminal contempt but allowed him to continue to represent Bridges in the trial before serving sentence after pleas by Bridges and Hallman's Associate. 

Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Day We went to Morty & Ray Steindler for a turkey dinner. Also present were Mrs. Feingold, Charlie F. Lou F & his wife Ray & Son Arnie. Also Wally S. Sylvia started to cry right after we got there but ended up singing to Ray F's piano playing. Mortee took us home. Lil got sick in the car breaking out into perspiration. It seems she had an attack of indigestion. She took bicarbonate of soda and tea. Angus Ward was convicted by a Chinese People's Court along with four other consulate employees, on the charge of beating a Chinese employee. The five however have been freed but ordered to leave China. Indictments against Amtorg officials have been dropped now that they have complied with registration laws. Lilienthal quit as A.E.C. chief with a blast at his enemies. Ben Feldman, Brooklyn druggist was acquitted in his third trial of poisoning his wife in order to get her estate. His first two trials ended in conviction reversed by the Court of Appeals. Chambers admitted many inconsistencies in his story. 

Nov. 25 Sylvia was punhished this morning for her babyish actions - crying, moaning, groaning, making faces, etc. Arnulfo Arias was returned to the Presidency of Panama from which he had been ousted eight years ago. Police chief Remon who helped overthrow him in 1941 supported him this time. The Western Allies concluded many agreements with Germany. The ban on dismantling was removed from 18 big factories. Germany may rebuild a merchant fleet. Germany pledged to eradicate Nazism and oppose cartels. An N.Y.U. mural painted by graduate student Harold Collins which had been attacked for its Communist propagand [sic] was finally removed. A 24 hour general strike hit France. All labor unions demonstrated for bonuses and an end to the wage freeze. France and Poland are making retaliatory arrests of each others nationals for espionage. Ted Williams won the A.L. Most Valuable Player Award, setting off great protests from the Yanks and fans in favor of Rizzuto and Page.  

Nov. 26 We all played puzzle games Sylvia knowing enough to really join us for the first time. She was very excited and interested and made a creditable showing. Russia will boycott the UN debate on China's charge that Moscow aided the Chinese Communists. Curran supporters grabbed the N.M.U. hall and many opponents were beaten and union books taken away. May Quinn, teacher punished for Anti-semitism is now being investigated for Anti-Negro remarks. Bojangles Bill Robinson is dead at 71. 

11/13-11/19/49

Nov. 13 Sunday We stayed in on this rainy Sunday. Eugene finished his gantry crane. Sylvia played with the anagrams. She arranges each letter in a separate line. These letters are then pupils in a class. Irving R. came up to take Eugene and Bobby to the Marble Hill. They saw Glenn Ford & Nina Foch in "Undercover Man" & "The Doolins of Oklahoma" with Randolph Scott. Sylvia played school with Norma. They play this quietly for hours.

Nov. 14 Harlem is aroused over another police shooting of a resident.

Nov. 15 Eugene told Lil how many clippings a boy brought into class but he himself forgot to bring any. Judy Coplon's second trial started with the F.B.I. agent who arrested her telling his story. Czechoslovakia is ousting all foreigners. The Arab nations and Israel denounced each other in meetings with U.S. officials. Gomulka was expelled from the Central Comm. of the Polish Communist Party.

Nov. 16 After school we walked over to Mom's seeing Lil and the kids first. Peggy is adorable. She shakes her head to all questions. Susan had her hair cut and looked very cute. Later we had supper at Mom's and pop came home and joined us. Chinese Nationalists shelled U.S. ships. Yugoslavia attacked Russia for warmongering. Mayor O'Dwyer declared war on the A.L.P. and Marcantonio. The F.B.I. failed to find any evidence that Judy Coplon was ever a Communist. Herbert Burgman was found guilty of treason for aiding Germany during the war. A deck officers strike was put off for a month. Lillian read "East Side, West Side" by Margaret [sic] Davenport, "The Greyhound in the Leash" by Joyce Horner, "The Visitor" by Randau & Zugsmith. We both read Burl Ives "The Wayfaring Stranger".

Nov. 17 Several hundred N.M.U. leftists came out to protest the continuing purge of rank and filers by Curran and his gang. There were many scuffles with several sent to the hospital and others arrested. Port Agent Dave Drummond and thirteen patrolmen had been summarily fired by Curran although elected on his own slate. A membership meeting had voted 1297-3 to keep them on the job. The State C.I.O. Exec. Board voted to bar Communists from office.

Nov. 18 A jury of eight women and four men was selected for the second Hiss trial. 18 were killed as two B-29s collided. 4700 N.M.U. members howled and rioted at a meeting at the St Nich. with Curran back to lead his faction. Chairs and bats were thrown at Curran. A vote of 2700 to 2000 was announced in favor of Curran on charges against him. Drummond and the patrolmen were ousted on a voice vote. Anti-Curranites held their own meeting after the regular meeting and passed a resolution against Curran and Stone 1858-4. Truman denounced the imprisonment of American Consul General Angus Ward by the Chinese Communists. Acheson has barred recognition of Red China over the matter.

 Nov. 19 Sylvia drew "Making Friends" by Daw, McKee, Aldredge, "The New Friendly Village" by M O'Donnell, "Pets & Friends" by E A Myers & "The Cozy Little Farm" by L. Bonino. Eugene drew "Winabojo Master of Life" by J.C. Bowman, "Beyond the Clapping Mountains" by C.E. Gillham, "More To and Again" by W R Brooks & "The Boy Apprenticed to an Enchanter" Padraic Colum. Bobby R. also went with us & borrowed books. Hiss in his new trial blamed Julian Wadleigh for stealing secret documents. The UN voted an arms ban on Greeks neighbors except Yugo. which has ceased aid to the Greek guerrillas. Vice President Barkley 71 wed Jane Hadley 38. Bishop Manning is dead at 83.                   

11/6-11/12/49

Nov. 6 Sunday Sylvia went to a fire-house yesterday with her school-mates on a tour. She saw the men sliding down a pole and sat in an engine with a fireman's hat on her. Lillian got a hat friday [sic]. There was one hat she liked but Sylvia didn't so that was out. Sylvia got some brown shoes with suede trim at Alexanders size 1 1/2 E $5.79. Today we went downtown to Roxy's. Admission cost us $4. We saw "Everybody Does It" - a comedy with Paul Douglas, Linda Darnell and Celeste Holm. On the stage we saw acrobats, dancers, ventriloquists and Ethel Waters. Sylvia liked the stage show.

Nov. 7 Lillian went to school to see Sylvia's class as it is open school week. She was proud of Sylvia who raised her hand several times to speak. She suggeted a lullaby as a song to sing and got a doll to rock while the class sung one. She has a 100% paper on the wall and is in group I in reading. In the library Sylvia drew "Winter Comes and Goes" a science book by Frasier MacCracken & Armstrong, "Too Big" by the d'Aulaires, "Ned & Nan in Holland" by Olmstead & Grant and A French ABC by FL Dauphin. It has beaautiful pictures. Sylvia says Eugene told her to take it but Eugene says Sylvia wanted it. Eugene drew "Treasure Island", "Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse" by U.M Williams, "Aesops Fables" & Freddy & the Popinjay by W R Brooks. Malenkov speaking on the eve of the Anniversay of the Revolution demanded arms reduction and outlawing and destriction of the atom bomb. He accused the U.S. of plotting war and enslavement of the world.

Nov. 8 Election Day We voted for Lehman for Senator on the Dem. Ticket and Marcantonio for Mayor and all other A.L.P. candidates. The AL.P. did not run a senatorial candidate. India & Egypt asked for an immediate ban on the atom bomb at the UN. Scarsdale rejected the Committee of Ten's demand for banning of books by leftists. The Supreme Court upheld the $1,420,000 fine on Lewis and the coal miners. Soviet Marshal Rokossovsky took over his job as Polish Minister of Defense & Marshall of the Polish Armies. Joseph Gaer and Mrs. Louise Bransten Berman were quizzed by the "UnAmerican Comm." on subversive activities.

Nov. 9 In a democratic swing Mayor O'Dwyer was re-elected. O'Dwyer D 1,264,600 votes - Morris R. 956,170 Marcantonio ALP 356,423. In the Senatorial battle Lehman won. Lehman D 2,460,407. Dulles R. 2,240,230. Ben Davis was defeated for City Council by Earl Brown who was supported by D. R. & Lib. parties Brown 63000 votes Davis 26000 votes. Approx. Bedacht testified before the "UnAmerican Comm." that he knew nothing of Russian spies. Quirino has been reelected president of the Philippines. Lillian went to see Eugene's class in the morning, Dr. Goodfriend about her tumor in the afternoon and to speak with Eugene & Sylvia's teacher in the evening. 

Nov. 10 Lillian saw Eugene's class in action this morning. Mrs. Deveraux had told Lillian Eugene knew his work very well but rarely volunteered, waiting to be called on. This morning he was very uncertain in class but his teacher attributed it to the presence of the mothers. Miss Costigan told Lillian Sylvia was a very determined child and not particularly shy in school. Dr Goodfriend found Lillian still OK and told her to come back in six months. The UN voted independence for Libya in 1952. East German ex Nazis except war criminals and activists won full citizenship. Lewis ended the miners strike for three weeks. Bethlehem, Republic, Jones & Laughlin, Youngstown Steel & Tube signed with the Steel Union. Two Chinese Airlines went over to the Communists.  

Nov. 11 Armistice Day We went to the Kingsbridge to see "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" with Henry Fonda, Fred McMurray, Sylvia Sydney, Nigel Bruce, Beulah Bondi, Fred Stone. Also "Geronimo" with Preston Foster, Ralph Morgan, Andy Devine. Sylvia wanted to go home toward the end but wanted to stay on when the time came. Tito offered asylum to pro-Tito Communists from other countries. Vishinsky claimed Russia is working peace time miracles with its atomic energy. The Nat'l Council of American Soviet Friendship gave a dinner to Vishinsky attended by 600. Speakers included Vishinsky, Robeson, Dr Harry F Ward, Colston Warne, Rev Melish, John Kingsbury, Corliss Lamont.  

Nov. 12 Sylvia is playing at Norma G's house and Eugene is playing at Bobby R's. house. Police halted Anti-Negro riots in Chicago after rumors that Negroes were moving into certain sections. Big steel settled completely with the steel union as US Steel signed a pension and insurance agreement. It was the warmest Armistice Day ever with 73°.

10/29-11/5/49

Oct. 29, 1949 (cont.) Jefferson Military College failed to get the $50,000,000 when it refused to change its policy to teach white supremacy. A motion to take Ben Davis off the ballot was denied by Supreme Court Justice (N.Y.) Dineen.

This entry was continued from Book 5; Dad switched to naming (Oct) instead of numbering (10) the dates in this book. 

Oct. 30 Sunday We were in all day on a rainy Sunday doing puzzles and listening to the radio.

Oct. 31 Sylvia hinted that if she had a cow girl suit she would wear it to the Halloween party in school today. A Junior Marshall Plan is being prepared for Asia to combat Communism. Murray has OK'd a 'red' purge in the C.I.O.

Nov. 1 Sylvia said she was hot (although it is a cold day) and would not wear her sweater. "Then you won't go to school" said Lillian. That was the end of the protest. Right-wing Socialists quit de Gasperi's cabinet in an effort to unify Italy's Socialists. Bethlehem split the Steel industry when it settled the strike with the Union giving a pension of $100 a month minimum at the age of 65 after 25 years service. The C.I.O. convention opened with a constitutional Amendment in the offing to expel left wing unions. Edward Stettinius Jr is dead at 49. 

Nov. 2 Sylvia brought home a plant bulb today in the absorbent cotton container she had gotten from the medicine chest. Both kids love the 'trimz' which Lillian is putting on the foyer. The Court of Appeals reserved decision on bail for the '11' and also stayed jail sentences for the attornies imposed for contempt. 55 dead as a P-38 hit an airliner. The only survivor was the pilot of the Bolivian P38. Rep Bates Helen Hokinson and Tammany leader Michael Kennedy were among the dead. The U.E. delegates walked out of the C.I.O. Convention. They and the F.E. Union are slated to be expelled. The President signed the bill raising minimum wages fro 40¢ to 75¢ per hour but eliminating hundreds of thousands of workers.

Nov. 3 The C.I.O. expelled the U.E. and set up a dual union - the Intern'l Electrical Workers Union led by right wingers. F.E. was also expelled. Bridges led the left wing defense at the convention. Quill Curran Ruether & Murray did the smearing for the administration.

Nov. 4 Eugene has a gold star in his book but cannot remember why he got it. The '11' C.P. leaders have been released in $260,000 bail. Thousands cheered Ben Davis in Harlem and cops clubbed six and arrested four in an attempt to halt the demonstration. The C.I.O. climaxed its red purge by giving a blank check to the Truman foreign policy. The delegates also endorsed the move to leave the W.F.T.U.

Nov. 5 The UN condemned Albania and Bulgaria for aid to the Greek guerillas. Murhena [sic] Zolyak, Bulgaria-born American UN Aide stabbed Wei Huan Kuo, Chinese girl employed as a. Two UN aides are dead in a murder suicide act. Three Greek seamen climbed down from the yardarm of their ship where they had been two days having won their battle to escape deportation to Greece. The C.I.O. elected several leftists to its Executive board but will not seat them in accordance with the new constitutional amendment against Communists and supporters.

Don't know why Dad crossed out the more detailed description of what happened.

Deaths (Book 5)

5/30/49 Ripley
6/11 Dr. de Los Rios [actually 6/1]
6/25 Premier Sophoulis
7/17 A.F. Whitney
7/19 Serg Kournakoff
7/20 Van Bittner
         Frank Murphy
7/28 Vince Dundee
8/1 Paul Crosbie
8/17 Margaret Mitchell
8/19 Dr Sam Green
8/31 Hans Kindler 
9/6 Bill Odom
9/8 Orozco
9/9 Richard Strauss
9/12 Justice Rutledge
9/13 Harry T Burleigh 
9/19 Frank Morgan
9/27 Richard Dix
10/7 Oswald G Villard
        Bob Hannigan
10/29 Marcel Cerdan

Index of Book 5

5/7 Eugene goes on a tour to LaGuardia airport and makes recordings with his friend Jerome Elkind.
5/10 Israel was accepted by the U.N.
5/11 Hague was ousted after 32 years.
5/12 Gerhard Eisler jumped his bail and sailed for Europe.
5/18 The American Legion issued a blacklist of noted fellow travellers.
5/23 Forrestall commites suicide
5/24 Western Germany was officially set up.
5/25 Victor Ruether shot following his brother's shooting.
5/26 Sylvia has her tonsils removed by Dr Witchell in Royal Hosp. Eisler freed by a British court.
6/17 Robeson makes his sensational statement that Negroes will not fight against Russia.
6/21 The Vatican excommunicated all Czechs that join new gov't movement.
6/23 Ku Klux Klan resurges in South as Charles beats Walcott for Heavy. Crown.
6/27 Berlin railroad strikers win 100% payment in Western marks & no more refusals from Soviet Employers.
6/28 The family left for Soss's bungalows in Burlinghame. We share with Gallins $525.
6/30 Slovak Catholics fight Czech police.
7/1 Judy Coplon gets 40 months to 60 years.
7/3 Dimitroff dead at 67.
7/4 Schroeder wins Wimbledon title.
7/12 Tito ceases aid to Greek guerillas.
7/13 13 Amer. Journalists among 70 killed in two major air crashes.
7/14 The Vatican announced excommunication of all Communists & Fellow travelers.
7/19 Jackie Robinson refutes Robeson at the "UnAmerican Comm." hearings.
7/22 Senate passes Atlantic Pact.
7/28 Polio epidemic, learnt to swim, Lillian learned Mah Jong.
8/7 Earthquake kills thousands in Ecuador.
8/26 We have surprise party for Lillian in Country.
8/29 First Robeson Concert riot
9/6 Second Robeson Concert riot; Gonzales wins "Nationals"
9/7 Vet runs amok in Camden killing thirteen
9/17 Hungarian treason trial hears confessions
9/19 200 dead or missing in S.S. Noronic fire; England devaluates pound to $2.50
9/22 Chinese Communists proclaim a People's Republic of China
9/23 Truman announced an atomic blast had occurred in Russia recently
9/30 Russia broke its mutual friendship pact with Yugo.
10/3 Yanks & Dodgers win pennant on last day of season; steel workers struck.
10/5 A blanket 15% rent rise in NY City was refused.
10/7 Hawaiian stevedores won their long strike with a 21¢ per hour increase
10/8 An East German state was formed.
10/9 We have big birthday party for Sylvia.
10/10 Yanks win World Series
10/15 Eleven top Communists convicted of conspiring to teach & advocate violent overthrow of the gov't.
10/18 Greek guerillas announced the end of the Civil War to "avoid bloodshed"
10/22 Amtorg officers indicted as foreign agents; C.P. leaders sentenced to 5 years in prison.
10/26 Russia asked Yugo. to recall its Ambassador.
10/29 Marcel Cerdan killed

On the next page is a picture of Silvia and myself from September 1949

10/23-10/29/49

10/23 Sunday We had Mortie & Ray Steindler over for dinner and had a very pleasant afternoon listening to stories about their cross country trip and the bringing up of Walter.

10/24 Two Queens A.L.P. clubs were stoned with a few arrested at only one of the clubs.

10/25 Truman in dedicating the permanent headquarters of the UN Assembly on East River Drive called for an effective prohibition of atomic weapons. 20,000 heard Wallace Robeson & Marcantonio in an A.L.P. rally at the 'Garden' for Marc. Newcombe & Sievers are named rookies of the year.

10/26 Sylvia is as difficult as ever We had quite a scene when she refused to wear a hat to go out after school. Russia has asked Yugoslavia to recall its ambassador for spying and subversive activities. The Czech church yielded in its battle with the gov't to the extent of allowing priests to swear loyalty to the gov't and accept salaries in order to stay out of jail. N.Y.U. Chancellor Dr H.W. Chase stated that C.P. members should not be allowed to teach but fellow travellers [sic] might. In his first pro. match Pancho Gonzales lost to Jackie Kramer before 13000 at the Garden 6-4,3-6,6-3,6-2. Lil read Feuchtwanger's "The Pretender" Merle Miller's "That Winter" "Tomorrow Will Sing!" of Elliot [sic] Arnold. We both read Noel Coward's Autobiography "Present Indicative".

10/27 Sylvia cannot have her watch until she dresses and eats faster, and "listens" better. Judge George Armstrong gave $50,000,000 to Jefferson Military College on condition that it teach white supremacy. Marcantonio offered to quit the mayoralty race if O'Dwyer banned "Jim Crow" in 'Stuyvesant Town'.

10/28 Eugene's class had an upside down day. The did everything backwards. George Bidault was confirmed as French Premier 367-183. Attlee took a crisis vote by his closest margin 353-222. In the Peekskill riot probe, victims are being badgered rather than the investigators. The C.I.O.-A.F.L. held a rally for Lehman & O'Dwyer at the Garden. Phillip Murray, Mrs F.D.R. and F.D.R.Jr were among the speakers.

10/29 We went to the Lido to see "The Overlanders" about a long trek with cattle in Australia and "The Years Between" with Valerie Hobson, Michael Redgrave and Flora Robson. Sylvia showed some interest in the picture. Her favorite pictures are "Little Women" and "Bambi". We had supper in a cafeteria. Eugene and I got shoes at Tom McCann. I got brown shoes at $6.65. Eugene's were brown size 4 1/2 $5. The U.E. in a pre convention statement demanded a no-raiding pact. C.I.O. leaders are getting ready to oust or subjugate left wing unions. A plane crash in a Paris to N.Y. flight killed all 48 persons aboard including Middle Weight champ Marcel Cerdan.

The entry for this date (10/29/49) is continued at the beginning of Book 6; otherwise, this is the end of Book 5 of Dad's diary, except for the Index (list of key events) and Deaths.

10/16-10/22/49

10/16 Sunday We went to Milt & Shirley's with Sam & Molly. Molly was to leave for Hot Springs in the evening. We spent the day playing with Seth who is very adorable and playful.

10/17 The kids are writing stories again - a bookfull each. Eugene's are Fairy stories. He has already written "The Three Sisters and the Giant" Sylvia's are "Easy Stories" She has written "Sally's Cousin". Victorious prosecutor McGohey in the C.P. trial has been named a Federal Judge. Elizabeth strikers ended their 168 day Singer Machine strike. Meager gains were attributed to the right wing Bridgeport local's capitulation a few weeks ago. 16000 Alcoa workers struck.

10/18 The Greek guerrillas announced the end of the civil war to "avoid more bloodshed and the destruction of Greece". 2000 sanitation workers "took sick" and paraded for a 5 day, 40 hour week. GLK Smith endorsed Dulles, Lehman's opponent for NY Senator, as an Anti-Communist Christian. 

10/19 Sylvia didn't want to wear a dress today because she had worn it already (Saturday). Vishinsky charged the U.S. with violating the UN charter in supporting Yugo. instead of Czecho. to the Security Council. Russia's proposal for a world count of atom bombs was rejected by the "Council". Russia in turn rejected a world arms count exclusive of atom bombs. Protests held up a measure to ban "noisy meetings" in Cortlandt. An attempt to remove Ben Davis from the City Council because of his conviction was halted by Connolly's objection.

10/20 Eugene was nominated for President but has a couple of charges against him and cannot run. New Jersey's loyalty oath was declared unconstitutional by the courts. Congress adjourned after voting over a billion in arms aid. Nehru is here on a six day visit. He warned yesterday that the West must move out of Asia.

10/21 Sylvia raved over a beautiful dress worn by a classmate. She herself wore her new blouse today. The girls exchanged compliments. 4000 (revised to 500) Guatemalans were killed in floods there. Cortlandt slipped through an anti-disturbance ordinance when the opposition went home. Yugoslavia was elected to the Security Council against the wishes of Russia which had backed Czechoslovakia. The Chinese Red Army has taken Canton. Lil and the kids got their first "flu" injections at Dr. Holzman's.

10/22 Arline D. came up and kids played. Eugene tried to make them laugh creating quite a racket. Later I took Eugene and Bobby R. to the Oxford to see Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson in "Its A Great Feeling" and "Colorado Territory" with Joel McCrae [sic] and Virginia Mayo. Amtorg was indicted here with five of its officers arrested and held in $15,000 bail. The charge is failure to register as agents of the Soviet gov't. Medina sentenced ten of the C.P. to 5 years in prison. Bob Thompson got 3 years for his war record. All got $10,000 fines. Bail was refused pending appeal. U.E. officers were the last C.I.O. leaders to sign non-Communist affadavits.