Folder 730-779: Fragments,

Containers:

8, 4

Scope and content:

Writes a letter detailing his morning routine at the Camp, probably from early in his stay there. Talks about people in a stay at the Williamsburg Lodge. Hears Lew talk about how Dorislee is immature; visits the Personnel Office and has fun pointing out two mistakes they made. Camp has been receiving letters from men who have been transferred. Talks about his feelings on his assignment to and at Peary and the way other men think of their assignments. Talks about a Romanian, now a US citizen, working at Peary. Talks about how the situation is in the office after Frankie has left, and how much work he does. Talks to Phillips about libraries and their purpose. Talks about plays at the Nixon Theater, which is in Pittsburgh. Thinks that if the war were to go on for another year or so, he might try to work for the UNRRA[United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration]. Sees nothing but grave potential danger in the after-war period. Talks about “books on and by Negroes.” Talks about marks that Lt. Kennedy gave out to the men. Thinks he might be able to get a GE electric iron. Writes what someone, possibly Lt. Kennedy, wrote for his recommendation for commission. Talks about race riots in Philadelphia. Sees families at the pool; sees the movie “See My Lawyer;” hears that trains are being cancelled for troop movements. Hears about men being moved and reassigned. Hears a bit from men still in shock about Roosevelt’s death. Talks about how the boot recruits and the chiefs are so eager to learn and get out of Peary, and Recht just calmly does his job. Talks about how nice it was to hear Esther and Sid on the phone; discusses transportation to Williamsburg, and its difficulties. Talks about sending food back to home. Hears about more men leaving for Cleveland and elsewhere. Does not see any of the men from his original barracks anymore; hears that most lawyers who come in believe they should be in administration or the legal department. Hears about a sailor who was in the hospital for 74 days but is still in the service. Talks about what he misses about Pittsburgh. Talks about the wife of another family, whose husband is also in the military, moving in with Esther; hears about the possible closing of the Camp. Hears some of the opinions the seamen have for yeomen. Writes a letter on Recht’s Furniture letterhead. Hears that the Captain of the Camp believes that the war is being fought to save Christianity. Two letters from the summer of 1940, written to an Eleanor, and not written by Herman Recht; letters have holes cut out of them, indicating censorship.

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