January 13, 1946

Dear Mother and Dad,

               I attempted to call you this weekend, but I was thwarted in my efforts by the telephone strike. It looks like the entire country is going on strike—steel, meat, automobile, and telephone industries. I can’t see Truman’s idea of increasing wages and keeping prices at the same level. How can companies operate along those lines?

               I will call as soon as the telephone strike is settled. I imagine the Government will take over. I am in the Troops Movement Section of G-3, and what with redeployment about finished and movements from one camp to another slowing down, there is very little work to do. Maj. Berry, my boss, says we may have some activity if the Government takes a hand in these strikes. He is getting discharged Feb. 1, and Col. Taylor left yesterday for a leave, after which he reports to the Command and Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan. He is staying in the Army. I made out his application for a commission in the Regular Army the other day. For an officer like that—a Lt. Col.—it is a good deal.

               Several officers in my section are going overseas. They have never

been over and don’t have many points.

               I thoroughly enjoyed the “Ballet Russe” the other evening. The stars were Alexandra Danilora and Frederic Franklin –both superb. The music, scenery, and dancing were beautiful. I will send you the program. I paid $3.00 for the seat—no military tickets were available, but for the Marjorie Lawrence concert I bought a $3.60 ticket for half price.

               I found a wonderful place to eat—a cafeteria where you can stuff yourself for a dollar. The food is excellent.

               I worked yesterday afternoon so I got Friday afternoon off instead. Most Army outfits wouldn’t be that fair.

               Our teletype machine is affected by the strike. Only emergency calls may be sent. We send and receive messages to and from Army Ground Forces in Washington (big deal!) This week I received notice I was cleared by the Dayton polices and the F.B.I. so that I could operate the teletype machine. It’s a wonderful thing--  one can hold a written conversation, It’s simple to operate if you know how to type.

               Saw Roy Russell in “She Wouldn’t Say Yes” – a good comedy. 

               “Rebecca” was here last night, but I had seen it in Colorado Springs.

               I am waiting to see what develops when Congress investigates

demobilization this week. Eisenhower appears before Congress Tuesday.

               I told you how Gene Christian complained so bitterly about the training they were receiving in the 5^th Division at Camp Campbell and how they got up a petition. Well, Maj. Berry was sent up there last week to investigate the situation. He tells me they haven’t been receiving much training at all, but of course it wouldn’t sound like much to an officer because they don’t have to go through it.

               This week a memorandum came down from Gen. Eisenhower stating that training for combat veterans should be reduced to a minimum. The War Department must have had a lot of complaints.

               A mountain training center is being established at Camp Carson. One batalion [sic] at a time is to train there. One from the 2^nd Division at Camp Swift is going there soon. I don’t see the need for it, for most of the men are draftees and will be out soon.

               The cookies were very good, Mother. They came yesterday.

               Have you decided about Florida yet?   

               We had a lot of rain this week. Today it is colder.

               I haven’t heard anything about officers being permitted to return to school. I don’t think that is true.

               Hope you are feeling better, Mother. Love to both of you.

P.S. Enclosed is an article about the 88^th Division which is occupying the area which the 10^th Mtn. would have occupied had it stayed there.[1]