Letter from Mom to Daddy postmarked March 5, 1943
Among the items in the boxes Kathy has given me since Mom's death is this letter from her to Dad--in 1943, when she was pregnant with Dana although I'm not sure whether she knew it yet. This letter is full of politics, a passion for both of my parents, and I also think it was my mother's chief attraction to my dad--his intelligence and the "important" topics he liked to discuss. Still, I can't help wondering whether he might have liked more mention of how much she missed him. While speaking of how very happy hearing from him has made her, her focus seems to be equally on Chiang Kai-Shek, Gandhi, Peyroutan (a name I had to look up--and he turns out to be connected to North Africa, where Mom's second child--me--was to spend two years of her life), the AFL CIO, the plight of the "Negroes," etc. I suspect it was both genuine interest in these people and topics but also an effort to relate to Daddy in a way that would impress him and make her seem his intellectual equal. I do remember that when Daddy wrote to me during the years I was in the Peace Corps, most of his focus was on Vietnam! With no more delay, I'll present the letter! But after I get in midterm grades and reports, I'll come back and annotate, perhaps.
******
Thursday Evening
Or
The night after
Your
Long-hoped-for-letter
Arrived!
And I am happy! Very happy!
Darling, your note seemed to reflect such high spirits, and you’re feeling better, too. I’m so relieved. Your optimism in re: to political outlook was a little startling, but I quite agree that, militarily speaking, things are looking up. But, Peyroutan retains his position in N Africa, we’re mincing matters with Franco—movements to recognize any Spanish Govt in exile receive no attention, let alone support. Trouble seems dead-ahead for Soviet-Polish amity, due apparently, to machinations of Fascist elements in Polish exiled Govt. Soviet annexed territory of ’39 is demanded returned, tho’ plebiscites indicated overwhelming majority of populace of territory desired union with the U.S. S.R.
Madame Chiang Kai-Shek’s personal appearance tour has done a great deal towards enlightening our people re: stupidity of blanket Chinese Exclusion Act—favorable impression created by her may blind some to reality of Fascist-minded counselors high in the Chiang gov’t.
No indication as yet that Gandhi has gained anything more than increased Indian adulation thru his latest risk of life.
The proposed liberal coalition to be headed by Norris has hit a snag because of A.F. L. disinclination to participate. Tho’ Phil Murray is apparently opposed to a suggested merger with AFL (suggested by Wm Green), he still hesitates to split labor sentiment by backing the liberal group. A.F.L has also gone on record as unwilling to join British Trade Unions & CIO in USA in labor front with USSR unions. They (AFL) maintain that there is no free bargaining existing in Russia, only a state sponsored economy which backs one group, i.e., the working class.
I’m still hoping for a joining of labor groups into a Labor Party—for I’m convinced that the democratic Party is really going to be (even more than before) hampered & double-crossed by Southern Democrats. And I have no hopes for a change of heart in the G.O.P.
M.E. wrote me a fine letter not so long ago. She’s enjoying the challenges offered by the men and women in “I Believe.” She and her roommate are organizing their confusion on lots of topics and M.E. has found a prof to talk to. She’s given M.E. more confidence in her capacity—for ME says that teacher says her IQ is quite eminently satisfactory and she need not feel inferior in that respect. ME has so often spoken of her tendency to settle back into a real sweet southern "womanhood” because she didn’t feel she was equipped initially to do much rigorous or contributive thinking. M.E. feels much closer to you now than ever before. She is to write a Freshman semester paper, and planned to write on the CIO as she asked for suggestions, I offered a few: For ex, What are the CIO/AFL records re: employment of women & of minority racial or cultural groups, i.e. Negro; what should be the conceivable advantages and the disadvantages of the merger of CIO & AFL suggested the 1st of year by Wm Green? The combined group to be patterned after AFL; what leading industrialists, editors, gov’t officials back which union group? I’ve a lot of clippings and mag. articles on Labor matters which I’ll send her if she can use such.
Herman is just awaiting his call to report for Naval Air Corps Cadet School. ME maintains that she loves him very much indeed, tho’ she had about pushed him clear out of her mind (supposedly) in her letter-before-last. Now she’s arguing to herself that it’d be very impractical, unfeasible, etc. to be married now. I’m trying to get more complete picture of Herman, but she speaks in rapturous adjectives or declines to discuss him at all. I’m so glad you specially asked her to keep in touch with me. I think of her a great many times and I’d like to share a lot with her.
Honey, I got the sweetest Valentine from your Daddy. It was a big one with the printed words on outside: “Happy Valentine Wish” (and) “to dear wife.” But he had inserted “Elmore’s” so that it reads “to dear Elmore’s wife.”
Verse read “V. Greetings to say you are dear,” etc. And he signed it Love and God bless you, Daddy Martin.”
Since then he’s answered a letter of mine and this is what it says in part:
“Well, you have played havoc now. You have done something no one else has forced on me. I don’t ever write letters to anyone and I can’t see how I’ll ever get this one ready for you…” I must say (your last letter) served its purpose—made me happy, tremendously happy & I enjoyed it, but how in the world will I get this one ready for you.” “I sure did hate to see Elmore leave. It hurt me something awful. I wish I were big, brave and intelligent enough to keep him supplied with some good encouraging letters…”
He thanked me for combination birthday & Valentine card & asked “Don’t you think I’m the oldest and sweetest one you ever saw?”
He sent love & best wishes to you, Elmo, and darling, do write him 1st chance you have. I love him so much and he is so awed by you.
Two days ago he sent me a bunch of S.C. newspapers floating banner headlines on the awarding of Navy “C” to Ware Shoals Mfc. Co. employees.
My mother sent a box of cookies and a sweet little valentine for the two of us.
Verse concludes:
“Wherever you are, wherever you go,
Somebody cares.—and wants you to know”
Mother
The cookies were splendid, tho ‘ bit crumpled. But, oh my sweet, how much better to have shared them with you.
The Wash. News has really been coming thru. They had dubbed us the Missing Martins, and wondered if we were on the planet! I’ve written them all, to put their minds at rest on at least that one point.
Bert has been moved to Fort Meyer & is underfoot constantly. 2138 is our casa at any drop of any hat—or anchor for that matter!
Eve’s dad died and he took a trip to Minnesota. Now is head of a unit of OPA’s Personnel Division.
Larry is making plans for a complete change, & Riccki is no longer at G.W. but is working for an Economic advisor to the administration in OPA. (Office of Price Administration? Tina)
Sylvia Rosenberg has popped up again—with portfolios of evidence!
All send their love and Terry writes in her usually gay & giddy chatter form Landing, Michigan! Regards to the Admiral, I quote.
George writes once a week or so, but nothing of import. Tho’ I’m still hopeful.
I wrote Mrs. Hunter a good long letter and I’ll bet you get a note from her.
Pete tells me that they’re closing up at P.C. and only 2 officers remain. He expects to join you on an LST Marjorie Martin writes from I(nternational? Tina) House, California to say that she misses us, also Clyde who’s at sea. She’s enjoying Berkeley as I asked her to look up my dynamic red-headed protégée?
Mrs. Arnold & Selma worked on the 25th Birthday Party for the Red Army given at Hotel Commodore. It’s written up in Soviet Russia today in the March issue which hasn’t popped upon Norfolk stands.
Tho’ we still have trig homework, our shop work has taken a turn towards the practical. I can sink a neat rivet now & you should see me running a drill press. We also hammer and saw at pine boards & to date I have 10 fingers & haven’t bitten my tongue quite off. My Granddad would be ecstatic at seeing me now. He also taught me tom-boy tricks—climbing trees & hanging by one knee, walking on gigantic stilts, and he’d let me use his carpenter tools, which were his pride & delight!
Darling, I’ve bought a war bond & am on my way towards a 2nd. Yesterday my allotment came & you were really generous. I hope to save from $150-200 per mo. until July or so. I sent the $14.00 for Aetna, $10.00 to Mary & paid 1st of 4 income tax installments $56.35.
Apt. Success: Please address next letter to 50 Willkie Rd., Snug Harbor Norfolk, Va. For Jane and I are moving in with a gal (Greek OBK) from Iowa, Berkeley, San Diego & points. The one, honey, who cooked us the amazing fried chicken dinner. She’s a pink girl and we’ll have the run of the house. She’s sub-letting it from a Navy couple. A Navy Yard bus comes by for am shift & brings us safely home. Snug Harbor is about 15 min. from Ocean View.
And Elmo it’ll only be $15 mo rent for me. We plan to move the 13th day after school is over, Praise the Lord! I’ll write you more of this.
Darling, I’ve really been doing some interesting investigation lately. Being in Va for a while tho’t I’d read a bit on the Poll Tax stand of Va & the possibilities for effecting any change in the abysmal status of the Negro here. Wrote to Ntl Comm Repeal Poll Tax and they sent me a monthly pub. called The Repealer. The Committee could supply me with all copies of Repealers needed for distribution but were unable to give me names of groups-- where in N. , which were already at work. So---I read & snooped & followed people out of stores when I overheard something intriguing & here’s what I have found so far, in resume:
Of 609 delinquents before N. courts
196 were white boys 291 Negro boys
63 were white girls 59 Negro girls
259 350
A number of Negroes here felt a desperate need for Negro cops for Negro districts but civil services here examined for white males only. However, one Ernie Wright, a very light Negro, was given an app by error & he encouraged a group of 6 Negroes to apply. They were turned down & Ernie was req. to return app as error had been made. But, there are 2000 organized Negroes here, registered voters with precious Poll-Tax receipts & this group with aid of an organiz. called Interracial Commission & backing of some wealthy Jews here hired lawyer & got case before Fed. Circuit Ct. Judge said that Wright’s rights had been violated, & the comm could just bustle about & look up another exam & it had better be nowhat harder than the one given whites. But Chief of Pol. said he had choice of top 6 & he’d never appoint Wright. Negro pressure group is hopeful of swinging an elec. for a new Chief of Police. This Sat. I’m going to write a note to Interracial Comm & see what they’re doing.
Then one of the VPI profs very nearly was run out of Norfolk after being here 15 yrs. When he sided with Negro school teachers in their demand for equal salaried status with wh. Teachers. That case was taken to the Supreme Ct. in ’41 & a decision invoking the 14th ammend. was handed down. The difference in the salaries was to be adjusted a measure each yr. over a 3-yr period. This is the 3rd yr. I’m going to check with Melvin Alston, who was the Negro teacher taking case to court.
I’ve found that there is a Va. Electoral Reform League headed by a Virginius Dabney (writes for New Repub. occas.) situated in Rich. & I’m writing to it too.
The Negro League here has as motto “a Voteless People is a Hopeless People.”
This is my 1st attempt at a practical problem, darling, & I’m working hard & with all my heart. I did affect a minor reform (tho I fear it was but temporary). 13 of us from VPI were invited for an evening of merriment & smorgasbord to a well-to-do class member’s house. The food was superlatively prepared & I was raving away about how lucky she was to have such a good cook to come in and help her. I knew the maid was in the kitchen, but I was sure she’d like to know how much we’d enjoyed the dinner. The hostess came over & said---“Say, what about my pocket-book?” & Elmo she was going to give the girl $2.00 for a whole day’s work & the cooking—but one of the girls said she went in to her purse & took $2 more & so that frightened looking teen-age gal got somewhat more nearly the dough she should have gotten. PS The hostess still says, “Howdy” when we meet.
Russian, my good man, is coming along beautifully. The st. Car sessions really got me off to a dismal start, but in the calm of my room I find that all is clear glass & I expect to write you a letter most any time now.
And now, my very dearest darling, I bid you Good night, for I’ve been writing 2 knuckles right off my rt hand & I've come to the airmail limit on paper sheets. I’ll write you again very soon and until you hear again from me, have confidence in me and know that I’ll never never never stop loving you more & more & more. You are adored by
Your Angel.
I’m being very sensible, darling. Eating well and have been sick but twice, & neither time so violently as that night with you. I’m sure this manual labor is splendid for me, as I exercise very strategic muscles!
I’m going to have my eyes & teeth examined next week. Appts are made.
Sweetheart, can I send you anything?!!? For any packaged material I must present a request from you as they’re attempting to cut down bulky mail on ships.
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