From the Archives of The Benicia Herald

Compiled by Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Letter from the Publisher, Arthur W. Gluckman

THE PEOPLE’S WAR

“We just couldn’t print the bonds fast enough — after Pearl Harbor. The presses have worked all night, every night. Now at last they’ve caught up. This is a people’s war.”

So declared Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau the other day in revealing that December sales of Defense Bonds and Stamps exceeded $528,000,000 — and that of this enormous sum practically two thirds, or $341,000,000, was subscribed in the lower-priced Series E or “people’s bonds,” beginning at $18.

This indeed is a people’s war. It will be fought to victory with the whole people’s money — the savings and earnings of the scores of millions whose wages and salaries add up to the vast bulk of the nation’s income — fought to victory with the irresistible productive power of millions of American farmers and artisans and mechanics and laborers and inventors and scientists and managers. Proof positive that the American people are solidly united to that end was given to all the world when the war subscriptions of an aroused nation choked the presses with that amazing bottleneck in defense bonds.

That news must be as sadly significant to the megalomaniac Hitler and his jackal satellites of Rome and Tokyo as the Axis disaster on the frozen steppes of Russia.

HEROES IN WHITE

On December 4, a medical officer of the United States Navy underwent an appendicitis operation at Pearl Harbor. Three days later, when the Japs struck, that man got out of bed, assembled his kit, and worked steadily for three days and nights until he collapsed.

He was just one of the heroes in white — the little group of Navy doctors and nurses, aided by volunteer nurses — who performed the medical miracle of giving treatment to 90 percent of the casualties by nightfall of fateful December 7th.

It is for such selfless service that Red Cross is asking contributions and American nurses and medical men are volunteering. They won’t fly bombers or man machine guns; and their achievements will be in head-gallant stand against agony and death, as they made it at Pearl Harbor — and the grateful men of the fighting forces will accord them the same high tribute they accorded to the heroes in khaki for the stands they made at Wake and Midway. Heroes all.

Defense Group Held Meeting Monday Eve

Last Monday evening the Benicia Civil Defense Council met at the City Hall and discussed the progress that had been made in preparing for possible contingencies in case of attack or disaster in Benicia.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Chas. G. Clyne, chairman of the council, other members being Paul Wetmore, Geo. Westerberg, Mike Fitzgerald, Dr. Lewis Sanborn, Chief of Police J.E. Ackerman and S.H. Beetem, secretary.

Since its organization 200 wardens have been meeting under the leadership of Chief of Police J.E. Ackerman and have held three meetings, receiving instruction in accordance with the plans of the state and county councils and thoroughly understanding their duties in case of blackout or disaster. Under present rulings there shall not be smoking on the streets; no moving automobiles during blackouts. No incinerators shall be left burning after dark.

The listening post station is operating, but more volunteers are needed.

Arrangements have been made by Dr. Sanborn for ten delivery trucks which will be converted into emergency ambulances with drivers and men who have qualified for first aid work under instruction by Chief Ackerman and Dr. Sanborn. Chief Ackerman has addressed numerous gatherings on first aid work.

$665,000 For Benicia-Vallejo Highway

Announcement was made by Frank W. Clark, director of the State Department of Public Works, that the plans have been completed for the construction of the proposed Benicia-Vallejo road which will cost $665,000.

The route will start from Benicia Arsenal running to a point about half a mile from Vallejo on Route Seven.

These new roads have been under consideration for some time and will allow easier access for military purposes from Benicia to Highway 40 at Vallejo.

Most of the funds for the construction of the road will be by Federal appropriation as state and county budgets for roads had already been made and the route is not included in the plans of the State Highway system.

Victory Book Drive In Full Swing

The Victory Book Drive is in full swing, not only in Benicia, but in every city, town and hamlet the call is out for books — not just any old kind, but good books to supplement the library services now maintained by the Army and Navy in outposts all over the world.

In addition to good fiction, Camp librarians report a call for books dealing with history, historical facts, aeronautics, and books of science.

In this drive magazines are not wanted, but persons wishing to donate books should take them to the public library where they will be distributed to the boys on land, on sea, and in the far flung outposts now being manned by our own American boys.

Do not delay but select the books that can be spared from your own library and deliver them promptly to the public library.

Suits Pending in Sale of Kullman-Salz Tannery

The rumors that the Kullmannoiz Tannery is to be taken over by the United States government for the manufacture of magnesium and other ammunitions materials, seems to have some verification in the latest steps that are being taken which will lead to the ultimate sale of the property.

Two suits are now pending against the huge brick factory, the attorney said, one to quiet title, and the other a review by the Superior Court for the readjustment of the amount of taxes now owing on the property.

The tannery, taken over some time ago by the state, has been delinquent in city and county taxes for more than five years. It is claimed that the tax rate was excessive.

As soon as minor legal matters are cleared up, it is expected that negotiations for the sale of the property to the Jefferson Finance Company of Los Angeles will be seriously considered. The finance company is merely acting as agent for other authorities who plan to install facilities for the manufacture of munitions.

The company’s bid was for $50,000, which is the amount referred to by the Board of Supervisors in a recent meeting as the least amount acceptable for the properties.

Judge W. T. O’Donnell is scheduled to review the tax question against the property at a session next Monday.

Government Workers Want Sidewalks to Ferry

In a statement made today by Port Captain C. A. Woodress, he is hearing many complaints from government workers employed at the Benicia Arsenal because there are no sidewalks from the Martinez-Benicia ferry to Arsenal.

Under present conditions, those workers who walk to and from the ferry, are compelled to walk along the road. This is distinctly dangerous for pedestrians and driver alike, since the road is quite narrow, not exceptionally well lighted, and subject to heavy motor traffic.

It has been suggested that a government grant might be secured for the purpose of building the much needed sidewalk along Fifth street to L street and on to the Arsenal proper.

Such a sidewalk would eliminate this traffic hazard for men in our first line of defense, as well as for the school children who travel along portions of the route.

Benicia High Majorettes Enter Contest

Drum majorettes of the Benicia High school will participate in their first big contest, scheduled in Stockton on Saturday, February 21, at the Memorial Auditorium in the city, according to a recent statement.

This contest, including contestants from dozens of high schools in the Central Valley and coast section of California, is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Among Benicia students taking part are Jean Hafford and Beverly Passalacqua, Mary Allenwood, Betty Jean O’Dell and Momer Renslow. According to information so far received the Benicia High school is the only one in Solano County represented in the contest.

Benicia High Varsity Teams Break Even

The Benicia High Varsity basketball team broke even last week after two hard fought games. The first game was against the Napa “Indians” on the local court on Tuesday. In this game, Benicia had to hold off a last-minute rally to come out in front 26 to 23.

In the second game of the week Benicia traveled to St. Helena on Friday only to come out second best to the “Saints” by a score of 32 to 28. In this game, Benicia started a last minute rally that almost spelled victory, but the game ended before the Panthers could catch up with St. Helena. It was interesting to note that the Panthers scored 10 points in the last 2 1/2 minutes of play.

In the Napa game, Wilbert Silva scored 14 points to be high man while Leon Stathen was next with 6 points.

In the St. Helena game, Silva scored 18 points while Sargent and Stathen were tied with 4 points each.