Compiled by Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Letter from the Publisher, Arthur W. Gluckman
JUSTICE TO “BILLY” MITCHELL

In 1934, Brigadier General William Mitchell, in defiance of his superiors who dogmatically held that the next war would be fought as the first World War was fought — on land and water — warned this nation:

“Air power can destroy navies. Furthermore, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to build any type of vessel of sufficient strength to withstand the destructive force that can be obtained with the largest bombs that airplanes may be able to carry from shore bases or sheltered harbors.”

For that defiance, “Billy” Mitchell was drummed out of the Army.

But Germany believed him, and Japan believed him — and because they believed him and America and Britain didn’t, the curse of aggression now menaces the world.

It is good that America, through Congressional action, has restored “Billy” Mitchell’s good name — good for the people, good for the chastened Army. Posthumously, “Billy” Mitchell has been elevated to the rank of major general. That might please that doughty patriot, could he look back to life — but far more pleasing to him would be America’s swift, if dangerously belated, program to regain mastery of the world’s air in the name of American freedom.

WE LEAD IN THE MARCH OF DIMES

Californians have a proud record in the national annual drive to finance the war to control and exterminate infantile paralysis.

In the March of Dimes campaigns of 1938, 1939 and 1940, California led all other states in contributions, and last year was tied for the lead only by the populous and wealthy state of New York.

From now until the campaign reaches its climax with the President’s birthday balls January 30th, replicas of legendary “wishing wells” will be set up in all communities of the nation as depositories for dimes.

This year, California has local defense expenses above those of any other State because of her exposed position to possible Japanese attack and her lengthy coast line. But by digging a little deeper in the war-drained purse, by economizing a little more stringently, this community and all communities should be able to continue generous support in the fight against the dread disease which strikes hardest at our children. No State has passed us in the last four years. Let’s make it five years straight by leading the nation’s March of Dimes in 1942.

DISPLAY THE FLAG EVERY DAY!

In many cities of California business houses have been displaying the American flag in front of their places of business since the declaration of war with the Nips. A few flags are now on First Street every day. Why not make it unanimous and let all show National Colors!

Mary Johnson Escapes Fiery Plane Death

Friday when the TWA Airliner bearing Miss Carol Lombard and twenty-one other passengers left the Indianapolis Airport for the Coast, one of those passengers was Mary Anna Johnson, a government employee at a West Coast Defense Center, and daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Gus Johnson of this city.

When the plane reached Albuquerque, New Mexico, places were urgently needed for four army men, so Miss Johnson, along with three other persons volunteered to leave the plane and await the arrival of a later plane. In only a short time the four new passengers who had so gaily flown met a fiery death on a Nevada mountaintop.

Sitting in her Benicia home, Mrs. Johnson heard the announcement of the plane crash, and started at once trying to learn if her daughter was on the plane. Later she received a telegram from Hollywood advising her that Miss Johnson had not been an occupant on the ill-fated plane, but was safe in the picture metropolis.

While Miss Johnson awaited the plane in Albuquerque she wrote a letter to her mother in which she mentioned the fact that Carol Lombard was an occupant on the plane with her. She mentioned that Miss Lombard was inconspicuously but well dressed and expressed regret that she did not have the opportunity to see Gable also.

According to information given by Mrs. Johnson, her daughter is a technical librarian in the Bureau of Aeronautics and will be stationed at Moffit field, near San Francisco.

New Arsenal Structure Being Rushed
BUILDING OF CONCRETE TO COST ABOUT $100,000, TO BE DONE SOON

The new headquarters building of the Benicia Arsenal is reportedly more than 40 percent complete, according to a report from the office of Colonel George D. Rogers, newly appointed commandant of the post, who approved the plans.

The building, of reinforced concrete with a tile roof, is being erected at a cost in excess of $100,000, and will be completed early this spring, and will be used in conjunction with the old headquarters building, which has been in use since 1880.

With the new structure in use, it will give the much needed space and will greatly facilitate the handling of thousands of details involved in the recently augmented building program.

Architect in charge of plans is R.L. Blackwell.

Two Injured in Car Wreck Near Here

Two men were injured Saturday in an automobile collision on the Benicia-Vallejo highway.

George Clayton, 35, 2575 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, driver of one of the cars sustained a cut hand and head bruises. He was cited for drunk driving.

James W. Duffer, 34, 1732 Maynel Avenue, Modesto, the other driver, had both knee caps broken.

Benicia’s Newest Store for Men and Boys To Open Soon

Benicia’s newest store will be open next week when Tochterman’s will have its grand opening in the building formerly occupied by Chisholm’s at 927 First Street.

Mr. Tochterman stated today that he will carry a very extensive and complete line of men’s and boys’ clothing.

Lovers’ Lane is Military Outpost

Benicia Lovers Lane is no longer a trysting place of lovers, instead it is extremely military in appearance with military guards on duty day and night, and one can only guess what type of protection may be placed just beyond the crest of the hill overlooking the Arsenal.

The khaki clad, heavily armed soldiers on guard impart a feeling of confidence and security to residents not only in the immediate vicinity of the Arsenal, but to residents of Benicia as a whole.

New Trailers Installed at Arsenal

Even knee-deep mud cannot daunt the spirit of 1942’s pioneer women. From the far and near women are leaving their homes, nice comfortable six room places that they have lived in long enough to change them from houses to homes.

They are following their men folk into the defense industry here, to make comfortable homes, well prepared meals and all that goes into keeping the workers strong and able-bodied, and they are finding trailer homes that are uncharted on streets of mud. They are far from the main part of town and cars are of little use, but even in this environment the women are striving to maintain the traditional “American Home Life” and are succeeding remarkably well.

Trailers are being built longer and more convenient. Adequate sanitary facilities are being installed, and in Benicia’s newest trailer camp, located within the Arsenal Reservation, 75 of these new type of trailers have been installed. Sixty more are scheduled to arrive soon.

Occupants of the camps are mainly composed of men employed by Eaton-Smith on the military reservation project adjoining the Arsenal.

Army Needs Women

In a statement before the House Military Committee, Lieut. Col. Ira Swift of the general staff stated that there are certain jobs, such as the vitally important telephone operators in air raid spotting organizations which women could do better than men.

He stated that the Army was using approximately 6,000 volunteer unpaid workers, but in his opinion the service would be more efficient if there was control of attendance and turnover in personnel.

Prowling Panthers (Personal Social Sports, Benicia High School)
EDITORIAL

Well, here we are again back in the Benicia Herald-New Era with our High School news and views.

For the past few months we have been publishing our own paper at school. Now due to the shortage of paper we find it necessary to obtain another means of bringing you the school news. We were lucky enough to obtain two full columns in the Benicia Herald-New Era. In previous years we have always printed our news in this fashion, but this year planned something different and published our own paper.

Up to last week, this proved highly successful, but due to the paper shortage brought about by the war, we must again depend on the Benicia Herald-New Era in bringing you our school news.

The paper published in school was mimeographed in newspaper style, assembled, and sold at one cent for each printed page. It was published once a week.
Money obtained from these sales will probably go to the purchase of a filing cabinet, for filing the previous Panther editions.

The students found this work of publishing their own paper hard but interesting work and are sorry that it is no longer possible to continue this work.