Transcribed by Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

From the Desk of Publisher Arthur W. Gluckman

What About Benicia’s Future?

THERE HAS BEEN SOME WAGGING OF HEADS, and some tongue-clucking here about the great number of homes being constructed in Benicia. The headwaggers and tongue-cluckers want to know what is to become of the city after the war.

They are crying that property values will be down to the lowest figure ever seen here — “all the empty houses — what are we going to do with them?” they ask.

It is our opinion that we are going to keep those houses filled with families whose wage earners are employed right here in Benicia. We think there will be few empty houses after the war.

In fact, prospects for this city were never brighter.

Newly installed facilities at the Arsenal are not going to be dismantled after the war. Men will be employed there steadily to keep the plant in operation even in peace time.

And Benicia has much to offer other manufacturing firms which will be seeking sites for new plants when the materials with which to build them are available without such things as priority numbers. This city can bring in these new industries if the problem is approached in the right manner.

Don’t sell Benicia short — it’s going to be one of the best spots in the state during war time or peace time.

About Civilian Defense

No one likes a person who predicts disastrous things. But when disaster strikes most of us run to the person or group of persons whom we think might be able to help us.

Disaster is quite likely to strike this city in the form of aerial bombs or shell fire. And remember — a “token bombing” or shelling can cause much misery and suffering. Not as much as a heavy, concentrated raid, but plenty of damage, suffering and death is the result in either case.

Do you know what to do — exactly what to do — if and when such a thing could come tumbling down upon us here?

Would you run? Would you make for the hills, shouting “Why doesn’t somebody do something?”

Or would you be among those who will keep cool, do just the right thing to protect yourself, your family and anyone else who may be in need of aid? Will you be one of the men and women who will “do something”?

You can be one of them, you know. You SHOULD be one of them. But first you must learn what to do by spending some of your spare time in Red Cross first aid classes, in the air raid precautions classes, home nursing or air raid warden groups.

Wake up, Benicians! Not a large enough number of you are getting in and doing your share to protect your own homes, your own families from harm during a disaster.

Register with the Civilian Defense Council TODAY at City Hall.

Rationing Of Sugar Starts Monday, May 4

Members of the Benicia American Women’s Voluntary Services will handle the distribution of sugar rationing books here commencing on May 4 — after a week in which no sugar will be sold in any of the stores.

This was announced by Mrs. Lewis H. Sanborn, chairman of the AWVS, to which group Paul Wetmore, rationing administrator for the county, assigned the sugar rationing job.

Approximately 6,000 persons will be eligible to receive one-half pound of sugar per week in Benicia, it is estimated. One person in each family may apply for the ration books for each member of his family. The books contain stamps which are turned over to the dealer upon purchases of sugar.

When applying for the ration books the individual must declare the amount of sugar he has on hand, it was stated by Mr. Wetmore. Heavy penalties may be imposed for failure to give a true accounting of all sugar possessed by the individual or family.

The ration books will be distributed at the Benicia Grammar School and Mrs. Sanborn is to assemble a group of ladies to assist her in the work.

New Highway To Vallejo Is Planned

A new highway 38 feet wide and virtually free of curves will be built between Benicia and Vallejo this summer, it was announced here this week.

The road will commence at the Arsenal Gate, proceed along L street, crossing property owned by St. Catherine’s Academy, and following a route north of and paralleling the present road out West K Street.

Just outside the city limits the new road will cross the old one, going in a direct line across the flats above Southampton Bay, cutting out Ryerson Hill and joining the present highway near the Mausoleum and cemeteries east of Vallejo.

The road from the cemeteries to Highway 40, where the new road ends, will be improved to the width of the new road, and will be concrete for part of that distance.

Many cuts and fills will be necessary to build the road, eliminating heavy grades and turns. The road will have a crushed rock cushion and will be black surfaced.

The City of Benicia has cooperated with the Division of State Highways in obtaining rights of way to speed preliminary work on the big project. The right of way for the road will be 110 feet wide.

Bids are to be called in Sacramento on May 8.

Voters Retain Incumbents At Election Tuesday

City trustees George H. Westerberg and Enos C. Dana will retain their positions on the City Council, and Anna G. Pine was elected to remain in her position as City Clerk last Tuesday at one of the quietest city elections seen here in years.

The names of the three officials were the only ones on the ballot, but a last minute campaign netted 78 votes for Frank A. Alexander for city trustee. There were also a few scattered write-in votes for others for the trustee post.

Mr. Westerberg received 290 votes; Mr. Dana got 242; Mr. Alexander 78. Anna Pine received 323 votes for City Clerk.

Out of the 1235 registered voters, only 360 people visited the polls during the day.

More Donations To R.C. Hospital

A check for $150, donated by Federal Union No. 21279, Yuba Manufacturing Company, was presented to Benicia Chapter, American Red Cross, for the emergency hospital fund.

Mike Fitzgerald, chairman of the hospital committee also announced a donation of two dozen towels and wash cloths to the hospital by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Loring, owners of the Royal Bakery.

Benicia Boys Defeat Army Nine Saturday

The Benicia Boys Club opened their season last Sunday by defeating the 137th Infantry from the Benicia Arsenal by the score of 7 to 2.

The highlight of the game was a double play from P. Dill to B. Lewis to C. Sarraiva. Another highlight was that of the catcher, Sarraiva, picking two men off bases.

The hitting star for the Boys was Lewis getting two hits out of three times at bat.

Pitcher Carl Dill pitched a good game allowing 9 hits and striking out seven.

Lorings Take Over Arsenal Restaurant

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Loring, owners of the Royal Bakery, have taken over operation of the soda fountain and lunch counter at the Post Exchange at Benicia Arsenal, it was announced this week.

New equipment and fittings to facilitate service to the patrons is ordered and will be installed as quickly as possible, the Lorings said.

The usual fountain service will be maintained, and well-balanced meals will be served at reasonable prices.

Arsenal Nurse Placed On Good Neighbor Radio Program

Benicia radio listeners were quite surprised on the morning of Friday, April 10, while listening to the “Breakfast at Sardi’s” program when they heard the announcer state that Mrs. Estelle St. G. Gray had been nominated for the “Good Neighbor” of the day by a letter signed by 118 employees of the contractor and the government at the Benicia Arsenal Extension. A most beautiful Orchid was sent by Air Mail Express to Mrs. Gray’s residence on 4th Street.

Mrs. Gray was perhaps more surprised than anyone since the Arsenal personnel were very secretive in securing signatures to the letter that called attention to the many kindly and charitable acts of Mrs. Gray in relieving the suffering of the sick and injured, and to the many days when she worked far beyond her regular quitting time with no other compensation than knowing the job was well done. Truly this represents an effort beyond and in excess of the call for duty.

Mrs. Gray will leave the Arsenal at the end of this week after five months of meritorious service to accept a position as head nurse with the Feather River Lumber Company at Delliker, California.

We are sorry to lose Mrs. Gray, but since her work here is drawing to a close we are happy that she has secured such a good position in such a lovely locale where she can fully enjoy the outdoor sports that are a part of her life.

Prowling Panthers
Personal, Social, Sports
Benicia High School

Panther Editorial

Well, graduation is very near now as you may plainly see from the activities occurring at Benicia High School. Yes, once more the time has come when the older and supposedly wiser students of the school prepare to fill their last weeks at school with activities and preparations for their forthcoming final night. The seniors have thus far ordered their announcements, cards, and pictures. The annual senior play is this Friday, April 17, and as there will be no dance after the senior play a sports dance, or such, may be given later.

With the third quarter just passed this fourth quarter coming up resembles the final lap in the horse race to the seniors. In the three years past it has been like three turns in the track, taking each turn in full stride and working to achieve the final goal and victory at the end. We have just passed the third turn now and are heading for home.

What a glorious feeling you have knowing that this is the final lap and at the end of this you will know you have either accomplished your goal or failed.

Blues Win Over Golds

The girls gym classes had another very exciting basketball game last Friday. The girls present were divided into two sections — the blues and the golds. The final score was 11 to 13 in favor of the blues.

All through the game, the golds led by a margin of two points. However, with very little time left in the game, the blues scored two quick field goals and won the game.

High point honors for the blues went to Wilma Bryan, while Jean Hafford and Audrey De Silva tied for high point honors on the golds. More games of this sort are expected every Friday to enable the girls to gain practice for the interclass games.

Surplus Food Given Students

The students of Benicia High School have been receiving surplus food for many weeks now. During the lunch period apples, oranges or grapefruit have been handed to them at the entrances.

Last week other surplus food was added. The students went to the store room where they received shortening, grapefruit, prunes and canned pork and beans.

Some of this food is used in the cooking class where some very delicious dishes are made and sometimes sold to the hungry students.

Band Has New Stands

The Benicia High Band has received eighteen new band stands with the money received from the band concert.

The stands are of black crackle painted stain costing $5.42 each.

The students are glad to have new stands that will stand up of their own accord, and they feel that this will also improve the appearance of the band.

Alumni News
The class of ’40 had a class reunion Friday, April 10th at the Lake Merrit Hotel in Oakland.

They planned it in honor of Vernon Arneson who is enlisting in the Air Corps in the next few weeks. All those who attended enjoyed themselves very much.

The class of ’41 is planning their reunion for Saturday, April 18th at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. This will be their first reunion since their graduation last June.