October 6, 1945 The Never Ending Dissertation, The New York Trip and The Strikes

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Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Where the days go, I don't know.  We seem to have something to do every minute.  Our school work keeps us plenty busy.  B has some free periods at Hopkins (he teaches four classes a day) so he gets all his papers graded then but he has been spending the rest of the time in the library.  Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be an end to his dissertation.  I usually have some studying to do at home.

Last night we went visiting.  B was borrowing a picture projector from one of the Hopkins' teachers so we went for the evening.  We looked at pictures most of the evening.  The man is a camera bug like B.  We really had a nice time.

Tonight we're going to Bob and Hal's to spend the evening.

Our trip to New York was real nice but we didn't buy much.  We found several suits that B liked but no one could fit him.  He takes a popular size and I guess they sell fast.  He is going to look around in New Haven until he finds one.  I didn't find a suit either.  The ones I liked were too expensive so I got a brown tweed skirt and two slip over sweaters.  One is yellow and the other is coral.  Bob and Hal went to a show while we shopped.  The elevator strike was on and there were picket lines all over the city.  There have been several strikes in New Haven too--the telephone operators and gas truck drivers.  They say there is very little gasoline in the city because no one will deliver it to the stations.  When the gas truck drivers strike began Friday all the Hopkins teachers filled their tanks.  They hope it will last till the strike is over.  It would be sort of hard to have to climb Hopkins hill on foot.  It is long and steep.

Ben and friends, home safe and sound

It seems almost impossible that Robert Ellis could still be alive after such a long time.  They all must be awfully happy.  What McDaniel boy is it that was released?  B's mother said Ruby was expecting Ben the end of the month and was really happy.

What are we going to do about Francis Jr.'s Christmas?  They (presents) have to be mailed by Oct. 15.

I think it would be nice for you to go to Aunt Jane's.  It is cool now and I don't think it would be too tiresome.  Can you go on the train?  It would be so much more comfortable than a bus.

It's time to go to Bob & Hal's soon."

                                 Lots of love,

                                          B & Bonnie

NOTES from Ann:  After the war ended, labor issues were mounting.  Over-time pay, common during the war, was no longer available to workers when the war ended.  Additionally,  there were lay-offs and take home pay reductions of 30% were not uncommon.  These issues led to on-going disputes and walk-outs.  In 1945, there were 4,750 work stoppages compared to about 200 in 1944.  Simultaneously striking truck drivers, elevator operators and maritime workers prevented all shipments from coming into or leaving the city at one point.  In 1946, disputes between union leaders and management escalated, leading to major strikes by many industries including automobile, steel and oil-refining to name a few.  The year was one of the worst in labor history with 4,985 work stoppages. 
(Source:  Grand Expectations:  The United States, 1945-1974, James T. Patterson)