The Bea Blog -- Part VI -- 1917 (July-December)

The Bea Blog consists of excerpts from the diaries my grandmother Bea Cohen (1899-1985) kept for 38 years, starting in 1913. For more background, see Part I -- Intro and 1913 (under Blog Archive).

The Bea Blog -- Excerpts from My Grandmother's Diaries

Part VI -- 1917 (July-December)

Bea visits Philadelphia and Coney Island; she meets an Army sergeant from Indiana and knits him a sweater before he ships off to Europe; she turns 18; she participates in war relief; and she applauds the victory of women’s suffrage in New York State

July

While Bea (17) and her parents spend the summer in Woodmere, LI, Marion (15) and Ken (8) go to sleepaway camp for the first time and Bea feels the loss, especially of Marion

I feel bad because I’ve never been away from Marion for so long [. . .] She’s a wonder at everything.

Imagine Marion the whole summer corsetless and in bloomers. That’s comfort. Aren’t clothes a nuisance when you’re fat!

Kenneth’s camp -- Camp Wigwam, an all-boys camp in Maine -- is still in business. Among its most famous campers was composer Richard Rodgers who, at age 14 in 1916, wrote his first song there, “Camp Fire Days.”

Camp Wigwam Song Book, including songs of Richard Rodgers, ca. 1950 (http://www.amazon.com)

July 21

The men for the conscript army were drafted yesterday and the numbers were in this morning’s papers […] Quite a few of the men in Father’s store were called.

US Secretary of War Newton Baker (in blindfold) draws the first draft number on 20 July 1917 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._draft_lottery.jpg)

August

Bea goes on her own for a few days to visit old family friends near Philadelphia, Amen (“Pommy”) and Clova Pomerantz.

Pommy was the founder and owner of A. Pomerantz & Co., a successful stationery, printing and office furniture business in downtown Philadelphia. Sollis and Pommy had met in Philadelphia years earlier when they were young immigrants starting out in business. (Sollis and Pauline lived in Philadelphia for several years after arriving in the US; they were married there and Bea was born there before the family moved permanently to New York City around 1900.)

August 13

Lovely day! Clova and I went to Philadelphia in the morning and stayed for the day. Went all through Wanamakers and saw the different stores, went through Congress Hall, Independence Hall, saw the Curtis building, had lunch at the Manufacturers Club (class), we went out to the University of Penn and looked around. Found the museum and saw the mummies and the 42^nd regiment NY camping right next to the building so we watched them. Went to Pommy’s store and bought it out especially writing paper.

The headquarters of A. Pomerantz & Co. at 1525 Chestnut Street, which Pommy commissioned in 1916, was included on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 2013. (http://www.design.upenn.edu/files/Designation_Celebration_2013.pdf)

August 25

Got a letter from John Skidmore – he’s a sergeant in the 150^th Field Artillery and is coming to Mineola, then to France. He wrote to reintroduce himself because he’ll probably see us soon.

John Skidmore, a young sergeant from Indiana, has written to Bea most likely at the suggestion of the Cohens’ former nanny, Miss Coons, who lives in Indiana with her family. When Skidmore arrives for training at Camp Mills in Mineola, Bea invites him to visit her in nearby Woodmere (see September 10 below).

Camp Mills was a World War I military installation located in Mineola, New York. Initially established as a temporary camp in September 1917, it soon became the largest training center for American expedition forces and an active port of embarkation for troops in transit to France. (http://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/Library/libspc_Camp_Mills_Finding_Aid.pdf)

August 30

Great big parade in the city today of the Guardsmen – they’re going down to Spartanburg, South Carolina and today was the send-off. Lower 5^th Ave was jammed full – people hanging out of windows and all over [. . .] I want a soldier boy all my own and oh how I want him.

Poster for Send-Off Day, August 30, 1917 (http://www.oryansroughnecks.org/misc/sendoff.jpg)

Send-Off Parade of the 27th Division (National Guard)
“A general view of the great ‘send-off’ parade of the 27th Division passing the New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue and Forty-second Street, August 30, 1917. Members of the immediate families of the soldiers occupied the great reviewing stand on the steps of the Library, shown on left of the photograph.” (http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/reghist/wwi/infantry/27thInfDiv/27thInfDivPhotoParade1.htm)

August 31

Bea goes to Coney Island with family friends

All through Steeplechase and Luna Park and saw the sights. Man walking on a wire way way up in the air – saw the incubators and tiny babies, really pitiful.

 Luna Park ca. 1913 (http://afflictor.com/2010/04/11)

Premature babies (held by the doctor who ran the incubator exhibit) ca. 1930s

 “Of all the attractions offered by Coney Island during the resort’s 180-year history, none has been more successful or [long-lasting] than Dr. Martin Couney’s Infant Baby Exhibitions. From 1903 to 1945 Couney continuously operated a public incubator ward at various locations on the peninsula, charging customers for the chance to see a prematurely born baby.” (http://www.scenariomagazine.com/steampunk/ Nov. 29, 2011 issue)

September

Marion and Ken return from camp.

September 6

Milton is now working for his father Edward’s company, American Silk Mills, a textile manufacturer located in Paterson, New Jersey. Edward (born in Eastern Europe in 1875) was the founder and president of American Silk Mills until his death in 1939. Milton then served as president for several decades. He died in 1972.

Paterson, NJ was the site of the historic (yet ultimately unsuccessful) 1913 strike of silk mill workers demanding better wages, hours and working conditions. The strike was featured in the 1981 film Reds.http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/goldman/peopleevents/e_strike.html; http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/striking-out.html.

Milton came down tonight – all the way from Paterson – and I’m glad […] We talked all the time – partly on the porch then we walked to Cedarhurst village and back then inside. Funny how much I like him now and how I used to couldn’t stand him. He understands things so well and we have so many things in common [. . .] Got another letter from John Skidmore. Curious. Wonder if he’s at all educated.

September 10

Got a card from Sergeant John – he’s in Camp Mills now. Wrote to him and I’m anxious to see him and Lord but I don’t want to be disappointed. Cute corresponding with someone you’ve never seen. Hope he’s cute.

On September 13, Bea and Skidmore meet at the Cohen house in Woodmere

Tonight my Sergeant John was here and I like him so much. He’s as blond as Miss Coons, 5 ft 11 and a splendid build and nice-looking. Talks very well – direct and no hesitation, much much better than he writes. A fine fellow and only 21[. . .] He’s coming Sunday for dinner and the day.

Wish I knew lots of soldiers. I like the Gentiles and Westerners. They are so frank and whole-hearted.

On September 16, Bea spends the day with Skidmore

Gee I like him -- because he’s a Gentile Westerner, and real Yank. We get along great. He asked me to go to the theatre with him some night [. . .] but the folks won’t let me go and come alone so I’ll have to say no.

And the next day

I think of my Sergeant John mostly all the time.

September 29

The Cohens return to their New York apartment and the school year begins. Skidmore comes to visit Bea. Though it is unlikely that Bea’s parents would have approved of her having a romantic relationship with a non-Jew, they do not seem to discourage this wartime friendship.

I’m making him a sweater and it’s getting along quite well. [. . .] He expects to leave for France probably in a week.

October

Bea gives Skidmore his sweater and sees him once more before he leaves for France. Then her attention turns to Milton.

The day before Bea’s 18^th birthday

I got a beautiful book of music from Schirmer’s – Vols. 1 and 2 of Tschaikovsky’s works [for piano] – but no card. I feel sure it is from Milton.

G. Schirmer, Inc., the music publisher, had a retail store in Manhattan until the 1980s.

On her birthday

I am a full-fledged grown-up now – 18 at last […] The day started wrong. Father went off without even seeing me, Mother served a lecture with her congratulations, Marion gave hers sarcastically and I wouldn’t let her kiss me, which hurt her, etc. [. . .] I got unusually stunning gifts and a $100 Liberty bond from Father. Milton phoned and the music is from him.

A Liberty Bond was a war bond that was sold in the US to support the Allied cause in WW I. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. (http://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/liberty-bond.asp)

Liberty Bond poster ca. 1917 (http://www.ww1propaganda.com/ww1-poster/day-buy-liberty-bond)

And the day after

Yesterday I forgot to record that [the family] surprised me with a birthday cake with regular burning candles. Made me feel young again. 18 is such a gorgeous age.

October 26

Fifth Avenue is full of Liberty Bond signs and on every corner men or boys are yelling “Buy a Liberty Bond.” I bought 4 with the money I had in the bank and Father gave me one so I’ve done a bit of my bit. Wish to Heaven I could do something real!

And on October 27 Bea watches a suffrage parade. Bea now supports suffrage though she hasn’t quite overcome her prejudice against the women who are fighting for the cause.

Libbye and I meandered downtown and watched the Suffrage Parade. Couldn’t find one good-looking dame in it. I do hope the women get their votes at this election. Then I’ll be able to vote at the next Presidential election.

Suffrage Parade on Fifth Avenue, October 27, 1917 (http://commons.wikimedia.org/)

November

November 1

Milton has a new brother.

My grandfather Milton Rubin (1898-1972) was the eldest of six children born in New York City to Eastern European immigrants Edward and Celia Rubin. Celia died in 1910, giving birth to Milton’s youngest sister Bertha. Edward soon remarried and in 1917 his second wife (also named Celia) gave birth to Milton’s half-brother Edwin. Milton and his siblings (Harold, Arthur, Miriam, Rita, Bertha, and Edwin) grew up at 22 East 93^rd Street, a brownstone Edward owned and occupied until his death in 1939. (Edward died at age 64 from injuries suffered when he fainted and fell down the dumbwaiter shaft.) The building stands today.

The former Rubin family home at 22 East 93^rd Street (http://streeteasy.com/)

November 5

The day before Election Day

Tomorrow either Mitchel, Hylan, Hillquit or Bennett will be happy. I want Mitchel but I’m afraid it won’t be thus.

1917 mayoral candidates included: incumbent John Purroy Mitchel (Fusion), John Francis Hylan (Democrat), Morris Hillquit (Socialist) and William Bennett (Republican) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_mayoral_election,_1917)

Confession --I think of Milton mostly all the time. Is it because I really like him or because I have nothing more exciting to think about? I wonder.

November 6

Election Day -- for Mayor and for Women’s Suffrage

Election Day holiday! Am afraid Hylan is crawling in. Got a postal from John from France saying he arrived safely.

Suffrage flyer, Election Day, November 6, 1917 (http://sites.newpaltz.edu/nyrediscovered/2013/11/06/)

November 7

Women Suffrage won [underlined twice by Bea] in NY state. Hylan and all Tammany got in and that’s a sad state of affairs.

Hylan’s victory restored the power of the Tammany political machine in City Hall. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Francis_Hylan)

November 8

The more I see [Milton] the better I like him – what’s the world coming to?

Milton’s 19^th birthday approaches and Bea adopts a more long-term view of their relationship

Milton’s life isn’t so soft – and ye gods he must be a marvel. I imagine and believe that he and I – some day – Lord, what a comfort he is!

November 24

Bea volunteers selling candy at Hero Land, a war relief bazaar located at Grand Central Palace

It’s a stupendous affair. Our booth (Jewish) is on the 2^nd floor. It’s called Bowling Green. Terribly mobbed and hot.

Grand Central Palace, located on Lexington Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets, was the city’s main exposition hall until it closed in 1953. (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/). The Bowling Green booth was a project of The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. The Jewish Chronicle Vol. 4, 1918 (books.google.com/books?id=bn4-AQAAMAAJ)

(http://tomclarkblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-die-for-selling-great-war.html)

December

December 4

Father went to Washington until Thursday or so. A number of clothiers have a meeting with the Economy Board.

The Commercial Economy Board was formed in 1917 as part of the Council of National Defense “to study and advise how commercial business might best meet the demands to be made on it by the war, especially to study the problem of how to cut down needless activities.” A Handbook of Economic Agencies of the War of 1917 (books.google.com/books?id=lH_3ds8lbyUC)

 

December 6

At  Scudder (Bea's secretarial school), a Mr. Van Orden from the US Food Administration lectures on wartime measures

He said we should not waste, we should save and substitute. We should have 2 meatless days a week and 1wheatless meal each day.

WWI US Food Administration poster (http://commons.wikimedia.org/)

Bea’s frustration with her sheltered life and unsettled future reveals itself in quarrels with her parents; she is alternately obstinate and contrite.

Having nothing but scrapes with the folks.

I do get on Mother and Father’s nerves but I can’t be decent it seems […] Lordy but I do get Father’s goat. I’m a nasty sarcastic vampy brute I dare say but I don’t feel apologetic a bit.

I never realized how my nastiness makes Father feel until this evening. I told him I wanted to be friends and he actually broke down and cried, his nerves were in such condition. He hates to argue with us and I must be made of stone to be so annoying. I’m going to try being cheerful and see how it works!

December 21

As Christmas approaches, there are changes in the Cohen household staff and Bea expresses anti-German sentiment.

Margaret and Elise have both gone – Mother had her excitement. Sorry about Margaret but the other was a red-nosed German and thank Heaven she won’t be pussy-footin around here anymore.

December 31

On New Year’s Eve, Milton hosts a masquerade party at his family’s house and Bea goes as the “Goddess of Mirth,” dressed in a red paper costume, “with a staff and hat and balloons and confetti and everything.”

Helen was a Chinaman, Gertrude Bloom a Spanish dancer, Soph a ballet dancer, Lil the Hero Land poster, Ruth Rubin a sailor boy, Harriet Barron had on a short pretty fairy-like dress, Bert a tramp, Paul Fishman one of those black and white silk things with a ruffle around the neck, Mel a ballet dancer, Gerry a Harlequin, Harold a Hula hula man and Milton a Russian – he said Bolsheviki.

Coming up:

The Bea Blog Part VII -- 1918