MS 1048 - Donald F. Rodawig Papers Transcripts (October 1 - 10, 1942)

October 1, 1942

10-1-42

Dearest Mary -

If Phil takes $1500.00 out of the clinic and we take $600.00, the clinic would still owe us $900.00 to be even and I would take this amount out and then Phil could receive his $332.00 from the clinic also and not take out of what he owes us. He should not deduct $332.00 from the $900.00 owed us, for the clinic owes the salary to him not us. Especially if he takes the salary money out in addition to the $1500.00 the better way is for you to take out the $900.00 from the clinic and you both have taken out $1500.00 and then he will take the $332.00 out of the clinic which will mean a total of $1232.00 is to be taken out of the clinic and everything will be even. You can buy the apartment house at $6,000.00 which is a good buy. Get the $900.00 due us from the clinic and give this to Phil then borrow $600.00 from the bank for the balance or sell your house contract to the bank and get the cash. The remainder of the cash from the house could be put in the insurance contracts. In reality we could have full control of the apartment for $1500.00 paid to Phil and we could continue with the folks as before and some day the entire apartment house would be ours without every [sic] paying the $3000.00 to the folks.

I will close and get the next air mail this PM

I hope Don is feeling better

All My Love Roddy

October 5, 1942

Monday AM

Oct 5 1942

Dearest Mary: -

Hugh and I had for Friday 4PM to Saturday 4PM off and we went to New York and saw Mitzi Green in "Let Freedom Sing". It was really a wash out and at the end of the 1st Act we walked out and went to see the picture "Desperate Journey" and saw Horace Heidts orchestra on the stage which was really grand. The Mitzi Green show was put on by amateurs and when we went to the box office we were told it was a pre-vue of the show which will open today and that there were no tickets available but when leaving a soldier gave us his tickets free as he was unable to attend and at first we thought we were getting a break but we soon changed our minds.

Major Feinberg has been transferred to Carlisle Barracks in Penn., and Capt Cohen transferred to the 69th Station hospital at Ft McCoy, New York and we are all holding our breaths awaiting the reaction in the group for as you recall the Major was the ring leader of one of the "cliques" in our organization.

Yesterday, I worked all day on the case histories and listened to the world series game. It was so cold that we went to bed at 7 PM last evening and we awakened at 6 AM this morning had a good breakfast and am writing this letter before our 7:30 AM class starts.

Today we are to be inspected by Service + Supply from Washington and I suppose we should know something soon, although it gets rather monotinous [sic] awaiting some decision. We are too [sic] have a chaplain in our permanent organization and one less medical officer.

I am wondering about your deal on the apartment house, I believe it would be O.K. if we could buy at this time for the $6000.00

I hope Dons cold is better and that the children will keep well this winter. You had better start them on Cod Liver Oil. Give my best regards to Dad and the hospital staff.

With All My Love,
"Roddy"

October 6, 1942

Station Hospital
Office of the Surgeon
Fort Hancock, N.J.
10-6-42

Dearest Family: -

We had a great treat Monday evening, when we were entertained at the Theatre #2 by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Ray Noble and that glamorous girl Dale Evans, there were 2 shows and the house was filled to capacity at both performances. You see the girl affected me tremendously since I am writing this letter with red ink but that is all that is available.

The men gave me the raspberries when Mortimer Snerd was presented from Iowa but you may rest assured that I upheld the state against all slams they made.

I have been wondering if all my letters have come through I have written 4 since my return to Fort Hancock.

Today we received another inspection and everything is S.NEF.U. Situation Normal Everything F* Up. We have to turn in our summer clothing and we are being issued special clothing for the care of Gas casualties. So we are no farther along then we were 2 months ago and this probably means a change in the station we are headed for.

The quarreling is very severe today and unless conditions change the entire officer personnel is going nutz. Capt Murphy is under arrest in quarters for disorderly drunken conduct and his trial is coming up soon - but through all this I have been able to keep my mouth shut and laugh about it all but if any one talks to me about [Jews] after the war they had better look out.

Dont let all this worry you for it is not affecting me in the least but surely some one has dumped all the crap in the entire army in our outfit. Take this part of the letter and tear it up promptly for I am ashamed to even let you read it.

We attended a lecture today on fire control and following this we saw an interesting picture entitled the "World at War" showing aggressive action of the Axis powers from the invasion of China by Japan in 1931 to the present state of affairs.

I am hoping that you have made some arrangement with Phil to take over the apartment house for it seems to me a good move at the present and it will furnish us a home without paying rent and we can take advantage of the home stead exemption tax.

Dr Don Meyers also received a similar letter from the FACS and he has sent in a favorable report. It may be that all this work will not be necessary since they can declare my eligibility without writing up the cases.

I will send the picture and the scissors when the opportunity avails itself. I am glad you have written Virder Whitney that I wont be available for my visit to N.Y.C. for that would get me pretty deeply involved.

I guess Swede Sharp's trip wont materialize since Glenn Hall has no "Chevys" to sell as his entire stock has been frozen. Maj Meyers was going to trade his Cadillac for a "Chevy" and have Swede drive the car.
All My Love
Roddy.

October 10, 1942

Station Hospital
Office of the Surgeon
Fort Hancock, N.J.
10-10-42

Dearest Family:-

This morning we had a battalion parade in honor of Col Beeson who is leaving Monday for Salina Kansas to take charge of a station hospital. It was quite a sad affair as the Col is in poor health and should not be sent to another post at this time where the work will be more strenuous. Sunday the band will give him a serenade in front of his home and at 5:30 PM a cocktail party at the Officers Mess.

The U.S.O. shows put on a New York play "On the Loose" at the Theatre #2 last evening which was quite good.

Maj Meyers and I played golf at the Rumson Country Club Thursday Afternoon, it is a grand course and a very swanky club house, met some very interesting people, particularly an old gentleman Mr Finch who as all "fouled up" and he had to tell us a lot of stories, two of which I am enclosing for your pleasure or disgust!

Received a letter from the F.A.C.S. which I will enclose and it is doubtful whether I should write any more cases until I hear from them finally.

Received a card from mother this morning, I suppose she will return home soon.

You had better get some help for this moving project for it will be too much to attempt this all alone, what a job - I wished that I were home to help you.

My majority papers came back this morning disapproved as there is no vacancy at the present time which makes me feel like heck. Maj German was in Washington about his two majority appointments and there are only 70 vacancies in the entire army in this rank so I guess we will have to wait until later at least that is the best bet at present.

Give my love to children and I hope they are behaving well.

All My Love
Roddy.