16 March 1957 – Saturday

Saturday morning, and I have been rereading some of my recent posts. My! Have I been in a rage!

Yesterday, after reading about the Chicago prosecutors calling for a murder charge against all the kids involved in the slaying of the 17-year-old Negro boy made me heartsick about the whole affair. What a world we live in. I am planning to resign from the human race – I’d rather be a member of the dog family.

After pacing up and down mentally over the Chicago murder affair, I finally completed my article on What’s a Good Mother and sent it to the American weekly. Where I got the strength to finally do this? If it is good, if it is finally published, I know it was from a guiding wisdom – the Master Creator and Designer.

How I wish I could do more, could do better.

Well if it is meant to be, it will be. I kind of feel my future days sort of hang in the balance in so far as the bent of my days will take. If my article is accepted and published, I know what my work will be. If not I can still try, because that trying is the spirit that moves me. If at first you don’t succeed – try, try again!

Billy is up and walking around upstairs, so I might stop by writing.

I do want to record here Mrs. Hachen’s class discussion about the 1, 5, 10, dollar bills in Nancy’s social studies class. Also, Billy’s accounting of Bud (?) Adams key club business and his gambling and horse betting with the money Bud earns as a library page. Oh! Dear me. Bud’s mother has been driving Bill partway home. Bill thinks she was a former librarian. Also, I do not know whether young Adams has a father in his home picture. I hope to learn more about this later.

#

Bill’s gone over to Tom’s and the shoemaker to get inner souls for his engineer boots.

I called Elmer about the Control by Parents Bill re guns. How ridiculous can human beings get? They are now hoping to put parents in jail for 30 days if youngster under 17 carries a gun. (YMCA public relations right – where are you? How about your American Rifle Club program?)* So, parents they want to make liable until the kid’s 17 re a gun – then at 18 he goes into the Army (drafted if you please) to learn to shoot people up. Yes sir!

I’m planning to resign from the human race. I wonder if the dog family will consider a human being eligible for membership. Personally if Ira self-respecting dog, I wouldn’t allow humans to taint my dog breed.

#

How is the parent expected to keep any sanity in the parents cranium? I’m going completely Daffy about the idea of sitting on an isolated rock contemplating my toes and bellybutton.

[* The reference here is to a National Rifle Association program at the Aspinwall Branch of the YMCA on Saturday Mornings. We (some of my friends and I) would ride the Cleveland Transit System (CTS) public busses to the “Y” carrying our .22 rifles in cases on the bus to go target shooting in the gym at the YMCA. wfz]

17 March 1957

Oh Lord! If I could only write well enough to release my thoughts in publishable printed form!!

Yesterday, at the [Cleveland] City Club forum, Dr. Bonds of Baldwin Wallace, in speaking of the need to penetrate the Arab world with understanding (enlightened) and brotherhood – he used the words “status symbol”. He was referring to Egypt’s rebellion against help in agriculture, instead insisting upon the Aswan Dam and the status symbol of electrical power and industrialization which is so highly revered by the powerful countries: U.S. – Russia, Germany, England etc.

At the same time; in our country women today are in trouble – The kid in the street talk about the “crazy women drivers”; my son when I get upset about Egypt and Israel, the pitiful abuse of helpless inarticulate parents, stumbling blindly through troubled times, calls me a busy-body. Our male society is setting the social learning. Philip Wylie has popularized “momism” while men have deserted the family life for business activity exclusively, sports, and Marilyn Monroes.

Women, rebelling against their unaccepted social status, use the male status symbol. They try to meet and beat men in the business world. It is only the lonely, heartsick yet militant conscientious mothers who are fighting for their family’s moral and spiritual existence.

#

19 March 1957

After listening to Dr. Bonds of Baldwin Wallace talk on the City Club Forum about Nasser’s frustrations, and how Nasser has practically never been out of Egypt – this thought occurs to me: Our friends, who know us, know what we are like. Our antagonists – who have never met us, conjure up many dragons sometimes concerning the kind of person we are.

Perhaps, if Nasser were invited to U.S., something could be added to his frame of reference. We have exchange students. Dallas goes all over. Why not let these leaders in other countries come and see how we live. Also we should go and see how they live – I mean the sensitive, understanding ones among us.

I recall the time I became the first female president of the Young People’s group at Trinity Cathedral – thanks to the politicking of Pete, Charles and Art. It came to my ears, through one of those three, this one gal was furious at me in my presidency. I did not even know her. Then I wrote her a note saying, if there was any way in which I had offended her, I wish she would let me know.

The result – she wrote me a note back inviting me to her home with the fellows and their girls. We all had a most pleasant evening. This young lady, who was married, and I had some very pleasant contacts, until my father died, and I dropped away from the Young People’s group. Seems to me I started at the community fund then, too, and worked there late hours for several months.

#

From a social psychological point of view – when I finally took the course – I guess scientifically (Lord how I hate that word is when applied to human relations) I was adding a new element into her frame of reference.

#

Why do I so hate the word “scientific” when discussing human relationships? Well, I guess it’s because human relations should come from the heart, not from a precocious statistician. But then, I suppose, maybe some statisticians have a real hard for humans. Actually, I seriously doubt it most of the time. They are so antiseptic they never do anything but accumulate data, leaving most of the emotions and heart completely out of the matter.

So it has to be? So it is necessary – All right! All right! But, I’ll still take a wise and loving heart. No pencil in the pocket without a clip social engineer for me.

#

I wrote a letter to Mr. Blake of Central National today, and it started me thinking. I’ll have to buy some Central National Bank stock next, if Jean Wolfe approves, just as soon as our investment account builds up and some of the Zachmann bills are off our necks.

Philosophy for the day – Zachmannesia:

Some people like special privileges for their own gain. The only time special attention is of any value is when you have something to give. Otherwise there is no satisfaction in it. It’s like cheating at solitaire if personal gain alone is your only motive – no satisfaction of meeting a challenge.

Things to discuss with Mr. Blake:

1. Central National Bank stock awards instead of monetary awards.
2. The bank sponsorship of the Cleveland Indians – and what the Indians might do for little leaguers.
3. Maybe then “bad land investments” quote “Blanche” unquote.
4. Oh yes “Trusts” and the shrinking man – Too much banking dignity scares the little fellow with quite a bit of money in insurance.

My conversation with Merrian at the Y third floor opening. Henry Ford versus Cadillac.

#

20 March 1957

Sent a letter to Wright Brian PhD re-possibility of Russia obtaining access to American industrial know-how through stock in American corporations.

#

From Lenten guideposts – P. D.

“Plant Foremen Put Christianity to Work” by Morehead Wright – GE Management Institute, Crotonville, N.Y.

Four years it took. Kurt has the article in his billfold.

The 10 guiding principles of foremanship:

1. Put yourself in the other fellow shoes.
2. Give clear and concise instructions.
3. Be fair and give credit and recognition.
4. Handle complaints personally and promptly.
5. Develop inquisitive inquisitiveness about the job.
6. Keep your promises.
7. Develop and use good judgment.
8. Develop true humility.
9. Learn how to know your employees.
10. Lead don’t command.

Zachmannisia for the day:

When all the pluses and minuses are all tallied at the end of a life – who shall say which one was the smartest – the so-called “wise man”, or the so-called “fool”?

21 March 1957

After hearing “Conversations” on radio – My summary of “What is an Educated Person” – I refuse to limit it to an educated “Man”. (Robinson Crusoe)

An educated person is one who has a philosophical, positive, beneficial, and an active approach to life situations as they emerge, on whatever level one finds oneself.

#

The above is my summary.

Van Doren mentions Bacon, and quotes him so:

“Reading maketh a full man. Conference maketh a ready man. Writing maketh a precise man.”

3/21/57

Letter to Mr. Wright Bryan –

After reading Sylvia Porter’s column “Girls Have Arrived and Sylvia’s Delighted” in this morning’s P.D., I wonder where, or if, I can get the following information:

1. Where can I obtain a copy of “Woman Power”?
2. Where can I get the latest, or a similar study on:
   1. What subjects on a national high school level are being taught female students.
   2. Our national divorce rate and its incidence in states or cities.
   3. The number of juvenile delinquency cases across our nation.
   4. How many children are known to be social problems due to broken homes – nationwide.

And please don’t pass me over to Flora MacFarland. You did this to me once before and I never did get my question answered.

An information seeker,

Jean Zachmann

P.S. You are at perfect liberty to tell me to go dig out my own information.

22 March 1957

The right to work, the right to vote, were hard-fought battles for women in the early 1900s. The right for men to organize into labor unions were hard fought battles for men. The battles of men and women for prestige status, each in their own way, were battles that needed to be fought. However, I am a great believer in the swinging pendulum.

Wen something new is added to the human social scene, the idea catches on. The imagination is fired and off goes humanity, chasing the new thought. Freud, women’s rights, men’s rights – and the pendulum swings in the opposite direction.

Russia did this with divorce cases, until the social breakdown incurred was so apparent, even in Russia, social changes had to be made.

Delighted Sylvia [Porter] sets the example of one leader of women. There are many others. Nothing is wasted in this world. All this had to be. But, our mounting divorce rate as the female sheep go over the economic cliffs as women more interested in careers in a man’s world is sweeping aside all consideration of the family.

How tragic.

24 March 1957

Anyone who is completely unselfish with a completely selfish person is a doormat and a fool.

Martyrs breed tyrants.

Zachmannisia for the day:

He who sits in rut gets run over unless no one passes his way.

#

How about an article: “And a Child Shall Lead Them”?

How parents, holding their children and grandchildren, finds [sic] the fountain of youth by learning along with their children.

25 March 1957

Zachmannisia

When understanding wisdom falters, brute force takes over.

#

Rabbi, Hillel Silver – on his retirement: P.D. [the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper]

Dr. Silver recounted that his ministry here (Cleveland) had spanned the years of two world wars and the annihilation of 6 million Jews, which he called the greatest single tragedy in human history.

“These events, plus others, were enough to shake man’s capacity to get out of the jungle”, the rabbi commented. “Through the darkness I believe we can dimly discern the outline of God’s larger purpose unfolding. We are moving in the right direction.”

He lauded efforts at work in the world today to abolish war, eradicate poverty, help minority groups. “More is being done for the common man than in any time past”, he continued.

Rabbi Silver noted that imperialism and colonialism are on their way out, that efforts are being exerted to strengthen the United Nations.

“At 64 I’m an unreconstructed optimist”, he said, “never to despair for life and labor in your midst.”

He began his sermon by expressing gratitude “to a kind Providence for life and labor in your midst.”

#

27 March 1957

Is the “Average Public School Education Too Average”?

This question comes to my mind as I read “Examine Courses at Wilberforce.”

Four Ohio college presidents are named to examine study courses at Wilberforce: John S. Millis (W.R.U.), Paul F. Fall (Hiram College), Paul Weaner (Lake Erie College), Howard F. Lowry (Wooster College).

Dr. Rembert Stokes, acting Wilberforce president says objective of study is: “the best quality education possible in terms of purpose, history, clientele, faculty and financial support.”

29 March 1957

Last night, Nancy was looking for a poem to use in school. This morning I saw a Book of Knowledge on the coffee table in the living room opened to this poem:

TRAVEL

I should like to rise and go
Where the golden apples grow;–
Where below another sky
Parrot islands anchored lie
And, watched by cockatoos and goats,
Lonely Crusoes building boats;–
Where in sunshine reaching out,
Eastern cities, miles about,
Are with mosque and minaret
Among sandy gardens set,
And the rich good from near and far
Hang for sale in the bazaar,–
Where the Great Wall round China goes,
And on one side the desert blows,
And with bell and voice and drum
Cities on the other hum;–
Where are forests, hot as fire,
Wide as England, tall as a spire,
Full of apes and cocoa-nuts
And the negro hunters’ huts;–
Where the knotty crocodile
Lies and blinks in the Nile,
And the red flamingo flies
Hunting fish before his eyes,–
Where in jungles, near and far,
Man-devouring tigers are,
Lying close and giving ear
Lest the hunt be drawing near,
Or a comer-by be seen
Swinging in a palanquin,–
There among the desert sands
Some deserted city stands,
All its children, sweep and prince,
Grown to manhood ages since,
Not a foot in street or house,
Not a stir of child or mouse,
And when kindly falls the night,
In all the town no spark of light.
There I’ll come when I’m a man
With a camel caravan;
Light a fire in the gloom
of some dusty dining-room;
See the pictures on the walls,
Heroes, fights and festivals,
And in a corner find the toys
Of the old Egyptian boys.

Robert Louis Stevenson