January 16, 1942

January 16, 1942, Friday and pay day
And it won't mean a thing to me this time. Too many obligations and too little money.
The city is trying to speed up defense, but, as usual, there are those greedy people who see a chance to make a dime who always argue and delay and procrastinate until the enemy will be in our midst and we won't be ready. It seems as though we in California haven't done much about the enemy Japs, Italians and Germans in our midst. Mexico and Canada have done much more to curb sabotage and espionage.
There is also talk of gross waste in defense work in Washington. Our production is nothing compared to what it should be.
Heavy mist this morning, but it cleared in afternoon – temperature moved up a few degrees. Thank goodness! I hate the north wind.
It looks as though Sumner Wells is going to be successful in welding the Latin Republics. Rio de Janeiro has treated him royally. The Argentine seems to be the only country that remains adamant.
The US navy appeared in the waters of the Dutch East Indies and sank three large troop ships and two cargo vessels. I've been telling Pops that it looks as though are fleet was there and I'm right. Russia seems to be doing right well for herself in shoving Herr "Schickelguber" off the map. The Australian "diggers" have reinforced the English and Dutch and perhaps the effect will be demoralizing to the Japs.