Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-16
Two Convicts
Ask Chance
To Join Army
State Their Case on Right
to Serve Country
BY BENJAMIN DE CASSERES

states to parole certain convicts
so they could enlist in Uncle
Sans army. l said l thought il
would be poor policy. We are
not so hard up for soldiers.
l then cited the case of
Monk Eastman, the East Side
gangStcr who was released from
long stretch in the last war
for duty in France. was deco
rated, relapscd into gangstcr
ways and was found dead in
gutter on the Bowery-shot
through the back.
That comment has ELECTED
this unusual and appealing lot
ter from Convicts No. fl22 and
i3S2 at the penitcntiary az Car
son City, Nev.
"WE ARE conyicts and at
w the same time would and
will fight for our country n
quick and probably quicker than
quite a few Of those on the out
side IL given the chance. All NJ
us In prison are not devoid Of
character or manly instincts and
many I'm here are victims Of cir
90 A a
we are in this category.
IL am unable To enlist nj the
present time. hut am trying Ia
do what little ! can land others
in here are doing the samet
buying defense stamps and We
will continue to do so with
every quarter that we can earn.
one a day and sometimes four q
day.
do YOU think IL IL proper
for cons 10 purchase defense
stamps while doing their
stretch or should they wait
until their Jolt II finished: n
we can spend what few quarters
We do get In here for defense
stamps instead OF few little
luNuries We could very we'll use.
surely We are good enough Ia
wear the uniform.
I'VE are not asking for
leniency or sympathy, hui public
opinion II against III strong
enough H. il il. and any boost
or consideration shown would
do no harm for those whose in
tentions are good.
There II n hit Of had In the
best OF us and bit OF good in
the worst OF us.
TIiIS letter, as toiohincI
L human As il Is. N spots.
docs got convince NJ There
is proba bly, MOI 4 convict ScryinG
time in the United states who
docs not want 10 Get out and
enjoy his freedom IN tho army
Buying defense stamps IN lail
is patriotic act and a good
investment. but | think the pest
way ono can serve fife L. S. a.
with all IT'S liberties and great
opportunities. is to give UP those
-anLlAaG4a!--haA4.G-tAat-.aI6-a-
fellow IN the clnk.
Most Of the men in our tails
are there because they have
declared war on the American
way OF life by crimes Of violence.
Now. wouldn't II be droll II
these men were all released 10
fight 10 preserve the American
way that they tried 50 hard 70
destroy by antiSoClal acts? Be
sides. what would our army
boys say 10 fighting IN COM
panicS alongside OF crooks
and cons
so. boys. do your bit with
stiff upper lip and don't Try
10 beat Tho rap with Old
Glory wrapped around YOU.
EAN YOU take IT. girls II not,
v hcrc'S Your man at "hom
10 throw dishes, knives. Shippers
and what have lDu. His name
is Howard Whitman and what
a triple coat Of Shcllac he gives
the dear ones IN Good House
keeping List:
Take an average bride NJ
the altar and shake her up
side down. What do YOU get:
Swizzle-sticks, n bottle OF nail
polish. cigarets and bobby pins,
n movie magazine and rs vanity
cases.
"Now shake the groom. BE
hold-a college diploma. hard
knocks. a job, a pay check. n
hank account. n life insurance
policy. social security Number
and perhaps a house and lot.
I'm marriage, which some
humorists have referred Ia ~
n partnership all this is expected
of the male. But never 81 tho
great American female. WHY
the big difference" II the male
must arrive ri the altar with
all his qualifications In tow.
how Is II that the female may
arrive without knowing the
difference between Wallpaper
cleaner and n three-minute
egg"
a
4 ND 50 Mr.. Whitman bounds
a along, bliChting right and
left finally issuing this chal.
lengc:
"Find husband who six
months after the wedding give.