Soldiers of the Air, November 10, 1941

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Series 2 number 11 of a weekly radio program that aired on Portland radio station KOIN. This week's program follows recruiter, Bill "Butch" Harris, in his search to enlist drivers into the army.

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UNITED STATES ARMY RECRUITING SERVICE

«{I

Nov. 10, 1941-----——KOIN 10:45 P.M.

SOLDIERS OF THE AIR

ANNCR: KOIN presents-------Soldiers of ths Air:

MUSIC: THEME ’’SECOND CONNECTICUT REGIMENT'1 (475) UP AND FADE TO BACKGROUND " ’ ~ ' ........ ........

ANNCR: This evening KOIN is pleased to cooperate with the United

States Array Recruiting Service in presenting another chapter in the life of Sergeant Harris, soldier of the air.

MUSIC: THEME UP AND OUT

ANNCR: Sergeant Bill Harris likes United States Regular Army Service.

In fact, he’s so sold on his job that he never misses an opportunity to talk about it, and right now he is, -- well, let's listen in and see what's going on ----

SOUND: TELEPHONE BELL

FOSTER: Army Recruiting Service. Sergeant Foster speaking.

BENTON: (VIA TELEPHONE) I'd like to speak with Sergeant Harris.

FOSTER: Sorry -- Sergeant Harris is out with the Mobile Recruiting Unit

this week. He'll be back late today, however. May I take a message?

BENTON: (AS ABOVE) This is Clark Benton. I was talking to Sergeant

Harris about enlisting but I have to leave town. Which way is he returning?

FOSTER: He's coming back by US 30 — that's the Old Oregon Trail. Right now he ought to be somewhere this side of The Dalles.

BENTON: That's fine. I'm going to The Dalles. (FADES) I'll probably

see the Mobile Recruiting Unit on the road. I'll flag him down -

SOUND: TRUCK MOTOR. FADE IN AT AVERAGE SPEED, HOLD LONG ENOUGH TO

ESTABLISH Tlffi S0UN15, TIiE'N IVlDE TO'BACKGROUND AND HOLD

BRITT: This baby sure rolls along pretty doesn't it, Sergeant Harris? Sweetest little truck in the service, — that's what it is.

BILL: That's taking in a lot of territory — when you say this truck you're driving is the best in the service. You know, there's something like twelve thousand vehicles in the four armored divisions of the army —- and that's not considering the motorized divisions

BRITT: (DISDAINFULLY) Huh; One in twelve thousand'. Say, this baby is one in a million I I could drive her with a finger. Lock at the way she purrs around these curves -- and listen to this motor

SOUND: MOTOR IN LOUDER AND ACCELERATED

BILL: Hey'. (ABOVE TRUCK MOTOR) Take it easy'. I'll take your word for it

BRITT: 0-kay '. 0-kay 1

SOUND: TRUCK MOTOR TO BACKGROUND AND HOLD, MOTOR SLOWER

BRITT: Ain't it sweet the way she switches that trailer around? Just like it was a tail grown on her —

BILL: (LAUGHING) Shades of Darwin', a tailer with a trail— No — a truck with a trailer — Say, — you've got me all mixed up'. I mean--

BRITT: A truck with a tail.

BILL: Yes, that's what I mean. (CHUCKLING) a truck with a tail'. That' s one up on Darwin '.

BRITT: Who's Darwin? Wasn't he the guy that way laying on the grass and an apple dropped on the ground and —

BILL: That was Newton -- he discovered the principle that permits you to drive this Mobile Recruiting Unit on the road and not right off into space

BRITT: Say — if you don't think a fellow could drive a truck off into space on this road, you're crazy'. A lot of guys have -- and it's a long way to the bottom — Hey — look at that crazy driver just ahead of us looks like he's trying to drive that old truck off into space new'.

BILL: Look. It's a Benton line truck. I didn't think an up and com- ing outfit like Benton would permit an old wreck like that on the road '. Not with their sign on it anyhow,

BRITT: He's sure making wide spots out of narrow ones —

BILL: Maybe you'd better go around him--

BRITT: Yeh, and maybe I hadn't, ^his is Uncle Sam's truck and trailer and it's my job to see it gets buck to Portland all nice and shiny'. I should take a chance on letting that goofy truck driver side swipe me when I puss — and get a scratch on the Mobile Recruiting Unit? Huh-uh -- not me '.

BILL: whoever is driving that old Benton line truck is moving right along anyhow. Pretty fast for this kind of a road —

BRITT: Yeh. Every time I drive this road I wonder how the builder managed to get it so crooked. I’d like to see a fleet of those new 28-ton M-3 army tanks cruising along a road like this -- I bet this road would slow 'em down'.

BILL: No, it wouldn't. That M-3 is a slow moving tank. It's only supposed to cruise at thirty miles an hour, but that new ten-ton Diesel buggy that's supposed to make eighty on the highways -well — that's another Hey — lock cut'. That Bonton driver has gone wild again '.

BRITT: Stopped like a stone in the middle of the road '. And on the crest of a hill too '. Hung on, Harris —

SOUND: SCREECH OF BRAKES THEN TRUCK MOTOR IDLING.

3-3-3

BRITT: (BRAGGING SLIGHTLY) Two inches to spare I

BILL: VJhut do you mean two inches*. We're practically hovering that jaloppy I

BRITT: Jump out, Bill and see what’s wrong, I’ll get this truck off the road and flag down traffic —

BILL: O-kayJ (FADING SLIGHTLY) Pull away —

SOUND: TRUCK MOTOR UP WITH CLASH OF GEARS THEN FADES CUT

BILL: (FADING IN) I say what's the trouble? Why on earth did. jtu stop right in the middle of the Oh, I bog your pardon —-

tJIuAiM: Never mind the apolgies — just help me get this antique freight wagon off the road I I've got to get to Portland.

BILL: I’m sorry. I didn't expect to see a wcnan driving a Benton line truck

JEAN: And I didn't expect the army to come to the rescue, — so that makes us even

BILL: '.That's the trouble, anyhow? What made you stop in the middle of the road?

JEAN: I didn't stop. This old truck did'. Whew'. (GLEEFULLY) Wouldn't Clark Benton be wild if he could see this old wreck out on the road with his name on it '.

BILL: I wonder Nell, let's see if I can't shove it off the road.

JEAN: Off the road? Oh no, you don't'. We'll shove it on down tho road — just one little shove and it'll roll down that long slope and maybe up the next hill '.

BILL: Look, Miss Miss —

JEAN: Hanover. Jean Hanover, lute freight dispatcher of Benton Freight, Consolidated —

BILL: Late dispatcher of Benton Freight?

4-4-4

JEAN: (WITH SPIRIT) That's right. Late - very late - until this morning to be exact I This morning I quit'. And now — I’ve got to get to Portland —

BILL: But not in this -- this

JEAN: Yes, in this antique friehgt wagon I (WITH DETERMINnTICN) I'LL drive it or push it or pull it -- but somehow I'm going to get to Portland in this truck '.

BILL: You sound pretty determined, Miss Hanover.

JEAN: I am* I've never seen this stuffy boss of mine, Clark Benton but I'm going to show him that someone in his organization bus a little spirit '. Five times I ask Clark Benton for a light delivery truck for local freight — and do I get it?

BILL: Well, do you?

JEAN: No '. I get a polite letter about national defense and priorities ’. I'd like to know what he knows about defense -- interfering with the truck business'. It's subservice'. That's what it is'.

BILL: But it's his truck business isn't it?

JEziN: Oh yes. It's his all right. When his father died lust month, Benton Consolidated just fell into his young arms '. He ought to be in the army, that's what --

BILL: But the trucking business and transportation are important to national defense. Maybe he's more importtint in business than in the army —

JEAN: Say - he couldn't even drive a truck let alone — and just this morning when I had convinced myself he was telling the truth --here comes an inventory for the delivery of a new station wagon —

BILL: Well, that's fine. But if that's true what are you running away for and of all things — in this old wreck?

5-5-5

JEAN: THE INVENTORY WASN't meant for my office. It was sent there by some mistake '. That station wagon was for Clark Benton's personal use'. Oh -- I hate him'. Here -- shove on this — museum piece --

BILL: O-kay, Miss Hanover'. It's your truck I Here we go - (GRUNTING) Hard now --

JEAN; Here -- not so hard. Shove the easy way -- (GASPING SLIGHTLY) It's easy L If I can get it going down hill — Nov/ —

BILL: A — few feet — farther --

J EAl^i! Watch out'. When she kicks over I'll jump in and (GRUNT) be off

BILL: But --

SOUND: OLD TRUCK MOTOR KICKS OVER AND COMES UP AS JEAN SHOUTS LET MOTOR ROAR IN THEN AS TALK CONTINUES FADE AS IN DISTANCE

JEAN: (SHOUTING) There she goes I Thanks, soldier —

BILL: (SHOUTING) Hey, waif.

JEAN: (FADING) See you on the next hill, soldier —

BILL: Well, I'll be

BRITT: (FADING IN AND PUFFING AS IF OUT OF BREATH) I got a line of traffic half a mile long back there — Say — where'd that old truck to?

BILL: Unless I'm mistaken it’s gone over on the next hill to wait for us '.

BRITT: (INCREDULOUSLY) Wait for us'.

BILL: That's where she said she'd be. Over on the next hill. It seems that old truck --

BRITT: She '. Was a dame driving that old Benton line jaloppy?

BILL: Look at her go Down there around that curve

BRITT: Where? Oh — down there. Gosh, she's sure sailing. That

dame's a menace'.

6-6-6

BILL: Menace'. She's a darn good driver. Look at the way she's taking those curves

BRITT: Curves ain't all she’ll take when she's driving that old truck'.

BILL: Wonder if she could manage one of those little four-ton army trucks --

BRITT: Say -- we ain’t enlisting women, are wo? I thought the army was one place a man would get away from women I

BILL: (LAUGHING) That's right’. (PAUSE) Come on I Let's got on with the recruiting business. Twenty enlistees yesterday — and none so far today. Come on -- let's get back to the truck ■

BRITT: Yeh. Let's get back to the truck. I set my heart on enlisting a truck driver today -- so --

BILL: You did '. I never heard you speak of it --

BRITT: I didn't. I just now made up my mind. If there's going to be a lot of dames like that one on the road we got to enlist expert drivers

BILL: I don't see the connection --

BRITT: So's they cun dodge the dames on the road'.

BILL: Well, let's get going in a good truck —

BRITT: Sure— and let's pray she ain't waiting in that museum piece on the next hill

SOUND: TRUCK MOTOR STARTING, CLASH OF GEARS, MOTOR UP AND IN TO

ESTABLISH SOUND, THEN FADE TO BACKGROUND

BRITT: I wish the guy that planned this Columbia River Highway could ride on it in this baby some ride, huh?

BILL: It's supposed to be a real engineering feat — the building of this road.

BRITT: Yeh. I read in a book about it.

7-7-7

BILL: Well, (LAUGHING) every time I drive it I wonder how the builder

ever managed to get the road so fur from, the bottom of these cliffs. Gosh, it’s a long way to the foot. Look---

BRITT: You look. I'll do the driving. Can’t tell what second we

might round a curve and there smack in the middle of the road would be---

BILL: (TEASING) The general in a four ton truck’.

BRITT: No, not the general — but a dame in a--- look I Chut'd I tell

you? There she is i

BILL: Ease down, a little, and come up behind her slow. Maybe she:11

let us shove her with the truck.

BRITT: O-kay, Bill, but it ain't dignified. I don't like the idea

of this baby shoving a nineteen twenty eight —

BILL: Come on, come on —

BRITT: O-kay.

SOUND: TRUCK MOTOR UP, THEN IDLED TO FAINT UNDERTONE

BILL: I'll jump down and run up and sec what we cun do this time.

(FADING) Stand by for a shove—

BRITT: It ain't dignified, that's whut it ain't’.

BILL: (OFF MIKE) All right, Sergeant Britt. Give us a hand here --

Come ahead -- easy --

SOUND: TRUCK MOT'R SPEEDED UP AND CLASH OF GEARS

BRITT: Here goes '.

SOUND: __MOTCR_ IN STRONG, THEN SUDDENLY FADE TO UNDERTONE WHEN BILL

YELLS "SHE'S OFF"

BILL: That's fine. Hold it'. She's off. (PAUSE) Here, (FADING IN

ABOVE MOTOR) Give me a hand up — there — thanks — and here we go again '.

8-8-8

BRITT; Sure’. (SWEETLY SARCASTIC) Here we go againPlaying tag

with a -- female menace in an old truck'. Look at her go

SOUND; TRUCK MOTOR UP CLASH OIMGEaRS,_THEN FADE TO UNDERTONE

BRITT: Honest, Bill, if Colonel Hensley ever finds out wo been shoving

old trucks out of the road with this Mobile Recruiting Unit---

BILL: The Colonel will commend us for courtesy. You forget Britt,

that u real soldier is never discourteous.

BRITT: (GRUMBLING) No, I ain't forgot, but gosh--- this truck and

trailer is something special —

BILL: Well, that Hanover girl in that old truck ahead of us is

pretty special too. Her boss, this Clark Benton was in the office talking to mu about enlisting the other day. He said this Hanover girl was a whizz at business. I wish we had more soldiers with as much spunk as she's got.

BRITT: Well, I wisht her truck had more pep and she had less. Maybe

she'd make it on to Portland alone -- Look -- there she is just ahead of us again -- slowing down on that slope just this side of Memaloose View Point —

BILL: She's made it---No, not quite — yes — she's —-

3RITT: (LIKE SPORTS ANNOUNCER) She's up'. She’s down I She made it I

No, she didn't make it'.

BILL: Oh, pipe down’. She is going to make it'. (PAUSE) Well, of

all the nerve — Look at that guy in the big station wagon --

BRITT: Cutting in ahead of her'.

BILL: She's breaking down to let him puss --

BRITT: Hang on'. He's going to hit her'.

SOUND: SCREAM OF BRAKES, CRASH OF CARS, PETAL AND GLASS

BILL: He did hit her '.

9-9-9

BRITT: I'll pull off the road. You get over and see if she's hurt’.

BILL: O-kay’. (FADING) That old jaloppy is folded over like a handkerchief I

JEAN: (FADING IN AND VERY ANGRY) Clumsy I Clumsy I Cutting in on me -- Help me out of here I Help I

BILL: Steady, Miss Hanover. (ANXIOUSLY) Are you hurt?

JEAN: Oh, it* s the army again '.

BENTON: Well, what do you want? The navy and the marines too?

JEAN: (ANGRILLY) Who are you?

BENTON: I'm the man who run into you, Miss --

J EAN: Miss Hanover. Jean Hanover —

BENTON: It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hanover.

JEAN: What's pleasant about it?

BENTON: Well, you see —

JEAN: (COMPLETELY EXASFERATED) Well now that we've met socially mister — oh, for heaven's sake get me out of here'. I want to get to Portland while I'm still mad'.

BILL: Here, help me, mister -- (ASTONISHED) Well, I'll be if it isn't Mister —

BENTON: (INTERRUPTING) Pry on that door, Sergeant. That's right --now — out you come, Miss Hanover.

JEAN: Thanks, Sergeant (IGNORING BENTON) And now, if you can give me a lift on into Portland -- I'm afraid that my original plan will have to be abandoned

BILL: You mean that now you can't drive that old Benton truck into town?

JEAN: No, much us I'd like to -- but then — (LAUGHING MALICIOUSLY) It will do almost as much damage here. This is a pretty

prominent place.

10-10-10

(CONT'D)

JEAN: A lot of folks will see this v.Teck end if they judge Clark Benton's precious old Consolidated by this (LAUGIIS MIRTHLESSLY)

BILL: Don't you think you're being pretty hard on Benton? He might not be so bud. After all, you don’t even know him.

JEAN: (WITH SPIRIT) I don't want to know him'. I know him too well already'. Look, that Benton guy has everything--- money, clothes, cars, education -- everything. Nobody is in a better position to help Uncle Sam. But does Benton --

BILL: Maybe he —

JEAN: No'. He won't even buy decent trucks so wo can keep freight moving on to Hermiston and Pendleton where they need supplies • for ammunition depot and air base — Why — I'll bet he never even bought a defense bond !

BENTON: He did so He bought fifty large denomination —

JEAN: Well, mister, how do you know so much about it?

BENTON: I ought to know. I'm Clark Benton'.

JEAN: (ASTONISHED) Clark Benton’.

BENTON: Yos, Clark Banton.

JEAN: (SOFTLY) Clark Benton'. liEhy I thought -- I thought —

BENTON: I doubt it J If you'd done any thinking at all you wouldn't have run off and left an important job. If you hud any idea of responsibility

JEAN: VJhy — why I — you --

BENTON: (SEVERELY) This young women, Sergeant, has just perpetrated a most unpatriotic act —

J : If you mean stealing your old nineteen hundred twenty eight truck —

11-11-11

BENTON: Not at all, Kiss Hanover. I mean that your running away from your job is going to cost the United States Army at least one pretty good soldier --

BILL: How's that, Mr. Benton?

BENTON: Well, you see, it’s like this. I don’t know a thing about tho trucking business ■—

JEAN: I’ll say he doesn't --

BILL: kiss Hanover -- please —

BENTON: But I do know radio. Been an operator for years. I heard that they needed men like me in the signal corps and ■—

JEAN: You mean you were going to enlist?

BENTON: (WITH ASPERITY) Why not? Is there anything wrong with me?

BILL: (ADMIRINGLY) Not that I can see. Got any dependents, Mr. Benton?

BENTON: None.

BILL: Married?

BENTON: No, not married.

J E-i kN: (SOFTLY) Hm-m not married.

BENTON: What's that, Miss Hanover?

JEAN: I said — if you hadn't been so mean about that light truck I wouldn't have quit this morning --

BENTON: Look, Miss Hanover. I wrote you the truth. I couldn't get the truck you wanted. I did try. And finally, yesterday I decided to take what I could got and so -- well -- look — there it is —

JEAN: You mean that station wagon?

BENTON: Yes. That's the nearest I could come to getting what you wanted. And then this morning I got your telegram of resignation. (PAUSE) Too bad you won't get to use the new station wagon. 12-12-12

JEAN:

BENTON;

BILL:

JEAN:

BENTON:

JEAN:

BENTON:

BILL:

BENTON:

JEAN:

BENTON:

JEAN:

BENTON:

JEAN:

BENTON:

(TENTATIVELY) Could I just sort of — look at it, please.

Sure, take a look. It can't do any harm, ------ now.

Gosh, look at that mahogany body. Sure is sturdy — Say — what's that name on it -- under the Benton Consolidated sign --there on the front door?

(REVERENTLY) Jean Hanover'. Jean Hanover, manager. That's what is says -- Oh -- Mr, Benton —

(IGNORING HER) Well, I'm sorry, Sergeant. I did want to enlist. But you know how it is, I can't loavo a really important defense business without a traffic manager. I guess I'll just have to learn the truck business.

Would it sort of help, Mr. Benton, if I drove this new wagon buck to The Dalles.

No, I'm afraid that wouldn't do much good. Just be u temporary help. I'd have to stay on the job — no freight dispatcher, you know. (RESIGNEDLY) I suppose I'll make a mess of it - but--Look, Mr. Benton, maybe if Miss Hanover would re-consider — That's nice of you, Sergeant, but I guess I'll just have to reconcile myself to running the truck business —

(HUMBLY) Please, Mr. Benton, I want my job back. I'll drive this new station wagon buck to The Dalles and I'll stay on the job --

And what about this wreck? Is it to remain here to shame

Benton Consolidated?

I'll have it off the road in three hours. I promise.

And in the junk pile in three days?

Yes, sir.

I'll be gone for three years, Miss Hanover. That's right isn't

it, Sergeant?

16-13-13

BILL: BENTON: Yes. A three year hitch in the United States Regular Army. You understand what that means, Miss Hanover? And I don't want you getting mad and running away again.

JEAN: No, sir. I'll be right there waiting in the office when you get buck.

BENTON: (SOFTLY) Is that a promise, Jean Hanover?

JEAN: Why why -- I -- why -- maybe it is ’.

MUSIC: THEME UP AND OUT

ANNCR: And so we leave Sergeant Karris signing up another recruit

for the regular United States Army at 323 Main Post Office Building. Next week at this same hour KOIN will present another in this series of Soldiery of the Air. Tonight1s program was written by the Oregon Writers' Project of the Work Projects Administration and produced by members of the Portland Civic Theatre. The cast included:

Listen again next Monday night at ten forty-five over this

station when you will again hear ------

OUND: TELEPHONE BELL

BILL: Army Recruiting Service. Sergeant Harris speaking.

I®SIC: THEME UP AND OUT

co J

Extent

14 pages

Contributors

Digital Publisher

Multnomah County Library

Subject.Topic

Subject.Place

Portland, Oregon

Language

English

Rights & Usage

No known rights (no copyright or related rights are known to exist for this work).

Identifier

JWtxt_001525

Type

Text

Date.Created

November 10, 1941

Shelf.Location

O358.4 F29 Apr-Nov 1941

Source.Collection

John Wilson Special Collections