Mrs. Gunn's Diary: Feb. 1, 1942

She worries about Singapore; FDR's 'parasite' comment draws response

The front page of the Washington Evening Star drew a comment from Mrs. Gunn. “The paper says that ‘The Japs begin siege of Singapore,’” she wrote, quoting the headline. “The next few days or weeks will determine, many believe, whether this will be a long or short war.”

The British had already surrendered Malaya and Singapore would fall on Feb. 15, marking the largest surrender in British military history.

Other Washingtonians were smarting over remarks President Roosevelt had made about social “parasites” who had flocked to the city and were taking up space that was desperately needed for war workers. The cartoon portrays him as a dog catcher, arguing with Russ Young, the district of Columbia administrator. (Incidentally, residents of the district could not vote in presidential elections until 1961.)

Paid subscribers can read on about the parasite accusation and the fall-out.

The cartoon was clipped from the Feb. 1, 1942 edition of the Washington Evening Star, accessed via newspapers.com.