WWI Washington DC Correspondence 14 LETTERS 1917-1918 GREAT CONTENT !!

Description

World War I correspondence of
14
letters, all written from
Washington, D.C.
, and dated
Nov. 22, 1917 through May 25, 1918
, from Charles F. Grimes, a young man working on for the Treasury Department on the War Savings Committee, a Federal program which provided for the sale of War Savings Stamps at Banks and Post Offices, which when they filled a special book, could be exchanged for War Savings Certificates and used to purchase War Bonds. The program helped fund the war effort, and provided a way for people to invest in war bonds by making small purchases of war savings stamps.
The letters are all to his parents back home in Chicago.
Most of the letters are written on stationery of the Treasury Department, War Savings Committee,  with an illustration of "Torch of Liberty" logo.
The writer of these letters,
Charles Frances Grimes
, the son of William F. Grimes, a lawyer with the Chicago Title & Trust Co., was an honors graduate of the University of Chicago, and was attending the Univ. of Chicago Law School when America entered World War I. Charles left law school and went to work for the Treasury Dept. on the War Savings Committee through May, 1918, and then entered the Army in June, 1918, where he was a Private at Fort Monroe, Va. in Coast Artillery, and later entered the Coast Artillery Officer Training School there. After the war, he finished his law studies and practiced law in Chicago. While in College, he was a champion amateur golfer, winning the 1914 Western Golf Association's (WGA) Western Amateur Jr. Championship, and qualifying & competing in the 1916 Western Amateur Championship at Del Monte, Calif. (the 1st WGA National Amateur championship played west of the Mississippi River).
13 letters are hand-written, and one is typed. Most are on large sheets, and multi-paged. Total of over 45 pages! All include their original envelopes with Washington DC postmarks and 3c violet Washington stamps.
Very well-written letters, with much
great content
writing of his work and play in Washington, life in the nation's capitol in wartime,
aviation displays
over the city during the day, going to
movies
(silent!), vaudeville shows,
Charlie Chaplain
selling War Bonds on the Washington D.C. ellipse, and much more.
The letters are in Very Fine condition. A few of the envelopes are opened roughly at one end, but most are Fine.
Some excerpts include:
(from Nov. 22, 1917 letter):
"Dear Father,
Am dashing this off at the office between five o'clock and quitting time, which is very indefinite tonight. There is a serious question to be settled before I go home, and I want the advice of one of the Federal Directors before I act. Mr. Riley left yesterday and I have been in a stew ever since with telegrams being fired at me by various State Directors - they assume that the boss is here and ask all manner of embarrassing questions...But just now all those with whom I want to talk are at a meeting and I am sticking around until they come back...
Was sworn in the government service today, and to show good faith the clerk asked me if I wanted the 48c that is due me for the two or three days I worked before last payday. I wasn't paid then because I hadn't been sworn. There is a big football game around here somewhere Saturday - Mahan of Harvard is on one of the teams..."
(from Dec. 4, 1917 letter):
"...saw Marguerite Clark in 'Bab's Matinee Idol'...The best of the series by all odds. Ketty Gordon, of football fame at the U. of C.
[Univ. of Chicago]
walked in before the show started - he is a paymaster in the Navy now. Was glad to see us....
But today plenty happened. I waltzed into Child's for lunch about quarter of two and was about to climb into the one vacant chair out of the five hundred or more in the place, when a young fellow across the table bawled out, 'For heaven's sake. Where did you come from?'. Was Bill Steiner with his uncle, who is a Congressman. they had just returned from hearing Wilson's address....W
hen I got up to put my overcoat on a big first Lieut. came up and whanged me on the back, and "axed me how I am'. It was Sandy Sellers of U. of C. '1917 - he is at Quantico with Red Jackson - 35 miles from here, and told me to be sure to come down....
For half an hour today I had a ticket to hear Prexy
[President Wilson]
address the Congress. While H.B.R. was in meeting, Maj. Currier, one of the busy bugs, came in to tell me he had a ticket lined up for Riley - would I go get it? Sure - I did - clear up to the House Office Bldg. where I saw Congressman Gray of N.J. - had to tell him I came for the ticket for Mr. Riley. When I got back to the office, I found that H.B.R., the poor nut, had refused to accept the ticket and that another of the Federal Directors was to go. Most people would donate a right eye for one of those tickets and Riley refused to have one forced on him...
This was an evening of sorrow. I went to that church supper, bazaar and dance. The meal was awful, the bazaar a joke, and the dance a rough house. Volunteer music was the order of the evening, and not one of the three who tried could play. The girls were fierce - some were fat, many were tough, and the rest were wall-flowers. I cleared out at nine o'clock after a terrible time...
Bought a W.S.S.
[War Savings Stamp]
today to  see how it feels. The bank under us has all you can carry...."
(from Feb. 17, 1918 letter):
"...lf the days continue like yesterday, I shall not be quitting the War Savings for some time - there was a flood of letters and telegrams that kept me jumping all day...
Stepped forth into society last evening - my initial appearance at at dance here. Took the young lady I mentioned in my note of last Friday. She improved upon acquaintance - is an out and out Irisher (Catholic) with a mug that is as Irish as Dublin - her father is a fireman. When I called last evening, I was escorted to the parlor and entertained by a couple of kid sisters, one of 'em four years old and all smeary. Florabelle finally appeared with everything on but the bath tub - she'll not be so splendiferous at her wedding. Truth is she was dolled up like a circus - all ready for a shower except a dress and some shoes and stockings...The outer garment was of the nerve-trying order - hung from the shoulders by two dainty bits of ribbon that were never meant for anything but pretty. Fortunately the ribbons held all evening.... We finally arrived at the Cairo hotel - old but nifty. I found...strange looking youths in the smoking room - a lovely outfit, typical of what the war has left at home - spats, cigarettes, and all the accompaniments - a wet looking crowd...
Presently two niggers began to torture a piano and drum, cymbals, whistle, and Jews harp. Iris (her true name) and I floated forth upon the ballroom floor, and the game was on...."
(from letter dated Feb. 12, 1918):
"...Fred is trotting around the U.S. in Armenian relief work. Think he would be a little ashamed of himself, for his build ought to be in uniform...
Large excitement today - clear sky and all that. A British aviator has been giving us thrills. Was up over the city half a dozen times doing all manner of dare-devil tricks. Never dreamed that a machine could be controlled as he handles his. Fine stuff to look at, and we are promised a week or more of such exhibition flights....
I buy two thrift stamps every day - do you?..."
(from letter dated March 13, 1918):
"...Received a letter from Spitzer today...enclosing a .00 check for expenses and services rendered and to be rendered...That means two more Baby Bonds on my certificate, which already contains six W.S.S. You see I believe in my own game - thoroughly - think it is the best investment ever offered to a people. Just as safe as the government and retuning your money with 4%...
Benedict continues to call on me for more and more aid. Yesterday a letter went to the Treasury referring to me as his assistant, and recommending that my signature on certain requisitions be accepted by the Department as the O.K. of the Committee...
Henry Ford wouldn't know a W.S.S.
[War Savings Stamp]
if he tripped on it...
Extravagance reigns tonight. I leave now with T.H. for Keith's next door - Blanche Ring and a crowds...."
(from letter dated March 14, 1918):
"Last night best vaudeville show I ever saw - every act worth seeing. Don't care what people think of Blanche Ring - I think she's
there
. Had a war song last night that took the house down...."
(from letter dated April 4, 1918)
"...Daylight savings is the most sensible thing that ever passed Congress - every evening about 5:30, Tom, Swofford and I cut loose for a walk down thru Potomac Park past the Monument. It is simply wonderful there. The shore of the basin is lined with some sort of trees that are masses of fragrant blossoms - it is like being turned loose in a flower store.
Tonight we reached the flying field near the river just as a young American officer was tuning up his engine for a flight. In a few minutes he rose in the air and for some time amused the assembled few by carving circles, loops, and what-not over our heads. Quite a treat - just as if scheduled for us...
Have heard nothing from the Washington Club - looks very much as if golf were off my program this year. The course here in the park is a pathetic circle of three holes that bring tears to my eyes. Rather no golf at all. And one needs a permit to play there. The District should pay one for being seen at the place attempting golf..."
(from letter dated April 7, 1918)
"...We took a long walk around Potomac Park yesterday afternoon, watching the airplane and some hydro-aeros that came up the river. Great crowds down on the Ellipse gathered around the M.P. and Doug and Chas. Chaplin attempting to buy bonds from them personally....
Red Jackson is on his way to a Captaincy in the Marines - will be married immediately if he gets the commission...."
(from letter dated May 25, 1918):
"... I forgot to thank you yesterday for making that liberal donation to the Red X
[Cross]
in my name. Women are making life miserable for people here in Washington, continually asking for donations. The fact that one is wearing a celluloid jigamaroo indicating he has already subscribed makes no never-mind. I bought a pin for two dollars, a dance ticket for one, and 'stretched a point to fill a stretcher'
another quarter's worth - and the campaign isn't over yet....
Received Tribune this morning, but not a single letter from any of the State Directors, which indicates how this office is gradually fading out. Telegrams come a plenty, but they are all for supplies we can't furnish - this National Committee doesn't carry its end of the burden at all..."