At Work: The Story of Adolph S. Ochs, Jr.
“Mother mustn’t worry about the much advertised “big gun. “Bertha” - as we call her, makes a lot of fuss but does little damage. She cracks away now and then but nobody pays any attention to her. The Germans think they have done a cute trick, but it will take a lot more than a longrange Potsdam pop-gun to shake the morale of these wonderful French...Have an unfaltering faith in the strength of our allied Armies. England is fighting. fighting with the most astounding courage. France - after four years of it in her own wounded country - is not discouraged and will see it through to the End. And I wish I could tell you how many Americans are now up in the lines fighting for you. You must not be impatient Victory will not come in a day. But it will be ours”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr., to his family; May 11, 1918
“After three invitations I went to see that Mrs. Hamilton Shields. She can out-talk a machine gun...She invited me to go with her and her daughter to spend the week end at the chateau of the Count de “Quelquechose” near Paris. I declined as gracefully as I could, reminding the lady the we have a little war on our hands...
We had a bit of an air raid last night - but the French put up a peppy barrage and drove back the Borche before he could do any damage -”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to his family, May 15, 1918
"He is a most temperamental youngster and it worries me no little to think of him charged with the responsibilities of [the job of treasurer at the Stars and Stripes]...Realization of his handling money not his own, alarms me more than if he were handling a gun...
I do not like the idea of a young fellow alone in Paris, with its temptations, (emphasized no doubt by war conditions) handling big sums of money...none of my “set” fears a fight and I would rather he would take his chances in mud and blood than wade through other people’s money.”
--Milton B. Ochs to Charles H. Grasty about his son (Adolph), c. June 1918
“Dear Dad - I cabled you today about my last draft...There was no emergency other than I was absolutely out of money...Everything is so ridiculously high here I just can’t make ends meet.”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to Milton B. Ochs, July 8, 1918
“195.00 [francs] for a pair of shoes and...you know there is a tax of 10% on everything you buy. With prices like this you can understand why it’s so hard to make ends meet.”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to his family, July 21, 1918
"About ten days ago I went to the S+S office to see if any thing had happened. I found Adolph still there. He seemed busy and satisfied...[Captain] Waldo [business head of the Stars and Stripes] certainly felt that he had a find in Adolph."
--Charles H. Grasty to Milton B. Ochs, June 23, 1918
“I’ve worked hard day and night - have discharged my trust to the best of my ability - and have had my reward. The Stars & Stripes is a tremendous influence in the A.E.F. today and I’m proud to have had a share in it’s success. Are you getting your two papers regularly?”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to Milton B. Ochs, July 8, 1918
“There has been a dickens of a mess here at the office between the two captains - on one side - and the lieutenant in charge of advertising on the other. There was a regular battle...I have maneuvered to keep friendly with both factions…
The American troop have conducted themselves magnificently. Believe me, it’s hard to stay here in the office - when there’s so much real scrapping a few miles away. I’m mighty anxious to be in it. But there’s a big job in the Stars & Stripes and I’m not complaining.”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to his family, July 21, 1918
“The morning after the armistice was signed the Inspector General appeared in my office and announced that he was going to make an audit of my books. He was ten days on the job.
To keep up with the audit and run my regular business at the same time, was quite the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do...He tried to find a flaw in it for ten days - and couldn’t.
Responsibility for nearly four million francs - and a clean slate! That’s a Hellava war record - and not what I came over here for; but it’s worth something and will, in the days to come, take some of the bitterness out of the pill I’ve had to swallow in not having had the opportunity of taking my chances along with the men who have died for a cause.”
--Adolph S. Ochs, Jr. to Milton B. Ochs, November 25, 1918
The rest of the story:
During the winter of 1918-1919, Adolph was removed from his position as treasurer of the Stars and Stripes for his role in the removal of Captain Guy T. Viskniskki from duty as Officer-in-Charge of the paper. He requested a transfer to the 79th Military Police Company and served as Assistant Provost Marshall for the remainder of his time in France.
Although he missed his chance to fight in the war, his letters to his family during the spring of 1919 are full of enthusiasm about his new position and much-wished-for promotion to First Lieutenant.
Learn more about Adolph S. Ochs, Jr.
Letters referenced in this page:
Exhibit page created by Rachel Dark