"EMBARRASSINGLY, BADLY DRAWN"

Thirty years after World War II ended, Dr. Seuss reflected on his work for PM in an interview withEdward Connery Lathem '51, current dean of libraries and librarian of the College, emeritus. Theoccasion was the preparation of a 1975 exhibition celebrating Seuss's career. Here's an excerpt

When I look at them now, they're hurriedly and embarrassmgly badly drawn. And they're full of many snap judgments.

The one thing I do like about them, however, is their honesty and their frantic fervor.

I believed the USA would go down the drain if we listened to the America-firstiSro's of Charles Lindbergh and Senators Wheeler and Nye. And the rotten rot that the Fascist Priest Father Coughlin was spewing over the radio.

Improbably, was intemperate n my attacks on them. But they a!most disarmed this country at the time it was obviously about to be destroyed... and I think ! helped a little bit.... not much, but some... in stating tfoej feet lias we were in a war, and we'd damned well better ought to do some- thing about it.

(N.B. to the younger generation. I'm riot talking about Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia. I'm talking about a war that had to be fought. If my philosophy irritates yours, please write mec/o Justin Hoogfliet, the bey who stuck his finger in the hole in the dike, Foedersvlied, Holland, 09037,)

Seuss