The tunnel cost $58 million and took just over four years from ground-breaking to opening ceremony. Now, on the West Side they are doing repair work on one of the approaches to the Holland Tunnel. This work is expected to to take three to five years. I don't know what the projected cost is but it's a sure bet that it will be a lot more than $58 mil even after adjusting for inflation.
ML/NJ
Didn’t a lot more than 1,000 die in Coventry that night?
Another reason I shed no tears over Dresden.
At this point Patton is in command of the 2nd Armored Division in Ft. Benning, GA. This is a temporary command at the moment, but I'm sure he will continue up the ladder. He has sent some correspondence to his friend Dwight Eisenhower in hopes of getting him over to Ft. Benning to serve with him. Here is the correspondence leading up to today's letter from "The Patton Papers".
Letter, Eisenhower to GSP, Jr., September 17, 1940.Dear George: Thanks a lot for your recent note; I am flattered by your suggestion that I come to your outfit. It would be great to be in the tanks once more, and even better to be associated with you again...
I suppose it's too much to hope that I could have a regiment in your division, because I'm still almost three years away from my colonelcy. But I think I could do a damn good job of commanding a regiment...
Anyway, if there's a chance of that kind of assignment, I'd be for it 100%. Will you write me again about it, so that I may know what you had in mind?Letter, GSP, Jr., to Eisenhower, October 1, 1940
It seems highly probable that I will get one of the next two armored divisions which we firmly believe will be created in January or February, depending on [tank] production. If I do, I shall ask for you either as Chief of Staff, which I should prefer, or as a regimental commander. You can tell me which you want, for no matter how we get together we will go PLACES.
If you get a better offer in the meantime, take it, as I can't be sure, but I hope we can get together. At the moment there is nothing in the brigade good enough for you. However, if you want to take a chance, I will ask for you now...
Hoping we are together in a long and BLOODY war.Letter, GSP, Jr., to Eisenhower, November 1, 1940
If I were you, I would apply for a transfer to the Armored Corps NOW...
If you apply for a transfer...say that you are an old tanker.
If you have any pull...use it for there will be 10 new generals in this corps pretty damned soon.And now here is today's response from Ike.
Letter, Eisenhower to GSP, Jr., November 16, 1940
I have already sent in a letter similar to the one you suggested...
One of the new corps commanders, down south, had asked for me as his Chief of Staff, but...it was turned down because I was so junior in rank...I am probably to be allowed to stay with troops. So I ought to be available and eligible for transfer when the time comes.
As an aside, Patton plans to take the 2d Armored on maneuvers in mid December. I'm betting this will make the press at least in Washington. I'm not sure about the NYT.
What is the significance of the article on page 4. about the Schuller family?
What is the significance of the article on page 4. about the Schuller family?
As a side note, one of my favorite Christmas songs is the “Coventry Carol” which is a haunting tune of which I have many versions of. My favorite contemporary versions of this song are by Loreena McKennitt and Alison Moyet.