The Way It Really Is

Radio comedians were reminded last week that war is only sometimes a laughing matter. They got a letter from the War Department's Radio Branch, which had been getting complaints from soldiers and soldiers' families & friends. The War Department communique:

". . .What was funny soldier humor before is not so funny now. . . . From time to time . . . soldiers are used for 'interview' purposes, when, as a matter of fact, they are used as mere stooges . . . and made, unwittingly, to appear as somewhat stupid and dull, when, as a matter of fact, in their line of business, they are far from it. Other times, the soldier's normal interest in 'girls' is emphasized and stretched to an unwholesome and unwarranted degree. . . .

''The American soldier today is a pretty serious young man, hardened by training, ready to risk his life in any quarter of the globe for those he leaves behind. He is proud of his best girl, proud of his country, proud of his uniform. He laughs at hardships, wisecracks at the other guy, and looks for humor in every situation. We think he'd prefer it if radio reflected something more of this spirit to his people back home--and less of the other. We think his people prefer it that way, too, for that's the way it really is."

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