

Angeles, the tourist shifted into low gear, turned his car and headed east. He 
disappeared at a little over the legal speed-limit. 
Our local S. P. agent was the agent at Compton near Long Beach at the 
time of its earthquake in 1933. There were many minor tremors for several 
days following the main quake. About three days after the quake, and while 
there were still tremblings under foot a man rushed in and asked when the 
next train departed for Missouri. He said, ‘“‘I am going to get away from here. 
Why you can feel the earth still trembling. I am afraid the whole state may 
blow-up.’’ The §S. P. train would not depart for several hours. Then he asked 
about the Santa Fe and the Union Pacific. They were several hours later. He 
bought his ticket and the agent said, ‘‘Don’t you know that cyclones cause far 
greater loss of life and property damage than our earthquakes? Are you not 
more afraid of a cyclone than of an earthquake?’”’ The answer was, ‘‘Hell no, 
you can see a cyclone.”’ 
California is as safe as where you are in respect to the war. We invite 
you to come out and spend the rest of the winter. You will enjoy our winter 
climate and flowers. 
America is one of the most peaceful nations. We love peace and hate war. 
But we have been forced into our present position and have no alternative. 
We are also the strongest and the most united nation on earth. We can 
win the war. But it will not be easy. 
It is not the business of civilians to formulate military plans and strategy, 
nor even to meddle with plans for production of war materials. We have great 
and good leaders. Let no one criticize or create distrust. There has been too 
much already. It is our business to follow our leaders. We are no longer 
Republicans and Democrats. We are Americans—all. We have but one inter- 
est—victory. If any politician tries to make political capital out of the war 
and its conduct, or hesitates in his duties to America in order to advance any 
personal ambitions, let him be consigned to eternal oblivion. 
But this is our business, our own personal courage, our morale. Likewise 
the public morale is the business of every individual. The morale of the people 
is really one of the essential factors for our final and complete victory. 
But it is something that cannot be created by legislative action nor by 
military decree. It can only be initiated and brought about by the will of the 
people. 
This then is our part, to follow our leaders with a high courage and a firm 
purpose to win. 
I believe that the American people possess this morale. I hope and believe 
that it is as great as that of the English. Their morale is the factor that has 
saved them. At Dunkirk, their armaments were left behind. When they 
arrived on English shores it was without even small arms. But they did not 
despair even when unarmed and helpless. The brave English! Then was 
Hitler’s invasion opportunity. 
Personally I believe that God helps us by inspiring our minds to the right 
decisions and to the right actions. But he did not inspire Hitler. America was 
inspired to help the British then by sending small arms. American people 
must retain their poise. A high morale is an essential factor. There are many 
things that we can do about it in order to cultivate our own morale and to 
strengthen that of others. 
I need not discuss the importance of the church, schools, business and 
social life. There are those who will. All of truth is needed to make us free. 
But the importance of gardens and flowers is my affair. I am glad that 
you already know their importance in your own personal life, the way that 
flowers give you poise, relax the tension of mind and body, renew the morale 
that even living, let alone war, requires. I need only to remind you. 
The importance of flowers is universally conceded. Mohammed, more 
than thirteen centuries ago said, “If I had but one loaf of bread, I would sell 
half of it and buy a hyacinth to feed my soul.’’ 
Among our customers have been CCC camps, army barracks, hospitals, 
schools, penitentiaries, insane asylums, eity parks, the Soviet Republic, etc. 
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