The Atlas Gentleman's Social Club 1945

[Joe Republic]

Greetings from these United States of America to our noble Scotch cousin!

I fear that my understanding of affairs in Mexico and the Orient are not as deep as yours, however this is not something I lament.  The heathen regions of the World are of no concern to me, and nor should they be so.

Do any fellows have any predictions for the outcome of the forthcoming Election for the Presidency?  Mine is in favor of a decisive victory for Mr. Taft over Mr. Clark of Missoura.

The following is a cartographical depiction of my prescience:

Wm. H. Taft... 387 collegiate votes
J. B. Clark... 144 collegiate votes

[Joe Republic]

I daresay also, though do not let this spread, some women should be granted the vote in my own opinion.

Good God, man!  Have you utterly lost your senses?  What next; suffrage for under-graduates?  Or perhaps even the Negroes!

[Joe Republic]

A married woman may agree with her husband over supper, that is true. However in the ballot booth they would have complete independence over their decision and their husband will be unable to discover how they voted. They can then agree with their husband over supper once more. Almost fiendish; if I may chuckle for just a second.

Such an act of un-matrimonial defiance is a truly chilling vision of a World gone Mad!  The scenario you have depicted is one that perfectly epitomizes why the skittish, childish mind of the Woman should never be granted the same powers as we Gentlemen to influence the policy of the Masses, or to decide upon the government of To-morrow!

[Joe Republic]

I read a rather amusing titbit in the newspaper this morning.  Apparently, some Scotch fellow has invented a machine allowing an audience to view moving images simultaneously with the radio!  I had to check the newspaper's date to see if it was April the First.  The chap was calling it a "televisor" or somesuch.  What nonsense!

[Joe Republic]

Speakeasies, you say?  It seems like that's all we have around here since the railroads went bust or moved their interest elsewhere.  It's such a shame to see the fledgeling city of Las Vegas in such a spirited decline, and see it become a haven for crime and moral turpitude.  Though it could be worse; I can only imagine what things would be like if gambling were permitted once again.

There's talk of construction of a high-way to Los Angeles, and perhaps even the damming of the Colorado, although I'm doubtful that either of these will come to fruition.  I'm afraid to say that this town has reached a terminal decline.

[Joe Republic]

I wouldn't read into Mr. Hitler's grandstanding to any great extent.  He simply rode in on a wave of Populism, and we all know how fleeting and fickle such governments are; especially with the Weimar Constitution in place.  Have no fear; his more odious opinions are merely hot air, and mark my words, by the end of this decade we'll have even forgotten his name.

[Joe Republic]

It's so queer being back in the desert after spending the past eighteen months island hopping across the Pacific.  Hard to readjust, you know?

Now that I'm back, I'm helping my ma and pa run their little gambling club.  Dad's getting a little too old for that business, and Mom didn't appreciate it when he gave some of the ex-working girls jobs when the Army got Block 16 shut down.  (Now that was a lively neighborhood!)

Anyway, I'm hoping to do some major renovations to the club.  I've got some big things in mind.  People even come from Los Angeles to gamble in Las Vegas!  Thing is, money's still too tight right now, so fortunately some Jewish fellas from the East have expressed interest in investing in us.  Some locals have told me to be cautious with 'em, but they seem legitimate to me.  They bank with the Mormons, for cryin' out loud!