Kate Smith Speaks 46-08-28 xxx Alaska-pioneer Land

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Kate Smith Speaks 46-08-28 — "Alaska: Pioneer Land"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: August 28, 1946 (Rebroadcast: September 21, 2025)
Theme: A glimpse into the energetic, multi-faceted life of Alaskans, postwar American innovation, news from home and abroad, and an inspiring tale about the power of wishing—and working—for a better life.

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1. Overview of the Episode

This episode of "Kate Smith Speaks" offers listeners a lively journey through topics ranging from the tireless, multi-talented residents of Alaska (dubbed “pioneer land”), to the era's domestic innovations, current postwar news, and an uplifting story about the value of determination. Blending small-town anecdotes and big-picture news, the show embodies the warmth and straightforward optimism of postwar America.

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2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

Life and Industriousness in Alaska

• Pioneer Energy: Kate and her co-host marvel at the remarkable work ethic and entrepreneurship found in Alaska, where “everybody has a sideline.”
  • Examples:
    • Don Goodman (Alaska Airlines executive): Also does bulldozer construction after office hours.
    • Ben Edwards (Traffic Manager): Building 10 homes to ease Anchorage's housing shortage.
    • Bankers run salons, club managers have junkyards; local publishers even drive buses at night.
• Reason for Productivity:
  • The hosts cite the “20 hours of daylight during the summer months” as giving Alaskans more time for work and hobbies.
  • Noted activities: homesteading, trapping, fishing, prospecting, and mining.
• Memorable quote:
  • “Well, it looks as though folks are getting things done up there in the land of the midnight sun.” (B, 01:52)

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Reflections on Postwar America — “Getting Things Done”

• Alaska as a Model: The hosts suggest more Americans should emulate Alaskans’ productivity to solve postwar production woes.
• Remarkable Adventure: Story of a former cowboy attempting to “push a wheelbarrow around the world in twelve years”—used as a metaphor for relentless energy and initiative.
• Memorable quote:
  • “Maybe he just wants to prove that he’s full of energy.” (B, 02:19)

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Home Science & Modern Conveniences

• Innovations for Housewives:
  • Plastic Table Covers: Thin, transparent, and stain-resistant—meant to save time and preserve good linens. (03:00-03:41)
    • “Any housewife who’s washed and ironed tablecloths hundreds of times … will certainly appreciate this plastic cover.” (B, 03:36)
  • Lighted Wall Switch Plates: Newly designed switches that glow in the dark to help homeowners find them at night—praised for convenience and safety. (03:47-04:08)
    • “Now, you see, when the light in the room is turned off, the light in the switch goes on automatically.” (A, 03:58)

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Current Events & Postwar Headlines

• International Affairs:
  • The “Big Four” foreign ministers are meeting to address tensions at the Paris Peace Conference, notably between the Soviet and British delegations. (04:35-05:35)
    • Willard Thorpe (U.S. delegate) rebuffs Soviet accusations as “out of order.”
• United Nations Updates:
  • The UN Security Council holds its first meeting at the new headquarters in Lake Success, NY.
• Domestic Policy & Challenges:
  • Conflict between the Office of Price Administration (OPA) and the Agriculture Department over meat/livestock price ceilings, possibly requiring President Truman’s intervention. (05:35-06:35)
  • Ongoing railroad and freight car shortages threaten postwar transportation.
• Veterans' Benefits:
  • Veterans (who lost the use of their legs) will soon have access to applications for free automobiles, thanks to $30 million in funding. (06:35-07:25)
• Sugar Rationing Update:
  • Stamp 51 to be used for five pounds of sugar starting September 1st.
• Memorable quote:
  • “If you’re one of these people who thinks that the nation’s transportation crisis ended with a war, you’re all wrong.” (A, 06:11)

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Lake Living & A Plea for Courtesy

• Navigating in the Fog:
  • The hosts share a personal story about getting lost on Lake Placid at night due to a lack of boathouse lights, calling for shoreline residents to keep a light on as a guide for others. (07:26-08:43)
    • “It certainly gives people a chance to find their way home coming down the lake.” (B, 08:17)
• Social Commentary: Growing Rudeness:
  • Discussion about modern discourtesy—people asking for the time without saying “please” or “thank you.” Ted jokes about giving wrong answers to the impolite, but Kate gently rebuffs this approach. (08:46-09:37)
    • “After all, two wrongs don’t make a right, you know?” (B, 09:20)

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Cultural Note — Bumper Crop of Weddings

• Anticipation of over a million brides this year: “That means a lot of new homes and a lot of new cooks.” (A, 09:44)

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Feature Story — The Washwoman’s Wish

• Inspirational Profile:
  • Kate tells the story of a hardworking washwoman determined to pay off her mortgage. Through diligence and faith, the woman acquires a used washing machine, then a mangler, and expects to own her house by October.
• Moral of the Story:
  • True wishing requires “struggle and work and elbow grease, day in, day out,” not idle daydreaming—a message to listeners about the real path to achieving dreams. (10:26-13:56)
    • “A real wish means struggle and work and elbow grease, day in, day out, week in and week out. It means faith that what is needed will come to you. It means working without it until it arrives.” (B, 12:17)
    • “Make your earnest wish, and then go to work and make your wish come true.” (B, 13:44)

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There must be something in the air of pioneer lands that makes people energetic. Everybody in Alaska, for instance, has a sideline.” (B, 00:40)
• “If the folks in this country would just follow their example, we might have some of that badly needed volume production…” (B, 01:55)
• “Now you see, when the light in the room is turned off, the light in the switch goes on automatically.” (A, 03:58)
• “Well, I certainly think folks ought to leave a light on... it could be just one little 15 watt bulb.” (B, 07:58)
• “After all, two wrongs don’t make a right, you know?” (B, 09:20)
• “A real wish means struggle and work and elbow grease, day in, day out… It means working without it until it arrives.” (B, 12:17)
• “Make your earnest wish, and then go to work and make your wish come true.” (B, 13:44)

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4. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Alaska: The Energetic Pioneer Land: 00:40 – 01:52
• Alaska as a Productivity Model / Wheelbarrow Story: 01:52 – 02:23
• Home Science—Plastic Table Cover & Lighted Switch: 03:00 – 04:15
• Current News Recap: 04:35 – 07:25
• Lake Navigation & Call for Lighting: 07:26 – 08:43
• Rudeness in Modern Society: 08:46 – 09:37
• Bumper Crop of Weddings / New Cooks: 09:38 – 10:26
• The Washwoman’s Wish (Feature Story): 10:26 – 13:56

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5. Conclusion

The episode closes with Kate Smith’s signature warmth, blending humor, practical advice, and inspiration. By highlighting the hard work of everyday Americans—whether Alaskans pushing the limits of daylight, inventive homemakers, or a determined washwoman—Kate delivers a timeless lesson: dreams are achieved not by wishing alone, but through persistence, resilience, and a bit of pioneering spirit.

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Transcript

[A]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling, even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell, oatmeal.

[B]

So long, you strange soggy.

[A]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with K tree eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much. Good stuff. It's high noon in New York and time for Kate Smith. Here she is.

[B]

Hello everybody. You know, there must be something in the air of pioneer lands that makes people energetic. Everybody in Alaska, for instance, has a sideline. Don Goodman, an executive of Alaska Airlines as one example. After leaving his office, he may be seen in working clothes driving a bulldozer out to some construction project where he bids basements, levels, roads, clears lands or what have you. And Ben Edwards, traffic manager for the same airlines company, builds houses on the side. Right now he's constructing 10 new homes to help ease the housing shortage in Anchorage.

[A]

They certainly are busy people, those Alaskans, aren't they?

[B]

They certainly are.

[A]

I heard a prominent baker, a banker rather, operates a beauty salon on the side.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And the manager of a N club has a junkyard. I don't know whether he means the nightclub is a junkyard, but anyway it says he has a junkyard. Those 20 hours of a daylight during during the summer months gives Alaskans time to engage in many activities besides their regular means of livelihood. Homesteading, trapping, fishing, prospecting and mining are all very tempting occupations. And I understand the publisher of a newspaper up there drives a bus on a night schedule from Anchorage to Palmer.

[B]

Well, it looks as though folks are getting things done up there in the land of the midnight sun. Now if the folks in this country would just follow their example, we might have some of that badly needed volume production which we've all been waiting and hearing about for so long in this post war world of ours. Now here's an item about an ex cow puncher who has given himself 12 years to push a wheelbarrow around the world.

[A]

Now why does a guy want to push a wheelbarrow around the world, Kate?

[B]

I don't know. Maybe he just wants to prove that he's full of energy.

[A]

Well, I don't know. It's sort of a life as swell when you keep well gesture, huh? And that brings us right into the post. 40% Bran Flake story, which, of course.

[B]

Is what we wanted to talk about all the time anyway, because post bran flakes is an ounce of prevention that adds bran for bulk to your daily diet. And what a delicious tasting cereal it is, too.

[A]

Well, every serving also gives you three extra benefits as an important help in keeping fit. So whenever you buy bran flakes or whenever you buy Raisin Bran, always ask by name for posts in the new fresh protector package. And only post cereals come to you oven crisp in that fresh protector package.

[B]

Well, science has been applying itself once again to the happiness of the American household. A crop of new gadgets have appeared, and one of the best and simplest, I think, is a new table cover made of a thin plastic that's so transparent you can hardly see it. You spread the COVID over your table after you've put on your best linen cloth, and all the food stains can be wiped off without ever coming in contact with the fine linen. This plastic cover, by the way, is very soft and very pliable. It'll drape over the corners of your table like a real cloth. And any housewife who's washed in iron tablecloths hundreds of times in the course of the past years will certainly appreciate this plastic cover.

[A]

Yes, science has also come forward recently with a gadget that appeals to me, Katie.

[B]

Is that so? Which one's that?

[A]

No more need for stumbling in the dark and fumbling for that elusive light switch. A new lighted wall switch plate has a pinpoint glow lamp permanently sealed into its plastic case.

[B]

Well, now, isn't that unique?

[A]

Now, you see, when the light in the room is turned off, the light in the switch goes on automatically. And the other way around, the small light works only when every other bulb in the room has been extinguished.

[B]

I think that's a fine idea, Ted. I suppose you'll be having something like that installed in your new summer home up here, right?

[A]

I certainly will. That is when they loosen up on the materials and I can go ahead with the building. Yeah, I'm going to have myself quite a nice little place if all my plans on paper materialize.

[B]

Oh, well, I'm sure eventually they will. And despite all the headaches that you're having now, it's a grand experience working on a place of your own. And now suppose you tell us what's new.

[A]

The big four gets together tomorrow in an effort to halt the political sniping at the Paris peace conference. And as a prelude, the United States has advised Russia to stop suspecting the aims of other nations. Russia, you know, has charged the British Commonwealth delegation with seeking to undermine the conference. American delegate Willard Thorpe says that this isn't so, declaring that the Soviet charges are out of order. It's understood that the Big Four meeting will be held tomorrow afternoon. Meantime, the United Nations Security Council has held its first meeting in their new headquarters. The members got together in their reconverted war plan at Lake Success, that's right outside of New York City. It's possible that there soon will be fireworks at that council session on the question of new UN Members because nine nations are seeking entry. And speaking about squabbles, there's a hot one going on right now between OPA and the Agriculture Department over livestock ceilings. So it's possible that the dispute will be dumped right into the lap of President Truman. A high government source says reconversion Director Steelman doesn't want to make a decision in the case of and instead he intends to telephone the president in Bermuda for a decision unless the dispute is ironed out. Now, OPA wants meat and livestock ceilings rolled back as near to June 30 levels as possible, but the Agriculture Department thinks that livestock prices should be a dollar or two over the June 30 level. If you're one of these people who thinks that the nation's transportation crisis ended with a war, you're all wrong. Government agencies now are trying hard to head off the worst transportation situation in our history. They're trying to get 120,000 more railroad cars rolling and about 40,000 new ones built. They're also asking that some freight be diverted to ships. It seems that the railroads are handling more freight now than before the war, and they only have 2/3 of the equipment necessary. And here's some good news for the veterans. Veterans eligible for free automobiles will be able to get application blanks within the next two weeks. So says the Veterans Administration. Now, as you may know, Congress has voted $30 million to provide automobiles or other conveyances to veterans who lost or lost the use of one or both legs at or above the ankle. This has been talked about for a long time, and it certainly is good news, if true, that the kids will be able to get their application blanks within the next two. If you're one of those people who are a little bit short on sugar, spare stamp number 51 will be good for five pounds of sugar on September 1st. The new stamp remains valid until December 31st, and spare stamp number 49 continues good through September 30th. And that, at the moment, is what's new. Before we go any further, Ms. Smith, I'd like to ask you a question. Do you leave lights on your boathouse at night?

[B]

You mean here at the lake?

[A]

Why, certainly.

[B]

Of course, I have two lights on the front of the house and I leave them on every night. I leave them on all night long. Why do you ask?

[A]

Well, the reason I ask, I was out fishing last night down at the end of this beautiful Lake Placid, and I got myself caught in a fog that was about 10ft high. And these people around here, no one leaves a light on their boat.

[B]

You mean down the other end of the lake?

[A]

That's where I was and I wound up. Oh, Lord, I was about three miles out of my way. I've been bragging too much. You know, I said that I could find my way around this lake in any kind a fog.

[B]

Well, I certainly think that folks ought to leave a light on. If it's only one little 15 watt bulb, they could leave it on their boat.

[A]

Cost them about 2 cents a night. And all you hear about is they're going to the Riviera next spring or something, or they're covering the continent. But why don't you speak to your neighbors and ask them for a little glow out there for the poor old lost fishermen who might get lost around?

[B]

Well, not only the fisherman. I think it's a guide to everyone who's on the lake coming home at night from overtown or any place. It certainly gives people a chance to find their way home coming down the lake. After all, if they can have a light on the shoreline that helps guide them through certain straits and bodies of water.

[A]

I think you ought to pay just a little visit to your neighbors and ask them to turn on their lights.

[B]

Well, I certainly am going to speak to the Shore Owners association about it.

[A]

You do?

[B]

Maybe they can pass a law that will let people do that.

[A]

Yeah, maybe they can.

[B]

It doesn't cost very much, as you say.

[A]

Well, you know, speaking of people, have you noticed lately that people are getting to be very rude?

[B]

Rude?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, no, I don't know exactly how you mean.

[A]

Well, I mean, for instance, somebody wants to know the time. They don't say to you, will you please tell me what time it is? They say, what time is it? And you like a dope, you go ahead and you look at your watch and you say, 2:15. And they turn away and they walk away. And they don't even say thank you.

[B]

Don't even say thank you?

[A]

No. And you know, I made up my mind that in the future when somebody asks me for the time or ask me for some information and they don't say please. I'm not going to tell them. I'm going to tell them the wrong thing.

[B]

Oh, no, no, Ted. After all, two wrongs don't make a right. You know?

[A]

Look, you keep on doing the good thing when people do the wrong things. But when people do the wrong things with me and they're not courteous, I'm going to be discourteous, too.

[B]

Well, I'm not going to agree with you, and I'm going to change the subject. I'm going to just continue the way I've been doing.

[A]

You go right ahead.

[B]

You know, according to the latest report, Ted, we're going to have a bumper crop of weddings this year with more than a million brides and all.

[A]

Well, that means a lot of new homes and a lot of new cooks.

[B]

At least the girls don't have to worry about cooking breakfast cereals. And not when post new Fresh Protector package keeps delicious ready to serve Post Bran Flakes so fresh Post Bran Flakes have all that right from the toasting oven goodness. That means extra flavor.

[A]

And every serving gives you three extra keep fit benefits, too. Now first, Bran Flakes is an ounce of prevention that adds bran for bulk to your daily diet. And second, this delicious cereal supplies valuable whole grain nourishment, including B vitamins, and it provides minerals like iron and phosphorus. So whenever you buy Bran Flakes or whenever you buy Raisin Bran, always ask by name for posts.

[B]

What's the use of wishing? I heard a woman remark the other day. Wishing won't make it so. And, you know, my mind traveled back to another day and another woman and a wish. It was a day in June, a warm, sunny day when most folks were out swimming or riding around in their cars. But the woman I speak of was middle aged. She was dressed in a faded house dress, partly covered by an equally faded gingham apron. Her sleeves were rolled up above the elbows and her arms and hands were plunged deep into a tub of soapsud. Her face was flushed and shining, and she had a compelling look in her Irish blue eyes as she made her wish. I wish, she said impetuously, that I could get hold of a washing machine. She needed one, there was no doubt about that. But for her, backyard blossomed with clotheslines full of gay summer clothes of a dozen families. She was no struggling heroine of a romantic novel, no artist striving for recognition. She was, as she admitted quite frankly and without shame, a wash woman. She had no talent for anything else she told me. But she did have a burning desire to own the little frame house which she had rented a couple of years before, and she said emphatically, I'm going to pay off the $700 mortgage this summer in if the good Lord gives me strength, and I'm sure He will. It was about the middle of July when I stopped by again to see her surrounded by all the clothes that belong to others. She looked up and smiled. How are you? I asked. And she said heartily, oh, I'm just fine, Kate. I got my washing machine. It's a secondhand one, but it's good. What you need now is a mangler, I suggested. Yes, she said. I wish I had a mangler. I guess one will be coming along one of these days. Well, the other day I stopped again at the little white house with its strings of clean clothes fluttering on the lines in the morning sun, and once more I saw the washwoman, sleeves still rolled high and that beaming Irish smile still lighted her ruddy face. I got my mangler. She yelled to me triumphantly. One of the people I washed for found an old one in their garage. It sure does save me a lot of time, and I said, what about that mortgage? Need any help? No, she said proudly. We want to take care of that ourselves. Both my boys are working in the grocery store now, and we're just doing fine. What's the use of wishing? Wishing won't make it so. That's what the other woman had said the other evening. I wonder if she knows exactly what a real wish is. A real wish, a yearning toward a dream, means more than the mouthing of a few words. A real wish means struggle and work and elbow grease, day in, day out, week in and week out. It means faith that what is needed will come to you. It means working without it until it arrives. It means toiling when other folks are playing. It means the kind of determination and concentration that will not recognize defeat. The next you think you want something badly, you might let your thoughts stray for a moment to a wash woman in a little town who wished for a washing machine and a mangler and kept on working. A woman who I am sure when the 1st of October comes along, will have attained the summer goal she set for herself and will be able to look proudly at the roof over her head and say, well, this is my house. I earned it with my own two hands. Yes, think of her and then make your earnest wish, and then go to work and make your wish come true. Thanks for listening and goodbye, folks.

[A]

This is Ted Collins inviting you to join us again tomorrow when Kate Smith Speaks.

[C]

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