December 20, 1918.
My dear Hapgood: --
Your letter in regard to Mr. Levinson came this morning. As I knew he was about to start for New York, hoping to see you there, I read him the letter over the telephone in order to spare him the possibility of a futile journey.
Personally I think it would be a great mistake not to utilize his unusual qualities. The City Club group is largely academic. Professor Bramhall of the University is Chairman and the men who are meeting with him, are mostly of the same type, fine in their way, of course, but totally unable to reach Mr. Levinson’s constituency.
Mr. Levinson has already seen a number of leading bankers and other leading [business] men, including the national treasurer of the Republican Party. He feels very strongly the stupidity of the position taken by Senator Knox and might, in my opinion, radically influence the position taken by such men in the Senate.
I can well understand that my connection with the Association in any official capacity would be unfortunate, although we have already started a splendid woman’s committee in which I find no lack of cordiality. The enclosed innocuous resolution is being placed in the hands of the two hundred Women’s Clubs in this city and is to be presented at all of the Minister’s meetings next Monday, etc. I am mentioning this because I feel so strongly that the propaganda must be general and [not] as highbrow as a League to Enforce Peace has always been accused of being.
Hoping that you will be able to utilize Mr. Levinson’s exceptional abilities and with regards for the [contretemps], I am
Yours very truly,
Jane Addams.
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