January 13, 1921.
Dear Mr. Duggan,
I have had an urgent request from American friends in Germany that we should try to stir up the sending of a commission of enquiry to look into and report on the economic situation in Germany. The person suggested, but I think this was more or less at a venture, was Mr. Morgan Shuster with others. It was urged that one member should be a woman.
I talked over this plan with Count Kessler who is lecturing here on the Economic Crisis and who has very interesting ideas as to the development of the League of Nations which I wish you might discuss with him.
It seemed to both of us that if there is a chance of the United States voting substantial credits promptly a proposal for a Commission might serve as pretext for delay and endanger the chance of immediate financial support, but that if on the contrary there is no chance of a favorable credit vote, then such a Commission might be of the greatest use. It is not the need of charitable relief which should be studied but the question of the situation as regards German production.
Can you not exert yourself in this purpose if it seems to you a useful one as I believe it will and get the thing started? I believe a Senatorial Committee or a Commission of business and financial experts named by the Senate might make a very useful report.
I am writing in the same sense also to Mr. [McDonald] of the League of Free Nations Association and to Mr. Villard.
Always cordially yours,
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