NATIONAL FEDERATION OF SETTLEMENTS
March 18, 1922.
Dear Miss Addams:
I have been following up Mr. Zelenko's letter in every way. I have just had a long talk with Mr. Archibald C. Coolidge, the honorary librarian at Harvard College, who has just returned from almost a year spent in Russia. He has seen a good deal both of St. Petersburg and Moscow and knows something about the settlement in Moscow. He tells me that conditions are so disturbed in Moscow that it is impossible to make any kind of a statement that will be accurate and to the point a week later. He seemed quite sure on several points. First, that in the present state of the country any money that might be raised should be sent through Mr. Hoover or the Friends Committee and should be devoted to the work of feeding the people. In his mind the necessity for food is paramount.
He tells me that the educational system in Moscow is in a state of disruption. Money which might be raised for the settlement would have to pass through the government. He does not feel very hopeful of sending funds to a central agency for local use; and I am quite sure that it would be practically impossible to induce givers to raise money for a government department.
We have already, as you know, sent out an appeal for funds to be used on behalf of children in Vienna and in Russia. Very little money has come from the appeal though I have had a number of letters which state that clubs are sending money to Russia through the Hoover Committee and Friends Committee. [page 2]
I am writing Mr. Zelenko of Mr. Coolidge's impressions and suggesting that if he has more detailed information about the local situation of a kind that will enable us to act that he send it to this office.
I enclose a copy of the advance program for the International meeting. The present secretary is Mr. L. F. Ellis. I am suggesting to him that papers be solicited from settlement workers in various countries not able to attend the Conference. Will you please be good enough to prepare a statement for the Tuesday, July 11th, meeting on the topic "The Philosophy of Settlements, Local, National and International." It seems to me very important in view of the fact that the majority of our most experienced leaders will not attend the conference that their word be carried in some form. I hope also that Miss Wald and Mr. Woods will prepare papers. I should be very grateful if you would send me any suggestions that may occur to you after reading the program. Mr. Ellis is anxious to have additional topics and to be informed of the names of speakers who might be called upon.
Very sincerely yours,
Albert Kennedy [signed]
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