Dear Friend:
I have talked with Paxton Hibben today and have suggested a possible way of saving the situation in regard to the American Committee for Russian Famine Relief. It seems that they are absolutely down and out. All their campaign has been a failure and they are men who spent entirely too much money on overhead expenses. Moreover, they seem to be men who have not very good judgment in regard to expenses. It would seem, therefore, that there is nothing that we can do to help them out personally. It is possible, however, to help the cause of relief by saving the situation insofar as it can be saved. I believe that Mr. Hibben and the Russian Red Cross officials will urge them to go out of existence but ask us to take over the organization. I see no way whereby we can do this except that it might be possible for you to ask Mr. Burton to become a receiver for their committee and let him take complete charge of their office. They have carried on their campaign to date with the distinct understanding that all of the money given would be used toward the organization expenses if necessary. Therefore, whoever goes in as receiver can go ahead collecting and paying their bills and at the same time carry on a campaign for funds on the basis of the publicity that they have already done. This will mean considerable trouble, but on the other hand I believe it is possible to do this and avoid a further scandal in relief work.
I am only presenting this to you in a rather brief way with the hope that if Mr. Liggett and Mr. Ricker see any light in this matter that I can come out to Chicago some time next week and go over the situation with you. I happen to know that Mr. Liggett does not think very highly of Mr. Burton, so it will be necessary to work rather slowly and perhaps no steps should be taken until we have something more definite to offer. In the meantime, however, I would like very much for you to think this over and advise [page 2] me of your reactions.
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