Enclosure B, Dec. 31/22.
Memorandum of Agreement between Louis F. Post of Washington, D.C., and Waldo R. Browne of Wyoming, N.Y., relative to the preparation and publication of a Biography of John P. Altgeld.
Whereas, the late Joseph S. Martin of Chicago having provided in his Will for the publication of a biography of ex-Governor John P. Altgeld of Illinois, and directed that a specified sum of money be paid to Louis F. Post and Waldo R. Browne for carrying out this provision; and
Whereas, Louis F. Post, finding it impossible for him to undertake this joint task in accordance with the terms of the legacy, has renounced his rights and interest in the legacy in favor of Waldo R. Browne; and
Whereas, the amount of the legacy being inadequate for the purpose of preparing and publishing a suitable biography of John P. Altgeld, Louis F. Post has secured subscriptions for a supplementary fund to be expended in carrying out the purpose specified, of which fund he has undertaken to act in the capacity of trustee; and
Whereas Waldo R. Browne having been designated to prepare the manuscript of this biography and to supervise its publication;
Therefore, IT IS JOINTLY AGREED between Louis F. Post and Waldo R. Browne that --
(1) The latter shall prepare, as competently as lies within his powers, a brief biography of John P. Altgeld, such biography to make an ordinary octavo volume of not less than 250 pages. He shall also find a reputable publisher for the work, supervise the details of its printing and publication in suitable and creditable form, and assist the publisher in its distribution and sale.
(2) The expenses of printing and publishing this biography shall be paid by Waldo R. Browne out of the legacy provided for this purpose by the will of Joseph S. Martin. Any sum remaining from the legacy after such expenses have been met shall be retained by Waldo R. Browne on account of compensation for his services in supervising the printing and publication and assisting the publisher in the distribution and sale of the book.
(3) Louis F. Post shall pay over to Waldo R. Brown, by way of compensation for the latter's services in preparing the manuscript of the biography, the full amount of the supplementary fund collected for this purpose, such payment to be arranged upon an installment basis as follows: $550, or as much thereof as shall have been at that time collected, to be paid February 1, 1922, the remainder of this $550 if not paid at that time to be paid as collected; $250, or as much thereof as in addition to the aforesaid $550 shall by that time have been collected, to be paid March 1, 1922; the remainder of all money collected to that time to be paid May 1, 1922; all money collected after May 1, 1922, to be paid as collected. [page 2]
Enclosure B.
(4) Louis F. Post shall render to Waldo R. Browne a bill for expenses incurred by the former in securing and distributing the subscriptions to the supplementary fund (not including compensation for his personal time and services connected therewith), and such bill shall be paid by Waldo R. Browne out of the first installment received by him under the above-specified arrangement.
(5) Waldo R. Browne shall see that one complimentary copy of the printed book is forwarded upon publication to each contributor to the supplementary fund and to Louis F. Post.
(6) The copyright of the published work, together with all the proprietary rights therein, shall stand in the name of Waldo R. Browne. Also, any royalties on the sales of the book or any other income therefrom shall go to Waldo R. Browne, as additional compensation for his services in preparing the manuscript and supervising the details of publication -- subject, however, to the following reservation: Should the sum of such royalties and other income exceed $6500.00 within a period of three years after the date of publication, all moneys received by Waldo R. Browne on royalty or other accounts in excess of that sum shall be paid over by him on a pro rata basis to the various contributors to the supplementary fund whose names and addresses, with the amounts of their contributions, shall have been made known to him in writing by Louis F. Post upon performance of the other conditions of this agreement,
In witness and acceptance of this joint agreement, Louis F. Post and Waldo R. Browne have hereunder set their respective signatures, this 18th day of January, 1922.
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