My Dear Miss Addams:
I learn with great regret that you have had an accident and hope that it will not cause you prolonged or serious trouble.
Enclosed I am sending some of the material which keeps me busy and prevents me from doing more worthwhile writing.
While in New York recently, I learned from a leading suffragist and social worker who entertained Miss Manus during her stay there that she had told her hostess that I mishandled money of our Womens International Committee for Permanent [Peace] in 1915. I had heard other stories which she spread but this was the only one where I could back the rumor with the name of the person to whom it was told in the presence of a witness. I wonder whether or not you can drop Miss Manus a line stating that I never did mishandle those funds and that you protest against her telling such stories. Aletta Jacobs, as Mrs. Palthe may have mentioned to you, told at a board meeting of the Dutch Womens Voters Association as a fact that I was a german agent during the war and that I have been furnished with any amount of money I wanted and am to this date and that the elegance of my appearance is a proof of this.
Mrs. Catt sent me her answer to the Civil Liberties Union in the matter of her signature to the statement for my rehabilitation. I am especially struck by her statement that
"If it be true that Henry Ford returned from his expedition with confidence in Mme. Schwimmer, and if it be true that she did not get money from him, he certainly will be willing to say that over his own signature, and no general statement without including this testimony is worth much on that point."
It shows that she does not realize that I have no chance to penetrate [through] Mr. Ford's bodyguard to get a direct statement from him. I [page 2] wonder whether you have any suggestions what I can do to get an interview with Ford for the sole purpose of getting his personal statement. I know his people are afraid of my getting money from him but as I did not take any when he wanted [to] give it to me, refusing the annuity which he offered me [through] Mr. Maurice Francis Eganmlong after the venture was closed, so I would not touch his money today; but I certainly would make every effort possible to get a direct personal statement and will be much obliged if you could advise me how to reach Ford.
There is a chance of having Dr. Woker's poison gas book published here. One of the publishers who turned it down last Spring is now asking for it. I will need the biographical data I compiled last year copy of which I sent you last Summer to Bar Harbor. It will interest you that I have had a number of letters from her since she is at home, written in a more legible hand than she has ever written. The news I have of her from different friends is very encouraging and I think Mrs. Ragaz taking up her cause is of the greatest value.
Comments