Correspondence between James R. Harris and Robert S. Griffin - November 8, 1916-November 10, 1916
Transcript
Office Sunday U.S. Navy Dept. Admiral R.S. Griffin St. Louis, [November] 10, 1916. My dear Admiral: Upon receipt of your letter of [November] 8th Mr. Rotter and I thoroughly discussed and went over our files with reference to where we go the impression that the Navy Department had been informed that "Anti-American influence" were responsible for delay in our completing the engines for the "L" boats. Neither of us can remember of Mr. Warren even stating to us that such reports had been made to the Department and we have come to the conclusion that the impression we received was through either Mr. Whitney or Mr. Robinson of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company, who may have received the information from the same sources although through other channels than brought it to you. I feel that it would be a great injustice to Mr. Warren to allow you to have the impression that he revealed to us the contents of any confidential communication you may have sent him as Mr. Warren at all times while at our plant was extremely careful in carrying out the responsibilities of his position as representative of the Navy Department, to the letter Very truly yours, Admiral R.S. Griffin, Navy Department, Washington D.C.
Transcript
Personal [Navy Department letterhead] November 8, 1916 My dear Mr. Harris: I am pleased to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sixth, and of the photographs accompanying of your 6-M-100 type marine engine; and to note that examination of your files confirms a statement I made to you in regard to "Anti-American Influences." I have been thinking over what you said regarding the "influences", and have wondered how you could have gotten such an idea; and I think it is due to you to say that a year or so ago I wrote Mr. Warren a confidential letter, telling him of the reports that had come to the Department in regard to that feature, and asking his opinion of the truth of them. His reply was so conclusive as to the falsity of such rumors that I gave the matter no further consideration, and informed the Secretary in the matter. Now I have been thinking that it is just possible that, notwithstanding the fact that I wanted the matter kept confidential, Mr. Warren may have mentioned the subject to you. Otherwise, I can't imagine how you could have had any impression regarding what had been reported here. Very truly yours, R.S. Griffin Engineer-in-Chief, U.S. Navy Mr. James R. Harris Busch-Sulzer Diesel Engine Co. St. Louis, [Missouri]
Details
| Title | Correspondence between James R. Harris and Robert S. Griffin - November 8, 1916-November 10, 1916 |
| Creator | Griffin, Robert S., James R. Harris |
| Source | Griffin, Robert S., James R. Harris. Correspondence between James R. Harris and Robert S. Griffin. 08 November 1916-10 November 1916. Busch-Sulzer Collection. Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. |
| Description | Correspondence between James R. Harris, the Vice President and General Manager of the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company, and Admiral Robert S. Griffin, one of the leading authorities on Marine engines. During World War I Griffin received the Distinguished Service Cross for his work in designing and building new machinery for marine vessels. In this correspondence they are discussing comments about Anti-American Influences in the production of marine engines. |
| Subject LCSH | Diesel engine; Submarine boats; Busch-Sulzer brothers Diesel engine company |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Contributing Institution | Wisconsin Historical Society |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Wisconsin Historical Society: 608-264-6535 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | December 31, 1969 |
| Language | English |