James R. Harris letter to J.A. Seymour - December 12, 1917

Transcript

Personal and confidential. [December] 12, 1917. Mr. J.A. Seymour, Chairman, Board of Directors, McIntosh and Seymour Corporation, Singer Bldg. New York, [New York] Dear Mr. Seymour: Your letter of [December] 8th has just been received and I immediately telegraphed you as per confirmation attached. It seems that the mails have been greatly delayed in reaching St. Louis from the East, a letter written from Pittsburgh last Saturday to one of our employees, having just been received in the same mail as yours. Since the first meeting was called by Admiral Griffin, I have given a great deal of thought to the matter, as our Company naturally wishes to help in every way possible from patriotic motives, in doing our part to help on the War Program, but at the same time, I could not but feel that someone had "put it over" on Admiral Griffin, as I know he felt that such a meeting would be of the greatest benefit to the Department in improving the motive power of submarines. Unfortunately, Mr. Rotter was not able to attend either of the two meetings recently held and I was very glad to receive your letter as it coincides exactly with my views in the matter, and shows that I have not been alone in questioning the benefit which would accrue to the Government from such course of procedure. To tell you the truth, I really questioned myself as to whether I was unpatriotic for not immediately falling in line with anything which was proposed from such a high source as the Chief Engineer of the Navy. I know Admiral Griffin personally and I have the highest respect and esteem for him, but I feel that he is altogether wrong in this matter. It will be very hard for me to get away from St. Louis Friday noon but I consider it most important that we meet at the earliest possible moment, and I hope to receive your telegram tomorrow so that I may make arrangements accordingly. Very sincerely yours, 1st V.P. & Gen. Mgr. JRH-C