J.D.P. Francis letter to David R. Francis - May 28, 1917
Transcript
[FRANCIS, BRO. & CO. letterhead] May 28, 1917. Dear Father: We were all most pleased, but not surprised, to read the enclosed clipping, which appeared in all of the metropolitan papers of the country. Everyone is now working on the two billion Liberty Loan, which will, undoubtedly, be a success, and I predict will be over-subscribed two to one. Anticipating the success of this loan and the fact that the Senate has taken safe and sane views on the war revenue measure has created an active and arising stock market, and one which I believe will be carried still higher, although it is, of course, subject to violent fluctuations in these kinds of times, when any hour may bring news that will upset all calculations. I am again buying stocks for our Joint Account, but am watching them closely, and do not expect to take much punishment. Talton has been successful in his trading, and seems to have a happy faculty of knowing how to take a loss. Dave has been working for the last ten days as a member of the Central Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank; others on the committee, are Compton, Shep Smith, Powers of the Mercantile and Stifel. The committee has offices in the Chamber of Commerce Building, and their duty is to answer all inquiries relating to the Liberty Loan, and assist as much as possible the Federal Reserve Bank. I feel like getting into this war myself, but do not see how I can leave our interests here with you in Russia. We have formed here a civilian secret service organization with about sixteen companies to cover all lines of business, the companies varying in strength from 30 to 300. My company, No. 5, is probably the smallest of all, as it covers the newspapers. I have selected from three to five men from each newspaper, and a few outsiders. Our duty is to keep our ears and eyes open and report to the Government Secret Service here any disloyal acts or statements. I have only had a few reports made to me, none of which have amounted to anything as yet. The captains of the other companies have had about the same experience. The Germans here know they are watched, and I hope nothing will turn up, although it is well to be prepared if anything should happen. Am also chairman of my precinct in the 28th Ward on Registration Day, Tuesday, June 5th. Am pleased at the way general business is holding up, Wilkinson tells me that Scruggs to date is $85,000 ahead of the same period last year, and that the first twenty days in May was equal to the same period in April of this year. We have a big task before us, and the country now realizes it, but the harder we go at it, the sooner the end will come.
Description
In this letter, J.D.P. Francis wrote to his father, David R. Francis in Russia. He stated that he would like to participate in the war, but felt his duty was to run his business. He mentioned that Francis, Bro & Co. is involved in a secret service organization along with other organizations in St. Louis. David Rowland Francis came to St. Louis in 1866. He served as mayor of St. Louis from 1885 to 1889 and governor of Missouri from 1889-1893. Francis was also the American Ambassador to Russia during World War I.
Transcript
[FRANCIS, BRO. & CO. letterhead] [Page 2] Mother is very anxious to take the St. Regis apartment upon here return from Rye, and I have about concluded to give my consent. Vrooman wants a three-year lease, but I told him I would
Description
In this letter, J.D.P. Francis wrote to his father, David R. Francis in Russia. He stated that he would like to participate in the war, but felt his duty was to run his business. He mentioned that Francis, Bro & Co. is involved in a secret service organization along with other organizations in St. Louis. David Rowland Francis came to St. Louis in 1866. He served as mayor of St. Louis from 1885 to 1889 and governor of Missouri from 1889-1893. Francis was also the American Ambassador to Russia during World War I.
Details
| Title | J.D.P. Francis letter to David R. Francis - May 28, 1917 |
| Creator | Francis, J.D.P. |
| Source | Francis, J.D.P. Letter to David R. Francis. 28 May 1917. Francis, David Rowland Collection. A0519. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter, J.D.P. Francis wrote to his father, David R. Francis in Russia. He stated that he would like to participate in the war, but felt his duty was to run his business. He mentioned that Francis, Bro & Co. is involved in a secret service organization along with other organizations in St. Louis. David Rowland Francis came to St. Louis in 1866. He served as mayor of St. Louis from 1885 to 1889 and governor of Missouri from 1889-1893. Francis was also the American Ambassador to Russia during World War I. |
| Site Accession Number | A0519 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| 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. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Language | English |