The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
O P R E S ID E N T E D W A R D S . W IT K O W S K I 130 E A S T 7TH S T., NEW YORK S E C R E TA R Y E U G E N E W. H EJK E 49 A U D U B O N A V E N U E. JE R S E Y CITY , N. J. F F I C E R S VICE PR ES ID EN TS TR E A S U R E R LE C TU R E R DR . E. B. Z L O N C Z E W S K I R A M O N S IE M IN S K I W A L T E R J. B A Y E R STA N LEY LACEY DR . A N T H O N Y J. W A T M A N C H A R L E S K. S O L S K I C A P T . W A L T E R P. C 1 E C IU C H 144 B E N T L E Y A V E N U E . JE R S E Y CITY , N. J. ADVO CATE J O S E P H F. K R O P P Y F IN A N C IA L S E C R E TA R Y S E R G E A N T-A T-A R M S DR . F. L. Z L O N C Z E W S K I E D M U N D S IE M IN S K I BOARD OF GOVERNORS H E N R Y S IE M IN S K I TH A D D E U S O LSZEW SKI E D W A R D K O Z A K IE W IC Z E D W A R D S, W IT K O W S K I, JR M A X IM IL IA N C A S IM IR DR . L O U IS E. N O R W IC H MANHATTAN SOCIETY HEA D QU A RT ERS H O T E L MCA LPI N B R O A D W A Y AND 3 4 t h S TR E E T N EW Y O R K . N. Y. Feb. 16, 1938 Hon. Marriner S. Eccles, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Eccles,I have your letter of the 14th which came as a distinct surprise to me as well as a keen disappointment. I feel that you are laboring under a misapprehension as to the nature of the ban quet that has been arranged in honor of Mr. Szymczak. It is intended to be a testimonial to him and your speech was expected to be in accord with that idea. The fact that Mr. Szymczak will broadcast a part of his speech which I understand will be addressed more to his friends in the Middle West should not, in my opinion,be construed as giving the affair a promo tional aspect. The whole program has been prepared with the definite purpose of paying Mr. Szymczak a personal tribute and I feel confident that nothing will be said that will conflict with that purpose. What would prove most embarrassing would be your presence at the head table without making a few friendly remarks by way a personal tribute to Mr. Szymczak, especially since we have already listed you as a speaker on the program which we cannot change at this late date without serious difficulty and em barrassment not to mention the great disappointment that such change would cause to all of the guests. For the reasons stated, I ask you as a special favor to reconsider your decision and to advise me that you will make a brief talk which will partake of a personal testimonial. I am indeed sorry that any misunderstanding should arise regard ing this affair and earnestly hope that you will find it entirely appropriate, in view of what I have said, to speak on this occasion along the lines indicated. Appreciating your kindness and awaiting your favorable response, I beg to remain, February 17, 1938. Mr. Edward S. Nitkowski, President, Manhattan Society, Hotel McAlpin, New York City. Dear Mr. «itkowski: Let me say in response to your letter of February l6th that, of course, it is not my intention to cause you any embarrassment whatever, and inasmuch as you have already listed me as a speaker on your program and cannot change it at this time without difficulty, I shall acquiesce in your request that if 1 am palled upon, I shall very briefly supplement whatever may have been said by others in paying trib ute to Mr. Szymczak. I am sure you appreciate why I felt it would be inappropriate for me to attempt to participate in an occasion which seemed to me to go beyond this pur pose of being merely a testimonial to Mr. Szymczak, and I am glad to have your assurance that it was not your thought to make the dinner into something of larger and different scope. Please accept again my thanks for your courtesy. Sincerely yours, M. S. Eccles, Chairman. ET:b
@FedFRASER