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Ff1.4;ii DEPT. FI IP* BENJ. STRONG-, r. PERS3IVAL. 1 7 1914 D FEDig AL SERVE BANK Dee' ber 16th, 1914. Mr deep Mr. Mackenzie: Your very kind Utter of :iovember 27th reached me just as I was leaving for ashingfOn to attend the first mooting of the 0ouncil o Governors of the 12 Federal Beserve 3anks, but I had time to arrange to sand you a book on the banking system, which I think may prove of some terest and gill certainly clear un your mind as to a good nany of the doubtful points in the a.,T)lication or the new banking law. It is writ by two very capable men connected with the University of Pannsylvtnia. am Also going to send you a book just published giving a collc,ction of dresses and articles by taturg on the samo subject. Many of them, ho ever, -,ore 17;repared before this net was possd by the Damocrats. you lot me know if there is any prtioular line of inquiry that you T:on' ou like as the literature on this subject is enlar3ing daily almost, nzd I could seed you a:: unlimited supply of material. lease accept also my hearty thenks for your congratu17.tions and good wishee. It really affords ne a ke-n pleasure to recrll the f that our friendship has existed from the time I was in knickerbockers, I hope for many yea:e this occasional correspondence of ours will be con timed. ,ino of us in this country have witnessed with admiration an respect, the masterful way in 4lich your Government his dealt wit:: an Dec. 15, 1914. :Seckenzie, Zeq. To .:ii economic crisis unparalelled in the history of the world. 7;oe want the bank- ers of your side to got our point of view, at the same time thst they are naturally considering their onn intereots end your letter is an assurance that OUT own point of view is appreciated, at least, by some of the thoughtful bankers. Te must not overlook the fact that While the American indebtedness to :;lurope at the outbreak of the war was enormous, the first effect of the breakdown of intornatienal exchanges deprived as of the first resources avail- able to pay these debts, viz:- accumulated exchange in bills snd bank balances scattered throughout the world. to offset. 'V were asked to pay but erre not permitted This threw us back unon gold pnyment et a time then the exporta- tion of gold was either accomranied by great risks or prohibitive ereense. Fur thermore, the demand occurred lust prior to our embarking nsn a new banking system which demanded a conservative use of our store of gold hold in the banks, and still further, the reaction from the crisis Abroad' was at once felt through the tendency to hoard gold in this country. As evidence, hors. ever, of the moral resronsibility of the American debtor, please bear in mind that we have shipped this year between $Z25,000,00C and 42:309000,000 of gold to our foreign creditors, of which over 4125,00090GO was shipped since the outbreak of the war. Beyond the amount actually shipped, American bankers engaged themselves to furnish 445,000,000 on account of the New York City indebtedness and ;4%90,000,000 on :account of the Gold 2und, which it has not been necessary to ship. Personally, I look back with groat satisfaction upon these evidences of our willingness and ability to ay our debts When they became due aad believe it has enhanced our credit in all parts of the world, and should particularly do so in bland. Dec. 15, 1914. William Illackenzie, Esq. I noticed references to Lord Leith's sreech in the House of Lords and only last Saturday road the account of his further loss by death of his grandson in this war. such an old gentleman. It is hard to realize that he is When I last saw him, he was full of vigor. Chen you see him again, I hope you will give him my cordial regards and sympathy. Vith many good wishes, and expressing the hope farther that you may continue the great confidence you have always shown in the affairs of this country and in our securities vilich will give a good ac- count of themselves, I remain, very sincerely, Your friend, William Lckonzie, :so., 22 l'eadowside, Duadee,Scotland. I April 12, 1915. Dear Mr. MacKenzie: Our old habit of exchanging letters seems to have been abandoned, and I am vriting now in an effort to revive it. ':;ould it be imposing upon your Good nature to send me a general letter now and then in rec-ard to conditions? I will be more than glad to reciprocate, with the u Iderstanding in both cases, that our correspondence is personal and confidential, if you so desire. One of my -nglish friends, with whom I keep a desultory correspondence, recently sent me some very interesting data, in regard to the English position, and I quote the following from letter I are writing him to-day: "Tho over - shadowing: development in our financial position is, of course, the vast increase in our credit power by reason of reserves, released throurh the operation of the 2ederal Reserve Act and the newly created lending power in the Federal reserve banks. The re-assuring results from this development are: First: The arparent dicinclinaton of national banks throughout the country to at once absorb these released reserves b- the creation of new credits, and Second: The conservative management of the reserve banks and their willingness to hold their own credit powers in reserve." I an glad to be able to advise you that father and mother are both v-r7 well indeed. ';.ith kindest regards and very good wishes, I beg to remain, faithfully yours, William MacKenzie, Esq., % Alliance Trust Company, Dundee, Scotland. http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ PERSONAL Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis July 1st, 1915, Dear Mr. Mackenzie: I wish I could give you a full and quite frank answer to your letter of June 13th. It would not be discreet for me to do so just now, however, and yet, to so warm a friend, it seems a downright discourtesy not to write you fully and frankly. There has been so much talk in this country of an unoleasant and critical character about these matters, and so many people laboring under the mistaken notion that I occupy a sort of Government nsition, that I am-sure you will understand my reluctance to .rrite anything that night be con- strued as showing lack of good judgement. There is, however, one thing that I think your friends in London particularly should have in mind, and which I feel perfectly free to express quite forcibly; The foreign commerce of the United States, in and out, amounts to about .;4,000,000,000 annually, Of this amount for the fiscal year ending Juno, 1914, (this year's figures are not yet published), '.'834,000,000 of this trade was with Central and South America. /lot only our direct trade with Europe but this trade with South America is financed very largely in London under com- mercial letters of credit, under which drafts are dram and discounted by the London banks and discount houses. Ny best judgement is that evcx: available means for establishing credits in this country must be employed if our exchanges are to be correct,: or continue at anything like a normal level. http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ :_merican securities Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis The most effective means will be the return of ,s the volume doubtless is still lar and the Jag 1, 1915. -2- To 7]sq, ikr present prices of exchange are beginning to offer some premium to English :holders . The second most effective means and the one thdhh would be welcomed in this country, is the gradual transfer of some part of the vast commercial banking heretofore done in London, which can just as well be done in New York, if :nglish importers would learn to draw dollar drafts under american lettcrs of credit. and 2 English banks and acceptance houses wunad take a broad enough view of the home situation to relinquish some part of this business to the American benkeq it would gradually transfer from the London market to our market, a vast volume of bills which would be equivalent to a prxmanent loan. Your answer, naturally, is that this means relinquishing London's position as the commercial banker for a considerable part of the world's commerce, but after all, that is one of the penalties of war, and unless something of that sort is done, I am afraid that our trade with each other mew languish. Personally, I do not look upon it as a matter which is open to much discussion. If the war continues, this course will likely be forced upon the English money market anyway, but it would be better to encourage that form of relief at the present time before the strain becomes a dangerous one, rather than permit a repetition of such a deadlock in exchange as rose this last August. At that time, the interruption of the exchanges VMS due to London's insistent demand for payment, but just as largely to sentiment and panic. That situation aas bound to correct itself and Shortly did; the present situation is quite different. It is not based upon sentiment, but upon the development of exchange conditions, Which will not improve this sentiment but will grow worse as the trade balance against you increases. -3- To July 1, 1915. illiam Mackenzie, Esq, American institutions can and should prepare themselves to finance the country's export business, and if necess'ry, the import business, as well. The :]nglish banks can co-operate by joint ac- counts and ot-ner arrangements so that the change can be effected promptly and in an orderly taghion, I should think the big joint st,ck banks of London would begin to realize the need of some such course and enter into arrangements with their American correspondents to take the business in some way for their joint account. It in difficult to write a letter 166 this sort without laying one's self open to the charge of taking a selfish point of view. In answer to that, lot ms sny you have as7c.ed the question of"what can be done?" and in answer, I think it is fair to say that this is one of the things that can be cone promptly and effectively and in a very large way. We are burdened bore just now with a tremendous surplus of creci- it and our position would be sounder if it wereemployed in that kind of finance, rather than in exploitatthn. I n glad to sny the family kern very well indeed. They are now away at the beach, and Father despite his infirmities is enjoying his holiday very =eh indeed, I am expecting to see him in a Levi days and will then give him your vary kind message, Sincerely yours, 7:ackenzie, Esq., 22 Meadowside, Dundee, 'cotland, DV Jr/VOM Personal and Confidentiel. September 7th, 1915. 7:_y dear :Jr. lisakenzies Your kind letter of :ueust 2 /th has just reached me and with much chagrin I acknowledge having put your letter of eueust 23 aside for a time, and then failed to ackneAedce at* anreer it, as I should have done a month ago. Since both your letters were written considerable changes have taken place. Te have seen demand sterling drafts sell in flew York at N.50 to tho pound, and. i think your letter justifies me in saying frankly that it is no more than I expected on account of the inexcusable delay in dealing with this exchange matter, which appears to have characterized the attitude If your bankers, and poe ibly some of your government officials. This ie not meant L.s critically as it sounds, however, for I can well appreciate .at tremendous burdens they have been carrying and that everything cannot be done at A Gommittoe of bankers and government officials is now re- once. Porte to be on its way to New York for the eurpose of discussing this particular problem of exchange and doubtless the results will be good. he magnitude of our expurts to ;3ngland, Franco, Russia and It!Lly and the enormous increase in export balance of the past -2Sept, 7, 1915, Mackenzie, Fee.. seven months over a similar period last year, would seem to indicate that all available means of arranging credits in this country must be promptly undertaken and upon such lines as .ill appeal with favor to the emerican bankers anet investors, and at the same time avoid any justice of the char tude by this country. of an eeeeutral atti- ;e are simply producers end fabricators of goods upon a tremendous scale for present time have special demend. hich foreign markets at the Our market is open to the whole world as h-s unnistakablfr been enunciated by our State Department, and if our commerce is to continue successfully through the period of the war, our bankers and investors have got to extend credit. It ought not to be difficult for ua to get together in arranging Lhese credits ie the right men are put to the task. I canaot oretene to express any opinion as to the success of offering government obligations in this country, but I do know that very lerge cre'its can be arranged by transferring some part of the acceptance business to American institutions. If drafts covering merchandise exports are drawn in dollars on Ner York and discounted in this market and if the volume of such drafts can be sustained at a large amount, say, :7;500,000,000 constantly, the equivalent of a permanent loan. it is Every exchange bankersevith whom I have discussed the matter, even some of the English bankers ehe have been in this country recently, agree that this is so, but the :r objection is the one which you have frequently heard, that it means the loss of prestige by the London market. Tht argument -3- To -'.1111am Mackenzie, "sq. is hardly sound. Sept, 7, 1915, In the first place, if the war continues, London inevitably must lose some part of this om3tige to _Taut York. In the second place, credits of the character referred toapplied to our exeorts are always within the control of the English banker, because when war conditions are over, he can simply simply arrange with his customer to c,ncel his :Iew York credit and reonen it again in sterling. I vie;; it -s beins7 one of the noce2,sary sf:.crifices imposed unon one class of citizens by war conditions. The government certainly dealt with the London money market with wonderful courage and notable success last August and Sentember. It seems s though this was the opportm- nity for the London money market to reciprocate in kind to the government. The thing that is needed is courage to antici; ate such developments as the existing disarrangement of exchanges and that sometimes take real courage, because if the steps taken are efficacious, there may be no actual demonstration of the necessity for taking them, and fribeequent criticism ma., arise. That is one reason why i rather criticise 14e, Hartle;,- 'ithere, admirable little book. It seems almost as if ho expected too much of hu- m-n bankers. Thether it was a question of ability or willing- ness cannot be demonstrated, but in the emergency, the government stood between the ban7.:ers and whatever difficulties they feared and the with astonishing promptness To and ease. Sept, 7, 1915. Esq. illi 171 ::aCkOrIlLift Something of that sort should be done in regard to international exchange and, as stated in my former let',:er, I have no hesitancy in advocating the transfer of ordinsy commercial credits to New York from London for the purpose of fi- nahcing the export trade of this hemisphere. You will bo interested to learn that mu younger brother, Arch, who is a physician, has just returned from Serbia where he anent a couple of months, nrior to that time having been with the Ferman harjes ambulance hospital in :lontdidier. only a year older than lie is hen he left , but he looks at least five years older and I think ctn put it down his experience. The family all keep well and father, considering his conditior, is really wonderful. ;:ith kindest regards and thanking you for your friedd- ly letters which I appreciate very hairtily, I am, Sincerely yours, 1:ackonzie, 2sq., 22 Meadowside, Dundee, Scotland, . a7, :7() one has n greater reaNact than I have for the Bank of ngland, but sometimes I think they are a bit hidebound by tradition, They out to remember that ,11liam and teary lived a long time ago under conditions vastly different from the present ones w ieh sometimes move a little faster. Priv-te and Confidanti4. '3eptember 14th, 1915. Mew Ur. Mackenzie: Your letter of September 3rd just received crosses one Which I wrote you a few days ace - by this time doubtless in your hands. Since you wrote, the Committee of which Lord reading is Chairman, has reached this country and I have hnd the pleasure of a number of visits with them. This is one of those situat ens where a visit of this character by men of aminene such as compose this Committee, will be a very great advantage both on your side of the water and on this side. I think our noole rocognine just as yours do, that the negotiation of commercial credits in this country, no matter that form those credits take, is of mutual ad- vantage, It is just as important that we should continue to sell in foreig markets as it is that you should he able to borrow in these markets to enable you to continue buying. But we must not forget that our market, both. for commodities and for credit, are to-day open to the world and that negotiations of tle character now land rtaken must be concluded as business transactions and not an the basis of sympathy. On the latter p1-n4 we would be IAA far astray and more harm than good ould result. Neutrality -3To William Mckenzie, Esq, Sept, 14, 1915. American papers, I think you will be convinced that the general attitude of our peoole has been to extend a friendly welcome to these- gentlemen, to encourage them in their work and, if possi- ble, to send them home with their errand successfully concluded. 7:ou realize, of course, that in no way, sh-pe or manner can our government have anything to do with the business. You may be assured, howover, that most, of the thoughtful b: nkors business men here are thoroughly convinced to-day that at the presen",; atage of the war, a real crisis 13 to arise in connection with sane part of our exert trade, unless the English and Continental exch:%ng2s are restored to something like normal condition, and I an sure that our people will cooperate heartily with the representatives of your country and Franco in bringing this about. I -:.ould like very much indeed to read the boo:: written bz, your uncle, Mr. Robert MPeRenzie, if you are able to got a of it for 1-te. -Clad you, also, mind advising me how you and those occupying similr important positions with respect to American securities, would now feel about making a contribution, either by a s...71e or by a loan of American securities in order to af- ford the government moans of obtaining a larger credit than might otheraiso be possible? cordial regards, believe me, Sincerely yours, -illiam l'.7.ackonzie, 'sq., 22 :::eadowside, Dundee, Scotland. January 4th, 1915. Dear `Sr. Uackenzie: Your kind letter of December 16th, as well as the History of America which you were good enough to send, have both reached me, and I hasten to thank you and to send, also, my warmest good wishes for the New Year. There is little change in our domestic situation; money continues abundantly plentiful for all our roquirements, notwithstanding the great activity in almost all lines of business. There is some chance (though probably 1_ remote one), that I shall occupy my quota of last year's vacation in making a very hurri d trip to London, and possibly, to -xis. If, by ang chance I should do so, I will send you word in advance, so that you my if you are willing, in making your rogular trips to London adjust them a little with a view to have a meeting there. You doubtless know that of mine dOr a number of years. it Edward Holden has been a friend I am really very fond of him and possibly a!Treciate the peculiarities of his temperament and his way of doing things a little better than some of the merit:3one who have not had the relations with him for a good many years that I have. 'Te is, as we say, rather "sot in his ways". Looking back now to January 11th, 1916. 4 Dear Ur. 1.1ckenzie: Your kind letter of December 16th, as well as the History of America which you were good enough to send, have both reacid me, and I hasten to thank you and to send, also, ay warmest good wishes for the 1,Tew Year, There is little change in our domestic situation; money continues abundantly plentiful for all our reouiroments, notwithstanding the great activity in almost ail lines of business. I have just concluded arras events to take as my vacation a very hurrie trip to London and possibly to 2ris, sailing on the "Rotterdam" on the first of Februiry. in London any time be If by chance, you should be the 10th and 20th of February, I hope you .111 certainly let me know at the Rits-Carlton Hotel, or c:Ire of ':organ, :;renfell Pc Co. As you doubtless know, 'sir Edward Holden has boon a friend of mine for a number of years. I have always boon very fond of him and considered him one of the most active and aggressive of the ":ng- lia b nkors, notwithstanding his age, and have also possibly appreciated the peculiarities of his temper ament somewhat better than others on this side, who have not relations with him. He is, as we say, rather "sot in his ways" but after all, in our business public. -2- relations, particularly in transactions of the difficult character *which the Commission had to arrange here, it is just as dell to overlook personal peculiarities :aid deal with the matter entirely on its merits. I think mistake was made ih not getting betteraunder- While the position of t few dajs,from your standpoint it t sell promptly and not hang on the t was not a case for making a bar- rrectly sou.lding public opinion. or the -Jew Year and again thanking end with much interest, I beg to yours, December 2nd, 1916. Dear Mr. Mackenzie: ur letter of It was a great pleasure to redeive November 16th and I heartily wish that we mig have another afternoon and evening at the Ritz Hot bly we will sooner than you expect. lf: First, a few words a ter re- f pleurisy and was turhigg from Europe, I hId Most people culosis. shortly informed thrit I also not know why they should conceal troubles of this and there is n Shortly 1 you the facts. =f- rea ter a mont'i or so here to Colorado early in July, where 1 ape the mountains and have now rented a f engaging myself in the mo- notonou ed ccupation of me I au succeeding and least been her ear, possibly a entir o choke out the bugs. They tell ill be as well as ever, but it means at onger, in banishment. My secretary has ime, however, and I am in touch with much that is going on and am also not allowed to resign from the bank, at any rate, until it is d finitely known that I cannot return, which they say just as definitely, is not the case. he news you send me of Mr. Blackett and Lord F,eadillg is most interesting and of course the services of so able and well-known a financier as Yr. Fleming should be of great value in this ver, difficult situation. His close connections in this country should also serve to facilitate his work. To Dec. 2, 1916. Mr. K. ckenziei I am not at all surprised at the rates being paid for government loans, nor surprised at the continued difficulties in handling international trade and the financial situation. sentiment, fear of the unknown gcvorns to In finance urately measured. the exclusion of known factors that can be The present conflict is so stupendous that n u rls admit the impossibility of guaging the results in finan 1 matters and am not at borrowings are correspondingly mo all in agreement with what has b me by some English bankers, the government should borr course, they could borrow cheap imp' securities. Of t in doing so, the govern- then a government faces whnt may be the n f fcur, five or six billions the possibility d be a serious thing indeed to s yours d n overlarge c ass of caoit-ilists whose income° could not be diii isned by taxat propor your letters, that ment bonds, no matter reduce the amount treat d to th itu creditor not to ment enters into a sterlin frequently n of taxes comes woul n and impose a correspondingly greater the huge mass of les- wealthy whose in- protected against tax burdens. There are, of course, middle grounds such as m7--ki.g a limited tax or a tax for a limited period of years or an exemption up to a certain point with super taxes in excess of that point, etc., etc. But it seems to me that the principle of /- - To rec. 2, 1916. Mr. = -ickenzie. [finking a governmnt bond liable to taxes is the greatest safeguard ) of the nation's credit that is possible in the present situation and on no account should be abandoned. Canada gets money in New York because it is right at our door; our people know the weal-L. of the country and possibilities a have an immense of its development; it is outside the war area, trade with Canada, our railroads connect with t e rs; we have the have been same monetary unit and the most iniiLa developed between Canada and American banks. In = se, it moy be s9id that Americans regar s ohysic'311y, although not politically, a part of th wick and I think that is the enitre explanation. It is interest our daughter's attitude, ther lady, or for it is the same a They are all working might s y family, and it is a grand t I have re;;retted not being w my old acquaintance with Lord Leith. able to r see him, on't you be goo and expr my regret th sorr, Kingsford. o .then ncxt you enough to give him my warmest rgards I did not see him wh,:n abroad! to be able to send some word about Jan He ws in chare of the New Yor!c Assay Office, but resizned some time ago and I hay, not learned jusi what he is doing. You doubtless say that he wee nominated as one or the executors and trustees of Yr. 9owdoir's will and the estate being a large one, I presume that has given him a good deal to do. -4- To Mr. liackenzie. Dec. 2, 1916. re have had endless discussion in this country as to the possibility of FAirope remaining on a gold basis, some even suggetting that gold will be demonetized as a result of the war and because England will have been denuded o This I regard as utterly impossible. Gold h of international payment, partly as a result o tual understaading, but for Other an which oannot b gold reserves. become the money custom !nd mu- mportant reasons avoided or destroyed by legislatio ties as a metal, its commercia ty through freedom from corr to beauty, it is qualidurabili- eat value in proportion to its weight, its distinguish r and feeling and more im- portant than all, its macy ac a precious metal will, it seems to m d monetization. the other hand, i On belligerent nations have to-day in varying the gold basis - England lees the gold we are constantly re- than the o cei ving e greatly art- much iluted for do banks to likely to see the worlu's currencies stic uses, gold concentrated in central known before and used principally for balancing international exchanges, than we arc to see any pemanent or even long-continued suspension of gold payment au a result of the war. !A least, this is the way it impresses me now although a long-continued war might necessitate changing these views. -5To Dec. 2, 1916. Mr. Lackenzie. Your problem just now lies between very much larger borrowings in this country on +he one hInd, and a very considerable curtailment of imports of those articles not required for war purposes on the other. Personally, I hope the latter will not prove necessary for it would be a st ering misfor- tune to have the merchants who deal in goods o er than muniwhile the tions suffer all the penalties of cur powder and shell manufacturers are making huge f This raibling letter thoughts expressed in your o of you and that this horrible brought to a conclusion. 'Uth warms William enzie, Es . , 1 i de, 22 :.'ead Dundee, cotland. BS/VCM discussion es. f the better days are ahead some way or other be 41MINW aiI -2To 1 kir. gilt 'ackenzie. Dec. 8, 1916. It so happens, as you are doubtless aware, that the coinage units of most of the South American republics are fusceptible to readjustment into a unit which would be the equivalent of twenty cents gold, American, resulting in the South Americn coinage consisting in some c:.ses o 0 franc gold pieces, in other cases, 20 franc gold pieces .d in the case of Argentina, a 25 franc gold piece. Thin subject in also being studied by American economists, including r Krmerer o who has written some intere I am rather hop eful umber of rinceton, phs on +he subject, and that f proceedure will `,E) taken which will have the effect of s rdizin coinage of the whole North and Sou The nex important one, would be for your ovrn govenme me similar reform of curren- cy. This Britain upon merce th America, Canada, Crept ,ld p irse, many c untries in the Fast, d ultimately identical gold standard, the velue of which to our com- uld really be this sub erature Sin to hnve had estimable. If you would like some lit- I will be more than glad to get it. our let"er was written, loans to the Allies seem a bit of a jolt but I am hoping the situation will be worked out all right. We have a great capacity, as you say, to absorb securities, but our capacity is out of proportion to our knowledge and experience. ticularly private investors. Our people need educating, par- -3To 1!r. Lackenzie. Dec. 8, 1916. I am glad to say that my mother and sister are both very well and I will convey your kind messages by letter. :d_th warmest regards, believe me, Faithfully yours, William Eackenzie, Esq., 22, Leadowside, Dundee, Scotland. BS /VCM December 8th, 1916. /..yoee-/ pear Ur. Mackenzie: Your favor of November 23rd just t ches me and I am sorry not to have available all the papers ,oaring on the subject to which you refer which ar t my office in liew York. 1 the South The situation in re : :rican rly in the Argentine, coinage is rather complicat where they have the dual eta his matter was discuss- ed at greet length at commissioners with !Muth nerrly two years American republics ago, and recommen that an international joint commission be app subject and make suggestcommission, of which 'r. re- ors. Adoo,star:, of the Treasury, was Cheirmer, end of which my friend M . Warburg, countries to Americ interest The m visited tYe principel Fouth a member, souse this and other subjects of mutucl gs in Uruguay , Argentina and Chili result- ed in unanimous recommendations to the respective governments to adopt a standard of coinage, the unit of which would be a franc having a gold value equal to 1/20th of our t5 piece. may It e that the r wort to which you referred in which the word "franc" was used originated in the report of this commission. Denver, Colorado, April 26, 1917. ... Dear ISr. MacLenzie: ,.).f course I realize that the delay in reply to my letters was entirely due to the pressure of many affairs that I know must be occupying you and I regret also that illness has overtaken you as well. I am glad to be able to report most excellent progress in my recovery. While the doctors would prefer to have me remain here for a couple of months longer, matters at home are really becoming pressing and I have arranged to return to Now York this week for a brief visit; will likely return here then for a few weeks' golfing and then back home more or less permanently. As evidence of progress in my restora- tion to health, I have put an 27 or 28 pounds' weight since coming Nest and really feel more vigorous and stronger than at any time during the past two and a half years. Incidentally, I have been playing golf regularly and with considerable success for i find my game is coming back in good shape. :4-.hat can I say to convey the satisfaction that I feel in having this great country of ours standing alongside of Lngland and France in the fight for democracy and freedom? It seems to me that the world has not yet waked up to the true significance of this momentous step. Few on your side know our country as well as you do and I am glad to assure you of the many evidences that i see on every side of the determination of this country to pour out millions of its resources in money, materials and men to bring this great war to a prompt and decisive and successful 2. April 26, 1917. opil To - Mr. kacKenzie. conclusion. My oldest son has boen having military training for a year and was mustered into the Federal service about a month ago. He has been engaged u2 to now in guard duty, looking after a few hundred interned German sailors, but today I have a telegram advisin,; that on account of his eyesight, Which necessitates his wearing glasses, he has been discharged. It is a sad blow to him for he has been most enthusiastic about the service and I suppose would have boon among the first to embark for Europe with an7 expeditionary force. The chances are I will decide to send him to France as an ambulance driver for he is determined to do his part in some branch of the service. The Commissioners now in Washinton have made a most delightful and favorable impression. It .vas so fortunate that Mr. 3alfour could come, for his great charm of manner, as well as a traditional friendship for this country Which he has always evidenced, has been and will be a groat asset in connection with our many important negotiations. My return to New York is largely to see Lord Cunliffe, with whom the negotiations Which I inaugurated a year ago in London are now about concluded. I hope to entertain him and introduce him to the New York bankers next week. I am sorry indeed not to agree with you, wise sisei that you are, in your proposal about tax exemption bonds. i ar.. definitely opposed to creating a preferred class of rich investors who escape taxation by investments in the Government's obligations,but our administration has not and probably will not heed my urging. (William Liackenzie, Esq.) 22 Meadowside, 4 - Dundee, Scotland March 26, 1918. my dear Mr. Mackenzie: Many thanks for your kind letter of February 21st, which I have just received after a short absence in the south. Since my secretary wrote you on the 8th instant, Ben's address has been changed and is now: Prov. Co. "C"., American Mission, M. T. D., A. E. F., Convois Autos, Par. B. C. U., France. The annual report of the Federal Reserve 3ystem has not yet been published in pamphlet form, but I am instructing our mail department to put you on the list for a copy. On the whole, the system has proved to be a great success; a very necessary instrument for enabling our Government to conduct its war finance operations, and, possibly, of even greater importance, a reassurance to the whole country that we have a stable and workable financial system. The bank's operations are now of tremendous mag- nitude and the whole system has resources considerably in excess of 0000,000,000. Our gold reserves, including a small amount of :diver and legal tender notes, now approaches ,;12,000,000,000 and, of course, this is a great bulwark for the protection of our system. My health is not so bad but I have to take care of m;, self. Hoping that you keep well and with warmest regards, I am, Sincerely yours, BVILSB /2 9 1Wy 10, 1918. My dear Mr. Mckenzie: Many thmths for your letter of. Arril 1Rth, -thich I T941 linable to Pcknorfledc-e my=1.14' before this. Oar llsn has beer a ewleFs ss rrobEhly three and on4lalf billions of bonds All. be taken, notwithstanding tilat we ara collecting three billions of taxes ,lurin the acme period. The number of subscribers may equal, or even exceed, seventeen million. The country wss swept with a gust of patriotism and enthusiasm that was more responsible than anything else for mAking this loan such a success. with -curmest regards. believe me, Sincerely yours, lillian Mackenzie, E3Q., 2L Meaftaside, Dundee, 3oot1and. B3/mB http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/ Federal Reserve Bank 2. of St. Louis William Mackenzie, -;sq. 5:S:le. nilliam .4ckensie, Esq. 3. 8:8:18. id will improve with experience. Ben has written me of tobacco which he has received from you, which really was a great boon, as I am prevented by any regulations from sending him any just now, and sometimes cigarettes are very hard to get. He is an appreci- ative boy and will never forget this attention from one of my friends. Possibly, I have not written you the story of Ben's entrance He was in a New Jersey militia regiment; into the army. April 1917; went to guard same German sa:'-lcr given honorable discharge on account of his eyes. was mobolized in an internment camp, and was then He imisedisnely went to France and enlisted in the French Army as a private, where he was assigned to the motor munition transport service; school. was ma& a sergeant and sent to the officers' training Before completing his traininrershing arrived, and he with the other Aaerican boys were transferred to the American forces, and again his eyesight was not up to the standard and he was nearly sant home. By a little insistence he was able to demonstrate that he Itnuld make a useful member of the force, so they aga_n made him a sergeant and he was finally ut in command of a train of munition trucks. His last letter advises that after an attack of influenza, in which he was laid up in a hospital for a while, he nas again been sent to an officers' training school, and I expect by now he is probably receiving his commission as a second lieutenant. Ben is a very earnest and industrious boy, having had experience from the bottom up, and I am ours he will make a most useful officer. Unfortunately, he lost all of his belongings in the early days of the German offensive, and while his letters give no details, I gather he had a pretty lively time of it. About my own health, it is better than nt was, but still needs nursing a bit, ir consequence of which I have been away from the office this Sumner almost constantly preparing for a hard w nter's work. I cannot expect to get my health completely back until T am able to quit work for a mnch longer period than now possible. Digitized foris FRASER 8:8:18, William Mackenzie, _eq. 4 You and I will differ, I fear, about tax free bonds as long as I governments issue bonds. To my mind, it is not solely the question of money, but underlying it is a greet social question which is sure to come up ani baffle us in later years. Tax free b)nds gives the greatest advantage to the invidival with the largest income. There aria a time in Zug/and when &wave of social unrest and political antagonism developed under the slogan holding class." she privileges of the bond- 2:e had the same thing in this country. _ere it conceival:le to have all t'e security investments of the citizens of the nation in the form of tax free bonds, those who live by daily labor would in great part be paying the taxes amp at which would provide the funds to meet the interact, a. -a,: 1,:a, - orinciaal of these tax exempt bonds, and that clear of poople would, in fact, be suffering a financial serfdom. How much batter, from a social and political standpoint, to have the bonds fres only of a nominal aax so that the tax exemption is equally enjoyed by rich and poor alike, and the burden of taxation is thereby more equitably distributed. I hope you keep well; that you and your Company are prospering, and that you are all a bit happier than seems to have been the case six or eight montna ago. v;ry warmest eegards, I am, Faithfully yours, Williaa Mackenzie, The Alliance gust Co., Lt., 22 Meadowside, Dundee, 'frIgland. BS:GB 0 November 22. 1918. Lear 1,Ir. ;huokenzies .leply to yours of the 30th ultimo has been delayed by my absence in a.ehington. I think the enclosed circular describing the tax exemption features of oar various loaud will throw some light on the question raised by your letter. The principle of tax exemption whioh has been apalied to these loans by recent legislation Je, of course, an effort to remeanize the fact that the establishment of a graduated income tax justifies what might be described as a graduated exemption from taxation. Tao diftioulty in this country of high aapareut to everyone. If our Government undertook to most competitive market con- ditions, it would require the issue of bonds at very high rates, and sound finance would require that they have a fairly lone naturity in order to avoid too great a congestion of refunding operations. If the Government, either by high interest rates on bond issues, or by permanent contractual tax exemptions, should commit itself, for periods from ten to thirty years, to the direct payment, or the indirect payment of such rutee as would compare favorably with other investments, it eould load us with a stupendous interest obligation on a debt which will probably not be lees than twenty-four billions of dollars, for many years to come. The eovernment has, therefore, issued its bonds at fairly low rates (so far not in exooss of 4 1/14'. that being the maximum contractual obligation) and then, by act of Congress, it has given a limited tax exemption, simply for the period of the war and for two years thereafter, upon a limited holding of bonds. his will leave Congress free in later years to continue, discontinue, or increase the amount of the exemption, and the 7m. Lackeazie, 31e. 11/ 22/ 18. mount upon which exemption is Granted somewhat in accordance with the conditions WW1 prevail at the time. As indicating the difficulty of dealing with this matter, you should understand that under our proposes'. Eederal lucerne Tux Bill the holder of a five-year bond, subject to all income taxes, who has a taxable income of -:12,b00 :could realize 4.94'; net return, whereas an investor with an income of a million dollars and over would realize but 1.2 Jontrasted with this, the holder of a bond, *holly ex- empt from iederal income tax, with an income of .,2,500 would realize the equivalein, of a yield from his investment of whereas an investor vith an income of a million dollars and over would realize from suon bonds the equivalent of an income of 16.630. Jn the "hole, however, I think that the broader question, which is a social and political one, has controlled in deciding whether we should establish a preferre;. class of 4overnment creditors to mhom the Government gives apeoial benefaction in time of need. .loch a policy of exemption would, I think, be unsound and dangerous. and create difficulties political unrest. hinh, in future years, weuld give riae to social and england experinnood such a situation at one period in her history, I believe after the Napoleonic.: wars, and it will ho neoeseary for u! to give greater consideration now than ever before to these social questions beoause of the gnngerous menace of political disorder with which the whole world Is faced. he day has arrived when we must scrntinize our methods in these matters to make sure that they are not too much the product of Bourboniem. Jur Government financing has been conducted with great courage, and, as you realize, with groat success. We may have to grant further, more generous tax exemptions on oar bond issue: ;, but if me do I hope it will be for limited periods so that the amounts issued fay be largely dealt with by taxation if nongres is willin4; to continue a strong tax program. suggested, one answer to your questions in regard to tax exemit bonds might be "..hat would great Britain do to-day had the entire debt of the nation been 3 46. ,m. Ackenzie, sued entirely free of income taxes?" 11/22/18. You would, in that event, have disregarded the most important of all principles govi:rning finance, because you would thereby abandon, forego, surrender completelF for the benefit of rich people and corporations the right to tax the great, or in fact, the principal part of their incmes, thereby throwing the entire burden of taxation either upon the pporer classes, or uron systems of indirect taxation, the effect of which is such the oamo as the direct taxation of the ppor. Pronely, evory influence which I have in these matters will be brought to bear to protect our flIture yriara against Cho i.:onace of any such polioy. I at glad to hear that ,.ord leith is well, and hope to same may be said for your good self. 7hat a glorious thins it is that the -,,rar le over; that ,-ieri.%.1.4 is "licked" and that we may hope in the couree of tine to ,set back to peaceful pursuits. Tith warmest regards, believe me, Faithfully yours, illiam Jackenzie, Managing Dirooter, The Alliance Trust Uompaay, Ltd., 22 :ileadowside, Dundee, Scotland. po/ast. Zne. Lake George, N. Y., February 19, 1919. Dear r. "ackenzie: I am sorry to hear, by yours of January nrc, that the doctors have also found it necessary to take you in hand. to you that you At any rate, I can say one thing ere quite unable to say to me, - and that is that you are old enough to know better. i hone that you take care of yourself. have been under has been hard enough, I know. The strain you As for myself, I seem to get along fairly 'ell so long as I cen get away at intervals and rest IAD. I em having another copy of Professor Kemmerer's book mailed to you, end, in addition, I en sending under generate cover E. copy of the report of the Committee on 'Tar Finance of the hmerican .:conomic Aesociation, the latter dealing in some places with the questions referred to in your letter. Article iV, "Public Creoit" is y very unfortunate presentation of that subject and I wouldn't pay too much attention to it. Bust some of the others are rather interesting. The nuoetion of the inequity of tax-exempt bonds can be dealt with (ignoring minor considerations) by discuseina simply two points: 1. Is tax-exempt bond is incompatible with a graduated progressive income tax en ives rise to gee m injustices to poor people when funds for re- paying them, er a costly war, must be largely raised by indirect taxation, con- gumption taxes, etc., etc. This noint I will illustrate by acsuming that a graduated income tax takes a maximum of ft% of incomes in the cases of individuLls who are prosperous enough to enjoy incomes as large as a million dollars or more, and J.E. graduated down to r normal tee of, say, apnlying to mini .um incomes of o-,n. The man with an income exceeding :11,000010 would realize in the hitThest bracket (that rr. Eackenzie 2 2.19.19. 0 is on that pert of his income Which paid the lar est taxes) 4% net on an investments Vhich prid him, gross 164. This, of course, is a rough and reedy calculation, and essum-s e schedule of tnxetion which is not exact. That man, however, realizes on a 4% tax -exempt bond just as much at he would realize on a 16:; taxable bond. other hand, e poor man, who neye no texet, realizes but 4%. On the in fact, by the com- bination of s graduated progressive income tax end en iF8U8 of tax-exempt bonds, the Government says to the rich man, on a part of your income I propose to tax you 75%," and then, by another legislative act, the Government says, "on En much of your pronerty as you invest in my bonds, I do not propose to tax you at all." That is obviously en inequitable arrengement te between the very rich capitalist or business men end the poor clerk or wege earner. 9. Indirect taxation end consumption taxes: Such taxes, apnlied to the staples of life, or any taxes that increase the cost of living, such as customs, taxes on seles or transportation, or public services, etc., etc., are principally paid by the poor. Again, eimnly by ray of illustration, if the effect of indirect taxation should be to raise the cost of bread by a smell Percentage, inasmuch as rich and poor alike consume substantially the reme &mount of bread per capita, one might say that 85'4! or 9^-: of the tax was naid by the poor, and only 1:V: or 15% by rich people. Those texas, and others of like character, would be collected in order to pay the interest and retire the principal of a tax-exempt debt which had been accumulated by a small class of rich people. The conclusion is obvious that a tax-exempt debt, retired by taxation of that character, results in the bulk of the taxes being exacted from the Poor in order to pay interest and principal to the rich. Of course you may 'say that that argument applies to Government bonds anyway, and so it does, but it applies more particularly to a tax-exempt bond, Which is accumulated, by reason of its especirl value to tax -pryers, by the richer classes of individuals and corporations. The nna'er to What you say about the others at a discount, 21.7, bonds selling at per and the is just the point of Ty argument. The rich buy the tax-exempt bond because that 3 bond pays them net a very much greater return than does a t bond, Whereas the poor man, rho pays no income taxes, reell'es net eimply the that the bend reye. Times are changing and some of the old principles vhich re have bli worshipped, of the sacredness of property rights, irrespective of hor those r When so scrupulously safeguarded may effect the eylfure of poor people, must surrendered if vy are goine to preserve a oteble society in the world. is simply a form of confiscation. Taxat The minute a government says to its peopl "the rich must pay a larger proportion of taxes than the poor," (that is in p portion to meens,) it abandons one of the old cardinal principles of equality property riehte in favor of the poor men. many years ago. The Eritich Government recognized re have been rather sloe in coming to it, but now that our hive approved c conetitutiontl amendment, giving Gongraos the right to levy d taxes, -ithout apportionment among the states, to the extent of this graduate come tax, I think we must recognize that it would he rather poor judgment, if contrary to public policy, to brush this erinciple aside, or susnend its oper in time If war by cresting a favored class of Government bond orners *he are exempt from the provisions of the grrduated income tax law, end at a tir- whe taxation should bear as lightly as possible upon the poor because of the incr coat of living. This is e big subject. I don't ersume to have mastered it by e lon but even if there is a doubt, I believe in resolving it in fever of the class need the benefit of the doubt every tine. "e may, and nrobebly will be forced toeomerhat enlar e the tax-exem in our next big loan, but it will be duo to no failure to r cognize the justic the principle that I have above referred to, but rather to the necetaities of case Which may not ()ruble us to realize 101: perfection in respect of economi principles. It is very good of you indeed to keep in touch with that bay of mina r. "aokenzie 2.19.19 4 has 'written me of having hoard from you, end I shall never forget your thou ness and kindness to him. Just now he is br_ instructor et e. training scho DeCi29, Pnd writes me that there seems little prospect of an early return ho But he keeps veil, and neither he nor I would have had anything. "itth rermost ragerds, believe me, Sincerely yours, William VackenIde, !aneging Director, Th, Alliance Trust Cow-laxly, Ltd., "eadowside, Dundee, Scotland. hir.. miss the Service LI BRNO 14+ p3 7 1919 May 26, 1919 RESERN -?17, DY,RNt B AN C, Dear Mr. Mackenzie: I have just received the circular relating to your retirement as managin[7. director of the Alliance Trust company, and read it with mixed feelings of satisfaction and regret - my satisfaction is that you are doing the wise thing in laying down a position of responsibility which you have held for so long and which must be overtaxing your strength - my regret comes from the intimation that your doctor has found it necessary to require you to give up active work. I hope that it means nothing more than recognition of the fact that you are nlder than you were when as a boy in knickerbockers I first met you, and that you are now about to enjoy a well earned rest free of all responsibility and with opportunity to play all the golf that you want to. You certainly deserve congratulations of the first order for the magnificent management of that great company. Sincerely your friend, 111..Wi.111aan7ia+ -c/o The Alliance Trust company, Ltd., Dundee, Scotland. BS/ASB \ the Alliance 'Trust tItompaitp, fintittb. * ;z, 1±, RETIREMENT OF Mr WILLIAM MACKENit Extract from Report of Proceedings of annual Meen:DY; Company, held on 25th April /9/9. The CHAIRMAN, Mr JAMES GUTHRIE, at the end of his speech, s Acting on m Mr Mackenzie has resigned his office of Managing Director. He is not have to make an intimation, which I do with great regret. because ho has left town for a prolonged holiday, from which our ho shall see him back to join us with a seat at the Board. It is not therefo of final severance, and I am not dealing with it in that sense, but Mr services to the Company have been so great and have been rendered ov period that it is only fitting that I should make some reference to them at is now more than forty-five years since Mr Mackenzie took office as Se Oregon and Washington Trust Investment Company, which with its four sis combined to form the Alliance Trust Company in 1889. He brought to mental capacity, and his natural strength of character and an inherited se him to devote his intellectual powers with absolute singleness of aim to th of the Companies. In working for them and in thinking and planning f he has been quite indefatigable, and I may sum up the matter in a sente that those who know the business of the Company most intimately w highly of the part he has played in the problems solved, the difficulties ove success won. Meeting here to-day, and congratulating ourselves, as we are on the splendid position of our Company, we should be graceless indee recognise the splendid part which Mr Mackenzie has played in its achiev sure I may send him from this meeting an expression of our warmest th hat done, and our earnest. hope for his speedy return amongst us refreshed complete health. And our message will not go alone. It is not always gi and successful worker to earn the regard of his associates, but Mr Mackenz -his sterling character and his real goodness of heart-have attracted in 2 the loyalty and affection of those with whom he has worked. This is especially true of those at home here, but it is also true of those in America, where he has troops of friends oft who regard him with warm affection and esteem. His leisure, as you know, has been largely devoted to the duties of a good citizen-to works of public and private beneficence -and this part of his life has also won him the friendship and esteem he deserves. I said our good wishes would not go alone. I am sure they will be accompanied by those of numberless friends diverse in many respects, but united in this. Mr Mackenzie, in resigning, referred in terms of the warmest regard and confidence to his colleague and successor, Mr W. D. Macdougall ; and I would like to say in regard to Mr Macdougall that he has come up to, and far exceeded, the highest expectations of every one of the Directors since his appointment as Secretary of your Company ; and further, he has approved himself to the shareholders and to the office staff by his affability as well as his capability. (Applause). Mr J. C. BIIIST, in moving the re-election of the retiring Directors, said-Mr Chairman and gentlemen, I rise for a different purpose, but I am quite certain that those present would wish that some reference should be made to the announcement that we have just heard from our Chairman, that Mr William Mackenzie has decided to retire from the post of Managing Director. There is no need to add to what you, sir, have told us regarding Mr Mackenzie's long connection with the Trust and how much both Directors and shareholders owe to the way in which he has identified himself with it, and to the unceasing care and attention which he has bestowed on its affairs, and also his great business ability and his attention to its service ; but I am quite certain we should wish to associate ourselves with your expression of sincere regret that in his opinion the moment has now arrived for his more strenuous activity coming to an end. We regret the decision, but we will not contest it. For you, sir, if I may say so, the passage of time has no particular meaning-(laughter)-but unhappily in the case of others it is not so. We may be sure that Mr Mackenzie has come to no hasty decision. He is a man of many interests, and he may be trusted not to vegetate in his comparative retirement. Now that he is free from business cares, we, his friends-and we are all his friends-wish him many years of enjoyment and well-earned retirement, while hoping, sir, as you have indicated, that Dundee may still count him among her most useful citizens. (Applause). Mr J. C. ROBERTSON, one of the Auditors, in acknowledging the appointment of Auditors, said-I cannot sit down, gentlemen, to-day without saying to you that this is the forty-fourth Report of this Company, and its predecessors, that I have discussed with my friend Mr Mackenzie before it saw the light and was submitted to the consideration of the shareholders. Mr Mackenzie had been barely a year Secretary of the Oregon and Washington Trust Investment Company when I first made his acquaintance in returning from Glasgow to Dundee, and was at once set to the auditing of that Company. Since a the Et Mance 'Ernst Company, Ximite0. RETIREMENT OF Mr WILLIAM MACKENZIE ti April 7, 1921. eeew Dear Mr. kackentiet A few days ago my friend kir. Arthur Copeell, eantiened haNied, received a letter from you in which you were goad enough to in2uire after me. time since I have written you, end that is because of my long absence. It is a long Something over a year ago I wee net very well, ece granted y yeer'e leave of absence, and only last January returned from a trip around the world, which kept me away ever a year. 1 am now very much better indeed, in full harness again at the bank, and with every prospect of remaining there, and in good health. spent Christmas in Lenden visiting my friend Mr. Montagu Norman, of the Bank of Englend, emd for t few days Mr. Gaeparc: Ferrer. privilege to have seen you, but my vieit *F.6 It eould have been e ezeat eheit, and I had so much to de, that there was ae prospect of eaking the trip to Dundee. l%e all keep well at home, and you will be glad to know that both my mother and sister are enjoying good heelth. Mete are difficult timem, requiring eourlige and foresight by our tankers, and certelnly ty yeure. 1 here we shell rase through the pericd in which we pey the penalties e`' this destructive war without tnything in the nature of e real breakt1ewn. Conditions here in busineve generally are somewhat improving and 1 am Bled to say that our financial and banking cituetion, both as to business generelly and Ks to the gevernment, are thoroughly sound. 1 knew that correspondence must be a burden to you, EC, do not trouble to answer this letter except in some mowent of leieure when you feel wholly disposed to d sc. %th cordial regard!, believe me, Very eincerely yours, Wm. %.1eken,ief Esq., 22 Dundee, Scotland, . FS 44. OEN May 9, 19P'. My dear Mr. Mackenzie: It was very nice to have your letter of April 75 this morning, but I must surmise I wish It had contained something in regard to your own health. from the letter, however, without your direct at:laurel:co, that you continue well, and that delights me very much. Many thanks for your kindness in sending me a copy of the portrait, It comes at an opportune time, as I am which I shall indeed value highly. just fitting up a new apartment in which I hope to have the pictures of some of my old and valued friends. My mother and sister continue in good health, and when I last saw them a few days ago, they were looking forward to the usual early summer migration to Cape Cod, where we shall all spend the summer off and on. My eldest son is now hard at work at the National Bank of Commerce, and if the present plans materialiae, within another year he will be located in London, where I want him to go for the value of the banking training and experience that can only be had there. I wish I could write you something fairly definite about the PennsylAlmost none of the American railroads have been vania Railroad Company etock. This is due to a combination able in recent months to earn their fixed charges. of causes, which I think may he principally summarized by, first, very high operating costs; second, the present industrial depression, and third, freight rates, which I fear under present conditions have passed the point of productivity. They seem to have reached a level, where they ol,erate to restrain the movement of freight. On the other hand, I have always felt, and still believe, that the Pennsylvania Railroad property is intrinsically the most valuable, and maintained In the long run, it in the best condition of f.ny of the great American lines. In general, one may be more optimistic about the will show its great value. American railroads because of the more constructive attitude of our government For many years the Inter-State Commerce toward this great national asset. Commission imposed unprofitable rates, driving the railroads to finance ty bond issues rather than stock issues, and bringing them gradually to their pre:,:ent But this is really a thing of the past, according to the difficult position. notions of many people, and I strongly hope that a better future is in prospect for the strong and well managed properties. May 9, 1921. 12 I hope you understand that this is the expression of an amateur I am unable to follow railroad earnings and finances in detail and must give you, therefore, a very general view of the situation. avid on-looker. There is no prospect of my being in England this year, but possibly next year, if things are c,uiet, I may be able to run over for a short visit, and certainly hope to have the pleasure of seeing you. With kindest regards, and many thanks for ypur letter, i az Faithfully yours, William Mackenzie, Esq., 22 Meadowaide, Dundee, Scotland. BSIMM April 11, 1921. My dear Yr. Mackenzie: Your note of March :*:1 is just received, and I am knissing your daughter's letter along to my eieter, whose addrees is still 251 neat 8t.:1.11 Street. 4e all keep coil I am glad to say, and my on health is better than it has been for some tiro!). Lou may be intecested to know that mi oldest son, who was in the army in France, is leaving in .1 !iloth or so for London vhere he expects to enter the banking house of J. H. Schroder, in order to get some experience of English wanking. Hoping that you keep well, and 4ith warmest regards, I am Very sincerely yours, 4illiam Ma6enzie, Esq., 21 Meadowsice, Dundee, Scotland. ES.MM December 11, 1922. My dear Mr. Mackenzie: It was indeed a pleasure to have your note of November 21, and my reply has been delayed because of my absence from the office It ie good to hear for n short period taking a bit of a rest. from you and have that evidence that you 9re vell, although you do Mile I have had a couple of not speak definitely on that point. little too much work to do, I em nevertheless pretty hard years with in good shape, and there is a chance that sometime next year I ill be in England, and if time permits I would like very much to run up to Scotland to sec you. el ky mother and sister continue very well. You would be You know she is now surprised how lightly mother feels her age. in her eikhtieth year. De Witt Cuyler's death %as a shock to UE all. I had seen him but a few days before his death hnd last summer I hnd the good fortune to have a nice visit with him in Bar harbor where I wee spending a few days with my friend kontagu Mermen, of the Ban!. of England. He did a great service, and I feel very sure that the whole business community and especially his associates in railroad matters will miss him very much. We are rocking along here on the whole pretty well so far as one can judge, with a little too much politics possibly for our wellbeing, but with a growing business, very little unemployment, and n better spirit as to the outlook. kith warmest regards, and lay best vishee for Chrietlae and for the New °ear, I sin, `fours sincerely, Mr. William Mackenzie, 22 MoadoAside, Dundee, 9cotland. Mr Beyer - Will you please write by hand the following letter to be signed by Mr. Strong. January 31, 1924. Dear Mr. Mackenzie: With most profound regret I learn on my return from a short absence South that you have suffered the supreme loss of losing your life companion. This is indeed a sad blow, and I am writing at once to let you know that you have my most profound sympathy. Very sincerely, your friend, Mr. William Mackenzie, 22, Meadowside, Dundee, Scotland. BS.MV 'et January 12, 14125. My dear Mr. Mackenzie: It Va.8 a great pleasure this loraing to fine your letter of Decemter O, enu I thenk you moat cordially for the Boor. wishes /Mai it expressed. So far as family matters are concerned, I can send you a very good report. My mother ene eieter are Loth well, although unfortunetely, last eummer mother uUffered a very aevere illness which at the time caused ue great elem. when she reached 'Epode Hole to spend the summer, he was taken sick and shortly developed a ecvere case of pmaumonia bhich kept her in the hands of doctors and nurses all summer. Moe, hoecver, both mother area sister are perfectly well. My eldest on is merrier; ane living in he tork. He, you will recall, %,itis in France ouring the ear. pr daughter, Katharine, ie also married and living ie Minneeote, shore oho is very happy, having; just com- pleted e new house. Her husband ie a mining engineer in the employ of the Hume Ore linine Comea4y. As to myself, I keep pretty well, ulthough I heve been exceedingly busy for some time past. kith my family eo cuch reeucea, my younger boy ?hilip ane I are living in e little aparLment at 270 Pt.rx Avenue, end I find it :ore comfortuble mad lees bother to give up housekeeping, so we are living in 1 comeined hotel ty:.nmeut it,hout the bother of a housekeeper meld servants. This im .bout all the family news. What you say about the exchange is interesting, indeed. I h've always felt that a gooc many of our morriee would he relieved when the gold standard zee restored to something like normal operation; but, en you say, it is a matter requiring a gooc deal of thought nc.; care, ene I find from my contact with your own people, that they ere just as conscious of all the difficulties as we are. I am elec. to gain such convincing evidence in your letter that you erg well mUG vigorous. The next time I em in London, which may indeed be Lhi3 summer, I em going to try and save time for a quick run up to Dundee to see you. kith many good wiehee for the New Tear, I am Sincerely yours, Allies Mackenzie, Esew, 64 Reform Street, Dundee, Scotland. eSe Le September 17, 1925. My dear Mr. Mackenzie: It seems ungrateful, indeed, for as to answer your kind letter of iguat 28 after such a delay, especially as the delay was caused by my tctually being abroad for a large pert of the summer. It was much in my mind tast, had time permitted, I would rom up to Scotland for a visit with you, especially as I ha also promised fey days Lord Grey to visit him in F&llodon. Unfortunately I hies or,l in London on my arrival, then a very Ehort stay tfter returning there from a longer trip on the Continent, and I never left the city or London during the 'leek or ten days I wt.s My aother and sister are both well and are still at Foods hole where they always !rend tts nummem. On retumirk; the virtt of October they propose to sail icrueelately on the second for Italy, where they dill spend hc, winter, and some timf; next year they a e i,ropo:dng to visit both France ant' England. This may be the occasion for your seein8 them, which I know they will both greatly enjoy. As I only e_rrived hoot 1it ni.Eht and have !, mtba of work rweitim; attention, I can send you but s. short letter yhich carries with it many good. wishes. You aay be sure tent I sill pass your leer.zeo on to my mother and mater et once. With warmest regarde, believe me, Very cincerely youre, Mr. Ailliam Mackenzie, 64 Reform Street, Dundee, Sbotln-2.. BS.LS Nov;:mber 12, 1925 Ity ds, r but I h...v3 Your letLer of October S rolohed me in du eourz.e, unt,b1,1 to r,a?ly up to nor!. ti f Eeoret!.ry, 600L1 Nibs L.t,e6, and just that clay is over. dino 7-1secker, h,-.6 been in touch with I have L free evening I as fr.! my 1-)u Philip, when the mr Voti2erts addrear in It.!:ly is c/a Dr. Agostino Mattoli, 80 Via Sietina, itqy. hay not jr-t, decided where She .ill be in E.o1,,nd nor, i.hon it bc possible for her to .,et there. But (At mewing her ycur letter, E'-nCi it sell to ,-.y be th..tt you ill hee.r from her. I wish th-Lt it ),ere for me to do somethine; for Visa Lena,, but unfortunl,tely one of my ciEtere-in-luv hsa juLt lost her ff.ther and le very much proctr. teO, my brother Archtp wife hew two tc.h.if:, on her h ju .t non, n'ither of hsa been vfry wen. xith my Vother an 9.:-Iter in Tidy, it le-ve me rather short of ladies in my family to .chow her Piny hospitality. 5.7.0 pith kinde8t regards, bdicve me Sincerely your, 1111,3 IfAckenzit, 34, Reform Street, Dundee, Scotl-no.
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