Catt, Carrie Chapman General Correspondence Hyde, Clara 1924-26 Noted Feb 17, 1924 Hotel Soreno, St. Petersburg, Florida Dear Clara: We were never able to tell you any of the story about our stay in Cuba because they kept us so hard at work. I have given Miss Adams the task or our writing it up for the Citizen and perhaps you will hear something about it from Mrs. Brown or Miss Adams if they have time, which they probably won't. We were met at the boat by a body of women, some carrying a huge bouquet of roses and some a big yellow banner bearing the word "suggragista". As soon as we stepped off, we were surrounded by a "mob" of friendly welcomers and an American woman seized me and said, "You must make a decision at once. The Mayor's car is here and his representative is here to take you to the hotel, but the women have another car and they are not friendly to the Mayor and want you to go with them. The Parti Suggragista is with the Mayor, The Federation of Women's Clubs is against the Mayor. Which will you choose? It is politics." So I replied like the Judge in the Bible who decided between the two mothers as to which one owned the child andIsaid, "I will go in the Mayor's car and Miss Hay will go in the women's car." It was in vain, however, that we pled for time to take our eleven pieces of baggage through the customs. Each was so afraid its half of the Suffrage Commission would get mixed up with the other group, that we were fairly lifted and carried to those two automobiles where we sat baggageless, but buried in flowers. Poor Mildred, chaperoned by a friendly American woman, had to stay behind and try to mobilize the baggage she had never seen. We got to the hotel about 4 P.M., I think, and at 8:30 there was a public meeting to welcome us officially. My trunk and toilet bag did not arrive, so I had to borrow some powder for my nose, a nightgown to sleep in and a clean handkerchief in weep in. With such toilet as I could command, I appeared and we were all welcomed and I made my first speech. The next morning the lost baggage was recovered, but alas, Miss Adams had fallen ill with diarrhea in the night and couldn't get up. She said it was the water, but I always thought it was the customs, which, had there been not politics in Cuba, we would have attended to. Miss Hay and I, however, appeared in our best bib and tucker at the Country Club for lunch where there were more speeches. On the third day there were visits to two institutions with eats and speeches. One ought never to crow, but in the evening, as I looked at Miss Adams lying white and sick on her pillow, and at Miss Hay, looking about as white and tired altho still going, I did what one should never do - I crowed over my superior endurance and went to bed quite swelled up in my pride. At three in the morning I was taken with Miss Adams' malady and couldn't get up. I had no pep left, but the two white, sick ones, looking like two escapes from a hospital, went and Miss Hay made my two speeches for me. -2- On the morning of the fourth day Mollie arose like a martyr again and made a third speech for me. That afternoon I put Mollie to bed and I arose and went forth and did my duty and failed no more, but - there were three buts; 1st but: Miss Adams never got back to normalcy while I was with her. 2nd but: Mollie hasn't recovered from that day and a half of speechmaking yet. It gave her a back set which I greatly regretted. 3rd but: I made seven speeches (besides some little ones) pumping them out sentence by sentence, while an interpreter stood at my elbow and put them into Spanish. Some of the occasions are worthy of more description, but the comment I feel most impressively is that we all survived, and that the aim we went to accomplish was achieved, and so far as we know, there were no casualties among the Cubans. The day we left nearly finished us, being already considerably frayed. It took just an hour and a half for us two, Miss Adams and Mrs. Newman, to get our baggage and ourselves aboard the steamer which would take us to Tampa. Then came the Federation's Committee on Farewells and we said good-bye until, utterly exhausted, we went on board and the Committee went away. Then the Partido came with their yellow banner and exposed us to all the four hundred passengers on that steamer - the Cuba. We moved and threw kisses for another half hour when the ship, growing petulant, sailed away - a half hour late. On the deck, with the summer sun warming us, our tired eyes gazed with more indifference than they should upon the stern walls of Morrow Castle, the green hills and waving palms and the cream colored city of Havana until it faded from view. About that time that little Cuba ship began to pitch and roll and stand on end, whereupon three hundred and ninety-eight (more or less) of the four hundred passengers sought the rail or their staterooms, if they had them, and afterwards confessed unblushingly what became of their breakfasts. The two passengers who refused to descend to such human weakness were these two tired old ladies - too tired to waste strength on any mal de mer. At five o'clock we arrived at Key West and every blessed thing a passenger owned had to be lugged off to the customs. It was one awful experience. We were just two hours getting through jostling, crowding, begging for porters, imploring inspectors, etc., and when we got board with our eleven pieces of baggage still with us, we sank into our chairs with the vim of a fish caught out of the sea. The chief cause really was the contraband whiskey. At eleven the next day we arrived in Tampa Bay and there was another group of women with bouquets and welcomes - the League of Women Voters of Tampa. They aided us and we were soon packed like sardines on a little launch which quickly brought us across a calm summer sea to St. Petersburg. We fought, bled and almost died to get a conveyance and again friends, who turned out to be almost neighbors in Westchester County, came to our rescue, got a cab and before we knew it, we were walking out of the dining room at the Soreno, conscious that we had had the best meal since we left New York. The repast ended for me with a piece of lemon pie which gave me a whale of a case of indigestion for the rest of the day, but I still think it was worth it. -3- At three the League of Women Voters came with many cars decorated with yellow and took us for a drive all about town. Mrs. Owen Lovejoy is one of the members and she sent us two immense baskets of fruit - grape fruit, oranges, tangerines and cumquats. Bouquets of roses followed and we went to bed well fed, happy and tireder than old King Tut. We have been here now just a week. We are about as tired as when we arrived. Mollie's afflictions are not much improved, but she is hopeful. We have now a regular program. We have breakfast and are back in our rooms by 9 A.M. I began the second day to take Spanish lessons and I have had five already. I take them from 9 to 10 every day. Then we go out to walk or sit in the park in the sun till lunch time. That over, I read the Morning Times and Tribune three days after they are printed. Then I study my Spanish lesson till dinner and when that is over, I read a bit, knit and go to bed. Mollie reads the papers and goes to bed with a hot water bottle on her throat. Thus we have spent the first week of our rest. Something nearly happened, but not quite. There is a place where there are many settees on the street (they are plentiful all over town) where the traffic is dense and they are called matrimonial benches. Here the wandering, broken down old widowers and old maids and widows meet and soon seek a clergyman. The other day I planted Old Maid Mollie on one of those benches and went off to do a little errand. When I got back there was an old codger sitting beside her! I would have given several dollars for a Kodak. I could not repress a grin, but Oh, she is a hopeless one. She was so tired and sleepy, she had not noticed that he was there! He looked as though he hadn't noticed her either! I am afraid we shall have no romance to record. There are more grandfathers and grandmothers here than I have seen in all my life. They are mostly rheumatic, growly and grouchy. Some are wheeled in chairs, some go with canes and some drag their own feet along the way we do. We read that the temperature in New York is about 25 to 30 degrees. Here it is 70 degrees in the morning and evening, rising to 78 in the house and on the window sill in the sun at 2 o'clock, it rose to 98. Lovingly, (Signed) Carrie Chapman Catt. February 17, 1924. Letterhead: Rosa Manus Pl. Parklan IS Amsterdam Febr. 20th24 In pencil, circled with a checkmark: Reid 2/4/24 Miss C. Hyde New York Dear Clara, To begin with, I have to thank you very much indeed for sending your gift for Dr. Jacobs' birthday. Well, my dear, we had a glorious day and Dr. Jacobs was very fit. We gave her a grand celebration. I was made President of the Committee and I had a difficult but nice task. Everything went off splendidly, she has a very nice reception in the afternoon, at the Women's Clubhouse, in the Hague, where many speakers, men and women, came. Dr. Jacobs has written her "Remembrances" and I managed, to get them away from her, and have them printed. On account of her illness however 2 chapters were not ready, but she is working hard, to get them done. The book is a most interesting and valuable one, telling many stories of old times and about the difficulties Dr. Jacobs had to come to the University and to practice. It has been translated into English, and I think one day it will be published either in America or in England, so you will be able to enjoy it too, it is really worthwhile reading. Yes the evening we had a large dinner. I am still waiting with patience to hear from you about Mrs. Catt's business, don't tell me, you have not got it yet, as then I think, I will have to come over and put my foot down, as I suppose the "Chief" needs some pulling at hte other side to balance. !!! I had a very long letter from Mrs. Catt, giving me all her news, and plans for the futurehowever we two have not decided anything definitively, and all is still in the air. I have had a long letter from Bertha Lutz, their government seems to have given them some money, but more to arrange an exhibition, than to hold a Congress, so I honestly think, and wrote likewise to Mrs. Catt, that we could better spend our money, to go into a new country. I want to go to to India and Egypt, and it will be necessary for the Chief, to visit the southern countries, next winter and she also wants to spend some time in France. I would like to go to the farm a few weeks in September, if Mrs. Catt can have me. I don't think I can manage to go away before from my family, but I must have a few weeks "Juneperledge" before it is sold. The Chief says she hopes it will not be sold yet, she in her back side has an idea, of selling a part of the farm with the house and then to build a new house on the other part, to live in. This of course Mollie, won't approve, as she hates the life in the country more than ever. I have been asked to speak at a big reception of the annual meeting of the National Union of equal citizenship and as our Headquarters want a meeting too, I intend to go to London for a few days. I wish, Clara, you lived in London and not in New York, as it seems a shame, we see so little of each other in this life. How is your business going this winter, are you contented? Our Club house will probably be opened the first of April, and I am very busy as I am furnishing it. It is a nice job, but gives much work. I am waiting for your promised long letter, don't forget to send it off. Much love As always from Dulchie [transcriber's note: Not sure on name] Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue New York Hotel Soreno, St Petersburg Mch 5,1924 My dear Clara: I am a frugal person and I've been saving this stamped envelope for many a day and now it goes. Many thanks for your letter but I have no time to write letters. The study of Spanish, keeping up with a Senate all gone crazy, watching oil and taking three meals a day in a hotel dining room with a walk each day makes the days pass without a moment for anything else. We also have osteopathy three times a week. We ought to come back ready for work. That was not good news about the income tax. I have supposed that both national and state amended income tax bills would be made applicable to the tax due on 1923 and I think both bills will get through. Our dear honest representatives do not dare go to an election until they do. Now how much of any reduction I will get is impossible to tell until they are passed. Therefore you are right to pay only a quarter now (if that is the rule) I cannot stand it all at once anyway. I have thought of building a house and trying to sell some of the farm with it. I shall make inquiries first. If I find that inadvisable I will make a more vigorous effort to sell the farm. I must get a smaller place. I don't think it will be in Florida. We shall arrive home on April 1. We will move on by degrees leaving here the 15th. We will be at Tampa Bay Hotel, Tampa Fla, 15th, 16, 17. Alcazar, St. Augustine 18, 19, 20. De Soto, Savannah 21, 22. We are trying to get reservations at Sou. Pines, N. Car. for 23, 24, 25, 26 but haven't succeeded yet and we will be in Washington 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 -- probably Hotel Hamilton. There are hordes down here and sleeping reservations on trains have to be made weeks before, but we will not travel at night if we can get in at Southern Pines. We are going to stop in W. and see the oil bubble. Such a mess! There may be terrible things beneath, but they haven't proved anything yet. They just yell at each other. The one thing that will be indicted and condemned will be the Senate! And if the constituents were sensible they would retire a lot of them and give the nation a change of voices at any rate. I think Vanderlip was pretty foolish but I agree with him that the big facts are not coming out. They are too well covered. Lovingly, Carrie Chapman Catt [*Mrs Catt Hotel Soreno St. Petersburg Fla*] March 6th, 1924 Dear Lady:- I am writing the enclosed for a record as well as for your information now. If the matter is brought up later we will have the record to go by. I will attach it to the Tax Return for 1923, together with other data on the same matter. We are getting a deluge of German women. Dr. Auspurg and Miss Heyman are here now. They came over principally for the Peace Congress in Washington. I heard them at Mrs. Villard's house. They don't speak English well, especially Dr. Auspurg. But I tell you who can speak it well - Dr. Alice Solomon. She spoke last Sunday morning before the Ethical Culture Society. She was splendid and made a very good impression. She is the very opposite of Adela Schreiber - very tactful and moderate. I think Adela Schreiber is quite a wonderful woman, but she made an unfortunate start-off. Following an F P A luncheon where the Ruhr was discussed, she told me that she had not fully realized until then how strong still was the pro-French sentiment. I hear you are moving on from St. Petersburg on the 15th. I hope your stay there has done you ever so much good. With love, [*I have made up the tax returns (State & Federal) for John and George.*] Hotel Soreno Beach Drive St. Petersburg Florida March 9, 1924 Sunday the 9th My dear Clara: I read today--Friday Times that a move was made to get a flat reduction roled before the 15th Of course you will delay as long as possible and then deduct whatever you can. I believe there is a deduction for state income tax. Did you donate. If they would stop fussing at the law we would know where we stand, wouldn't we. What I am thinking about the Savannah & Atlanta is that when they get up to my annual exemptions they will make me pay and what if of have to pay back taxes and front taxes in one year it will be a solar plexus blow. If however you think you will be alive to explain when they get around to the year 1924 and you think there is certain advantage in it, I'll stand for it. However, I want to suggest one other factor. They won't examine that return until about 1929 and I honestly think I'll be dead by that time. Now suppose I were. With the inheritance taxes and all, it might prove a hard task to pay back income tax although I'd rather my survivors would pay it than me. The year when the Receiver is discharged is likely to be after I am well acclimated on the other shore. Think it over. Then I'll stand for your decision. I return the letter to hold for me with the copy of the tax return when I get home. I've no place for it. We are shipping some things from here so as not to have so much baggage. I hear the angels in Heaven sing in Spanish! I'll be ready for 'em. I am going to be embarrassed by the suffragist pacificist coming over, with whom I do not agree. You better come along and take care of me. Some of them let Augsberg and Heymann got kicked out I think. Miss Marshall and Vilma Glucklick are nice ones, but they are after my friend Aletta to do some birth control. We quarrelled all around the world about it and I haven't changed my mind - nor she hers. I don't mind how much they control the births but I don't like nor think necessary all the talk about it. The strawberries are ripe in the gardens. I have roses and nasturtiums from gardens, yet I don't think I like Florida so awfully well. Lovingly, Carrie C. Catt Van [Aersenthaal] 46. Hague Ans March 17 Recd March 10/24 Dear Clara- Today I am writing to you as Dr. Jacobs's secretary. I am helping her to try and get through her piles of correspondence she received for her 70th birthday. Now let me tell you first that Dr. Jacobs is sailing on the New Amsterdam which leaves on the 2 of April and will be in New York about the 10th of April. She very much hopes, that you will be able to meet her at the dock and see, that she gets through the formalities as quickly as possible. She says you did so very well for her last time; so dear girl do all you can please for her. She may be going to stay at Mrs. Catt's at once, but nothing is fixed yet. You will surely communicate with the Chief and hear about it. I have written in my last letter to you about Dr. Jacob's celebration and how delighted she was with all the tokens of affection and gratitude from her friends all over the world. Dr. Jacobs is much looking forward to her American trip and I hope she will be strong enough to enjoy it. I wish I was coming along with her. I would simply love to go over again, but I am afraid I cannot leave just now. However, dear friend you will see me some day again! Much love untill then always your loving Dutchie My dear Clara, I feel so glad to to go to the U.S.A. again, and to meet all my good friends again. I hope to see soon your bright friendly face. Rosa is helping me through the heap of telegrams, letters, cards and presents I have to thank for. It was a splendid day and Rosa was the perfect president of the committee and of the reception and dinner that day. I should like to live long to enjoy the remembrance of that day a long time. But now I cannot talk longer to you because soon we will have the opportunity to see each other and to speak from mouth to mouth to each other. Rosa told me that you were one of the dear friends who contributed to the most useful present which was given to me on my birthday. I received many presents and I never before thought it possible that I had so many friends in the world. Now I began again to talk with you and forget so thank you for your kind gift, because it shows me that I have still a little corn in your heart and that is what I love most of all. With a hearty kiss, Yours Aletta H. Jacobs. March 14th, 1924 Dear Lady: - The enclosed is for record. Glad you are coming up by easy stages. I read that Lenroot is gone down to Southern Pines! One man out with too big a party load to carry. I'll bet he is glad. If you hear that I've been arrested for disorderly conduct, you'll know it was because Moses and Jim Reed were badly licked. The Times has an arousing editorial about "Where was Moses and What Was He About". I had a letter from Rosa and one from Dr. Jacobs asking me to meet the Doctor when she arrives. I have promised to be there if alive. Eleanor Garrison was here from Boston. Was dreadfully disappointed not see her Angel. Weather here cold but clear and wonderful. Lots of love March 20, 1914 Rosa My dearest Clara: - Although I am very tired after a full day's of work I really cannot wait any longer. So I will have a nice chat with you, and I am convinced I shall feel much less tired after doing so. I got your hasty note of Feb. 29th and your lovely long epistle of Feb. 24th - It is always such real joy to get your letters and it is nice to feel such strong sympathy and love with friends far away. Well Clara I am sorry things went as they did; but you must make the best of it and one day all may come right again. I have not had letters about CCC dessentery nor of her trip to Cuba and I wished and hoped I would get the bulletin to read - So even more it would give me endless joy. Fancy - fancy. The smash up was also new to me - a real narrow escape. 2 D Jacob is sailing the 3' of April she gave you address for mail as she did not know where to have things sent to, and we both were sure you would kindly see to her mail and forward it. I am leaving for a week to London. The National Union has their annual meeting, and they want me to speak for them at an evening reception. I am going to tell them something about Holland but mostly I will talk about the South American trip. I do hope they will be satisfied. You know Clara I am not a speaker - but I find it so silly if people want me to say something and I always say no. After all one must try and as there are not so very many of our dutch women who go abroad and speak. I find it necessary to accept. I wish Clara you would be in the audience, then you could tell me frankly what you think of it. Mother Catt would smile sarcastically if she heard it. it seems a bit cheeky of me surely 3 Rosa but still as I am speaking in English - people are always more tollerant for a foreighner. We will also have a Board meeting at the Headquarters of the Alliance I mean a meeting of Headquarters Committee as they have just had a Board meeting in Paris. Mrs. Ashby has first visited Berlin and a few other german towns and now went to France. I am so glad she did as it is most essential to keep them alive. The Nationality of married women Committee is always as [?] still but otherwise it is all standing still a bit. I wonder what will become of the Alliance and if there shall ever be another Congress! In Holland we are also living through difficult times. our Government being so very reactionary. Dr. Jacob will tell you all about it. I did so wish to join her - but duty calls me here. About the 15th of April we go to our Country place again and I have to install everybody nicely. I have a charming new young housekeeper - after looking for one for months. She seems capable and has a good head. Besides her housekeeping duties, she seems to take a keen interest in my work. She loves to [lo?] typing for me and is quite a good stenographer in several languages. So I do hope in a few months I can leave her to look after the family and I can fly off to Mother Catt. At times I have such a strong desire to see her again I can hardly await the time [until?] we meet again. The 10th of April we mean to open our first Amsterdam Clubhouse for Women. I am working hard for it and I think it will be a success. Drop me a line [?] again, even a short note is enjoyable. Write to Baarn again as I shall be there when the next Clara note comes. Love in great bunches and good luck dear girl. Always your loving Dutchie. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK April 16, 1924. Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. Dear Clara: I have your official letter concerning the taxes of 1924. Perhaps the best thing I can do, is to pay these taxes and make a sworn statement that I have ceased to be a resident of the County, so they will not come next year. I still have my goods in storage here. Perhaps it would be money well spent if I should take them out and burn them up. I enclose a statement which I might make if useful, but I do not think it is. If you advise me to pay the taxes, I will do it myself and make a statement direct from here. Please telephone if you advise it. I am liable not to be in on Thursday as I am to Bronxville if it is a nice day to see the Park Commission who are trying to run a parkway through my nice farm. Dr. Jacobs is anxious to see you and as soon as I can manage it, I am going to invite you to dinner or something. By the way, Dr. Jacobs is willing (I do not think she is anxious) to accept my invitation to the circus. If I sound her out again and find that she is more cheerfully willing, will you accept an invitation to go along? You can tell me that over the telephone too and if by chance I do not happen to be in, you can tell Miss Wald and it will do just as well. Lovingly, Carrie C Catt 317 West 45th St. New York, April 18th, 1924 You dear Girl: - I was very happy to have your nice long letter of March 20th written when you were so busy and had such important things on hand to do. You should have had an earlier reply only I too was very busy. We have two most trying dates in this country - one is March 15th and other is April 15th. They both relate to the income tax nuisance, one the Federal Government and the other the State Government. Happily both are out of the way now, and while I am very busy, I am not so hard pressed. I am doing very well in my venture. First let me say that I was on hand to meet Dr. Jacobs. She arrived at the ungodly hour of eight in the morning at Hoboken on Sunday last (4/13). There was a mere handful to meet the incoming passengers at this early hour. Miss Addams had sent a representative to meet Dr. Jacobs. Fortunately we knew one another. Mrs. Catt had to be in Washington, but we agreed that I should go over to Hoboken and look after the Doctor when she landed, and Mollie was to follow later in the car which she did. I was most agreeably surprised to find Dr. Jacobs looking so well. She had a splendid voyage - a smooth sea, but cold. The customs business was easily managed. The only thing that the inspectors examined was the package of Dutch bean seeds which you sent to Mrs. Catt. The inspector took the package to some higher authority, but came back in five minutes with permission to pass. I think the package was not even opened. So you will probably have Dutch beans when you come over next fall. Mrs. Catt had arranged for the Doctor to go to Bretton Hall. After interviews with two reporters on the pier, we started off for New York in the car. One of the reporters was a young Dutch woman who is New York correspondent for a Dutch paper - the best paper in the whole world, so Dr. Jacobs explained. I shall not attempt to say its name. Fortunately, Mrs. Catt was due from Washington Sunday afternoon -, so it was only a few hours until she greeted Dr. Jacobs. She had been attending a meeting of her College Sorority which had presented to the Government a portrait of Mrs. Coolidge, who is also a member of this organization. Then followed a dinner attended by the President and Mrs. Coolidge, at which Mrs. Catt was the main speaker. Dr. J. will be in New York until April 24th and then go to Washington, stopping on the way for meetings a various points. The Washington meeting opens April 30th. Mrs. Catt and Mollie are leaving here also on the 24th for Buffalo, where they will attend the National Convention for the League of Women Voters. Mrs. Catt has agreed to stand by this convention for the entire session. Maud Park has been very ill this spring, and when Mrs. Catt saw her in Washington Mrs. Park got her pledge to stay until the convention was over. Mrs. Park retires this year. Miss Belle Sherwin, the present vice president, is expected to take Mrs. Park's place. Dr. Jacobs and Vilma Glucklich and other European women who are going to the Washington meeting, will have a big meeting here on April 23rd in the roof garden of the Pennsylvania Hotel. I hope to see all these splendid women then. I suppose Mrs. Catt will be there to, but perhaps not. I understand that she has written Jane Addams that she is not attending the Washington meeting because she is not in entire accord with the program. She told me yesterday that Rosika Schwimmer was here, and that I would be interested to know that Dr. Jacobs was not speaking to her. She was taking Vilma Glucklich and some other good friend from abroad to lunch with Rosika, and I suppose she could not take the Doctor - at least that is what I understood. We We were talking over the telephone and Mollie was constantly butting into the conversation at Mrs. Catt's end of the wire - so it was not as clear to me as it might have been had Mollie kept out. The circus is in town. Circurses are one of the Chief's weaknesses. She wants to take the Doctor if the Doctor cares to go. I am to go too if they go. I have not yet seen Mrs. Catt since her return from the South. All of our conversations have been either by letter or telephone - so I don't really know how she looks. Mollie says she is well, except for rheumatism, which both of them got worse than even when they were in Florida. Mrs. Catt hates Florida - so she says. And since she has been home she has felt more like herself. Mollie says they will go to California next winter. By the way, it may be news to you that she is going to California (Los Angeles) to attend the Bienniel Convention of the Federation of Women's Clubs, which opens June 1st. Her expenses will be paid. Mollie told me that Mrs .Pennybacker arranged the business. I am glad she is going, because there is sure to be some sort of pro-military propaganda attempted. The militarists here are working hard to stem the tide of anti-military work. The Federation is a powerful organization and there are a good many reactionary women in it who are quite ready to cooperate with the influences who are eagerly pushing for military preparedness. Recruiting here has been pretty much of a failure, and everything is being done to boost it. Mrs. Raymond Brown will go with Mrs. Catt. Mrs. Brown represents the Woman Citizen there. They will stop on the way to visit the famous Grand Canyon in the State of Arizona. This is a very wonderful gorge 7000 feet deep through which flows the turbulent Colorado River. Mrs.Catt and Mollie are staying at Bretton Hall during April. On May 1st they will move to the farm. Mrs. Catt has been visiting Park Commissioners etc. about a proposal to make a parkway. According to the plans the parkway runs right thru John's house on her land which lies across the road from the main property. This means that her land would be condemned and that she would be obliged to give it up. Of course she would be paid for it. She told me yesterday however that nothing will be done about it until a year from now - so she will have peace for at least this summer. What a wonderful treasure you have found in your new housekeeper. I never heard of one who added stenography to her virtues. I hope you will be lucky enough to keep her so that you can run away in the fall without disturbing your home arrangements. You won't get the benefit of the fall bloom season at Mrs.Catt's farm - but you will miss the awful summer heat, which is a big relief. The falls here are very beautiful, and I know you will revel in them. Westchester County, where the farm is, is especially lovely at that time. Whenever you come, you may be sure I shall love to see you. I wonder how the London Board meeting came out. Dr.Jacobs said you had just returned as she was leaving. From all I hear I am not very hopeful of its future. Were you the guilty one responsible for a letter I received from Frances Sterling? The Doctor and I think you were! She has asked me to go on an International Financial Standing Committee. I would love to do it, had I the time. But I just simply have not - so I shall have to regretfully decline. I make a rule never to go on a Committee unless I can work with it. And this I cannot do in this case. I was very much interested in your"speaking engagement" in London. I don't for a moment think it is cheeky of you to do it. I think you are very brave to do it in a foreign tongue, and I am sure you did it well. I am in favor of your doing it whenever the opportunity comes- in fact I think it is your duty to do it. The opening of your Club House must have been a great event - and I should like to have been there, and seen for myself all your good work for it. I still have much to say,but I must stop now to catch to-morrow's steamer. I forgot to say that Mollie seems much better, though she still has trouble with her arm. Can't lift it to fasten her dress - has to have aid to do it. More in my next' Meantime, my best love to you dear girl, and kindest regards to your brother and his wife. Lovingly, CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK May 24, 1924. Miss Clara M. Hyde, 366 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. My dear Clara, After many requests I have received your bill, but I am not satisfied with it because you did a good many things for me in addition to making the income tax returns for the two years; besides that, when they summon me, as I am sure they will for having charged up losses against the income tax, you will be my only defense. Therefore, I cannot be quite content to pay the bill as you sent it and enclose a check for $100. I am not coming into town before I leave for California except on Monday next, when I am having a conference all day, but I shall hope to see you when I return. I am going to make a speech ostensibly, but in reality, to find out if California is as nice as Westchester County. Lovingly, Carrie C. Catt [*To State Tax Commission date Aug 15 for [?] of decision & return of extra tax*] [*Reid Aug 26/24] My dear Clara: I overlooked this enclosure and as Mrs. Wald has been off for a week, I've had a week too. I would rather you would sign the letter because you understand it and I dont. I am always suspicious when I get a sudden demand to buy something. I am glad to hear that something is coming from that [Aaytian?] thing. I think I have some where ruin things but it doesn't seem to be a good time to exchange. I've had a happy summer out here but nobody else has. Mary Pect is expected Tuesday, Mrs. Pennytacker Saturday, and Rosa Marcus next week. Do you allow yourself a vacation this year. We may come to the [lucce?] when there will be a vacant bed. Flora Hay was here a month. Dr. Jacobs two weeks etc. Always all, Clara dear. I love you now and all the time. Lovingly, C. C. C. Leslie Woman Suffrage Commission, Inc. 154 CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT, PRESIDENT BUREAU OF SUFFRAGE EDUCATION ROSE YOUNG, DIRECTOR Feature Department MARY OGDEN WHITE, CHAIRMAN TELEPHONE: 4818 MURRAY HILL 171 Madison Avenue New York, White--Suffrage Blue--No Suffrage White: ALASKA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, ONTARIO WASHINGTON, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, IDAHO, NEVADA, UTAH, ARIZONA, MONTANA, WYOMING, COLORADO, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, KANSAS, ILLINOIS, ARKANSAS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, OHIO Aug 28/24 Dear Chief: I have sent the letter off to the Tax Commission. It looks like a terribly full house for you for weeks to come. Why couldn't I come out for a day some time when it is convenient. That's safer than trusting to the vacant bed. Mary Peck is going to let me dig worms in the lovely garden for a few days. I'm expecting to go there Sept 10 and remain till the 20th unless she throws me out sooner. I'll probably be at the boat to meet [?]. I told her I'd be there. Perhaps you'll be there too. Tell Mary the Prince is sorry she picked on the [?] Friday to meet him. He is arriving this week–not next. I had a lively chat with him a few nights ago–in a dream. Love Clara PS Did you rec. a box of candy from me? I want to make sure Mabel didn't eat it herself. She want to get fat. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK September 11, 1924 Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. My dear Clara: I think you are justified in being suspicious of Mabel when she is entrusted with a box of chocolates. As a matter of fact, she gave them to me safely. They were put on a table with some I had already secured. I think Mabel snitched them off the table before they were finished and as a reward for making the drinks, I presented her with the remainder which she promptly devoured. The poor girl worked hard and after the party was over, she slept for the balance of the day. I am glad you sent me the box of chocolates, because you had no business to eat one of them and I saved your life. I am glad they arrived for the party, for I should not eat them and I was not obligated to do so. I am glad Mabel got them, for she has the best appetite for chocolate of anybody I know and they do not make her fat. It was wrong of me not to thank you for them. I suppose the reason I did not, was because they did not do me any good. We shall make a date with you before long. Rosa Manus arrived Saturday. Lovingly now and ever, Carrie Chapman Catt CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK December 10, 1924. Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue, New York City. Dear Clara: I enclose a ticket to Rose Marie which is in the first row of the balcony. You can come directly there and take your seat whenever you arrive. If we are not there, we will come later and we will probably be there before you arrive. After the matinee we will go to the Women's City Club for our dinner, which will be at 6:30, and after that, we will take you home. Lovingly, C C Catt Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue New York These goods were purchased at Lord and Taylors and tax at bottom at place indicated but as I am not at all certain that the number or the color or the quality or even the nature of the article will prove acceptable the price marks are left attached contrary to all rules of the Xmas game, in order that you can take them back and get a Riddle dual if you prefer ccc. Read before peeping Copy December 31, 1924. Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. My dear Clara, I was going out to the farm on December 23rd when your big box appeared. I had suspicion that whatever it contained had better take a journey with me and so I did not obey orders not to open it before Christmas. That vase is a most charming addition to my collection and in the season of big flowers will be a constant joy. It is a beauty and looks as though it had cost altogether too much money to please my notions of what you ought to have done. When I found in addition that I was the recipient of an enormous fruit cake, I took to my bed in sheer despair. The big vase went out to the farm on the 23rd and I ought to have looked inside the other package then. I have allowed no one to have a sniff of it as everyone's digestion is below par just now. It has, therefore, been put back in the box, carefully labeled, and awaits out return from Washington. In the meantime, let me say that you have done quite enough to last for the next five years. Perhaps you thought I might not be here that long, so you gave me an extra lift at this time, but I want you to know that I am not going yet. I am sorry to go away and not see you. Of course, I am expecting you to make out my income tax report and I am expecting you also to go to jail as my representative when they come down on me with penalties for the last report. Aha! I will just save a big piece of that fruit cake for the inspector when he comes. Well, many thanks, dear Clara, for all your generous kindness, but it comes with regret that you are so wasteful. Mollie tells me that the tickets for the matinee were in a sort of nigger heaven. Those tickets cost as much as they do in other theatres, so I thought they were all right. Neither Mollie nor Rosa liked the matinee very much. My selection was not good. I am sorry. Affectionately yours, (Signed) Carrie Chapman Catt Dictated but not read as Mrs. Catt has already left for Washington. [COPY] December 31, 1924. Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue New York, N.Y. My dear Clara: I was going out to the farm on December 23rd when your big box appeared. I had suspicions that whatever it contained had better take a journey with me and so I did not obey orders not to open it before Christmas. That vase is a most charming addition to my collection and in the season of big flowers will be a constant joy. It is a beauty and looks as though it had cost altogether too much money to please my notions of what you ought to have done. When I found in addition that I was the recipient of an enormous fruit cake, I took to my bed in sheer despair. The big vase went out to the farm on the 23rd and I ought to have looked inside the other package then. I have allowed no one to have a sniff of it as everyone's digestion is below par just now. It has, therefore, been put back in the box, carefully labeled, and awaits ou[r] return return from Washington. In the meantime, let me say that you have done quite enough to last for the next five years. Perhaps you thought I might not be here that long, so you gave me an extra lift at this time, but I want you to know that I am not going yet. I am sorry to go away and not see you. Of course, I am expecting you to make out my income tax report and I am expecting you also to go to jail as my representative when they come down on me with penalties for the last report. Aha! I will just save a big piece of that fruit cake for the inspector when he comes. Well, many thanks, dear Clara, for all your generous kindness, but it comes with regret that you are so wasteful. Mollie tells me that the tickets for the matinee were in a nigger heaven. Those tickets cost as much as they do in other theatres, so I thought they were all right. Neither Mollie nor Rosa liked the matinee very much. My selection was not good. I am sorry. Affectionately yours, (Signed) Carrie Chapman Catt Dictated but not read as Mrs. Catt has already left for Washington. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK July 28, 1925 Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. Dear Clara: Thank you for your communications concerning divers subjects. There is one thing I have noted and that is - a telephone is a nuisance. Whenever I agree to anything by telephone, I forget to put it down and it is about the same way when a dealing is done by conversation. When things come in black and white to my desk, they go through a certain procedure and eventually get attended to. I feel humiliated over my neglect of various correspondence, but when I read the other day that the State Department of our honored country had replied to a letter after seven years' delay, I concluded that I should waste no more time in apologies. I am enclosing the very much delayed check and I am very much ashamed that the delay was so long. It was entirely needless, but as I said, it did not rise up and strike me in the face every time I sat down to my unanswered mail. I thought of it in the night,or when I was on a train, or some other time when it could not be attended to. I am just now on my way to Washington to speak at Helen Gardener's funeral. At this present moment Flora Hay is spending a month at the house. She has been there one week and will be leaving about the fifteenth of August. We are now trying to get the Leslie Commission meeting on August 14th, having previously fixed it for September 15th. Mrs. Upton is intending to stay with us for a few days after the meeting. When she is gone, we shall have a fairly clear field, I believe, and we usually have plenty to eat in the month of September. The inference is that we have a hard time to find things to eat at other times, but don't you believe it! I have wondered where you are going to spend a vacation and when you will take it. I do not want to interfere with it, but either before or after your vacation I hope you will honor us with a week-end. You can pick out your own week-end, but I would suggest that Labor Day is a good -2- one for there is more end to it. We do not have tennis or golf for athletes. People can only sleep at our house and you may not like such lazy behavior, but it is good for you nevertheless. Let me know when you can be with us. Lovingly, Carrie Chapman Catt Dictated but not read. Aug 25/1925 Dear Clara: I do not know when you will return from wherever we went, so I'll just write a note to await you. We are expecting you for Labor Day weekend and you are to decide when you wil come. If it is on Friday evening take a 5.03 train daylight saving. If it is Saturday morning take a 9.50 daylight saving. If on Saturday someone wil meet you. If Friday ask for a Rigney car. We have a monthly charge with them and I wil notify him to be on hand if I know which train you wil be on. It wil be my pleasure to pay for your ticket but [tel?] him to do it afterwards. Get a round trip. I wil [?] a choice [?] spot to show you- otherwise the entertainment is pretty thin. I hope it wont drive you to distraction. Lovingly, Carrie C Catt RF.D. [?] Tel 1597 Briarcliff NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION (Branch GP international woman suffrage alliance and of national council of women) National Headquarters, 171 Madison Avenue Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, Honorary President 1st Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormack, Mass. 2nd Vice-President Miss Mary Garrett Hay, New York 3rd Vice-President Mrs. Guilford Dudley, Tenn. 4th Vice-President Mrs. Raymond Brown, New York League of Women Voters Chairman Mrs. Charles H. Brooks Wichita, Kansas Secretary Miss Katherine Pierce 112 N. Broadway Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 5th Vice-President Mrs. Helen Gardener, Washington, D.C. Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, Conn. Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Frank J. Shuler, New York Recording Secretary Mrs. Halsey W. Wilson, New York Directors Mrs. Charles H. Brooks, Kansas Mrs. J. C. Cantrill, Kentucky Mrs. Richard E. Edwards, Indiana Mrs. George Gelhorn, Missouri Mrs. Ben Hooper, Wisconsin Mrs. Arthur Livermore, New York Miss Esther G. Ogden, New York Mrs. George A. Piersol, Pennsylvania Congressional Committee Mrs. Maud Wood Park, Chairman Headquarters 1626 Rhode Island Avenue Washington, D.C. Press Department Miss Rose Young, Director 171 Madison Ave., New York National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. Miss Esther G. Ogden, President 171 Madison Ave., New York December 8, 1925. Dear Chief: "Cobra" as a movie was a good deal softened down from the spoken-drama version. I saw the latter too. That's one good thing about Will Hays' organization. Producers before buying books or stories or plays to be picturized, try to get an advance verdict from Hays before they risk big sums to make a picture on which the dictator might pronounce "thumbs down." This enormous power can be and probably is sometimes abused by shutting out perfectly legitimate material. The Hays organization is made up of the most powerful producers in the country who have been accused of trying to "hog it all." The fight is on in the courts now. There is a struggle to make the picture business practically a monopoly. One of the objects of merging all interests is to cut down huge salaries to actors, directors, etc. which however, -2- Dec. 8, 1925. would doubtless fatten the purse of the producers in the long run. So that the correction of one abuse, badly needed for some time, opens the door to another. The machinery of the business runs like this:- the producer owns and finances the making of the picture, the director makes the picture, then comes the distribution agency which controls the theatres (called the exhibitors) where the finished picture may be shown. They started as separate entities when the industry was young and growing--but later the producers developed a tendency to amalgamate all three interests in order to control not only the producing end but the distributing and exhibiting ends as well. Group is rivalling group in this way at the present time, still keeping up competition among the big fellows-- but things are moving in the direction of practically complete monopoly by the pooling of rival interests. This has nothing to do per se with your subject, "whether the movies help to make criminals" but may be of interest anyhow. Don't forget to see Fairbanks in "Don Q." He's wholesome in everything he does. My dear Clara: Many many thanks for the scarf. I can find many uses for it at the farm and shall cherish it long. I am still using the round cover you gave my some four or five years ago and it will do for another five. I am giving a birthday party in the form of a table at the Lorrigen Policy luncheon on Jan 9 I have asked M.G.P. to come down for that and the L of N dinner on the 11th where I preside and you be my guest? The guests are just my old suffrage girls Sheile?Jean. Minnie Henrietta Ruhe. I'll put you by Mary if she comes. Lovingly C C Catt Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the Coming Year Carrie Chapman Catt CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 Madison Avenue New York January 6,. 1926. Miss Clara Hyde, 366 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. My dear Clara: I do not know where Miss Peck will be nor when she will arrive, but she is pretty sure to telephone you, so I am sending you her ticket for the luncheon. I Imagine you will be coming together. If, by chance, you should be late, you will know how to find table #18 in the event we have already gone into the dining room; otherwise, you will find me in the place where people receive their guests. You told me the other day that you were going to the dinner on the 11th. I have invited Mary Peck to be my guest for that night, but as I am presiding, I will not be much of a hostess and I shall be very glad if you will take care of her, getting her there and home again. I have not yet ordered her ticket. They have told me that these tickets were to cost $5.00 each, so I enclose a check for that amount and suggest that you order her ticket along with yours so your seats will be together. Lovingly, Carrie C Catt Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.