CAT, Carrie Chapman    GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE  Villard, Oswald Garrison

January 21, 1928.

Mr. Oswald Garrison Villard,
The Nation,
New York City.

My dear Mr. Villard:

Do you want to sue somebody for defamation of character?

I remember you said you have not been able to get real legal grounds
anywhere and I think I have some that might provide you with a cause
if you want it.

You doubtless have seen the pamphlet "Our Common Enemy" which has 
been so widely distributed by the D.A.R.  The internal evidence is 
undeniable that the D.A.R. issued this pamphlet.  It was issued by 
their National Department of Defense, probably.

Organizations and individuals are accused of "subversive" intentions 
against our government and the pamphlet is strong enough.  They, 
however, escaped from a good many suits and damages because they 
omitted the names of persons and organizations.

Now, in Massachusetts, the State Chairman of National Defense has 
sent out the pamphlet "Our Common Enemy" together with a list of 
doubtful speakers and organizations.  On the list of doubtful 
speakers there are plenty of persons who are known to be Socialists 
and some known to be Communists.  Some are merely regarded as 
pacifists.  Among these respectable gentlemen are Dr. David Starr 
Jordan and James C. MacDonald.  You, however, are in the list as 
a Socialist.  In order to understand how severely your character 
and standing has been attacked, you must read the pamphlet.  I have 
no copy of it in Washington where I now am.  I have given away all 
I have collected except one which I have for my own file.

You may not be interested because your suit would doubtless have to 
go to the State D.A.R. of Massachusetts - the proof not being in 
hand that the State Chairmen were instructed to do this by the 
National.  You might possibly get that information and thus sue 
the National which would be better business.  It would be excellent, 
indeed, to have some respectable person do this.  You might, perhaps, 
take a group.  Irving Fisher and Roscoe, for instance, might be 
good companions.

If this interests you, I shall get the list copied when I can.  We 
are busy just now with the aftermath of the Convention and, therefore, 
we are pressed for time.  I shall be in New York at the end of next 
week.

Cordially,

The Nation
20 Vesey Street
New York

February 11th, 1928

Dear Mr. Catt:

I sent Mrs. Bailie's matter to my attorney 
Mr. Morris L. Ernst.  He advises me that there is nothing 
whatever to do, as there is no possibility of bringing a 
suit on any of the material which Mrs. Bailie has submitted.  

This is vexing but it is what I expected.

Cordially yours,
Oswald Garrison Villard

Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt,
The Washington,
Penna Avenue Opposite Treasury,
Washington, D. C.

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