NAWSA General Correspondence Straus, Dorothy Dorothy Straus Counsellor at Law 270 Madison Avenue New York IS, N.Y. December 12, 1946. Dear Lady: Until I have gone into the matter at least a little, I cannot definitely tell you who is the "proper officer" whom you might approach, for I cannot say whether it would be advisable to make a new application for citizenship or to apply to the court for a reopening of the case. The Commissioner of Immigration is Ugo Carusi in Philadelphia. I do not know him personally, but I have been told that he is a rather legalistic and unapproachable gentleman. Of course, you are used to dealing with this type, but I doubt if a direct approach to him would be a wise step, since he might hesitate to make any official commitment. If Rosika Schwimmer approves, I can go to see someone I know when I go to Philadelphia, as I expect to do in the next few weeks. This gentleman, who for obvious reasons should at the moment be nameless, might, if personally approached, make some informal and off the record suggestions. As for bothering me, you know I should be delighted to assist, regardless of any compensation, provided reimbursement of expenses was assured. These should not be heavy, unless a lot of typing and printing has to be done. My very strong feeling is that most of the initial steps should be taken quietly and informally, with no official required to commit himself on paper, and no refusal on paper, either, to become a hurdle which subsequent efforts must leap over. -2- I am as enthusiastic as you are about establishing the principle, but, as you know better than anybody else, the lady's record has antagonized a good many officials, who may be reluctant to reverse what has been so comfortably settled. I am more than convinced of your powers of persuasion (having experience them), but I hesitate to rely on any official's sense of justice. A record and precedents on paper seem a firmer foundation. That's not cynicism; just experience. There is, of course, an office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in New York at 70 Columbus Avenue, but its functions are purely administrative and intermediary. Devotedly, Dorothy Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 120 Paine Avenue New Rochelle, N.Y. Dorothy Straus Counsellor at Law 270 Madison Avenue New York I6, N.Y. December 3, 1946. Dear Lady: You have probably forgotten that in the course of my now protracted legal career I have from time to time done quite a lot of work with and for both females and males who had become entangled in the web of the criminal law. If you think Gene worth helping, I should be very glad to do what I could for her own sake, quite apart from the pleasure it always is to do something for you. So, if further help is needed, do not hesitate to call on me. As for Rosika Schwimmer, you will recall that when we discussed the matter, I suggested that you find out whether she would be willing to have the issue raised again. For my own protection, I must know this proceeding. It is considered very bad form-and worse- for a lawyer to represent a reluctant client, even when legitimately and properly retained by someone else. If, therefore, you will get the green light from her, I will dig into the matter promptly and let you know what would be involved in proceeding. Devotedly, Dorothy Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 120 Paine Avenue New Rochelle, N.Y. Dorothy Straus, Counsellor at Law 270 Madison Ave. New York 16, N.Y. December 26, 1946. Dear Lady: I am herewith returning Rosika Schwimmer's letter as I have had a copy made for future reference. At the moment I feel somewhat diffident about proceeding even to communicate with Miss Schwimmer. I do not know exactly how much time has elapsed since you wrote to Dorothy Kenyon, but the fact that she has not yet answered is no indication that the Woman's Lawyers have turned down your suggestion. She or they may be moving at this movement and awaiting something definite to report before communicating with you. If I were to see or even telephone Miss Schwimmer, without being sure whether or not the others were in the field, I should run the risk of putting myself into a particularly unpleasant situation. For reasons which we have never discussed, but which I have always felt you surmised, I am particularly careful not to cross certain wires. I should, of course, love to go ahead on any basis and will do so promptly when you give me the "clear ahead" signal. Devotely, Dorothy Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 120 Paine Avenue New Rochelle, N.Y. (Enclosure) Dorothy Straus Married a Mr. Strauss Died in a tragic fire in her summer home in Maine August 1960 Lawyer for Mrs. Catt Executor of Mrs. Catt's will with Aida Wilson See Carrie Chapman Catt papers- later years Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.