Woodrow Wilson to Louis N. Donnatin

I know that you will pardon my delay amidst a multitude of duties in replying to your important letter of April eighteenth. It is very gratifying indeed to have you ask my advice about the approaching annual session of the supreme body of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine which it is planned to hold in the City of Minneapolis in the coming June, and I am going to answer your question as frankly as you have asked it.
In view of our having entered the war, I think that it would on the whole be more fitting and proper that the Order should omit the attending their annual session and confine themselves to the convening of the duly accredited representatives and the transaction of the business of the convention.
Your suggestion that it might be the wish of the Mecca Temple to be of service to the Government by loaning such sum of money (fifteen to twenty-five thousand dollars) as would usually be appropriated for the annual trip to the Government is most gratifying. It certainly shows a most practical spirit of patriotism. I do not know whether the Temple ever makes investments or not, but the only practicable way of lending money to the Government would be to purchase some of the bonds about to be issued, and I should think that that would be a very practical way indeed to show the admirable spirit by which the Order is prompted.
With warm appreciation of your letter,

Cordially and sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson

Mr. Louis N. Donnatin,
107 West 45th Street,
New York City.