William R. Wilder to Woodrow Wilson
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My dear Wilson
I was in Washington in the interest of the Roberts Coke Oven, which you must know all about by this time as it has been endorsed by the Bureau of Standards and that of Mines, when I received news that the S. S. "Carolina" had been torpedoed. Our classmate, P. J. Hamilton, wrote me on the 29th ult. that his wife and daughter had sailed from Porto Rico, and I knew that they were on that boat. My niece met them shortly after they arrived at Atlantic City, and with the assistance of Mrs. Halsey and the widow of John Baird, took care of them, fitted them up, etc. and they now are with our good friend, Palmer Campbell the famous elisor. It was a terrible experience and we have grave doubts whether Mrs. Hamilton will recover, as she had just before leaving Porto Rico been operated on for a major operation.
I observe that there is a bill in Congress to increase the salaries of the U. S. Court Judges both District and Circuit. Certainly the salaries of District Judges in Porto Rico and the Philippines should be put on a parity with those of the Judges in the States, and all should be increased. It is needless to state that this is a great financial blow to Peter. He expected to join his family here in September, and with the S. S. "Carolina" went down not only the summer wardrobe of the ladies, but all the "store clothes" of the learned Judge. I do wish you would put in a good word in favor of the bill increasing judicial salaries, and you certainly seem to have a good deal of influence with Congress.
During my absence in Washington I observe that my Polish friends have been busy. They constantly consult me when I am in New York. I find, however, that in my absence they have taken caution to memorialize you instead of the Secretary of State, and they seem to have greater confidence in you than in anybody else in the world, and have written on the state of the chaos in Eastern Europe.
It is altogether clear to me that as soon as the Bolsheviki phase passes, and it is only a phase, something more than sympathetic action should be taken by the Allies. Intervention by the United States would not only be tolerated by the Russians as a people, but I believe would be welcomed by the majority. If the Japanese and Chinese are allowed to participate, it must be understood that they are second fiddlers.
I note with dismay that my Polish friends who think I know more about the general situation in the East than I actually do, have been complimentary enough to recommend that I should be prominently identified with any movement for the solution of the problem. I appreciate the compliment. I know that you have no illusions or delusions about my ability. I, myself, have none, and the suggestion is absurd. The fact that I have been a constant student of the Polish and Russian kaleidoscopic conditions, doesn't after all mean much, except as an exhibition of my interest. I may be able to make a suggestion, but that is as far as I can or will go.
I expect to return to Washington shortly in connection with the proposed contracts to be made by the Government for financing the construction of the Roberts ovens. When I left Washington Friday Messrs. Redfield and Baruch were advising about the matter, and I trust will have reached definite conclusions by the middle of this week, for time is of the essence. The revolutionary character of the Roberts process, of course excites much opposition, for his oven will coke all kinds of coal and thereby produce nearly double the amount of byproducts necessary for high explosives, and relieve the freight congestion connected with the transportation of coal. I read your last address to Congress with intense interest. You have an absolute grasp of the financial and economic conditions, and my enthusiastic support as usual.
W. R. Wilder
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