Crank to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Crank to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Crank, [Robert Kyle]
Identifier
WWP20725
Date
1913 July 14
Description
Crank asks Cary T. Grayson for help in getting appointed captain of the presidential yacht Mayflower.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My Dear Cary
Your note of Friday came to me this morning (we get no Sunday mail here). I tried to see McCully when the Mayflower was here, on Saturday, with the House Naval Committee. I did not see him. I sent him a note in which I requested confirmation of the report that he wished to leave the Mayflower. I have had no reply from him. As the plucking bee on July 1st gave McCully his number and made him a Captain, it is certain that he will wish to get a larger command, -particularly in view of the expressed attitude of the Secretary with regard to the qualifications which will be necessary in the future for promotion. The command of the Mayflower would fit in beautifully with my plans and wishes. There is no other candidate in the field except Lieut. Commander Hayne Ellis, now in charge of the Recruiting Station in Kansas City. I was told by Menner (a classmate of Ellis) that Ellis had approached the Secretary, through Senator Bacon of Georgia, and made application for the command of the Mayflower. I do not know Ellis. I was told by a contemporary of Ellis’ that Ellis is more or less of an ass; that he is married to the daughter of a very rich but very “rough-neck” lumberman; that he is constantly alluding to the money that father-in-law’s family have; that he is anxious to get to Washington, -advancing as a reason that his wife has the means to keep up the social end of the establishment. Apparently, Ellis is the only man who has made any move towards getting the Mayflower. I am sure that Admiral Blue, Commander Brittain (Assistant Chief of Bureau of Navigation), Mike Trench (Detail Officer) would favor my going to the Mayflower, if they know that I want the job. Blakely (in Bu. Navigation) is a close friend of mine. I will have him ascertain whether or not McCully has expressed any wish to be relieved. I cannot understand why McCully did not answer my note. I was informed by the very best authority that McCully wishes to relinquish command of the Mayflower; and the fact that Ellis has made application for the billet is additional confirmation. McCully could not well afford to retain command as a Captain, under existing conditions. I am detailing all this to you so that you will understand how the sitauation stands. I shall be extremely grateful for all that you may do for me. You are in a position to do more than anyone else; for the matter is, usually, one of personal selection and preference on the part of the President. As a Daughter of the Confederacy, son of a life-long Democrat, descendant of a long line of Virginians, grandson of an unreconstructed rebel, son of a Democrat who did not believe that any Republican could possibly be a respectable or honest man, -I think I ought to get something out of this administration. Don’t you? If ever you talk with Mr. Burleson, please find out whether or not he knew my father, -Major William H. Crank, of Houston, Texas. I have no doubt that he did. Also, please circulate the report of my fondness for grape-juice.
Please convey the assurances of my most positive distrust and undisguised lack of respect to Surgeon Kennedy. Ask him whether or not he has got that rich widow thrown, tied and branded for me. I am to go to Washington about August 1st, to appear before the House Naval Committee, to hand out to them the real dope on the needs of the commissioned personnel (how the h---l I got mixed up in this I am unable to say; but I am determined to get up on my hind-legs and speeak my piece, now that I am in it).
I will write you again, as soon as I find out more about McCully’s intentions.
With kind regard and all good wishes; and with many thanks for your interest in the matter, I am
Sincerely yours,
Crank.
Your note of Friday came to me this morning (we get no Sunday mail here). I tried to see McCully when the Mayflower was here, on Saturday, with the House Naval Committee. I did not see him. I sent him a note in which I requested confirmation of the report that he wished to leave the Mayflower. I have had no reply from him. As the plucking bee on July 1st gave McCully his number and made him a Captain, it is certain that he will wish to get a larger command, -particularly in view of the expressed attitude of the Secretary with regard to the qualifications which will be necessary in the future for promotion. The command of the Mayflower would fit in beautifully with my plans and wishes. There is no other candidate in the field except Lieut. Commander Hayne Ellis, now in charge of the Recruiting Station in Kansas City. I was told by Menner (a classmate of Ellis) that Ellis had approached the Secretary, through Senator Bacon of Georgia, and made application for the command of the Mayflower. I do not know Ellis. I was told by a contemporary of Ellis’ that Ellis is more or less of an ass; that he is married to the daughter of a very rich but very “rough-neck” lumberman; that he is constantly alluding to the money that father-in-law’s family have; that he is anxious to get to Washington, -advancing as a reason that his wife has the means to keep up the social end of the establishment. Apparently, Ellis is the only man who has made any move towards getting the Mayflower. I am sure that Admiral Blue, Commander Brittain (Assistant Chief of Bureau of Navigation), Mike Trench (Detail Officer) would favor my going to the Mayflower, if they know that I want the job. Blakely (in Bu. Navigation) is a close friend of mine. I will have him ascertain whether or not McCully has expressed any wish to be relieved. I cannot understand why McCully did not answer my note. I was informed by the very best authority that McCully wishes to relinquish command of the Mayflower; and the fact that Ellis has made application for the billet is additional confirmation. McCully could not well afford to retain command as a Captain, under existing conditions. I am detailing all this to you so that you will understand how the sitauation stands. I shall be extremely grateful for all that you may do for me. You are in a position to do more than anyone else; for the matter is, usually, one of personal selection and preference on the part of the President. As a Daughter of the Confederacy, son of a life-long Democrat, descendant of a long line of Virginians, grandson of an unreconstructed rebel, son of a Democrat who did not believe that any Republican could possibly be a respectable or honest man, -I think I ought to get something out of this administration. Don’t you? If ever you talk with Mr. Burleson, please find out whether or not he knew my father, -Major William H. Crank, of Houston, Texas. I have no doubt that he did. Also, please circulate the report of my fondness for grape-juice.
Please convey the assurances of my most positive distrust and undisguised lack of respect to Surgeon Kennedy. Ask him whether or not he has got that rich widow thrown, tied and branded for me. I am to go to Washington about August 1st, to appear before the House Naval Committee, to hand out to them the real dope on the needs of the commissioned personnel (how the h---l I got mixed up in this I am unable to say; but I am determined to get up on my hind-legs and speeak my piece, now that I am in it).
I will write you again, as soon as I find out more about McCully’s intentions.
With kind regard and all good wishes; and with many thanks for your interest in the matter, I am
Sincerely yours,
Crank.
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Crank, [Robert Kyle], “Crank to Cary T. Grayson,” 1913 July 14, WWP20725, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.