Edward Bok to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Edward Bok to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Bok, Edward William, 1863-1930
Identifier
WWP25338
Date
1918 October 29
Description
Journalist writes to President Wilson about his trip touring the front lines.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--United States
Contributor
Danna Faulds
Relation
WWP25339
WWP25340
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Mr. President:
On coming home from the French battlefields the day before yesterday Mrs. Bok gave me a delayed celebration of my birthday, and one of the great surprises that awaited me was the receipt of the personally presented photograph at your hands. I am free to say that there are few things that I would rather have, and I want to take the liberty of thanking you most sincerely for this courtesy from you. My youngest boy has already killed me off, and says he is to have it when I am no more, so that you see it is destined to live for some time!
I venture to think that you may be interested in the enclosed interview which I gave to the Philadelphia Public Ledger yesterday. It was a pleasure to say what I did with regard to yourself, especially when I learned of the criticism of your peace overtures that seems to exist here. I presume it is another instance of a prophet without honor, and so forth. But it strikes me as curious when there is such a universal acceptance of your policy in France and England.
I am sorry I had to take occasion to criticize your Postmaster-General, but it is the universal experience of all those who visit the front. Of course, the mail question is one of titanic proportions, but it seems a pity that we should lack efficiency in such a vital matter, when we are so wonderfully efficient in other branches of the service, particularly in that of the Quartermaster’s Department and in the Medical Corps. They command the admiration of all, while exactly the opposite is true of our postal service.
With every assurance of personal regard, believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
Edward Bok
The Honorable Woodrow Wilson
On coming home from the French battlefields the day before yesterday Mrs. Bok gave me a delayed celebration of my birthday, and one of the great surprises that awaited me was the receipt of the personally presented photograph at your hands. I am free to say that there are few things that I would rather have, and I want to take the liberty of thanking you most sincerely for this courtesy from you. My youngest boy has already killed me off, and says he is to have it when I am no more, so that you see it is destined to live for some time!
I venture to think that you may be interested in the enclosed interview which I gave to the Philadelphia Public Ledger yesterday. It was a pleasure to say what I did with regard to yourself, especially when I learned of the criticism of your peace overtures that seems to exist here. I presume it is another instance of a prophet without honor, and so forth. But it strikes me as curious when there is such a universal acceptance of your policy in France and England.
I am sorry I had to take occasion to criticize your Postmaster-General, but it is the universal experience of all those who visit the front. Of course, the mail question is one of titanic proportions, but it seems a pity that we should lack efficiency in such a vital matter, when we are so wonderfully efficient in other branches of the service, particularly in that of the Quartermaster’s Department and in the Medical Corps. They command the admiration of all, while exactly the opposite is true of our postal service.
With every assurance of personal regard, believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
Edward Bok
The Honorable Woodrow Wilson
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Bok, Edward William, 1863-1930, “Edward Bok to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 October 29, WWP25338, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.