Benjamin Strong Jr. to Committee on Admissions
Title
Benjamin Strong Jr. to Committee on Admissions
Creator
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928
Identifier
WWP18608
Date
1918 October 24
Description
Benjamin Strong Jr. writes the Committee on Admissions of The Century Association, to recommend the admission of Russell C. Leffingwell.
Source
Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, New York Federal Reserve Bank
Language
English
Text
Dear Sirs::
Among the names of candidates for admission to membership in the Century Association, I find that of Mr. Russell C. Leffingwell, at present Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
.I have known Mr. Leffingwell for many years, while he was practicing law as a member of the firm of Cravath & Henderson, and, during ythe past year and one-half, since he has been engaged in work for the Government, I have had an intimate association with him, and, possibly, a better opportunity to judge of his qualifications for membership in the club, and of his great public service to the country, than any other member of the club. He is a man of the highest character and ability and has a most agreeable personality. On the eve of enlisting in the army, he was persuaded to undertake some special work in the Treasury Department, which has resulted in his occupying his present position. During this period a very large share of the responsibilities of the financial division of the Treasury Department have fallen upon his shoulders. He has discharged them in a manner which has aroused the admiration and gained for him the respect of the financial community of this city.
Membership in the Century Association has always been regarded as a recognition of some form of service, and I know of few men who have done more for their country during the past eighteen months than has Mr. Leffingwell, and he has done it with a modesty and ability that, in my opinion, commends him without reservation for membership in the club.
I hope that the membership committee of the Century Association will feel as I do, that there is little indeed that can be done in recognition of the personal sacrifices made by such men as he. It has involved his laying aside a lucrative practice, reducing himself to a scale of living involving the most rigid economy, the abandonment of associations of a life time, and this he has done, as have many others, without expectation of any reward. I can not commend him too highly for membership in the club.
Among the names of candidates for admission to membership in the Century Association, I find that of Mr. Russell C. Leffingwell, at present Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
.I have known Mr. Leffingwell for many years, while he was practicing law as a member of the firm of Cravath & Henderson, and, during ythe past year and one-half, since he has been engaged in work for the Government, I have had an intimate association with him, and, possibly, a better opportunity to judge of his qualifications for membership in the club, and of his great public service to the country, than any other member of the club. He is a man of the highest character and ability and has a most agreeable personality. On the eve of enlisting in the army, he was persuaded to undertake some special work in the Treasury Department, which has resulted in his occupying his present position. During this period a very large share of the responsibilities of the financial division of the Treasury Department have fallen upon his shoulders. He has discharged them in a manner which has aroused the admiration and gained for him the respect of the financial community of this city.
Membership in the Century Association has always been regarded as a recognition of some form of service, and I know of few men who have done more for their country during the past eighteen months than has Mr. Leffingwell, and he has done it with a modesty and ability that, in my opinion, commends him without reservation for membership in the club.
I hope that the membership committee of the Century Association will feel as I do, that there is little indeed that can be done in recognition of the personal sacrifices made by such men as he. It has involved his laying aside a lucrative practice, reducing himself to a scale of living involving the most rigid economy, the abandonment of associations of a life time, and this he has done, as have many others, without expectation of any reward. I can not commend him too highly for membership in the club.
Original Format
Letter
To
Century Association
Files
Collection
Citation
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928, “Benjamin Strong Jr. to Committee on Admissions,” 1918 October 24, WWP18608, Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.