Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass
Title
Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass
Creator
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928
Identifier
WWP18758
Date
1919 December 16
Description
Benjamin Strong Jr. writes Carter Glass to say that he cannot address the Second Pan American Financial Conference.
Source
Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, New York Federal Reserve Bank
Language
English
Text
Dear Mr. Secretary:
It is most kind of you to invite me to address the Second Pan American Financial Conference, and upon a subject in which you know I am particularly interested, - at the same time one which is so near your own heart. This letter, which I am sending to you through Mr. Leffingwell for delivery by hand is my explanation of why I must deny myself this privilege.I have been having a thorough overhauling lately by the doctors. Without going into details, they tell me first that I must go away for a few months (they would rather have me go now, but are willing to wait until the first of the year.) Beyond that, they say that if I want to save what health I have I must give up work for two years entirely or run the risk of being either a complete invalid the rest of my life, or, possibly, suffer a worse penalty. It has become perfectly obvious to me that my duty, both to the Bank and to myself is to resign, but it isn’t easy to do it, and I am procrastinating in making a final decision until some further examinations and reports reach me.It seemed unwise to trouble my good friends in Washington with this situation until I had reached a decision and I had expected to say nothing about it until I could state definitely what I had decided to do, but your letter seems to make it necessary to send this explanation, which I hope you will hold in confidence.It seems quite out of the question that I should attend the conference at all, but this, of course, I have only learned in the last few days.With my warmest thanks for your letter and for asking me to take an active part in this important meeting, I am,
It is most kind of you to invite me to address the Second Pan American Financial Conference, and upon a subject in which you know I am particularly interested, - at the same time one which is so near your own heart. This letter, which I am sending to you through Mr. Leffingwell for delivery by hand is my explanation of why I must deny myself this privilege.I have been having a thorough overhauling lately by the doctors. Without going into details, they tell me first that I must go away for a few months (they would rather have me go now, but are willing to wait until the first of the year.) Beyond that, they say that if I want to save what health I have I must give up work for two years entirely or run the risk of being either a complete invalid the rest of my life, or, possibly, suffer a worse penalty. It has become perfectly obvious to me that my duty, both to the Bank and to myself is to resign, but it isn’t easy to do it, and I am procrastinating in making a final decision until some further examinations and reports reach me.It seemed unwise to trouble my good friends in Washington with this situation until I had reached a decision and I had expected to say nothing about it until I could state definitely what I had decided to do, but your letter seems to make it necessary to send this explanation, which I hope you will hold in confidence.It seems quite out of the question that I should attend the conference at all, but this, of course, I have only learned in the last few days.With my warmest thanks for your letter and for asking me to take an active part in this important meeting, I am,
Original Format
Letter
To
Glass, Carter, 1858-1946
Files
Collection
Citation
Strong, Benjamin, 1872-1928, “Benjamin Strong Jr. to Carter Glass,” 1919 December 16, WWP18758, Benjamin Strong Jr. Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.