50 Church Street New York Apl 7th, 1911 My dear Jack In my simple opinion there are more damn fools to the square inch in this world than there are same people. I just received yours of the 1st inst and note your report of Greens talking to Joe, and the consequence. In mine to you of the 7th inst I told you of receiving a letter from Joe Holmes; I have never said an unkind word of Joe and was doing my utmost to serve his interest, Bee will tell you that, but his letter brands him as a class of man too dangerous to touch. I am perfectly disgusted with him. And then on the face of that, to think of Green going giving his gutts, when I distinctly cautioned him to keep his mouth shut, and wrote him in the same confidence as I wrote you. I appreciate you returning my letter under the circumstances, as you certainly could not accept it under masonic principles when Green had given away my confidences in him. Bah its simply rotten. In mine of the 7th inst I said that I had looked through your statements which I have on file, and could find nothing of a debter charge. I never knew anything about the charges in your statement. I never authorised father to collect the rents, or you to pay same to him. I don't say this unkindly mind you Jack, I am just getting down to business, so that we may understand the situation. I am not blaming you Jack when I say that it would have been better had you notified me of this matter before. You say you sent me the statement before, but the fact of my not replying thereto must have impressed you with the fact that your letter did not reach me. Now Jack Father has charged me in his will with getting Metz and sundry other matters; so this is clearly a debt due you by father, and is therefore payable out of the estate. In other words, legally it would be impossible for you to collect this account from me under the circumstances, therefore it is self evident that Father not I is the debtor in the case. Let me put it another way. You were acting for me, you paid debts for me, but you allowed someone else to collect the rents. Well to make a long story short., Just make this statement out and send it to Harry, and look up the vouchers and be sure and keep them so that is any question is raised you can produce. I will see that the matter is all right. Don't sent the statement to Harry for a few days, I shall be writing him by next mail and I would like him to have my letter before you present the statement. I will check up your statements again, which I have on file, but the account is clearly an estate matter and not against me. Nor does it in any way infringe on the agreement between you and I you will clearly see that. Well no use our talking further on the subject, we will put it where it belongs to and see that you get what is due you. Now back to Green., I would like you to give Green $150.00 that would be Thirty One pounds (4.84 to the pound), the balance we will settle later. He has made a complete ass of himself, and I feel it very keenly this talking to any one when I wrote him in strict confidence. I tell you Jack these little stupid acts are the things that make a fellow sick of everyone. I will write him a gentle letter by this mail, telling him to keep his mouth shut or go plump to hell. I won't say from whom I got the information, so let him guess for all he's worth. I repeat, give him $150.00, and we will square the balance later. Again I say, I will not mention to Green who informed me of his damn stupidity, so you need not tell him anything. I started this letter yesterday, but had to give it up and so am trying now to complete same. Re my coming over., As already told you in mine of 7th inst, I won't come over. The new development with Mr. Holmes simply adds one more reason why I would not go over. You know my disposition Jack, add to that years in this country, and you will figure out that I would stand very little nonsense - and take less., So if I were to go over under present circumstances it would be simply a matter of fighting, and I don't think I want that game. I am doing my best to get a decision from Sam, but he moves slow, does not seem to realise the necessity of clearing things up, nevertheless I feel that in a very short time things will e straightened out; that is to say, If Sam, Bee and Harry decide on a certain course of action, there is nothing to prevent the estate to be would up at once. I want to see matters ended just as fast as possible. Now Jack I won't say more at this writing, I cannot say how annoyed I am at Green, but nu use fretting over spilt milk. I you will do what I have asked, we will straighten all out in a very short time. Hoping to hear again from you soon, I am Affectionately yours Richard W Long In a rush as usual
