TLS, three pages, 7.75 x 9.5, The Overlook letterhead, July 30, 1912. Letter to a member of the Union League Club of Philadelphia, refuting accusations made by a story in The Sun. In part, 'The story in the 'Sun' is of course a willful and deliberate falsehood. I never had any conversation of the kind mentioned with Dr. Abbott, or with any other human being, and I never held with anyone the conversation even remotely resembling it. Moreover, Mr. Abbott never presented any contract to me of any kind, and I never signed any contract or considered any contract with The Outlook. I now have what I always have had with Dr. Abbott and The Outlook people, an understanding that as long as they wish to have me, and as long as I wish to remain, I will continue as associate editor, but that they can get rid of me at any time, and I can leave at any time...The facts are:...That neither Dr. Abbott nor anyone else connected with The Outlook ever called upon me...That I never said to Dr. Abbott or to anyone else anything even remotely resembling what...I am alleged to have said. That I never was asked to agree and never did agree to stay with The Outlook for four years...That no contract was ever presented to me to sign, and that therefore I never either signed such a contract or refused to sign it or suggested any alteration to one...Now of course when a story such as that you quote is so minute and circumstantial a falsehood it is quite impossible that it can be circulated by accident. I do not know whether the letter in the Sun was written in the Sun's office...as it purports to be, but I call your attention to what it says at the end of my story and about myself. It says: 'This story may or may not be new, but following the events it does not seem unreasonable to believe it. Anything is in order that will help to put this man (Roosevelt) in a false position before the people of the United States. In other words, the Sun deliberately circulates a story as to the truth of which it admits itself to ignorant, on the ground that anything, including the circulation of malicious falsehoods is in order if it can prejudice the people against me. Such conduct needs no comment, and it is absolutely typical of the average New York and Philadelphia trust-controlled paper.' In fine condition, with scattered toning to all three pages. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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