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Correspondence from Max Schneider to Karl Germer
P.O. Box 2411 Hollywood, Calif.
March 27, 1943.
Dear Karl,
Thank you for your letter of March 17th, which I highly appreciated.—I wish you luck in the difficult task of getting the Pasadena situation straightened out.
I have not head from Jane [Jane Wolfe] again since my visit with her at her sister's house; but while she seemed more like her natural self, it is obvious that the influence of her environment for over 10 years cannot be so easily eliminated. The term used by 666, vampirisation, describes that influence quite fittingly. I am very thankful to an inner voice that cautioned me against this danger a few months after I arrived in California, and that I escaped it.—It may interest you to know how Jane was "taken in". Soon after she had met Smith [Wilfred Talbot Smith], she wrote a number of letters to 666, describing his inadequacies. 666 replied that she must "accept" him, meaning no doubt, that the blemishes must be accepted as part of the whole individual. But this was interpreted in the sense (both by Smith and Jane), that she must accept his "authority" and direction. So that as time went on even the letters she wrote under her own signature, actually emanated from Smith.
The difficulty as to who is to lead Agape Lodge in the future; Jane evidently is not strong enough; you are probably right about Jack Parson's unripeness; I am not particularly keen on the job of taking over the rehabilitation of a lodge that has been so badly mismanaged and has acquired an undesirable reputation to the extent of inviting the repeated scrutinies of the local police as well as of the F.B.I. (Winona Blvd. was known as a "hangout" of homosexuals and lesbians, people who did not have the slightest interest in the Work).—And Roy's [Roy Leffingwell] ranch is about 125 miles from Pasadena, which under the present restrictions on tires, etc., is a point to be considered, not to mention the fact that taking care of all the chores of the ranch does not leave him much time. It is a problem.
Here are some suggestions: the profess house idea should be abandoned at Pasadena; Smith very ill-advisedly started it at Winona Blvd. several years before there even was a lodge, and it became the source of most of the trouble. It takes a personality of special talents to run such a house successfully, and whenever another profess house is to be started anywhere, someone should see to it that none but members obligated at least to the 3rd degree should reside in it.—It also seems to me that consideration should be given to the possibilities of arranging for membership at large in the O.T.O., particularly in localities where there are no lodges, until such a time when sufficient nuclei shall have been formed. Some revenue could no doubt be derived from such an arrangement.
No, I am not disappointed about 666 seeming to be a little on Roy's side; I am on his side too—in wanting him to succeed and to that end free himself from excessive family-ties and influences. Georgia's [Georgia Schneider] report and mine were not coloured by personal prejudices and I do not allow myself to be influenced by female rivalries, even when they exist. The rule to which you refer is a good one, generally speaking, but purity of motive also should count for something. Let me assure you that I do not intend to suppress expression of my true point of view, whenever the good of the work is at stake.
I thoroughly appreciate A.C.'s wisdom in not wishing to charge me with the Pasadena job "in view of many resentments". They do no doubt exist in Smith's mind, but then—he always resented anyone who relied on his own faculties and could not be manipulated. It is possible that others also feel resentment toward me, but I do not know why, unless this feeling has been implanted by Smith. Peace to all Beings!
And since with the coming of the Equinox of Spring we have entered a new year, may it prove to be a happier one for all concerned.
With all my Love,
Max
P.S. A.C.'s long awaited letter finally arrived; over a month via airmail!—With it a very interesting six page article on food.—I am passing it along to Roy who phoned last night from Altadena; he had come in to buy more calves; has now 26 of them. He seemed in very good spirits and may visit me next week-end.—Let me know if you want to use the article and I shall ask Roy to send it to you.
I am enclosing a carbon of this letter for your convenience, in case you want to forward it to 666.—Shall answer his letter soon.
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