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Correspondence from Roy Leffingwell to Karl Germer
[8 September 1943]
Now as to 1003 [1003 S. Orange Grove Avenue]. I wanted to attend the 'Important meeting'. Both Jack [Jack Parsons] and Max [Max Schneider] for diametrically opposed reasons asked me to attend. . . . (He could not do it.) Hence I am writing in complete ignorance of the result of the meeting, and you must bear this in mind in reading the following comments on that situation.
I don't believe that Max, Jack and Jane [Jane Wolfe] will ever come to a meeting of minds on 1003, nor do I believe that it is possible for Jane and Jack to wholly ever accept Max either as a resident there nor as an adviser. To me, an impartial observer, on the ground, the reason is clear. Jane and Jack suspect Max's motives—Max suspects their associations and their viewpoint on 132 [Wilfred Talbot Smith]. Neither has convinced the other, . . . of their sincerity so long as Jane and Jack look upon Max as an interloper and a spy, and Max looks upon them as secretly holding forth with 132. Seeing so little of them, I am not competent to judge who may be in the right. I do agree with A.C. in his last letter to . . . that when Max departs from a strictly judicial attitude, he allows his personal feelings to sway both his judgment and reports. And, I agree with Max that there is still the old pseudo-Bohemian, doubtful and indecorous social atmosphere so reminiscent of the Smith regime.
I went to 1003 Friday last week. Max wasn't there and I spent the whole evening with Jane and Jack. They gave me their views and complaints in full. Saturday afternoon Max and Jean [Jean Phillips] came out and stayed over labor day. Max showed me all the correspondence between A.C., you and himself, and told me all his views. After listening to all of them, you and you alone have my heartfelt sympathy in the matter. I could be no more wearisome as I see it if you were handling a bunch of little children. . . . I wonder if it is all worth while.
About a year ago I wrote you that I had passed 1003, that it appeared 'quite pretentious—too pretentious, I am afraid for permanency.'. It now appears that I was right. Jack complains that it costs him about $300 a month, that he could get along in a much cheaper place and send more to A.C. if he gave it up—and that unless he got more material cooperation from members, and unless he were allowed to run things himself, he would give it up. As I understand it that was to be the purpose of the meeting last night—to give all members an opportunity to express themselves and determine future plans.
Frankly, I can't say that I blame Jack, Karl. He understands and appreciates his lack of experience and development. He is, I feel, sincere and earnest in his desire to further the Law and the Work. He is carrying out of his own pocket an establishment ten times too large for him for a bunch of uncooperative 'good time Charlies' who will drink all he'll buy for them, attend 'parties' regularly, and leave him holding the sack for expenses.
Of what value is that material, and that establishment, and that program to the Order? Of what value are initiations that fail to initiate, because there is no dignity, no power, no solemnity worthy of the rituals in their presentation (read from typed script by the officers officiating!) Of what value a huge establishment that can be only half kept up on $300 a month, with that sum dependent on one man? Of what value the petty bickerings, and spites, and jealousies eternally current with each writing his little grievances to you or to A.C. as though THE ORDER were 1003, and Jack and Agape [Agape Lodge]?
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