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Correspondence from Karl Germer to Louis Wilkinson
K. J. GERMER 260 West 72nd Street New York 23, N.Y. Endicott 2-6799
February 9, 1948.
Dear Mr. Wilkinson,
I feel you are waiting for some definite word from me about a payment to you as I had advised. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you finally, but I expect news any day now, and will notify you immediately.
I have been warned that my paying anything gratuitously to the Receiver for the old creditors would be throwing good money after bad. My intention had been to make a decent gesture. I now hear that those "creditors" are the lawyers in that 1934 libel case, where I had been a witness myself, and saw their abominably dirty methods. I would certainly not like to pay them anything. And furthermore, I hear, that most of any of the monies the Receiver collects would ultimately go to Nina Hamnett, whose book was the cause of A.C.'s action. I would not go out of my way to benefit her. Under these conditions, I am rather sorry I made my offer, and may not regret if it was turned down.
The Hastings printer has not yet replied to my letter. I had a letter from Mr. Vernon Symonds, enclosing copies of his letter of Dec. 1 to the executors, and of his invoice of Dec. 1 for £80.17.6, reduced to, say £70.0.0. I feel that if we pay him £50.0.0 in settlement maximum, we have been very fair. The way he writes in his letter he could, I presume, get people to confirm that he has lost £150.0.0, and it seems to me that arguing with him won't get us very far. However, I'm quite willing to ask him for the invoice for redecoration, or get an estimate, and then offer him a part of that. There seems to be no hurry, and I'll take his up when I get around to it.
Mr. John Symonds wrote me and I replied as per copy enclosed. I would appreciate a word from you if you think I am handling the granting of the copyright too lightly?
The press cuttings came about a week ago. I sent them to the West Coast, and I heard a few days ago that they have been copied and a set mailed to Mrs. Vernon Kirchner. Thank you very much!
As to the Commentary to AL I have carefully noted your remarks: I have never seen the Introductory Essay nor, it seems now, your Abridgement of the Commentary from you; and as I have no contact with Mr. Jack Parsons, I cannot check his side. Have you an idea whether there is a copy of this among A.C.'s estate?
I hope you have meanwhile retrieved the three Bank Receipts which I mailed to the Hastings lawyers?
I rather wished Mr. Symonds would complete his work soon, as we all over here are most anxious to start working on it. It seems that Gerald Yorke has taken quite an interest in helping him in a difficult task. As it turns out, this may be of value, as he has had a great acquaintance with A.C. and matters of the Order, as well as personalities. On the other hand, not being a member of the Order, I would prefer all the books and papers to arrive here at the earliest possible moment. Do you think it can be managed that the forwarding agent could pick up the whole by, say, April 15th? I am getting quarters ready on a ranch in California, where friends are going to work on the literary material, sorting and classifying all the material and I want to be there myself and stay for a few months. All this takes preparation, and it is for that reason that I want the cases to arrive at a moment when I can manage to be there.
I do not see any reason why under the terms of the Will the literary executors should have to read every letter, sheet of paper, every diary found. To what purpose? That work can only be done properly by a team of members of the Order over here. Kindly give this your attention, and give me your views.
Your claims, of course, resulting from your agreement dated Dec. 15 with the Grand Treasurer of the O.T.O., will be met. But as the name of Jack Parsons does nowhere enter, I don't see why the typescript should have been sent to him at all. Please verify whether the document of both Commentary and Introduction has been found among A.C.'s papers.
I hope to be able to write you definitely about my planned payment to you within a few days from now, and I also hope that we will soon hear word from the Receiver as to whether he has accepted my offer with its conditions. If for any reason the services of a lawyer is required, to clear things more quickly, do take the services of Lady Harris' lawyer. How do you stand with Gerald Yorke? He is well versed in business and affairs in general, and his advice will, it seems, be gladly given, and may be of value.
Sincerely yours,
Karl Germer
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