Correspondence

• 1916 January 14 (Creation)

3 pages

H. L. Loucks writes to R. F. Pettigrew about a court case as to which Loucks is the primary counsel. Loucks mentions that he will use the argument going against the idea of 'rural credit.'; Loucks insists on Pettigrew visit Gifford and Amos Pinchot, whom Loucks deems capable of becoming national leaders.

TRANSCRIPT

(1916)
Jan. 14th.
Hon. R. F. Pettigrew,
Sioux Falls S. Dak.

My dear friend,

I was glad to hear from you, and would have appreciated a conference very much, and yet there is not much that can be done at the present time, except to make preparations.

You see I have once more postponed my final retirement from the work, for I had quite fully made up my mind that I must do so with the new year unless I by that time had received some practical encouragement. None of the propositions have developed a thing yet. Except that they would be glad to use my articles etc.

I appreciate your compliment, and will be glad to have your help and suggestions. No do not return the address. I have a copy, but yours is dim, so I am sending you a printed copy of the latter part of the address under separate cover.

They got things badly mixed at the St. Paul meeting, owing to my correspondence with two or three.

When I found that they were willing to give me the time I decided on adding the latter part. The Great Conspiracy, but the time was so limited, that I wrote my friend who was to read the address, that I did not want it given to the Press, as I wished to revise it first etc, but the editor did not understand, and gave the latter part the right of way in The Herald, and he has since been giving the rest of it in weekly instalments, Of course when he gave it the preference over all the many speakers who were present, including L Follette, I can’t kick.

The reception of the address at that big meeting has encouraged me to believe that I have struck a live wire.

I am busy revising the address, in fact am puting it in the form of a text book, if you please, with that address as the base, and inclue the whole money question and the development of the conspiracy.

A few evening ago Henten called, and I went over the proof I had assembled in the address. Now he is well posted. Is a Banker, and President of the State Bar Association. I told him frankly, that I wanted his opinion as to what the verdict must be, and he unhesitatingly said “guilty as charged.”

As stated I am preparing the material, and it will be strictly impartial. It will convict, the present and two preceeding administrations and will demonstrate I think the neccessity of a genuine independent political movement. I will try to limit it to what can be printed with paper cover for 10cts to be reaailed at 25cts, and sold in lots of 10 or over at 15cts. But I cannot do a thing about the printing until assured of a demand for the first edition.

I wish to include all the facts you have given me, as it is very important to make my indictment as strong as possible, so keep me in mind with that in view. If we have the facts to give, the close of the war will give us the opportunity. We must use it.

The contraction of the currency is much greater than outlined.

I have a vision that I will get the help. I somehow think that it will come thru your efforts, and whil you are east just keep that in mind. We can make Gifford Pinchot or LaFollette, or Clapp, or some tried and true man President in 1920, but the work must be inaugurated this year as the Progressive party will collapse, and Roosevelt elected.

Then HELL will break loose.

I am enclosing you an article which I clipped from The News.

I had intended sending it to you at the time, as I thot you had been personally acquainted with her father.

Then if you go to New York see Amos Pinchot, and of course Gifford if you can.

While I expect to make the farmer the base of my appeal, I will make it very plane in my treatise that it is only as a producer, and that my aim is to help any other producer just the same.

I will thoroly expose the sham pretence of the present “Rural Credit” movement. The fallacy of the Gold Standard, etc.

I will not take issue with any of our friends as to the method of administering the “Medium of exchange” The question is to make it a “public utility” in fact as well as name. I believe that I can make more converts, and make them easier, by duplicating the present system, but I will support any other going in the same direction, so long as the aim is more money or credit without private profit.

I have been able to catch on to the various moves of “The System” because like yourself I have been expecting it. But I should have all their Journals of importance, and be able to promptly expose them.

But this is already too long for a busy man.

Just keep me in mind as you have time, and make suggestions freely

Hoping the change will be beneficial to Mrs. Pettigrew I am,

Sincerely yours,

H. L. Loucks

• Progressivism (United States politics)
• South Dakota -- Politics and government

• Loucks, Henry L. (Henry Langford) 1846-1928 (Subject)
• Pettigrew, Richard F. (Richard Franklin) 1848-1926 (Subject)

• Letters
• Correspondence