stefansson-wrangel-09-15-070

[V a -u Stefensn !]

July 15, 1924.

Dear Mr. Latham:

I am not sure if you are the man in the Macmillan Company to address this letter to but probably it will be a matter for consultation.

I told you in another letter that Arrowsmiths are afraid to publish the Wrangell book because of the libel laws. I understand Arrowsmith had sold the Canadian rights to Goodchild. Now I am wondering what will happen in Canada if you go ahead with American publication and the English book is held back. Perhaps it could be arranged to transfer to your Canadian house. As you know, I have not felt in the past that your Canadian house has given me nearly the quality of backing that I have been getting from you in New York, but still there is the argument against the division of my books in Canada among many publishers and I should be glad if Goodchild were reluctant enough tobe willing to follow Arrowsmith and if you then cared to arrange that the book be handled by the Macmillan Company of Canada.

My lawyers, Blake, Durham, DeMilhau & Conwell, 2 Rector Street, have my power of attorney, so that if there is hurry they might be able to sign any necessary papers. However, I think you know me well enough to be willing to go ahead on the strength of this letter without consulting the lawyers in case you find that Goodchild wants to surrender the book to you.

Or you might care to take up with Goodchild his buying an edition from you instead of from Arrowsmith in view of Arrowsmith's action.

With regard to anything you do in Canada, I wish you would consult my great friend there and partner in the Wrangell Island enterprise, Mr. A.J.T. Taylor, Bank of Hamilton Building, Toronto.

Mr. H.S. Lathem, The Macmillan Company, 64 Fifth Avenue, New York.

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interests of the other three families and/of myself as well as the interests of the public in general, the Crawfords do not have the right to stop publication of the book. I alsothink that they will hardly ultimately see that the whole truth is very creditable to their son as well as to all the other boys, and that they will eventually beglad of the publication. However, I am/very anxious now about their attitude, since naturally it would suit me so much better if I could please them as well as all the rest of you. You have now for a year been my chief link with the Crawfords, so I am giving you these facts fully for you to act upon as you see fit or not to do anything about if you think that would be better.

There has been no chance to hear from you but I am taking it for granted that you have written or are writing the introduction. As you see from my other letters, there is now some chance I may get back to the United States in time to read the last proofs, depending on how rapidly the printing is going ahead. I have written the publishers that they can send proofs to me at one of the following addresses: The same mail will, of course, apply for you if you have something to send or write. I leave Sydney August 28th on the Niagara and about September 15th will call for mail addressed c/o The Director, Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory. In Vancouver I will get mail c/o Roy Brown, Managing Editor, Vancouver Province, Vancouver. As I have written you elsewhere, I should like Joseph to meet me there in case Ellison-White tell you that they are arranging a lecture in Vancouver or Victoria. If there is anything very pressing you could reach me by cable comparatively cheaply in Honolulu and, of course, by wireless between there and Vancouver. Similarly, if you think it necessary or advisable, I should be glad to pay Joseph's expenses or your own if you think I should be met at Vancouver in order to place me immediately in touch with the situation. That might be advisable if there is any great excitement about Wrangell Island at that time.

Mr. J. I. Knight, McMinnville, Oregon.