stefansson-wrangel-09-20-042

October 24, 1923.

Dear Maurer:

Unfortunately my lecture managers have booked me in such a way that it will probably be impossible for me to visit you on or about November 4th. They had informed me that my last talk was in Cleveland on November 3rd, but now they have booked me in Wisconsin and I must go out there from Cleveland. I am now hoping that I may be able to come through Ohio on my way East about the 10th or 12th of November. In that case I shall telegraph you.

I do not have time just now to write you about some very painful difficulties we are having with Harold Noice. I suppose the letter you mention from Mr. Knight, which you say Delphine wants to discuss with me, is with regard to Knight's proposal that a monument might be erected on Wrangel Island.

It was my desire that no one should make any money out of this tragedy and for that reason I immediately cabled my associate, Mr. Taylor, that all newspaper, magazine and book rights should be sold for the benefit of the heirs. But when Taylor spoke with the Crawfords in Toronto he learned they were reluctant to receive any money but inclined to favor some memorial. I suppose this sentiment will be unanimous among the relatives. The

The first and second money installments were $3,000. and $1,500. from the North American Newspaper Alliance. We expected this money to come into our treasury and to be available for the memorial or for distribution to the relatives, whichever should be decided upon. Expecting good faith, Mr. Taylor had authorized Mr. Noice to receive on our behalf the first $3,000. to transmit it to us. Noice received it but did not transmit it and is now attempting to get hold of the second payment of $1,500. on the ground that even the diaries and papers of the boys who died are his properety by an alleged verbal agreement between himself and Taylor. Taylor denies ever making such an agreement and there is no doubt of the truth of Taylor's statement. Furthermore, had Taylor made such an agreement with Noice it would have been invalid, since it did not have any consent as president of the company, nor indeed any legal authorization. It had been my intention to take the position that, while the diaries and papers might belong to our company legally (probably they do), I would consider them as belonging to the relatives, for whom they have a greater sentimental value than

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even for us. Whatever financial value was realised from them I had always intended should go to the relatives.

I am writing this for fear you may see another disagreeable newspaper quarrel within the next few days, for Noice has been threatening to make certain charges in the papers unless we agree to his position. We have no thought of agreeing, and you know how eagerly newspapers will circulate any charges irrespective of their truth.

But if you should see nothing in the papers, then please keep this letter confidential for the time being, for in case Noice backs down we want no publicity, not so much to save Noice as to save the relatives and all of us who are concerned.

Mr. John Maurer, New Philadelphia, Ohio.