stefansson-wrangel-09-27-012

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Meighen seemed converted to our point of view and the like was true of several
members of his government cabinet, but an election was looming and it was by no means
certain that Mr. Meighen’s government would be in the saddle when the promised "next year" arrived.returned.

I had been anxious for a personal conference with Allan Crawford
but I was working in the western United States at a job that occupied me seven
days in the week, and the expense of fetching him so far west was considerable.
But an opportunity came when the University of Michigan offered me an honorary
doctorate and refused to confer it with without my actually appearing in Ann Arbor on
Commencement Day. It was my first doctor's degree and I was correspondingly
eager to get it. I put all the pressure I could upon my employer, who eventually
permitted me an eight-day leave. Other reasons for my keen desire to go to Ann
Arbor were that I could then without much expense arrange a talk conference with Allan
Crawford and that I could at the same time get a good opportunity to take talk with
the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Auckland Geddes, who was also
coming to the university Michigan to receive a doctorate.

As soon as the leave had been definitely arranged, I wrote
Crawford as follows:

"Elko, Nevada,
June 11, 1921.

Dear Mr. Crawford:

I am not sure I can offer you this year anything attractive
in the way of northern exploration, but can you meet me at Ann Arbor, Michigan,
June 30 - arriving there June 29 to be ready?. I am unfortunately tied on a
western lecture tour by a contract but am getting leave to come east for that
one day to get an LL.D. degree from Michigan.

It will be but a brief conversation. But on the chance of its
coming to something I shall pay your expenses if you will risk the time. Please
reply by night letter collect.

(Signed) V. Stefansson."

In a few days I received the following telegraphic reply:

"Windermere, Ont, Jun. 18, 1921.

"Will be Ann Arbor June 29 and 30

Allan Crawford."