Schlesinger Library

May 7, 1964

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

Your letter of May 1st brought much pleasure as usual. Thank you so much.

Just got up and about after a four-day tussle with the ulcer but never felt better than now. Will resume the Spring schedule head-on and with alacrity as of this day, for there is much to be done.

When I think of your own agenda there, mine seems child's play by contrast. It is great to know that yo are on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and, as Miriam Van Waters would be, concerned this year with sending more children to camp and helping in homes which social work usually does not reach. I am glad you were able to secure some fine new members for your Board, including the Negro attorney.

You know, dear lady, I am convinced Jimmy Hoffa of the Teamsters lost a wonderful organizer when you chose instead to enter corrections and institute the reforms which shall stand long after the Teamsters' structure is forgotten.

I am glad the Vitamin D injections are working, together with the exercises, though painful for now. Also you exercised the franchise down town that Tuesday, presumably for our Democratic Party, so I must say excellent indeed. President Johnson's recent depressed-area tours, with follow-up alleviative proposals to the Congress, are great. The Appalachian region can certainly stand a helping hand/ I liked very much too Governor Peabody's support of the Massachusetts Service Corps, proposed by Professor Fuchs of Brandeis, since the fformat includes corrections. As you know, there is so much room for dedicated people in this field.

Donald Painten's book, "Grain of Fire," is coming along beautifully. Tomorrow afternoon Professor Walter Clark of Newton-Andover Thological School will visit with us (he is a friend of Dr. Tim Leary's) and discuss our progress all round. He comes about every three months. One of the finest, and particularly interested in the possible publication of Don's book. By the way, Donald would love to have your permission to quote your "The Childrens Litany" in the final chapter of his work -- but we can discuss that when you visit.

It's a lovely day and you are a lovely friend, so I bid you good morning and extend with mine the best wishes of our group.

Be seeing you.

Love Jim Kerrigan