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[[image - Shell logo]]
SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
SHELL BUILDING
SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI

January 31, 1936

CABLE ADDRESS SHELPETCO ST. LOUIS
TELEPHONE CHESNUT 7420

Mr. Edgar S. Gorrell
President
Air Transport Association of America
Room 2234- 221 No. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Ed:

Thanks for your letter of the 29th. I would congratulate you on your present job, except that I am not sure congratulations are in order. You have probably taken on one of the most difficult jobs in the aviation industry. You may recall that the Good Book advises that it is quite impossible for a man to serve two masters, "for either he will love the one and despise the other", etc., etc. You are endeavoring to serve a half dozen masters, each one working for his own betterment and often to the detriment of the other five.

I am sure that, in spite of plenty of grief, you are going to find your new job one of the most interesting- if annoying- that you have ever taken on.

With the above few words of encouragement and cheer, I leave the subject of your problems and start commiserating with myself and regretting my colossal dumbness.  The reasons are these:

First, I have just returned from Chicago,

Second, Stayed at the Blackstone while there, and

Third, Neglected to look you up; in fact, forgot that I could contact you at the Blackstone. It won't happen again and I am looking forward to the pleasure of a visit with you the next time our paths cross.

As ever,

[[signature]] Jim [[/signature
J.H. Doolittle

JHD:E   [[in pencil]] Ach'd [[/in pencil]]