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To the President and the Board of Directors
Artists Equity Association

You have again taken action contrary to our Constitution.

Admirable as Max Weber is both as an artist and as a man-it is not the business of Artists Equity to make aesthetic judgements and pick out one of its members for special honor.

I have known Max Weber well over forty years. We have been and we are now warm friends. I love and appreciate his contribution as much as any of you do. This opinion however is not universal as has been proven to me on frequent occasions when I presented the name of Max Weber for honors within the gift of honor societies. We must always keep in mind that the chief purpose of Artists Equity is to improve the economic status of all of its artist[[strikeout]]s[[/strikeout]] members.

The premise on which we founded the Association was "no politics" "no aesthetic judgements". The Association will survive only if we adhere strictly to those two principles.

I can see no advantage in any parties unless they add to the treasury or bring in new members. This party- if anything will alienate the conservative and provincial elements. If any new members are acquired by this method they will come in under a misunderstanding of the primary and what should remain the only motive of this particular organization. If you will study the records of other organizations of similar character which have survived you will find that the most desirable ones as far as their own membership is concerned are those which bring material advantages to their own members.

Max Weber and others who have been honored despite the provision in our Constitution don't need the honors we conferred. It seems to me to be a sort of "me too" at the sacrifice of the good will of a large number of members or potential members who have every right to disagree with your aesthetic judgement.

I realize that the motives which prompted these proposals to honor special artist members are based on a generous but thoughtless impulse. The officers, whether they belong to the National Executive or district chapters should keep in mind that they are trustees of the Constitution and it is part of their job to preserve the principles upon which our organization is based.

If Max Weber had attended any of the meetings of the Board of Directors and realized the importance of preserving these principles, I doubt whether he would have allowed you to do this. The harm is already done by the postcard you sent out. You had no right to do it without the full consent of the organization.

Very sincerely,
Leon Kroll

Transcription Notes:
I am unsure how to transcribe that the s in artists in the second paragraph was crossed out. Next editor: I think I addressed this properly.