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April 18, 1918.
Mr. Harvey D. Gibson,
The American Red Cross,
National Headquarters,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Gibson:
You will recall that, at the recent Executive Committee meeting, I undertook to investigate a comment made by Commodore Ledyard Blair to the effect that Mr. Eugene Glaenzer, of New York and Paris, had some serious complaint against the Red Cross and particularly against Mr. Beatty. Mr. Glaenzer called upon me at the request of Commodore Blair and told me the story of the development by himself of an admirable effort which resulted in contributions, through Mr. Simmons, Mr. Butterworth, and others, of very large quantities of much needed agricultural machinery. Mr. Rowell, of my office, has also gone over the matter quite thoroughly with Mr. Pratt.
The stress and exigencies of the present offensive create such a strain on shipping facilities that I myself doubt whether at this moment any serious effort to revive this excellent charity under the auspices of the Red Cross would be wise; but, a little later, I trust that you will be able to look into it and determine whether the effort cannot be revived profitably. 
In the meantime, I have advised Mr. Glaenzer that his presentation of his complaint has been forwarded to you and that it certainly will have intelligent and careful consideration.
Very truly yours,