Clarence Darrow to Philip Leibsohn, June 24, 1935
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CLARENCE DARROW
1537 EAST 60TH STREET
CHICAGO
June 24–th, 1935
My Dear Mr. Leibsohn: —
Some time ago I wrote to you, but have
not received a reply — about the L–Mesner case, about
which you know, through Mrs. Messner, I understand.
I have a letter from her now wondering what she had better
do, —after having talked with you, she tells, and learned
that you feel that it may not work out well to associate
myself with ex-Senator Clark in this matter on account of
the unfriendly feeling between him and the one newspaper
owner in your city. Mrs. Messner was to go see Mr. Clark
again, but now will wait to hear from me again, - and so --
feel that I should ask you for further and more specific
information about the situation, if you will kindly give
that to me, which will be treated with strict confidence,
unless we agree that it won't be necessary to.
I know perfectly well that you can do the
case more good than anyone that is liable to help. I have
felt that I really should not have asked you to do anything
toward helping; I likewise know that the lawyer that you
suggest is the one that we should get; it would be [ on ] the
greatest value to have some support from the paper, or, --
at least to be able to prevent it from fighting [ ]; which,
probably could not be accomplished with Clark in the matter?
I have not been well for a few days, or might have gone
to Iowa to look the situation over, and try to find out a
way to meet it. I probably shall have to go there before
the thing can be shaped as needed, but I could not go for
awhile, anyhow. As I have stated that I am not going to
take any money from the Messners, I had hoped that some
competent lawyer out there would act in their behalf with-
out charging; but perhaps no one will, - and perhaps it
will be better for them to take the matter on a contingency,
as then it will be more likely that the work will be done
more earnestly and thoroughly. Anyhow, I shall appreciate
hearing from you, and shall expect to see you before long.
Very sincerely yours,
Clarence Darrow
1537 EAST 60TH STREET
CHICAGO
June 24–th, 1935
My Dear Mr. Leibsohn: —
Some time ago I wrote to you, but have
not received a reply — about the L–Mesner case, about
which you know, through Mrs. Messner, I understand.
I have a letter from her now wondering what she had better
do, —after having talked with you, she tells, and learned
that you feel that it may not work out well to associate
myself with ex-Senator Clark in this matter on account of
the unfriendly feeling between him and the one newspaper
owner in your city. Mrs. Messner was to go see Mr. Clark
again, but now will wait to hear from me again, - and so --
feel that I should ask you for further and more specific
information about the situation, if you will kindly give
that to me, which will be treated with strict confidence,
unless we agree that it won't be necessary to.
I know perfectly well that you can do the
case more good than anyone that is liable to help. I have
felt that I really should not have asked you to do anything
toward helping; I likewise know that the lawyer that you
suggest is the one that we should get; it would be [ on ] the
greatest value to have some support from the paper, or, --
at least to be able to prevent it from fighting [ ]; which,
probably could not be accomplished with Clark in the matter?
I have not been well for a few days, or might have gone
to Iowa to look the situation over, and try to find out a
way to meet it. I probably shall have to go there before
the thing can be shaped as needed, but I could not go for
awhile, anyhow. As I have stated that I am not going to
take any money from the Messners, I had hoped that some
competent lawyer out there would act in their behalf with-
out charging; but perhaps no one will, - and perhaps it
will be better for them to take the matter on a contingency,
as then it will be more likely that the work will be done
more earnestly and thoroughly. Anyhow, I shall appreciate
hearing from you, and shall expect to see you before long.
Very sincerely yours,
Clarence Darrow