Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2684

Carbon of letter to John Chamberlain, Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York, plus carbons of related letters of same date to Leonard E. Read and Edmund A. Opitz at same address.

August 22, 1957

 

Dear John:

I believe the selection of book reviewers for The Freeman is part of Ed Opitz’ regular job. By way of underground and mouth-to-ear, it seems that for want of anyone else, he has been trying himself to write the review of CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR.

     I understand he has been working on it, but some­what reluctantly — and no wonder, since I understand he has a theological background stressing total depravity and calling for strong measures to counteract original sin. Beside this, he is an avowedly determined Henry George man and could hardly be expected to sympathize with any realistic conceptions in that field.

     One of his associates writes that Virgil Jordan was suggested only a few days ago, and says, “Ed has been working away at a review, but seems happy to find another to give it a go.” I think Virgil Jordan might be ideal, but there some reasons (of a personal character, reported­ly) that might cause him to refuse.

     How about you getting in on this? I remember you spoke about reviewing the book for one of the larger magazines if they would take it (you being a co-author, as it were), but that you felt that The Freeman might have no hesitation on that score. I am of course very anxious to have it competently reviewed, and from the standpoint of competency, very preferably by you.

 If you are on vacation, I hope it will be a happy one for you both, and that I shall see you again before too many days.

Cordially,

SH/m

Comments re CMA

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Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2684

Carbon of letter to Leonard E. Read,

Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York

August 22, 1957

Dear Leonard Read:

I hope it is not too late to thank you for the fine hospitalities of F.E.E. to my grandson and me during the June Seminar. We have been wondering if perhaps in the future you might be having a Seminar of Seminars, that is, inviting especially those who have in past sessions contributed significantly or have most benefited by them.

 It is gratifying to find my CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR cordially received by some of the persons who I had most hoped would find it of value and interest. I enclose extracts from some of their letters. I hope you also will enjoy reading it, and that you will be stimulated — perhaps also inspired — by some of its unusual points of view.

 I understand that CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR la going to be reviewed in The Freeman. If it has not already been determined otherwise, I think it would be most happy to have it reviewed by John Chamberlain, who I happen to know is very willing to do so if it could be arranged. He would, of course, at the outset make some engaging reference to his possible disqualification.

 Trusting the Seminar now in progress is no less successful than the one in June, I am

Cordially yours,

SH/m

Enc: Comments re: CMA

 

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Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2684

Carbon of letter to Edmund Opitz, Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York

August 22, 1957

Dear Dr. Opitz:

I understand the selection of writers for the reviewing of books in The Freeman is part of your activity. If you have not already de­finitely selected a reviewer for my CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR, I hope it will be in order for me to suggest three seasoned writers, all of whom have some familiarity with my volume and I think might be happy to review it.

 There is Virgil Jordan, who among other things I believe is an accomplished reviewer, and there is Rose Wilder Lane, a wonderful libertarian writer in close sympathy with F.E.E. and its publication. Beyond these two, I hap­pen to know that from the beginnings, John Cham­berlain has definitely looked forward to review­ing CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR. His only difficulty was that the larger magazines might make a point of his being both reviewer and part author, as it were, from his having written the Foreword. He was confident, however, that this would not apply to The Freeman. He would, of course, make some engaging reference to his pos­sible disqualification.

 Spencer mentions to me that he enjoyed seeing you again, though only briefly, on Monday, but regretted there was no opportunity of talking with you about the article of yours that you were kind enough to give him and which he read very thoroughly and with great interest.

     With many best wishes,

Cordially yours,

SH/m

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Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2684

letter of August 26, 1957 to Heath from Edmund A. Opitz, Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York

August 26, 1957

 

Dear Mr. Heath:

As an aftermath of Spencer’s visit here last week, I got the impression that Virgil Jordan might make an excellent reviewer for Citadel, Market and Altar, so I wrote to him. He has not replied to my letter and I assume that he would be willing to have his review here in the pages of The Freeman. If not, I will go on to the others you suggest.

 It seems to me that it would take a man of well-rounded knowledge to do an adequate job on your book, and I have been casting about in my mind for some such person. So, many thanks for your suggestions.

 I was very much interested in Professor Hocking’s appreciative comments for I think highly of his abilities in several fields.

 I’m attaching a few comments of mine on the single tax for whatever interest it may have for you.

     With all good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Edmund A. Opitz

Enclosure

P.S. (Penned) Leonard has just shown me his letter. Having you

and Spencer at the June seminar was a pleasure. The other

matter is covered by the above. E.