Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2854

Letter to Heath from Julia Pollack, 1055 University Avenue, Bronx, New York American Students Union, May 20, 1936, and Heath’s reply of May 28, 1936, from 310 Riverside Drive, New York City. Attached to the originals is a reprint of the proposed bill in question, H.R. 10189 in the House of Representatives, January 14, 1936.

 

 

My dear Mr. Heath:

Enclosed herewith you will find copy of the American Youth Act which my organization, The American Students Union is endorsing. This Act was introduced by the American Youth Congress and is now in Committee.

 No one can deny the plight of many young people today. This Act is designed to ameliorate their condition. I think that it is a splendid start.

 I’m interested in your reaction to it and should appreciate your comments concerning it. I spoke about the Act very briefly last Sunday. Your opinion and the opinion of others to whom I  have written are to be incorporated in an article I am planning to write for the Student’s Advocate, the organ of the American Student’s Union. Your name will not be used if you do not wish it, of course.

 I hope to hear from you soon, and to be able to pass another Sunday evening soon at your forum.

  Sincerely,

  Julia Pollack

 

_________________________________

May 28, 1936

My dear Miss Pollack:

Yours of the 20^th has made me very thoughtful. I am very much in sympathy with the American Youth Act and with the circumstances and conditions that have given rise to it and many other programs of benevolence and amelioration. In critical times and circumstances it is necessary to make quick shifts and temporary adjustments. Our difficulty is that we so strongly tend to set them as final and permanent. And the tragedy is that in trying to make these things permanent, we so often fasten upon ourselves the very same kinds of sufferings that we are trying to ameliorate.

 Perhaps the predominant part of society, so far as numbers are concerned, looks upon its servants as having some miraculous powers and almost infinite benevolence. We seem to think that no matter how venal and inefficient we know them to be, still somehow, if we place everything in their hand, submit ourselves to their utmost exactions, they can then confer upon us endless riches and relief. We seem to think there are great resources of wealth and subsistence that can somehow be garnered and delivered to us by public servants and employees acting under political authority. The one sure thing about all “relief” founded on such ideas, is that it cannot last very long. I would like to go into this in full detail with you, but I am afraid the necessary limits of correspondence forbid. However, in conversation or in Sunday evening conferences, I should like very much to have your intelligent and inquiring mind raise the question as to just why it is that these things must destroy themselves. In the further and greater question of how it comes about that such dire need should arise — how it comes that, we as members of society, must depend upon our servants, not merely for services, but for relief and benevolence as well.

 I shall indeed be glad to see you soon for either personal conversation or collectively in a small or large group.

 I want to thank you for your letter.

 

Very sincerely yours,