Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1297

Carbon of letter from Heath at Roadsend Gardens, Elkridge, Maryland, to Louis Basist, 65 Nassau Street, New York City

February 12, 1940

Dear Sir:

Returning home today from more than a week’s absence I find your letter of February second insulting me with a charge of responsibility for Mr. Charles Roth having crashed into the rear of my car in a close line of traffic because he failed to stop his car when all the cars in front of him were stopping.

 It would seem as though Mr. Roth thinks it was my duty to crash into the car in front of me in an attempt to keep him from crashing into mine. He has no excuse whatever for his careless collision. It was as plain for him as it was for me to see that all the cars ahead were coming to a stop. He should have applied his brakes promptly, the same as I did. He has no excuse for crash­ing into a line of traffic ahead of him simply because all of the other cars suddenly came to a stop.

 If I had not been leaving New York the next day I might very properly have had Mr. Roth held for dangerous driving. The decent thing for him to do would be to inquire the cost of mashing up the back of my car and offer to pay for it. He broke and bent my rear bumper and caved in the door and back of my luggage compartment.

 

 Repairs have been made by O’Brien Brothers, 1235 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland at a cost of seventeen dollars and ninety cents ($17.90) as per their receipted bill herewith enclosed.

 Since your client seems desirous of legal proceedings I will place this claim in the hands of my Baltimore law firm, who also have an office and practice in New York City, unless I hear favorably from you.

 

Very truly yours,

Spencer Heath

 

Copy to Charles Roth, 539 Pacific St. Brooklyn, New York