Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1320

Carbon of a letter to Helen Miller, St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland

January 10, 1941

Dear Mrs. Miller:

     Ever since the public announcement of your assignment to teach economics at St. John’s, I have been looking forward to an opportunity of meeting you and, perhaps, exchanging ideas on the concept of private property. I have made considerable investigation in this field leading to an interpretation of the proprietary function which seems very revealing as a democratic process and is, moreover, highly consonant and consistent with the processes that have been observed and reduced to general formulae in the natural field — the field of the natural sciences.

     I think you will agree with me that property has heretofore been understood rather as a status or condition, as between individuals, than as a function or process, linking individuals together in a relationship of service and exchange. An examination of private property from this latter point of view I have found highly revealing as to the true nature of social growth and the actual realization of the democratic ideal.

     Regarding you as a person of unusual independence and originality and one who would welcome the promise and possibility of making application in the social field of the same methods and conceptions which have proved so fruitful and operative in the field of the natural sciences, I take the liberty of asking you to suggest a time and place at which it will be convenient to have a brief discussion of these matters.

     I have recently returned from two visits to McGill University, Montreal, where I had opportunity of presenting the proprietary process and relationship to some faculty groups who responded with a great deal of interest to this for its bearing upon the application of contractual and democratic as opposed to coercive relationships in public affairs.

     It will be intellectually profitable to meet you, I am sure. Washington and Annapolis are equally accessible to me.                                          Sincerely,