Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2566

Exchange of several letters between Heath and Hugh P. King, Economist, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, 1615 H Street N.W., Washington 6, D.C. (son of economist Willford I. King).

May 1957

 

Dear Dr. Heath:                       May 10, 1957

I just finished reading “The Romance of Realty.” Congratulations on your ability as a science-fictioneer!

I think you have presented some new (at least to me) ideas which are well worth exploring. As you probably know, the toughest part of “science fictioneering” is to get new ideas that will hang together in the face of critical analysis and yet, at the same time, present a story that entertains.

 Your story certainly meets the first test. With a little work, I think it might be made to meet the second test.

 In this connection, I wonder how you feel about the manuscript. Certainly, I wouldn’t want to steal your idea as my own. I think it has good possibilities either as a film script outline or as a story foundation. Since these would presumably be sold for cash, I wonder whether you are planning to do anything further with this manuscript. Would you have any objections to my either drafting a film script or a story based on your material? If sold, what remuneration would you consider fair?

 Let me know what you think.

Cordially,

Hugh P. King

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Dear Mr. King:                         May 21, 1957

I was very happy to receive your letter concerning the use of the general idea set out in my “Tale of One City.” Unfortunately I was hospitalized for a few days due to an accident just as it arrived and not able to reply. I shall be most happy to have you pay this up, preferably but not necessarily in the form of a collaboration. My chief object, however, is to get the principle of proprietary administration for communities under public discussion, and I will be agreeable to practically any kind of arrangement looking to this end that is satisfactory to you. I am in New York for the present and am answering your letter by memory, having failed to bring it with me. However, I shall be glad to have you go ahead.

 You will find in my Citadel, Market and Altar a great deal of supporting material, especially in Part II of the volume. An advance copy is being sent to you personally and with my compliments.

Sincerely yours,

Spencer Heath

SH/m

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Dear Dr. Heath:                             May 23, 1957

I was most sorry to hear that you’d been laid up. I hope your stay in the hospital was not too unpleasant — I’ve found the hospital routine very trying — no regard for the individual. Too much of the benevolent state!

 I’ll pull a few words together into rough draft shape and then mail you a copy for suggestions, criticisms, etc. We may be able to work out a story which pleases us both, but of course this does not mean that it will be saleable. The ways of publishers are often very strange!

 The science fiction approach to learning is being more widely utilized. Perhaps you’d like to take a look at Felix Morley’s Gumption Island (Caxton Printers, Caldwell, Idaho). I think you’ll find it hard to put down once started!

 Best wishes and I hope you’ll have a speedy recovery.

Cordially,

 

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[To: 28 Shore Road Douglaston, L.I., New York,

September 3, 1957]

Dear Mr. King:                       

It Is some time since I had the pleasure of meeting you in Washington and discussing the possibility of a re-write of my ^“TALE OF ONE CITY — ROMANCE OF REALTY” in popular form and with due elaboration of the magnificent economic and cultural consequences that are inherent in the principle of proprietary public administration.

 I would be interested to know what possi­bilities you are finding in this direction. Fortune Magazine is putting out a series on the future of the American City. Newsweek also has a similar series. The topic is timely.

 I trust also that your present business arrangement is a happy one and that all goes well with you in many ways. Washington has been able to give me only your home address as written above.

Cordially yours_,

 

 

SH/m

Enc: Printed comments re: C.M.& A.

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[From: Health Insurance Association of America, Information and Research Division, 60 John Street, New York City 38, September 10, 1957

Dear Dr. Heath:                September 10, 1957

Many thanks for your letter of September 3rd. It was good to hear from you.

 Your story about the future American city is excellent, but I’m having some difficulty in working out a theme which will have the necessary commercial appeal and at the same time will condense the main ideas for popular consumption. Although I have tried several drafts, none seemed worthy of further effort. However, I shall continue to dabble in the hope of eventually getting something satisfactory.

 At the moment, I am rather disorganized — having moved up from Washington in quite a rush. Some of my possessions are still down on the farm, some are in storage, and some are up here. However, I am negotiating for a house and hope to move in sometime in October. At that time, I will again have my files and will be able to resume my work on a story.

 My new business arrangement is a happy one — far more lucrative than in Washington. This is a new, dynamic, organization which seems to have a bright future.

    Thanks again for your good letter.

 

Cordially,

(signed) Hugh

Hugh P. King

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

Health Insurance Association of America

Information and Research Division

60 John Street, New York 38, NY

October 8, 1957

Dear Dr. Heath:

It was good to hear from you the other day. I have often wondered how your new book was going and how the work of the Foundation was progressing. I am happy to learn that things are going so well.

 I’m returning, herewith, a copy of “Romance of Realty”. As I mentioned earlier, it provides the basis for a really good fantasy or science fiction story. I dabbled with the ideas somewhat and tried several different approaches, but the end product just didn’t do justice to the idea — too much story and too little analysis. Actually, I’ve come to believe that perhaps the ideas presented herein might best be presented in a short novel. The long chain of reasoning necessary to arrive at the corporate city concept seems essential, but requires too long a treatment for the typical short story.

 I hope you will find an author who can give these ideas a really thorough treatment in a truly entertaining tale.

 Do get in touch when next you are in the city.

 

Cordially,

 

(signed) Hugh