DARWIN D. MARTIN 1934 Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 02: GOVERNANCE
Board of Trustees
Darwin D. Martin
1934 Correspondence

Ford Truck donated by Darwin D. Martin. [cobb_alice_012.jpg]

TAGS: Darwin D. Martin correspondence, Board of Trustees, BOT, Governance, Larkin Company Inc., Buffalo NY, Charles Kellogg, Abby W. Christensen, Alice Cobb, Caroline Dusenbury

DARWIN D. MARTIN 1934 Correspondence

Summaries

01-01a Dec. 19th, 1933. T.M. Moore, Associate Prof. West TX State to Darwin D. Martin.
02 Policies Which are Enforced in Connection with Teacher’s College Selection of Student Labor on College Farm [Berea ?]
03 Policies Which are Enforced in Connection with Selection of Student Labor on College Farm [re-written for PMSS]
04 December 27, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Encouraging follow-up with Prof. Moore.
05 December 13, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Prof T.M. Moore encouraging him to look at the student labor program housing at Texas State Teacher’s College for model for Pine Mountain Settlement housing.
07 January 16, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Martin tells Morris he has executed the will of Caroline Dusenbury and asks that Morris look to the specifications of his $1500 building and suggests that Morris find a way to fund the building. Notes that PMSS is handling the Depression well.
08 January 10, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris fears that the sum allocated is insufficient for building a structure to accommodate all the needs. He suggests lumber taken from surrounding forest and paying as they go in the building. Arrival of Dr. Newman. Another large enrollment of students.
09 January 29, 1934. Glyn Morris to Prof. T.M. Moore thanking him for his recent drawing of building and for forwarding catalogs and kindness in assistance.
10 March 13, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Wonders if a BOT Meeting is to be held in 1934 and says things are running smoothly and that “no news is good news.”
11 March 30, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Acknowledges a letter from Martin of March 24, 1934, and notes he sent it along to Celia Holton, BOT member to ask for guidance. Holton agreed with Morris that a single building on the terrace [was best]. Holton and Morris suggest that the amount [promised ?] by Martin would be sufficient to build but wonder about the inclusion of Chemistry and Physics labs. Morris forwards Miss Holton’s letter and suggests that get in direct contact.
12 April 11, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris tells Martin he has a copy of the Charles Kellogg letter to Martin of March 30. Morris gives a critique of the April letter from Martin and dickers with him about the use of commas, etc. “… a comma has a tendency to slow-up the reading …” , etc.
13 April, 17, 1934. Barbara Faulkner [Bookkeeper] to Darwin D. Martin. Faulkner asks for a signature on a legal document for the School.
14 April 24, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Notes a conversation with Katherine Pettit on a recent train ride. Pettit suggests a September BOT meeting rather than an October one as Open House is very uncomfortable in cold weather. Morris and Pettit aim for a Fall color weekend for the BOT. Morris asks that Miss Bolles arrange the date.
15 May 25, 1934. Note from Barbara Faulkner to Darwin D. Martin accompanying the payroll for PMSS for April 30th, 1934.
16 May 28, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Martin acknowledges Morris’ letter of May 25 announcing gift from a contributor from Wilmott, Ill. Martin suggests putting the money in the “expense fund right away.” And, hearing no objections from other BOT members leave the use of the gift to Morris. Martin also notices the modesty of the current worker salaries.
17 May 30, 1934. Handwritten “List of Paints needed for Future Use.” Sent to Darwin D. Martin by PMSS.
18-18a May 31, 1934. Typed ” List of Paints needed for Future Use.” Sent to Darwin D. Martin by PMSS
19 July 1934. A 2-page letter from Martin relaying Glyn Morris’s new programs and planning. Martin asks for approval from the BOT to Board Members (copy). Alerts the Board of new courses to improve the Industrial Education program. The courses include printing and auto mechanics and gas engines. As well a new class in shorthand and typing that was combined with elementary bookkeeping. Morris notes that his trend is toward a more flexible and practical curriculum. Morris describes the physical accommodation of the new classes and Martin, to expedite the planning for new programs; requests BOT approval.
20 July 4, note to Martin regarding the letter above outlining the new Industrial Education program at PMSS.
22 July 20, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris asks if Martin can assist in locating and purchasing a 16 mm. projector for the School that can be used in instruction through the “Lending Library” of films then available. Morris notes the growing trend in educational use of sound projectors.
23 July 24, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Asks Martin if he is familiar with the Barcalo Manufacturing Company that sells double-decker beds. Morris asks if Martin can get the School a special discount. Beds are $9.75 each.
24 August 21, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris gives instruction on how to cross Pine Mountain on the Laden Trail Road that is nearly finished. He advises that the Ford truck that Martin helped to procure could be used in transport after the train ride from Chicago to Cincinnati and to Corbin where the 3 am change to the L & N line to Putney. He also suggests that the Inter-Mountain logging train crosses the mountain and can also transport BOT members if needed.
25 August 28, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris appeals to Martin to find a way to re-instate the subscription to the Christian Science Monitor for the School. It is needed for current courses in History and for contemporary news. Morris supplies additional travel Martin instructions if Martin wants to travel through Washington D.C. from the East to Pine Mountain.
26 August 30, 1934. Darwin D Martin to Glyn Morris. Martin advises Morris to ask Church of Christ, Scientist, Louisville if they will continue one subscription to the monitor. He advises Morris to let him know of results. Gives Morris instruction regarding Emily Frank and Henry C. Creech issue.
26 September 3, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris.
27 September 3, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin, Asks Martin to accept the copy of the letter to Miss Wells as my explanation in reply to your letter of August 30.
28 September 4, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. More instruction for getting to Pine Mountain. Instruction from Harlan to Laden. Morris offers to meet Martin at Corbin and drive him to PMSS. Other alternatives for arrival are then given.
29 September 7, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Celia A. [Cathc art] Holton. Martin checks with Miss Holton regarding plans to be in Pine Mountain for the BOT meeting. The letter is filled with specific instruction for travel. The plan to use the Ford truck to transport BOT members is engaged. The truck is planned to carry the full BOT from Corbin and over the mountain to the School. (Explains the use of “norate” — “a perfectly good word.”]
30 September 20, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris is very disturbed by Miss Woods’ letter to Martin. He notes the letter is based on “hearsay” and not accurate. Refers to Robert Hutchins’ letter regarding the issues.
31-31a September 20th, 1934. Letter to Darwin D. Martin from staff member Abby W. Christensen regarding Morris’s trouble at PMSS with Henry Creech. Refers to “Mountain work” and the associated perils of ignoring “community.” Christensen pleads for a restoration of community relations.
32-32a October 1, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. “Believe it or not, I was in my office 25 actual hours from the moment I left the Chapel [at PMSS] in the rain yesterday at 11 o’clock, Central time, being here at 11 a.m. EST today.” Refers to Walter Rauchenbusch‘s “Christianizing the Social Order.” He questions the purchase of the bunk beds from Logan Company and not Barcalo. He notes he will return the book by William Lyon Phelps, “The Courage of Ignorance.” Martin advised Morris to write Mrs. Holton and encourage her to not resign.
33 October 4, 1934. Alice Cobb [most likely] to Darwin D. Martin. Morris encloses copies of the letters sent to Miss Frank, Mr. Morris, and Mr. Creech. “I am copying the letters you left with Mr. Morris …”
34 October 8, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Alice Cobb. “Please find the three letters asked. Keep Miss Frank’s letter safe until further need for it arises.” He asks to be advised of the date of departure of Miss Frank and of Miss Pettit.
35 October 15, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. “I will mail today the books.” “Christianizing the Social Order.” (I think you will be interested at least in Part VI, Chapter III) and your own Phelps “Courage of Ignorance” which I have read with benefit, I hope. In your Literary Digest of Oct. 13th, p, 22, please see “The Copeland Experiment in Education.” “How many grapevines have you? Do they do well? How many more can you plant? Vineyards here are synonymous with prodigality, Very truly yours, D.D. Martin.”
36 October 13, 1934. Alice Cobb to Darwin D. Martin. Thanks him for sending letters; advises him of departures of Pettit, Frank, etc.
37 October 24, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. “At last I am able to quote a price on a 16 mm sound projector, the Victor, listed at $395 fob Buffalo, cash with order … interest?”
38 November 21, 1934. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Reports return from trip to the middle west and a successful trip. Will send report to BOT. While gone Oscar Knelle r had an accident involving dynamite that severely injured his eyes. Morris will report on the accident. He delays decision on the 16 mm projector. Attached picture of Uncle William and the store he owned. Copies to Wells and Pettit.
39 November 5, 1934. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. “I am sure you and Mrs. Morris will appreciate Miss Pettit’s earnest, painstaking, laborious effort to convey to you the benefit of her observation at the School.” Asks Morris to advise Pettit of his appreciation for her “golden lessons.” (c.c. Miss Bolles).
40 November 9, 1934. To Martin from [unsigned, evidently Glyn Morris]. Acknowledges receipt of Martin’s November 5th letter with enclosures from Pettit. He will meet with Pettit in Lexington while on a 2-week speaking trip to discuss her concerns. In reply to Pettit’s letter, he asserts that except for a row of cabbages, “most of the new garden was planted without my knowledge.” Also, he has used the truck to drive to his house to save time, but has also used his own car for PMSS purposes. “I lean over backward in my efforts to stay clear of any charge that I am making money on Pine Mountain Settlement School….”
41 November 12, 1934. To Morris from Martin, who suggests that, while Morris is on the speaking tour, he should stop “at the Victor office” to see and hear a certain sound projector that he’s interested in. Martin asks about a photograph detail in a booklet about PMSS; and suggests that the title page display the names of the three co-founders.
42 November 12, 1934. To Alice Cobb from Martin, asking for transcripts of her notes of the Trustees’ meetings, which she sent to Miss Bolles. Referring to Cobb’s trip aboard the steamer Bremen, Martin asked about the cost of sailing on the ship; how she “enjoyed the passage”; and why she chose to vacation in Sweden and Denmark.
43 November 20, 1934. To Morris from Martin, asking if Morris has received the Christian Science Monitor.
44 November 16, 1934. To Martin from [unsigned, evidently Cobb]. Replying to Martin’s November 12 letter. Cobb gave her notes to Miss Wells to transcribe, but Miss Bolles may have them now. She will ask Bolles to send them to Martin. She will respond later to his questions about “cost of passage on the Bremen.”
45 November 28,1934. To Martin from Morris, reporting that the Christian Science Monitor is being received.
46 November 30, 1934. To Martin from [unsigned, likely Morris], who thanks him for copies of letters to Martin from Pettit and Wells; provides update on Mr. Kneller’s eye injury; whether to send copies of Pettit’s letter to the trustees; encloses a copy of his reply to Pettit. About [Henry] Creech’s letter to Wells dated November 18 and to the trustees dated November 6, “probably dictated and typed by Mr. Douglas Roengger”: He regrets a misunderstanding by Creech and assures Martin that the “staff is taking steps to resume cordial relations with the Creech family.
47 December 1, 1934. To Martin from [unsigned, likely Morris], who asked for official permission of the Board to use the $2000 expected from the Thorp estate for the new Industrial Building.
48 December 7, 1934. Carbon copy of letter to Wells from Martin. “I think we need not pay any attention to letters from Roengger even though signed by Henry Creech…Henry will drop the matter if Roengger will permit him….
49 December 7, 1934. To Morris from Martin, who feels that the “Creech-Frank incident will best close itself by letting it alone….we can best ‘head-off’ by silence until and unless we receive a letter from Henry obviously written by himself.” Martin asked about Roengger’s background.
49a December 7, 1934 (continued), page 2. “The trustees, including Miss Pettit, will not approve of a name for the industrial building” more formal than just that, or perhaps ‘Work Shop.’” He writes that the trustees’ are in agreement about building a guest house on Pole House Hill following the construction of the industrial building. Miss Dingman declined a place on the Board.
50 December 7, 1934. To Morris from Martin, approving the use of the $2000 from the Thorp estate for the Industrial Building, but Martin is checking with Mr. Manning, Treasurer, to confirm.
51 December 12, 1934. To Martin from [unsigned, evidently Morris], who reports that Manning has no objections to using the Thorp donation for the Industrial Building. Mr. Creech appeared cordial at the meeting of the Health Association. All Morris knows about Roengger is “That he is a singer residing in the city of Louisville.” Morris mentions Gib Lewis and Mr. Kneller; suggests Dr. Alfred Lee Wilson to fill the Board vacancy, whom he met in Chicago, who is well-acquainted with PMSS and the area and is a longtime member of the Advisory Board.
52 December 12, 1934. To Morris from Martin about board minutes. Martin states that “We can safely expunge from further consideration any reference to Miss Frank, but I think the Board wants Henry Creech satisfied….’ He asks about the “power situation” and T.V.A.; that the monthly bulletins be “more comprehensive.” Pettit wrote that, in agreement with Wells and Bolles, that PMSS should build no new model homes yet. She asked not to approach Dr. Hutchins yet for new trustee recommendations. Martin asked if any staff member has “communist or socialist leanings….” Manning has no objection to using the Thorp donation for the Industrial Building.
53 December 13, 1934. To Morris from Martin, asking “Have you installed now, since the misunderstanding with Gib Lewis, a system for keeping parents of children at Little School periodically informed of their obligations….?” Wells has recorded “ in the minutes her high opinion of Mr. Lewis.” Martin asked whether the matter with Lewis (concerning overpayments) has been resolved. He mentions a NYTimes article about Norris Dam.
54 December 17, 1945. To Martin from [unsigned, evidently Morris], who writes that he hasn’t received minutes from the Secretary; no progress on the school power plant. He will look at Deisel engines in Cincinnati; TVA northern limits are too far away. He does not know of any employee with “communistic or socialist leanings…” Morris describes a letter to Pettit and Wells from Mrs. Holton about Mr. Frank’s comments against socialists.
54a (Continued) Morris reports that Oscar Peace is now in the school” and his high scholastic standing. He tells of his work “on a summary of the academic and vocational situation at Pine Mountain.”
55 NO IMAGE
56 December 21, 1934. To Morris from Martin, encouraging Morris to visit the Creeches as he feels “sure social attentions from you to the Creeches will best mend the breach incurred by your introductions of brand new ideas into the Creech community….” He also encourages Morris to build a “camaraderie” with Henry Creech and to inform the Board about “the solution of Gib Lewis’ complaint.” Mentions the stenographer’s notes and Mr. Kneller; approves of Morris’s suggestion of Dr. Wilson as a Trustee.
57 December 29, 1934 To Martin from Morris, enclosing his study about PMSS functions, welcoming Martin’s “suggestions and criticisms.”

GALLERY: DARWIN D. MARTIN 1934 Correspondence (57 items)

[Note: Letters in the PMSS Collections from PMSS staff are carbon copies, typewritten, unsigned, and meant for the Office files. The original signed documents were sent to the correspondents. Letters from others are typewritten originals unless specified otherwise. The following list of contents is in the order of the image numbers and not necessarily in chronological order.]