DARWIN D. MARTIN 1933 Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Board of Trustees
Darwin D. Martin, Trustee
1933 Correspondence
January 3 – December 12, 1933

Pine Cone 1933 March. [pinecone_1933_03_001.jpg]

TAGS: Darwin D. Martin, PMSS Board of Trustees, Ethel de Long Zande, Katherine Pettit, Mary Rockwell Hook, Celia C. (Cathcart) Holton, Arthur Dodd, Evelyn Wells, Marie Taylor, Margaret Motter, Great Depression, Elizabeth Hench, W.C.T.U., Women’s Christian Temperance Union, rise of Hitler, persecution of the Jews in Germany, Banking Act of 1933, food shortages, AC power, DC power, Kentucky Utilities, water turbines, coal mining, PMSS coal mine, James Faulkner, Barbara Faulkner, Dr. Frank Newman, transportation

DARWIN D. MARTIN 1933 Correspondence

introduction

While the environment today (2023) is creating havoc with the world economy, it needs remembering that 1933 was a very difficult year for many countries across the globe. It was the year of the “Dust Bowl.” Food supplies and other critical resources were in short supply and war loomed in Europe. Many critical financial resources were also in short supply and Pine Mountain was not exempt.

One resource, that of Darwin D. Martin, had guided and funded the School through many hard times and well as encouraged their exploration in all areas of education. Now, Martin was at the forefront of the coming Depression. His own world at Larkin Company was collapsing. World peace was breaking apart, partially due to climate but also related to world-wide conflicts and monetary practices. The Great Depression was coming into full force.

In 1933 jobs began to decline and unemployment reached 25%. The jobless hit the rails as hobos looking for work anywhere it could be found. The progress made in revoking prohibition laws made access to liquor again a major social problem in the economic downturn and the W.C.T.U. again went on the campaign trail. The Great Depression is often associated with this single series of catastrophes, but the tendrils are long, deep, and complex in 1933 and in many corners of life — even those in Eastern Kentucky.

World-wide, the rise of Hitler put democratic governments on alert and refugee populations saw a large uptick. 1933 saw the first Jews imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp and Democratic governments went into high alert and super patriotism. As the jobless population increased, the banks went into a sharp decline and the frightening run on the banks that occurred in 1933 led to the Banking Act of 1933 as the government rushed to out-maneuver the fiscal shock and the unstable market. The lifeline for the School that was often Darwin D. Martin and his generosity and his good advice began to frazzle as the Depression placed an enormous strain on the Larkin Company compounded by its slow pace of adaptation.

Martin’s letters begin to reflect the fraying around the edges of the Larkin Company empire and also his own growing financial discomfort. A marked decline in his philanthropy begins to appear. During this period and the following years his personal income becomes increasingly curtailed and his letters are full of fiscal restraint in all areas of his life.

Pine Mountain Settlement, even in its remote location, begins to feel a shadow descending on paradise. As a result of the downturn, both the director and staff struggle to find ways to keep the programs running. Generally, few areas of the country were as well prepared to deal with severe poverty as was Eastern Kentucky in the 1930s. The boom and bust of mining had shown many in the county how to survive in hard times. Those who could still remember hard times, still had a plot of land and some animals to see them through, managed. Most hardy Eastern Kentuckians put their utilitarian skills to work while keeping an eye on those whose skills were less practiced. Urban areas had a much more difficult “road to hoe.” –HW

Summaries: DARWIN D. MARTIN 1933 Correspondence
(24 letters)

January 3, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Suggestion for quotes on battery for the turbine electrical system in place at the School.
January 5, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Regarding reductions in energy cost for electrical system.
January 11, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin describing the specs for battery from Gould Storage Battery Corp. sent to Lazier Gas Engine Company.
January 23, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin regarding payroll at the School and attempts to lower the insurance rates for employees. Informs Martin that the February NOTES for the School will not be sent in order to save on mailing but reports with irony that the paper seemed more important than the content. Morris wonders how the picture [of PMSS] got into the Christian Science Monitor paper of Thursday January 12. He notes that “The original of the picture is in our safe.” [?]
January 25, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris reports Alec Day killed in mine at Pine Mountain Settlement School. Morris describes the life of Alec Day and makes an appeal to support the Day family.
February 4, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Regarding the upcoming Board meeting and letter from Elizabeth Hench about the meeting possibly being held in Pittsburgh. Morris suggest date in early March. Suggests that a review of the campus be made by committee and not Katherine Pettit alone.
February 16, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Logistics on location of the Spring Board meeting and who can attend. Morris traveled with Henry Creech and men from Harlan to Frankfort to begin negotiations on a road from Laden to Hyden. He estimates it will take a year to survey and several years to build. Morris suggests that “… this one piece of road is the one to connect them with the main highway, avoiding Corbin on the West and Hazard on the East.” Requests report of applications. [?]
February 17, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin regarding logistics for BOT members to meet at Pine Mountain. Suggests the use of the Intermountain logging train to bring Trustees to the School.
February 23, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. More logistics regarding travel to Pine Mountain Settlement for the Spring Board meeting. He strongly recommends the Inter-mountain logging train for transport of members across Pine Mountain. Notes regarding a music teacher [Arthur Dodd] who is better described as a teacher who does all things musical. “He is indispensable.”
March 6, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Comments on Martin’s letter of Feb. 28 to Mr. Frederick H. Evans. Again endorses Arthur Dodd. “I consider him a bargain.”
March 22, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Asks if the BOT meeting has been “postponed definitely?” More transportation woes for BOT. Reports that “The tornado did not come quite to this section. We did nave a terrible rain and hail storm that would have knocked a man out if it ever hit him, but no damage done.”
April 14, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. “I think you are interested in reducing power rates.” [?]
April 17, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. “Your letter of the 12th just received. I have not digested it thoroughly but sent it on to Mr. Evans, asking him to make a reply direct to you. I hope you will await it. This is a busy day.” [From 800 W. Ferry St. Room 2-D, Buffalo, NY.]
April 25, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Discusses the Frederick Evan’s letter of April 20 regarding the energy plans for electricity at the School. Evaluates the cost of batteries vs. the new KY Utilities power line that can be run across the mountain at $800.00 per mile for the 3 1/2 miles. Morris suggests he can get workers from the County Relief Association and reduce labor costs. The rate would be 4 cents an hour or $48.00 a month. Notes that Miss Pettit is all for it and changing from DC to AC equipment will be a “negligible factor.”
July 22, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Report to the Board. [See images 15, 15a, 15b below]
July 22, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Relates difficulties in finding someone to take over the Medical Settlement at Big Laurel … “at no salary.” Proposes offer of Miss Taylor [Marie Taylor] for a year would be under medical supervision during her tenure.
July 26th, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Passes on making decision on Miss Taylor and suggests recommendations from Miss [Evelyn] Wells and Miss [Angela] Melville. Martin has reservations regarding the “justice of making Miss Taylor’s tenure subject to your finding other people more to your liking.”
August 29, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Advises regretfully that a new set of batteries for the electrical plant was purchased and that the utilities proposition still hangs in the air. A “few thousand dollars” would be needed to meet the need and Morris suggests that it seems the best action and provides details. Regarding the coal mine Morris reports that the latest actions have “left a lot of coal underground which can never be mined, and has even spoiled the prospects for getting very much from our new mine. Before I came here the new mine was opened and the same sort of policy followed. When the miner struck water he went around it instead of through it, etc., thus butchering up the new heading to such an extent that we are now having our difficulties. I have had two competent engineers inspect the new heading and lay out plans for mining the coal, but neither of them gives us a very bright prospect. The miners are now working near the outcrop, ad this entails a great deal of danger. I do not think that we shall have trouble this year, or perhaps for some time to come, but I strongly advise the school to purchase a new piece of land for the purpose of having another coal mine in the future if necessary. One of the Creech heirs has a tract of land just below ours on the other side of the creek, in which there is a good seam of coal. Perhaps we can get hold of this. I should like your advice and opinion.”
September 13, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. Martin recommends Shur-Stop for buildings at the School. [Shur-Stop was a type of fire extinguisher for the home that was manufactured from 1877-1933].
September 18, 1933. Darwin D. Martin to Glyn Morris. He also recommends and endorses the article “Wallace Favors Erosion Control,” in the Christian Science Monitor and notes that Katherine Pettit sent a copy of the article. He commends Pine Mountain for always avoiding ploughing on the hillsides. He asks Morris: “the amount the Endowment Fund was reduced in 1932 and why.” He asked for projection for 1933.
September 22, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Morris promises to send Board “the amount the endowment fund … and any other information financially which would be of interest to the Board at the present time.” Notes that he had not seen the Monitor article but adheres to Pettit’s land policy to not plough new land but use previously ploughed terrain. He agrees to check up on Shur-Stops and to place them wherever possible. He notes that the School, in his opinion, is not over-insured, as the insurance was recently reduced by about twenty percent.
October 19, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Notes that the monthly report was prepared before receipt of Martin’s request for update. Notes that Miss Wells and Miss [Dorothy] Bolles have left the School after a one-week visit and will give Martin a report. Morris says he does not understand paragraph three in recent correspondence regarding the endowment funds. Directs Martin’s attention to Mr. Mansell‘s report which notes “that the money that was taken from the endowment fund was to be replaced. He feels very strongly about keeping the endowment fund intact.” Morris notes he will write him regarding the postscript in your letter and comments on Zande House inventoried value at present time that is due, he imagines, to depreciation.
November 11, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Advises Martin that he will be leaving Pine Mountain on a three-week trip which will take him to Boston and New York for “reviving interest among our contributors.” He suggests the report from Evelyn Wells’ trip to PMSS would suffice for his monthly report. He reports on the recent marriage of James Faulkner, teacher, and Barbara Wilbur, bookkeeper for the School, who will be living in Pole House. He alerts Martin to the mailing of the PINE CONE and the coming NOTES all printed at the School and being sent to all BOT members.
December 12, 1933. Glyn Morris to Darwin D. Martin. Reports that he has returned from the trip of one month around New England and New York. He is pleased with the trip outcomes but expects to see results in the new year. He reports on the hire of Dr. Frank Newman of Newark New Jersey, a graduate of Phillips Academy, Williams College and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He notes that Dr. Newman is to be married on January 1 and will start work at the School on January 6.