Transcription
Akron, Ohio
November 13, 1947
Mrs M W Harrison, 56 Highland Circle, Bronxville, N Y
Mrs John L Handy, Bedford Farm House, Katonah, New York
Dear Irene and Ginny:
I have canvassed your brothers with regard to the advisability of holding a meeting here to talk about estate and family problems, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 28-29-30 (three days following Thanksgiving) and all of them feel that we should get together at that time and talk things over, although all are agreed that it will be virtually impossible to reach any decisions of a definite nature with reference to Stan Hywet until the Noble-Handy debt matter arrives at some definite status and we precisely where we stand with regard to it. It was also agreed that nothing of a definite nature could be finalized with reference to proceeding with the liquidation of Mother’s estate so long as income from the estate is needed to help sustain Father.
The brothers felt, however, that conversations at that time would be worth while none the less in helping to develop a plan of operation for proceeding with the analysis of and operations for handling the problems that confront us in the future in dealing with Mother’s and Father’s estate, as well as the major problem of what to do with about the Stan Hywet property; so the four of us have agreed to get together as above set forth.
The question arose as to whether the two of you should be urged to come on especially for these conversations unless you were otherwise planning to do so, and the consensus of opinion was that in view of the expense and trouble involved, as well as in view of the obvious inability to effect any final decisions, that it would be a mistake to encourage you to be here or make you feel that you would be remiss in your duty if you were not here. On the other hand, we would not want you to think for one minute that you were not welcome or desired, for such is by no means the case. Undoubtedly both of you would benefit from our discussions, as we would benefit from yours. It is just that we feel that in the absence of any ability at this time to reach any definite decisions of import, that it might not be worth your while to go to the effort and expense of being here unless you are planning to come on for Thanksgiving celebration anyway.
As one member of the group, I am going to insist that from now on minutes be kept of our meetings, which will be circulated to all of us in printed form, so that we will have a written record of what transpires at these various meetings reflecting viewpoints and attitudes, so that all may be kept informed of the developments in viewpoints, attitudes and ideas and decisions, if any, as they occur from time to time, so that whether you are present or not you will be informed. Obviously no definite decisions of any kind should ever be made until everyone has had an opportunity to consider the matter decided upon and express himself accordingly.
I think that finally all of the brothers have come to realize that we are starting down a long, long trail that will extend over many years and be encompassed with many difficult problems, hard,and [sic] at times,unpleasant [sic] decisions, before at long last the final accountings are made and Mother’s and Father’s estates are completely liquidated, discharged and closed.
You have only to realize that tho [sic] Grandmother Seiberling died before World War I, that it was not until recently that the final disposition of the homestead which she left to her children was made, involving thus a period of over thirty years, to appreciate fully the length of the road ahead of us. When you consider how much greater is the size and ramifications and complications of the estates and property with which we are dealing, it is easy to understand why the road ahead of us will be a long and difficult one.
If either of you plan to come on, please let me know by return Air Mail, because Akron members of the family are all invited to Westgate for Thanksgiving dinner and we must notify Mother Manton immediately how many will be here from the F A Seiberling branch so that she can plan her ordering and table arrangements accordingly. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you will not be on at that time.
With much love, as ever –
Sincerely
Pen
J P Seiberling
JTranscriber
Cindi RokeLanguage
English
