Scrapbook page 12
Title
Scrapbook page 12
Creator
Ochs, Milton Barlow, 1869-1955
Identifier
T100483
Date
No date
Description
Handwritten letter expressing Milton B. Ochs' concerns about his son's temperament and ability to handle a position with financial responsibilities in Paris, and asking Charles Grasty to keep an eye on him.
Source
Gift of Rev. Shelby Ochs Owen
Subject
Correspondence
World War, 1914-1918
Contributor
Rachel Dark
Language
English
Is Part Of
Ochs Collection Scrapbook
Text
Cable. I have been reasonable about it and endeavored to comfort Mrs. Ochs by crediting the mail uncertainties but I fear I have proven a poor comforter as she worries no little hurt I am afraid by the thought “A” fails to appreciate the anxiety she feels, and the fear that procrastination is responsible for the non-receipt of letters from him.
However, I am concerned in another way and I am Going to impose upon you to aid me a bit. I am afraid the boy is dissatisfied with his present assignment and is moody in consequence. Frankly his work is not what I would have chosen for him He is a most temperamental youngster and it worries me no little to think of him charged with the responsibilities of accounting. I understand he is treasurer in the business department of the AEF paper. Realization of his handling money not his own, alarms me more than if he were handling a gun. I have abiding faith in his integrity but I cannot overcome a dread he is in the wrong pew. He was the first man in America to file his application for admission to a training camp, and in consequence of a commendable modesty transferred from an infantry company where he was assured a higher rank at Graduation, to enter the cavalry branch. He feared the infantry instructor might be influenced by an intimate personal acquaintance with our family and reccommend him for higher rank than he deserved. I was very proud of his spirit but questioned his judgement. He was among the first of the new officers to volunteer for overseas but I am sure never dreamed he was being trained for a “financial” job. I do not like the idea of a young fellow alone in Paris, with its temptations, (emphasized no doubt by war conditions) handling big sums of money. I am sure you will understand my anxiety in the premises. If you can spare the time I will be most grateful if you will exercise a mild Guardianship in the premises and when the opportunity is afforded impress upon him the straight and narrow paths one of his Youth must tread in his present position. I earnestly hope his detail is temporary and that he will shortly be otherwise engaged even if the transfer means fight. I believe none of my “set” fears a fight and I would rather he would take his chances in mud and blood than wade through other people’s money. Please keep him in mind now and then and if opportunity is afforded Get him if possible the job for which he enlisted - that of soldiering.
Mrs. Ochs and I will be most grateful for your further interest. She joins me in sincere regards and likewise in hearty congratulations on the excellent correspondence You are supplying, to my mind, the par excellence of service in the Times from overseas.
Cordially.
Milton B. Ochs
Chas. H. Grasty Esq.
New York Times Bureau
Au Journal Le Matin 246 Boulevard Poissonniere
Paris France
However, I am concerned in another way and I am Going to impose upon you to aid me a bit. I am afraid the boy is dissatisfied with his present assignment and is moody in consequence. Frankly his work is not what I would have chosen for him He is a most temperamental youngster and it worries me no little to think of him charged with the responsibilities of accounting. I understand he is treasurer in the business department of the AEF paper. Realization of his handling money not his own, alarms me more than if he were handling a gun. I have abiding faith in his integrity but I cannot overcome a dread he is in the wrong pew. He was the first man in America to file his application for admission to a training camp, and in consequence of a commendable modesty transferred from an infantry company where he was assured a higher rank at Graduation, to enter the cavalry branch. He feared the infantry instructor might be influenced by an intimate personal acquaintance with our family and reccommend him for higher rank than he deserved. I was very proud of his spirit but questioned his judgement. He was among the first of the new officers to volunteer for overseas but I am sure never dreamed he was being trained for a “financial” job. I do not like the idea of a young fellow alone in Paris, with its temptations, (emphasized no doubt by war conditions) handling big sums of money. I am sure you will understand my anxiety in the premises. If you can spare the time I will be most grateful if you will exercise a mild Guardianship in the premises and when the opportunity is afforded impress upon him the straight and narrow paths one of his Youth must tread in his present position. I earnestly hope his detail is temporary and that he will shortly be otherwise engaged even if the transfer means fight. I believe none of my “set” fears a fight and I would rather he would take his chances in mud and blood than wade through other people’s money. Please keep him in mind now and then and if opportunity is afforded Get him if possible the job for which he enlisted - that of soldiering.
Mrs. Ochs and I will be most grateful for your further interest. She joins me in sincere regards and likewise in hearty congratulations on the excellent correspondence You are supplying, to my mind, the par excellence of service in the Times from overseas.
Cordially.
Milton B. Ochs
Chas. H. Grasty Esq.
New York Times Bureau
Au Journal Le Matin 246 Boulevard Poissonniere
Paris France
Original Format
Letter
To
Grasty, Charles H.
Collection
Citation
Ochs, Milton Barlow, 1869-1955, “Scrapbook page 12,” No date, T100483, Adolph S. Ochs Jr. Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.