stefansson-wrangel-09-13-029

Broadway at 156 St, New York, September 6, 1923.

Mr. A. J. Taylor. Combustion Engineering Co., Bank of Hamilton Bldg., Toronto.

My dear Taylor:

A few weeks ago the North American Newspaper Alliance got in touch with me and retained me to write the background of the Wrangel Island story and also to advise them with regard to the matter until it should be over.

Shortly after this Mrs. Wilcox went away on her vacation and I offered to look after the office and attend to V.S.'s cables during her absence.

Thus I came in a way to be a sort of liason officer between the various sections of this widely spread drama.

The other day I received a cablegram from V. S. asking me to consult Miss Marbury and others regarding the sale of Crawford’s and the other boys' diaries in magazine form edited by himself and Noice. From conversations I had had with Pickering I felt certain that he considered the Alliance entitled to the first chance at all the material and upon consulting the contract made between yourself and the Alliance I still think this to be the case.

Pickering intimated to me that he would probably be able to pay more than any other bidder anyway and that his use of the material need not necessarily conflict with its being used in magazine articles afterwards. He intimated also that the figure he had in mind was $5,000, but this would depend upon the amount of material that was available. So far we do not know whether Noice brought back any diaries or not.

I have cabled Noice twice for information and so has Pickering but so far nothing has come from him excepting that delayed cable, part of which I relayed to you yesterday. Of course the earthquake has upset the cable service between Seattle and Sitka and that may account for the delay. The Alliance people were greatly upset yesterday upon receiving the Toronto Star which had a Canadian Press dispatch from Nome containing about as much information as Noice had sent to them. Noice's story

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however, did not reach here until late Sunday night and the Star printed their dispatch on Saturday!

I acquainted V. S. with my views regarding the rights of the Alliance and suggesred that they would be willing to pay $5,000 and he cabled me authorizing me to accept the offer if made.

Pickering is away for a couple of days and I have done nothing further in the matter. I cannot do much anyway until I hear from Noice regarding the extent of the material in his possession.

Another difficulty presents itself to my mind. Crawford's story is probably the property of his heirs. Can V.S. undertake to edit and publish it without Crawford’s parents consent? It may be that this has already been obtained, but in another cable V. S. asks me to advise the boys' relatives of his intention to publish the diaries and to distribute the proceeds.

I enclose a copy of a letter which I have written to Maurer’s mother. A similar letter has been sent to Knight's father, Galle's mother and also to Maurer's wife. I have hesitated, however, to write to the Crawfords and I would like to suggest that you take the matter up with them (if it has not already been done) and advise them of V. S.'s offer and secure their acquiescence.

I presume the $5,000 from the N.A.N.A. (if eventually offered and accepted) will also go to this fund. In addition will be magazine and book rights. The latter have already been offered to Macmillans and their acceptance awaits only information as to the extent of the material, or so I imagine.

If the Crawfords are agreeable. (Or if you can deal independently of them). And if when Noice advises me as to the extent of the material in his possession, the Alliance are willing to go through with the purchase on the basis of the tentative offer already made me, I shall have a contract drawn up and signed by Pickering and shall forward it to you for your signature, if this is agreeable to you.

Yours sincerely,