New-York tribune., 1919-12-06
About a Column
MIR. O'Shcel Replies

Recently as q matter OF duty | sent
every member of the Poetry Society Of
America copy of my letter of resig
nation and q letter asking that other
members resign. l had no idea that |
would start a controversy in your
peaceful column. The only thing
wish to do about the Poetry Society is
forget it. I do not, however, wish to
let it appear that my case is incapable
of defense against criticism, so ! ask
for little space on this occasion, as
suring you that, no matter to what
extent others shall hereafter impose
upon your patience, l shall write and
say no more.
Now, IL appears that some one named
Daniel Henderson, who, to judge from
his phrase 1--WE who are poets," has
been intoxicated by the fattcry which
the Poetry Society lavshes on good
little boys and girls, denies the ac-
curacy Of some of my statements, and
rises to defend the society as a great,
good and benefcent institution. He
cites Edgar Lee Masters attendance at
recent meeting, Witter Bynncr's CON
tinued contribution Of poems to the
constant participation. All these things
may be true, but / have Witter Byn-
ner's note crying "Bravo!" to my ef-
forts, and | have seen his letter to Mr.
Viereck unequivocally disapproving Of
the society's attacks upon him; | have
Mr.. Nasters's letter agreeing with my
views; l have the letters of a score Of
other eminent men and women Of let
ters supporting me, and | know, as
Daniel Henderson knows, that Clement
Wood is fighting the administration of
the society all the time.
AS to Mary Carolyn Davies, and her
book dedicated to the society, Lord
save us! dedicated a subdivision OF
my first book to it-but that was many
years ago! And why pick on Little
Mary? Her relations with the family
of principal officer Of the society pre-
clude an independent attitude
Mr.. Henderson denies that members
withdraw from the society secretly or
retain their membership because they
fear the cammora Of control. The fac,
drawn in that way, or retain member
ship for that reason, and can give Mr..
Henderson plenty of names The Of
ficers conceal these things from .he
members.
The Society may have helped some
poets to "arrivc.' 1t has prevented
and discouraged more, and it has en-
couraged and ilattcred host who
should have been indicted for attompt-
ing to infict verse upon the publ.c
Look at my own case. | have never
written @ real poem, yet | was fattcroG
and smiled upon while ! remained Il
good boy in the society, and insulted
assaulted and Suspended" when | left
The reservation Mr. Henderson de
liberately ignores the real and serious
allegation | make, which is that the
socicty's library committee, consisting
in effect of one ignorant bigoted WON
an without poetry or the knowledge Of
poetry, is attempting to dictate tho
poetry buying of our libraries and the
poetry reading of our public; and that
the society is completely dominated by
small clique, who are obviously, in
Il hundred ways, endeavoring to exalt
the interests of these TO whom they
are committed, and assassinate the
reputation and prospects of all who
resist their dictatorship.
The conspiracy might succeed if i
were not that all the proceedings of
the society have become so tirosome
the poems" read at their meetings
and solemnly published so excruciat-
ing-thnt boredom and ridcule are
fast driving all members of intelligence
and taste out of it-leaving it to its
officers and to good boys like Daniel
Henderson,
Enough! SHAEMAS O'SHEEL.