Norman Holmes Pearson

Dear Bill:

Thanks for your numerous notes and all dope contained
therein.

No doubt Lola Ridge told you of my visit with her. You
are entirely right! She is a very charming person indeed. Possibly
I succumbed so much that I include a few too many of the sonnets, but
I do not think you will object. There was little trouble about removing
the selection from THE GHETTO. I broached the subject of its omission,
she jumped to the conclusion that it was because the poem had been too
much used, and I saw no vital reason for not letting it go on that issue.

My visit with the divine Edgar Lee Masters was hardly so
pleasant. He lowered his comfortable self into a chair, hitched up his
trousers to show his Real Silk Hosiery, settled his hands on the paunch
of his business-man's belly, and smugly settled the matters of the poetical
world. As to our suggested changes: "Well, I see no reason for changing
my mind. I have added the very best poems, much admired by everyone. May
Sinclair thinks them fine. We will not discuss the matter further." Just
possibly I got somewhere on the matter of a reduction of his fee. I put
my pretty little self onto that problem, and he has promised to write me
his decision in a couple of days. I have, however, no great hopes.

The price for Lindsay's "Congo" is a punch below the belt.
Obviously their tactics have been to put a price on it that they think we
won't care to meet. Personally I am in favor of using it, on the ground
that Foerster, our biggest rival, has it in. It really is a high spot, and
will probably be a good number to have on the list. To the public, there
is always the question as to why it was omitted. To us, alas, the question
is otherwise!

Boissevain has written me that Vincent Millay is momentarily
to give birth to suggestions for changes in her group. I hope they will
not come still-born.

Ought to be ready by the middle or end of next week for a nother
conference, and will let you know by phone before hand.

All best, as ever

147 Cottage Street
New Haven, Connecticut.