December 9th, 1914.

My dear Mrs. Scripture:-

I acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt
of your letter of December eighth. I had heard through the news-
papers of what Mr. Scripture had done, and in common with many
others was exceedingly angry with him for having thus cast away
his duties and his reputation.

I wish that anything that I could do might be of assistance
in getting an appointment to West Point or Annapolis for your
son. Unfortunately the tension between the New Haven Railroad
and the administration is such that any letter which I might
write to President Wilson would be useless. If the appointment
were not at large but from a congressional district, I should
take pleasure in writing to the congressman concerned; but any
effort at Washington would be worse than profitless.

I am very sorry indeed not to give more positive help in
answer to your appeal, but I can only tell you what the facts
are.

Faithfully yours,

Mrs. Edward W. Scripture,
300 Central Park West,
New York City.