JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

ALAIN L. ROY LOCKE
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, D. C.

No.

January 4, 1922

Dear Jean,

Bravo - many, many congratulations. You are particularly happy in the publisher. I appreciate so much your keeping me posted. I cannot resist the wretched pun that I hope the book will raise Cane.

I have under way one of my usual stedgy articles on the attitude toward the Negro in fiction. I really want to castigate Stribling, Shands and Clement Wood. In a day or so I am receiving the manuscript copy of Miss Fauset's novel "There is Confusion". I would appreciate if you have a carbon reading yours in manuscript too, - for it would give me all the more material to go on. And then too, I might be ready with a review that I would be glad to place at your judgment and disposal. I give you frank warning that in the longer article I am going to root for Batoula. However, I can also shout for Cane, - in, I hope, very much the same key.

Do look me up when you get chance. I was recently in New York and have literary febritis. Ought I take quinine internally or break out with the rash and fever blisters. Good luck to you throughout the year.

With best wishes,

PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPY: ORIGINAL MATERIAL RESTRICTED

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

1341 You Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.,
1 Oct 1922.

Dear A L

I've got to get to New York for a season. My stuff is hanging. I haven't done a thing since Spring. I have no money, so I must raise it; from five hundred to a thousand. Payment is uncertain, though I should be able to meet the notes in from three to five years. I've been thinking of Mrs Elbert. You know her. What do you think of my writing her? Mrs Elbert occurs to me because the proposition would hardly appeal to one from a purely business point of view. Vision, and a literary interest are necessary. She fits the bill better than any other I can call to mind.

I'm working at the Howard now; assistant manager. And my hours are long. From 10 AM to 11 PM. But if you can find a moment or two, I'll manage to come around to see you.

Have you seen the DOUBLE DEALER and the LIBERATOR for Sept? Both have two pieces of mine.

Dear AL

I've got to get to New York for a season. My stuff is hanging. I haven't done a thing since Spring. I have no money, so I must raise it: from five hundred to a thousand. Payment is uncertain, though I should be able to meet the notes in from three to five years. I've been thinking of Mrs Elbert. You know her. What do you think of my writing her? Mrs Elbert occurs to me because the Proposition would hardly appeal to one from a purely business point of view. Vision, and a literary interest are necessary. She fits the bill better than any other I can call to mind.

I'm working at the Howard now: assistant manager. And my hours are long. From 10 am to 11 pm. But if you can find a moment or two, I'll manage to come around to see you.

JEAN TOCCHI COLLECTION