Hotel Tiger Columbia, Mo. Sept. 24, 1941
Dear Bess:
Got up at 6:30 after sitting up until two writing you an air mail letter. Jim Wade called me from Cape Girardeau on account of some rail rates which would upset his gasoline business. I couldn't get mad at him because he's chairman of the 9th District Committee and a very devout Catholic. During the campaign he went to a meeting where Donnell and Davis were speaking. Davis as usual made a Stark speech. Jim headed them off as they came down from the platform and asked Donnell if I wasn't Grand Master of Masons in Missouri and Donnell said "yes he is." "Well" said Jim, "is it possible for a man as Davis says Truman is to get that honor from the Masons?" Donnell told him it wasn't and Jim spread it far and wide, so I am very grateful to him. I can't help him but I'll try. He sells 500,000 gallons of gasoline on a 3/10 of a cent margin because he can haul it up the Miss. River on barges that much cheaper than the railroad can do it. Now the Mo. Pac. is asking for a cut that will put him out of business. They want the cut only in his territory. It's a rotten thing to do but I can't stop it.
We had a grand meeting at Fulton tonight. I left there because I am sure Tom Van Zant expected to have a party at his house of all the politicians in Little Dixie including Judge Tipton. I had fooled 'em in the afternoon and got a two-hour nap and I didn't see any use in throwing that catch up rest away so I came over here expecting to stop at the Pennant. It was full and we came here. Have a nice room at the same price.
It started to rain this afternoon and is still pouring. Prophicy [sic] is for continued rain until the effects of the hurricane has past. That will be about tomorrow night and I'll be in St. Louis then. I called Helen Souter last evening from Grandview. She was, as usual, very effusive and seemed highly pleased that you would want first hand information. Went by the house and gave Christie the Stark's delicious apples that Lockhart gave. Saw May and Natalie working on Red Cross affairs. They offered me the chairmanship but I refused the honor.
Glad you liked that candy. We'll see what St. Louis can produce. Tell Margie to be a nice girl. Remember me to your mother. Love to you.
Harry
Donnell, Harris Johnson, and all the bigwigs were at this meeting.