Telephone MUrray Hill 6-4986
OPERATION DEMOCRACY, INC.
369 Lexington Avenue
New York 17, N. Y.

October 21, 1948

Mrs. Velma Carson
Morganville, Kansas

Dear Velma,

Things are moving along in the matter of Homer Christenson�s candy for the children of Feves. As I told you, I think there are two 25-pounds of �Christmas- Mix� with 100 small Christmas boxes. Yesterday, Air France, through its publicity director, Ellis Reed, agreed to fly the candy directly to Metz from where it will be delivered personally by one of the airline stewards. Naturally, the reason for all this sudden generosity is publicity. Air France feels that this is a very good story and is particularly interested in getting it out to the mid-western papers. Here in New York, they will undoubtedly take pictures at the airport of the boxes being handed to the steward by a French Boy Scout. In other words, we will ask the Boy Scout to represent the children of Morganville and make the presentation - if you approve of the idea. There isn�t, by any chance, an ex-Morganville resident with children living in New York, is there? That would be even better, of course. The boxes are marked �From the Morganville, Kansas, Feves Committee to the Children of Feves, France.�

We will include the letter from the Morganville kids and make a copy of it in French to send to Feves. I am also getting up a background story on Morganville for Ellis Reed with something about Homer Christianson. You can rest assured that we will say nothing which might embarrass or annoy him. It may be, however, that some AP man may come to Morganville and ask for a picture of him. Incidentally, I think it would be wise if you wrote your committee or the mayor of Feves and told them that the candy was coming, stressing the fact that this was just a token gift, and that the rest will follow by boat. Aid to France is very pleased over the material that has been coming in from Morganville, as well they might. I saw some of it myself yesterday.

I hope you get the numbered prints we sent back to you. I now have six sets and am giving them out here and there where they will do the most good. In the matter of the script, the problem for such a long piece is financial. Our last mimeographed News Letter, for example, cost us close to $100 for 2,000 copies. As you know, all these costs are way up now. The other problem is stenographic help. I just can�t turn it over to our staff at this moment. However, we will do our best. Thanks for your good letter, which I read on the way to Washington Monday. I am seeing Bob today. These meetings of ours usually sound like a reunion of old Morganville boys.

Best regards.

Sincerely,


Charles L. Todd
Executive Secretary
CLT: vb

(My God, I meant �Lafe.�)