USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. What A German Widow Thinks of Germany Note: The following letter translated from German was received last week from a war widow of Germany. Her husband, Prof. Erich Meyer was geologist at Berlin, before the war. During 1911 he and his wife traveled thru Switzerland and it was there that the editor met the couple frequently. Prof. Meyer was killed during the early part of the world was during the Russian invasion.--Editor. Koenigsberg in Prussia, Mittel Tragheim 50. August 23, 1922 Dear Mr. Schumacher: By reason of your former friendship with my late husband, the geologist, Dr. Erich Meyers, I take the liberty to write to you today. I had already written to you that my husband lost his life early in the first in the first year of the war. I then moved with my little daughter who is now nine years of age, from Berlin to Koenigsberg to stay with my aged father-in-law who is 94 years of age, and has been bedridden for years. I am taking care of the Inn for him. Formerly he could live from the interest of his invested capital, but today this principal is only worth $30. He of course gets a very small soldiers pension, and I get a small widow's pension and make a little money thru private lessons. But everything together is such a small amount that I am unable to get enough to make a living. (Just now I am reminded that you might not be able to read the German script and will therefore use the latin letters.) You most assuredly know enough of the conditions in Germany of today. It is terribly sad what has became of us. The prices are so out of reach, eg. at present one pound of flour, 34 marks, 1 pound of sugar 70 marks; 1 pound butter 200 marks; so that people exhaust themselves in their effort to make a living, in so far that they are not money chargers, thieves or liars. Of these kind there are a great number at this time. Morals have let up something fierce since the close of the war. But of course this speculation or even deception does not belong to the best of the Germans, for such a purpose they have no inclination. These persons, the most intellectual and highest type of persons, are suffering most today. And yet there lies in this thin layer of our population our entire hope. Among this class of people is felt the national disgrace most intensely. Among these Among these people the better spirit is nourished and appreciated. We have however so many inhabitants who are irresponsible--a large horde of rough undisciplined persons for whom a strong hand is lacking which should lead and guide the. It should not be as now when all the big undisciplined children want to rule by themselves. But I shall finally come to the real purpose of my letter. I have learned from some of my acquaintances that you in America usually give and take fancy work or the like to friends or acquaintances. One or more dollars which I would ask would make me quite an amount. Might I send you something sometimes or might you give me the names of addresses of persons whom I might send some of my work. But I do not want to burden you. If you care not to be bothers with it, just lay it quietly aside and do not pay any attention to it. I am afraid, that we are burdening the Americans now already too much since there is being done so much for Germans. But when collections are made for the people in general then the individual gets very little good from it. About two years ago my little daughter received for many months relief from the Quaker organization for which I was grateful...There are usually only a few children picked out from each class. Since then other children have been preferred who probably looked poorer than mine own. It is terrible to see the many poorly clad, poorly nourished weakly children in the cities. It is a time of great testing for us all. We still have much faith in American influence. Please pardon for en..............upon your time. With many hearty greetings in memory of the many pleasant travel days in Switzerland. Yours., Helene Meyer WANTS DEMOCRATS TO CLEAN HOUSE Following is a copy of a letter from A.P. Sandles to H.M. Summers, chairman county Democratic committee: Columbus, O. May 23, 1922 My Dear Judge:-- Received yours of recent date. It has the right ring to it. Real Democrat has leaders but no bosses. It's a downright shame that Putnam county Democracy has suffered defeat because of our bootlegging bunch could not dictate their own candidates at the primary. ----