Letter, Kate Gleason to Mr. Stevens
A letter from Kate Gleason to “Mr. Stevens” about Henry M. Leland, former president of the Lincoln Motor Company. The Ford Motor Company bought out Lincoln in 1922 and was apparently in dispute with Leland. Kate regrets the dispute and notes that Henry Ford has always been a friend of Gleason Works and that she has driven a Ford since 1915. She apologizes if she inadvertently gave the impression that James Gleason would be coming to Mr. Leland’s aid.
Dear Mr Stevens,
I wish there had been an
opportunity for me to discuss with you the
affairs of Mr Henry Leland. But I can’t
get to Detroit again before May.
It worried me very much to be taken to
a hearing of the Ford case with Mr Leland.
Mr Henry Ford has always been one of the best
friends of the Gleason Works and a number of
men in his organization have been personal
friends of mine for many years. I feel such
loyalty that I am the member of the Gleason
family who drives a Ford car. And I have
never driven anything else since 1915 except
in the year and a half that the Fords were
off the market.
And I am also concerned that I have inad-
vertantly given the Lelands the impression that
my brother expressed a wish to come to Mr Leland’s
aid. I have never discussed with my brother
any possible aid from him. I know my brother is
very generous but no man wants someone else
committing him to enterprises that are not of his
initiative.
I will write Mr Wilfred Leland another
letter and I will keep your address so I can xxxxx
cummunicate with you if there is anything I want
to say that it might hurt Mr Wilfred Leland to
hear.
Yours Truly,