(seq. 1)

Box 100, Charlestown, Mass.
December 23, 1929.

My dear Miss Holzschuh;

Thank you very much for your courtesy in writing
to me, and for your good wishes. It is always pleasant to get a letter,
especially an unexpected one, for in so dull a place as this, letters,
next to visits, are our greatest sources of enjoyment. You are very
good to have been so thoughtful.

I'm glad you found my brief article not entirely
devoid of interest, and I wish that I could think how best to make my
experiences of some use to you in the work you are doing. The day you
were here I am sorry to say that I gathered only a hazy idea of your
purpose in talking to us. This was not because of anything you failed to
make clear, however, for I remember your telling me that you were from
Harvard (I wondered later if that meant Radcliffe) and that you wanted to
know what the what the juvenile courts could have done, but failed to do,
to keep me in the straight path. Unprepared as I was, I must have sounded
fearfully vague and uncertain in what I brought forth on the spur of the
moment. And even now, much as I desire to be of some use, I find it
difficult to analyze and interpret my experiences in terms which would
have meaning for anyone but myself. But if you were to tell me whether
you are, let us say, preparing a college thesis, or whether your angle of
approach is from the sociologic, economic, religious or some other angle,
perhaps I could help you. To me, of course, it is all justso much of
life, of personal experience, so that unless I knew from what attitude
you were looking at the subject, I should find it very hard to write
anything useful about it. This is the point on which I was, and am now,
uncertain. If you will enlighten me, I shall be glad to write out my
ideas on juvenile courts; and I can write better than I can talk about
them, since in writing one has more time for careful thinking and
accurate language. Lest you think me vain of my powers I hasten to add
that I do not for an instant suppose that my ideas are likely to cause
a revolution in juvenile court methods - much as that may seem desirable -
but I do feel that they may be of some use, in the way that a patient's
account of his illness may be of use to a physician. Such as they are,
though, you are very welcome to any use you can find for them.

Nelson thanks you for remembering him and joins me
in wishing you, not only the usual holiday greetings, but every good
thing you could possibly wish yourself. Are we to have the pleasure of
seeing you again? We certainly hope so, and that it may be soon.

Yours sincerely,

Harold Smith.