Herbert H. Dow 2000 Addition

Keego Habor, Mich

Dr. H.H. Dow Midland, Mich.

Dear Dr. Dow:

As per our agreement I will arrive in Midland on the 9th of August, or 10th, to put in a full month in the preparation of the Flower Show. I have spent some little time on the plans already and have a preliminary lay out ready for your approval.

Very sincerely,

William G. Baxter

August 2 —

To Mr. H. H. Dow -

I appreciate your desire to have the empty spaces on the Court House Lobby wall filled as soon as possible — I am, maybe, even more desirous of not dragging out two pictures that have become rather expensive. Fact is I have had the two ideas in my possession too long - they have developed beyond the amount of labor which could be reasonably considered under our commercial agreement. But I have already gone too far - in fact my mind no longer sees them in a spontaneous, superficial manner, easy to make. To be more specific— the one with figure of [?Lower], has a background with your entire Midland plant — a matter of a week’s work on perspective alone. The Return of Soldiers has exactly (at present) a dozen half life size figures. They must all be given some study. Moreover the idea itself requires just as much consideration as I have time to devote to it. I am making changes all the time. The [Lower?] is in definite form and I can give it to you at an early date, if you must have it.

But if you want the Return of Soldiers in a hurry, it seems to me that I must [leave?] you free to get someone else to do it. I am working every day also holidays — I can’t do more. I find that I am on a subject much more complicated than I expected. It is working out very satisfactory to me — in fact I would not object to keeping it. I may, of course, get through with it much quicker than I forsee — but I can’t promise to rush it - and spoil it - I trust that you will appreciate my position — I will not, on my part, feel hurt if you decide that you must take the matter into your own hands —

2 - I am not surprised that your new colors are arousing international interest. I have seen a number of magazine articles thereon myself and I am not a prolific reader. I have no time at present.

You idea of a colored netting is interesting, Long ago in Paris I used various colored veilings to get some Whistler effects. I don’t see exactly how you intend to use it. I suppose you would like to tone down my murals. Time and dust generally do that all too rapidly — however I will be glad to go into the matter with you. Experiments always interest me —

It has just occurred to me that if [Hanoi?] can make a [br?sh] mural with your colors. I might be able to incorporate some of them in these two murals — I would like to try them. I use a chalk absorbent ground of my own composition which is perfectly [wat —] and on my best work I use only a palette knife — no brushes — but, of course, the medium must flow somewhat —[?] colors intermingle in a broken way. It ought to be worth while experimenting with - Will you send me a complete set of your colors? in a sufficient quantity to cover the two murals — yellows most used — If you will do this, please let me know at once so I can work with that in view — Don’t forget to enclose as complete instructions about mixing etc — as possible —

Hoping to hear from you on this subject

I remain sincerely at your service

Brian Roger

2281 Virginia Park

Detroit

Monday — 27 June — 1926

Brian Roger

To Mr. H. H. Dow

Dear Sir —

My forced delay in getting at work on the last two panels for the Court House has been so unreasonably long that I am writing you to know whether you still desire them? The cause of delay was briefly this — My mother was taken severely sick and finally died. She had lived alone with me for several years and felt that I alone could care for her; and, unconsciously , I overworked my weak ankle. Then, to make matters worse, I forcd myself, trying to straighten out two delayed jobs — with result that I had to go to bed — temporarily, [I thot?] but it dragged along - - -

But I am up again and feeling [mad?] enuf to make good art. Do you want me to make those two murals? They will take me from six to eight weeks after getting your word to go ahead.

If your decision is favorable will you please take up the matter with the Mayor and tell him why I could not keep my word.

Brian Roger

2281 Virginia Park Detroit

The photo you gave me I will return as soon as I know that I will no longer need them.

July 5

To H.H. Dow Midland

Dear Mr. Dow:

Thank you or your decision. I delayed these two days nswerung you merely to be able to say that I have recommenced the paintings for Midland and will complete them in the shortest possible time, considering the sort of work —

I know the blue water which you refer to. To tone down color is a comparatively simple matter and I will do all that is really advisable hen I intal the remining two —

Sincerely at your service

Brian Roger

2281 Vrginia Park. Detroit —

Nov.11.1923.q

My dear Mr. Dow:

The reports are all in now and I am enclosing them for reference, as well as statements of Drs Bartlett and [?ah???]

My interpretation of the reports connected with my examination indicate that as far as our modern means of research can take us you organically are pretty healthy, at any rate there seems to be nothing to worry about.

All that I told you that Sunday night you should bear, in mind: i.e., concerning regular moderate exercise, remembering that your age sets some limitations on the amount that you should take noting that you should stop short of extreme fatigue with dizziness.

I shall be interested to know how you get on with the exercises that I gave you.

Cordially,

A.R. Diefendorf

.

And now we have in the United States a market so large, thanks [?] wages, that the chemical manufacturer is beginning to share the pros[?] that formerly only the master of mechanical products enjoyed. Most chemical processes can be conducted on a large scale ?.? amount of labor that a small scale operation involves in either ?. and moving increased production means an increased as evaporating pan does not normally call for more men. W therefore now looks as though the great market within the U.S. is destined to do for the chemical manufacturer maker what the interchange plan did for the mechanism manufacturer and the third great epoch in the march of progress, brought about by high wages will do much more relatively for the chemists than ——————High wages were forced more or less unwillingly on the first manufacturer and to avoid too high costs he was also forced to adopt every labor saving device possible and these improvements almost invariably had the ultimate effect of lowering costs even if accompanied with higher wages but many of these labor savers are justified only in large scale operations consequently the whole trend of the times is to favor the nation with the big market and the firm with the most customers. Or to be more personal How has the company I represent met this demand? When the engineering department was first established as a self contained organization. Its head was a graduate Civil Engineer and the draughtsman had been a pattern maker and for a time most of the tendency of this type of engineer is to make everything on as large a scale as possible and to see and know how. overcome the difficulties that big structures impose this coupled with the absol necessity of holding down the investment for lack of capital broughtabout an elaborate study of all the factors entering into the investment as best exemplified in loud Kelviins lawbfor determining the investment in copper that was justified under varis conditions. I do not know that our chemical reseach was conducted in a manner materially different than was customaryelsewhere but the [s?.] one can of wating plants undoubtedly by reflectd to some extent the mehods used in the mature refined plants and then some plants taken to the engineers who in cooperation with he chemists evolved the real plant that normally was profitable after a moderate amoun of turning up but noplant is ever final.