December 1. 1936.

Mr. Barrett H. Clark, Director

Dramatists’ Play Service, Inc.,

The American Dramatists

9 East 38th Street

New York, N. Y.,

Dear Barrett: –

You will probably be approached to-morrow by representatives of what was formerly the Theatre Collective and what is now to be known as the Peoples Repertory Theatre.

They are interested in doing “Draw the Fires” on what they say will be a professional basis with considerable Union support. Let me tell you confidentially that I have certain private misgivings about the activities of this group and about their ability, financial and artistic, to give an adequate production to this play.

I have referred them to you to make the regular Guild contract for this production. May I depend upon you to draw this contract with special care, so that I will have at all times the right to withdraw the play if I find any objections on any phase of the staging of this production, especially the casting, financing, publicity etc. I cannot be bothered with checking up on all these things and I hope you can devise some way to enter a contract which will make this group toll the mark.

Another group which has been in touch with me is the old Neighborhood Play House on Grand Street, sponsored by the Henry Street Settlement. This group is about to revive after a period of inactivity. The leader of the group will be a young man by the name of Irwin Swerdlow who may communicate with you shortly in connection with the proposed production of “Machine Wreckers”. My remarks about the Peoples Repertory Theatre apply with equal force to this project.

You will understand, my dear Barrett, that my many obligations prevent me from playing detective to these groups and I must rely on your judgment and experience that I and my work are properly protected. I leave these things in your hands with utter confidence.

Sincerely yours,

Ernst Toller

By: Selma Stern.

Secretary.

Dictated but not read

as Mr. Toller had to leave for Columbus.