15 Central Park West

New York, New York

December 13, 1938

Mr. Barrett H. Clark

Dramatists Play Service

6 East 39th Street

New York, New York

Dear Barrett:

This morning I gave you a ring. I wanted to inquire about the payment which is due to me from the Theatre Guild since October, 1936. Allow me to remind you of the facts. In October, 1936 I called on Mr. Munsell and inquired about the sale of the rights of “Masses and Man” to different amateur and repertory companies in the States. He told me that about one hundred dollars was due to me. I refused to take the money for two reasons. First, I wanted to have a statement as he had told me that in the years before, even after Hitler came to power, he had sent the money to Germany.

Secondly, at no time had he the right to sell amateur rights of “Masses and Man”. The Theatre Guild never had bought these amateur rights.

If you remember the Dramatists Guild took this over. This is now the third year that Mr. Munsell avoids both giving a statement or paying any sum. This is really annoying, especially as at this moment I need badly every sum, even the smallest, for reasons that you know and which are stated in the Post in Ludwig Lore’s article this afternoon.

I think something has to be done. Couldn’t Luise speak to Miss Helburn about it? I am whole-heartedly opposed to making out of this petty affair a law-suit. But if the Theatre Guild does not become reasonable and fulfill its obligations there remains no other way out. Kindest regards,

Yours ever,

Ernst.