Document rQEOVD6p7dorVeb5KMR3EBJG

April 21,1927. iv*r ji* V7* '.ebb, The Ethyl Gasoline Corp., 25 Broadway, Hew York, N. Y. My dear Hr. Webb: Pursuant to ma, letter a few days ago con cerning Mr* S I B I bad conversation wi h bis physicians, Doc tor Brewer and Doctor Henderson, both oi^whom were quite willing to cooperate with me in doing whatever seems best for Mr. and it was thought advisable that he be given work to do. ^ ^ T '/ith this idea in mind I asked I.!r. Siebenthaler to bring M r . ^ B J ^ t o my office to talk matters over today. I explained fully to him the point of view at which we had arrived, and he was agreeable to the arrangement* However, he made a coun ter proposal which may have a certain merit. In fact it is my feeling thnt Doctor Henderson believes his proposal to be the more desirable orie, and he has discussed it xvith him. It is as follows:- Some days ago h e , - M B K had a conversation with officials and physicians at the Dayton Soldiers Home in which they are reputed to have said that they would give him employment and at the same time medical observation and care, that he would be given work to do to the extent of his ability to perform work, and that in the event he was unable to progress, they would take care of the outcome whatever it might be* This seemed to ease his mind greatly and to assure him that he would be taken care of* He I3 very much troubled, however, about the situation of his wife* He said this to me. rt I owe money on my house and elsewhere, and this has been a source of great worry. I do not wish to bring suit a gainst the Ethyl Gasoline, Corporation, and have avoiced all sugges tions which have been made to me that this should be 'done by me In the near future, unless I were willing to permit my case to go on so long as to be legally outlawed. If the Ethyl Gasoline Corpora tion would settle with me for $5,000. I would be happy to sign an agreement and to arrange In any way desirable, and w ould regard this a3 a complete and final settlement of my case." i-Ir. further -2 r stated that he was willing to settle with the Ethyl Gasoline Cor poration for any sum that it was willing to give, hut that both he and his physician regarded the $>5,000* as being a fair settle ment, and that he would be content and would feel that he had been fairly treated if the matter were handled in this way. I do hot know what you will feel sibout this, neither do I know what the legal aspect of the situation is* I do know, however, that the man has been worried about financial difficulties, about his own inability to work and make a living, and that these things have contributed considerably to his mental state* In view of his arrangements with the Soldiers Home, a set tlement at this time might so ease his financial situation and put an end to his worries to such an extent as to allow his complete men tal recovery. After having had this conversation with him, in which he fairly and frankly stated to me hiw own feeling, I gave him my word that I would present his case, and do what I could for him. I therefore, present all of these facts and statements for what they are worth, and leave them to your consideration. Meantime, I shall be glad to do whatever I can for ^r* Ross in the way of giving him either personal or professional advice. I have, of course, stated to him that I have no authority or power to make any settlement with him. I feel, however, that these statements of his are a definite advance in the progress of complete settlement of his case, and I 'should appreciate knowing what is your r^ '.ion to the entire situa tion. . I.do not know whether it advisable for him to receive such a settlement. It may only fix more firmly his idea that he is incapacitated. However it may be decidedly to the advantage of the Ethyl Gasoline Corporation to have an immediate end of this a f - ^ fair. No threat or suggestion in the direction of a suit by Mr.^flBB has been made, it is nevertheless likely that he will follow the ad vice of persons who have talked to him, and file suit in advance of the time which would outlaw such a suit. Frankly I do not know what to advise and so leave the facts to speak for themselves. Very truly yours, RAK:OD 0020999