[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
300,000 Lost Jobs in This State in 1920
Unemployment Growing, Says Labor Board
ALBANY, Jan. 14.—Approximately 300,000 persons in New York State industries lost their jobs between March and December, 1920, and factory employment reductions are steadily assuming larger proportions according to an analysis of employment by the State Industrial Commission.
The Travelling Man’s Home
Hotel Covington
Mrs. Catherine Smith
Proprietor
Perry, New York
Jan. 15, 1921
My Darling
It is way past my usual bedtime but will drop a word and finish tomorrow. I was delighted to get your good letter written yesterday and as Elizabeth said in her letter “you are a peach.” When you know my address you are always good to write me. Your letters are a great help. Will answer your letter. What I meant about Lewis going to the door instead of Mrs. Lloyd [John asked this question in his letter on the 13th] was the night Fay pounded on the door. I took it from your other letter that Elizabeth came home last Tuesday but I see from your last letter she is to come home next Tuesday. She can read letters to you and that will save writing an extra. Tell her Dad is very proud of her splendid marks. They are fine! Am also pleased with the high mark Louise got and am pleased Frank is taking hold of his studies so well. In fact I am proud of the whole bunch including the dear mother.
The card from Aunt Hattie was splendid and I am so glad Frank sent her his picture. She was pleased to get it. I was glad to get Frank’s letter [ John’s brother] and am sorry he didn’t get a victory week after his fine start that Monday, but that’s the way with the blooming business sometimes. I wrote him a long letter just before supper. I am satisfied that he is doing all anyone could do. The conditions out there must be bad. No one gets away and sells everybody and there are some conditions that you can’t overcome. I meet a good many people who just sag back and refuse to buy this year on account of price. Some do it thinking it will help to force lower prices. In a way they are right at that. Last fall when every thing was sailing along so fine our Co. was a first at rising prices but when things began to go bad they politely decided not to advance. I tried to sell a man today 100 daily pads for $125. Last year he bought of us 115 complete daily calendars for $105. Now we ask him $1.25 for each pad to put on to the backs and he refuses to buy. I don’t very much blame him either. It’s an awful price. My sales are twenty-three for week amounting to $1772.41
After supper I sold a laundryman an order for $97 and then went with K.P. Smith to the Masonic Temple for the evening and had a good time. I must get to bed as its just about midnight.
What you had to say in your letter is quite interesting and I presume it’s true. Don’t worry!
Love unbounded for each dear one.
Jack
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