W.G.W.
Box 459 Grand Central Annex
New York 17, N.Y.
December 15, 1950
Mr. and Mrs. James Burwell
3611 Park Blvd.
San Diego, california [sic]
Dear Jim and Rosa:
Thanks for your letter of November 10th. Plenty certainly happened since you penned that one. It is hard to get used to the idea that Dr. Bob is gone. But his job was well finished. No more could have been ask [sic] of him. Yet it will take a log time to get used to his absence.
Much obliged for all you say about A.A. on the coast. I suppose that by now you have seen the Conference Plan. I would very much like your view of it, though I guess you did not see the preliminary draft. There wasn’t too much time for consultation because final approval came only at the October Trustees meeting. We have to hold the first session in April or put it off a whole year. The Foundation Annual Reports would be too cold if held at any other date. With much interest I note what you saw about Hal Silverton. I fully agree, too, that Hal’s part in the early days on the Coast has been persistently overlooked. The first time I ever went to L.A., he seemed noticeably not included in the festivities. Maybe I am wrong about that, but such was the appearance. Personally, I have always liked him a lot. These considerations would all make me look favorably on him for the post you suggest.
But, are there not other considerations too? Around Los Angels, there is the largest aggregation in all A.A. Today, not one in a hundred of them know Hal. I don’t believe he has been active in that area for years. These facts, would of course, suggest some old-timer in L.A. who has continued to be active and who is still favorably well-known. Besides, I understand Hal’s health is very dubious; that he is often on the sick list. These are the facts which give me pause when I consider your suggestion.
At best, the Trusteeship on the Coast is a ticklish business. So many oldtimers are in each other’s hair or are so little known that we may have to ask a Group Representativies [sic] assembly to pick one out for us. This hand-picked business gets more full of dynamite each year A.A. grows older.
So think it all over again and let me have your reaction. Meanwhile, Lois joins in Christmas best to you both.
Devotedly,
Bill