July 18, 1916 -Politics is just beginning to become active.

Well as we see 100 years ago the political timeline was the same as today. I am sure that Joe could never have imagined what we are witnessing. Here is very fun letter that talks about lots of different subjects. From weight scales to politics.

July 18,1916.


My dear Helen:
There have been hot days and then some more, but to-day has seen the thermometer running up near the boiling point. And to make things worse, I too had a bet. The result added to the heat of the situation and did not cool off a bit. Last night, to start with, Doctor Rosen took me out, and along about ten or so, bet that I weighed more than he. I fell. I had an idea that he weighed about 175 or 180, and I thought the scales in New York said 165 for me. Well, we went to Riker's where they are supposed to have a new kind of an instrument, one that weighs in a new way, and I should say it did. Doctor pulled down 155 and I saw it moves along to 169. Someone is looney, that’s sure.

Still, why worry. Just read the enclosed cartoon. To add to the situation, I had to try a case to-day, that required the use of an interpreter, and it certainly did make the tem­perature climb with leaps and bounds in endeavoring to obtain a short answer to a simple question. For example, in cross-exam­ining the other side's main witness, I asked the man if he had ever bought or sold a certain kind of scales-the value among other things being in issue- and after responding to the interpreter for about ten minutes at the rate of a mile a minute, we received a little journey to a story that had as much connection with my question, that a cat's tail has to the periscope of the Deuchland. Then I had to try again and again, until the answer came; and then a new question started the thing all over again.

Of course, that prevented my going to New York this afternoon; and now am uncertain whether I can do so tomorrow. I have several things here that are peculiar in that the lawyer's on the other side are preparing to go away, and unless several matters are adjusted now, it may cause them to lay over to the Fall, which I dislike; and so must keep on the job, when they call me. But I'll probably get down Thursday, sometime in the morning, I hope.

It makes me laugh, and sometimes begin to envy the fact that you can stay around the house in negligee - as you call it-and be cool, while down here in the country, we swelter in the office.   I started to take my car out this evening, and discovered that the folks had seen it first, and are in it, probably headed for some bathing beach by now. But then, I have considerable patience, and when that runabout arrives, it will be different, believe muh.

I’ve gotten hold of a good book to-day, called "Acres of Diamonds.” It is a story of Doctor Conwell, together with his address of that same name. It reads beautifully, and is very pleasing, since I've read the address before, and even heard him deliver it himself at a Chautauqua once. Guess I'll go home early and finish it for the Fra is still unread, and "In Memoriam" has a similar story.

The old wanderlust of going out to meet my friends at the Convention next week, is just returning, and is enhanced by the daily receipt of letters from various men from different parts of the country saying that they will be there, and arrange­ments for dinners etc. are mentioned. Some come from the far west, and those fellows are looking forward to a long trip, and so make more elaborate plans in advance to make sure that they have a good time. With all the shark stories afloat, I do not know whether I will venture out to display my wonderful swimming abilities, or even bother about taking up room with my new bathing suit. But three dinner engagements have already been planned, and since we are to convene for three or perhaps four days-yes it is four- why, that end of the affair seems to have made much progress. Of course that does not include the formal banquet on Tuesday night, nor the informal dinner on Wednesday, at which there will be a re­union of the former base-ball players. Don't think that the eats bother me, not at all, but if that scale at Riker's is anywhere near the truth, the great feat will be to be present at them all, and rest content on sipping horsesnecks and eating pretzels, and calling that a banquet.

It might be advisable to take along a gas mask such as is used in Europe now, to keep the sand off my face. Don't you think sol

Politics is just beginning to become active, and in a few weeks, after the formal nominations are made, everything will be humming till after election. And it will be a really interest­ing contest, for both the nominees are clean men of fine traits, and great personalities, and it will eliminate any mudslinging and get down to the best-man-with-the-best-platform winning. It's quite interesting to watch how it begins to show the signs of life, and gradually rise up to be a big and pulsating thing, only to disappear after the election is over. It's great to see friends getting excited over how to vote and what the policies of the country ought to be, and once the issue is decided, settle right down, and endeavor to work with the winner for the good of the nation. Of course some people carry grudges, and never get over it but once elected, a man is the servant of all, not of any class. That was the trouble with the Socialist party up in Schenectady, I believe, where they ousted the mayor from the party because he could not be dictated to by them. He claimed that although elected as a Socialist, he was the mayor of the City, and was bound to act for the best interests of the City, and not the party. Notice that I am starting a political speech. Before getting further out on the sea of that subject, I’ll emulate Hubbard when he said “the best time to stop talking is just before toy tell all you know.”

Sincerely,
Joe


Here is the cartoon that Joe referred to in the body of the letter.

Joe was very worried that he would get heavy and since he was only 5'6" that was an easy thing to do.

The next letter is July 24.