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The Century Association 7 West Forty-Third St. New York, 24 Dec. '12. Dear Mr. Muir: Many thanks for your polite letter
which has just reached me. I think I tried to do what I could; as for producing any effect upon the Secy. of the Interior,
I do not know,- and we must face the possibility that he is inclined to give S.F. the grant, after she shall have purchased
Spring Valley. Secy. Stimson is a personal friend of mine. I have had copied out for him to read the newspaper comments presented
in the Sierra Club Brief, 18pp. in all, and I sent him yesterday the enclosed letter. Might I ask you, after you have shown
it to Colby (if he would like to see it) that you would return it to me. If the matter comes up in Cabinet meeting Stimson's
opinion will be of weight since I am assured by the President's Secy. Mr. Hilles (through my friend Mr. Gregory) that he (the
President) holds Stimson's judgment in high esteem. Also, Mr. Wickersham, I believe, is on our side. Gregory was talking
with him last spring about H.H. and Wickersham said: Well, I can tell you one thing, they (meaning S.F.) will never get it
. I am urging Gregory to write to Wickersham so that we can have all the influence possible if this comes up in the Cabinet.
With many wishes for a Happy New Year, Ever sincerely yours, Alden Sampson 05330