15 Central Park West

New York, New York

January 26, 1939

Mr. Warren P. Munsell

The Theatre Guild, Inc.

245 West 52nd Street

New York, New York

My dear Mr. Munsell:

I really do not understand why you felt hurt because I asked the Dramatists Play Service to act on my behalf. It is so customary in Germany for a dramatists organization to deal with the affairs of dramatists, that it is hard for me to understand why this should have caused any delay.

Unfortunately, the statement you sent me today is not the statement for which I asked you. I wish we could straighten the whole matter out an amiable terms so that neither you nor I might feel disturbed. This is an entirely impersonal matter, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

What I want is a statement of royalties received by the Theatre Guild for amateur performances. I received only a statement and payment for amateur performances for 1936. I have a legitimate right to ask for a statement of the preceding years, but so far I have received neither payment nor statement, in spite of innumerable requests. You know that according to our contract the Guild had no right to sell amateur rights for “Man and the Masses”. The Guild did so, as I learned after my arrival in the United States. All I want now is get the statements of these sales and the sum to which I think am entitled. For Heaven’s sake, my dear Mr. Munsell, why can’t we come to a quick conclusion which does justice to an author who is perfectly within his rights?

Cordially,

Ernst Toller