Huntington Park, Calif., Dec. 24, 1919.
Miss Mary Workman,
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dear Miss Workman:
I wish to begin this letter by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It is not my custom to make complaints, but Saturday I found the shop at Brownson House in pretty bad order. Since the Boy Scouts have been meeting there the tools have been misplaced and the shop has been in general disorder. This was not so bad, for the tools could be replaced and the shop put in order. However, last Saturday the paints were thrown about the room, on the grindstone, etc. and the turpentine bottle emptied. Many valuable Pieces of veneer had been waster. In fact it looked as if the boys had been turned loose in the shop and had engaged in the pitched battle.
In making this complaint to you, I take it that the standards of Brownson House should be above that sort of thing and I am sure that the are; also, that you people expect me to do my part in upholding these high standards. Had not material been wasted as it was, I would not have said a word about it. Knowing that you desire me to be as economical as possible, I thought it only right that you know the facts.
I do not care to make any fight on the Scout Master, but evident he is not used to handling boys.
I hope you will pardon me for bothering you about this matter, but I did not know where a complaint should be made--hence this letter.
In looking over the grounds at Brownson House I find that by removing one rope swing and the teeter totter, a building 22 feet by about 48 feet can be erected. Then, by removing the old wash house, another extension could be erected. By making these additions two stories high, considerable room could be had. This would give Brownson House a Sloyd Shop well worthy of the name.
If I can be of further assistance to you in this or other matter pertaining to the Brownson House, kindly let me know it.
I am Sincerely yours,
[signed] John W. Lang
