1 1930 CURTIS STREET (MICHAEL HARKIN}
PHONE MAIN 5413 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CHURCH OF COLORADO

DENVER COLORADO
1929 Champs Street,

Feb. 3 1921 .

J.C. Walsh,
Washington.

A Chara:

I received tour second telegram Monday. Your letter I am ex-
pecting at any moment. thanks for your consideration in sending along
money to meet expenses. I hope soon to see your plans in reference to
organization. In regard to the city here I do not think it will be ne-
cessary to any incur any gret expense in getting a start made. I daresay I should position put the position as it exists here
before you. The F.O.I.F. wlil, I am certain, come into the organ-
isation in a body. While this looks promising there are drawbacks. for
example, ong.Joseph Morgan is secreatry of the F.O.I.F. If we have to x
take him on in a similar capacity in the A.A.R.I.I. we are going to
destroy the Irish movement in this city. In regard to the chairman, John
Conlon, while he would be a desirable member, he is absolutely unfitted
for leadership. My suggestion is this. A letter should be sent here from your
office to , say John B. McGauran U.S. Surveyor General and a Denver rep-
resentative on the American Committee for Relief in Ireland, his address
is Post Office building-suggesting that when the F.O.I.F. branch comes
over, arrangements should be immediately made for election of officers
at a subsquent meeting. The really important thing is to have such a
letter come to somebody like McGauran urging the absolute necessity of
electing officers that will command the confidence of the public. I have been speaking to some influential men here. clerical and
lay, and they are of opinion that this unfortunate trouble will give
us an ideal opportunity of getting good business done in this city. The
Bishop, I know, will support us strongly, and I believe it will be pos-
sible to get in wealthy men who kept clear of the F.O.I.F. I know that
some of the men I have in mind accepted membership on the American
Committee for Relief in Ireland. Of course not having your views yet on the question of organ-
ization I do not know what exactly is the best means to set about getting
in a big membership. Ed. Doyle, a former Labor organiizer, is now organ-
izing for the Hibernians, and while he is a first class man I know that
if he were to act for the Association as he is doing for the Hibs., he
would have to be paid. Of course, in regard to giving whole-hearted
assistance at the preliminary work of setting up the A.A.R.I.I he can
be counted on to spare no trouble and take no end of pains just out of
support for the movement. But systematic organizing I know he would have
to be paid for. 2 Now this is not to be taken as suggesting the appointment of a
paid organizer. I am merely stating facts that I hope will be of
assistance. The reason I mention Mr. Doyle's name is because he told
me he has been corresponding with your office and showed me a letter
he had from you. Inccdentally he mentioned his position in regard to
the A.C.H. Some time ago I understood Peter Golden was coming here to make
arrangements for the proposed visit of Presdt. De Valera. I wrote
something then in the Register stating it was expected Golden would
organize the district for the A.A.R.I.I. That is weeks ago. I know
that many people were enthusiastic over the prospect. Having one like
Mr. Golden in Denver till a definite start is made would, I am certain,
were it possible, be good business. But i daresay he has his hands full
elsewhere. The Clan na Gael is not formidable in this state. Most of the
members here are thoroughly disgusted with Devoy and his paper, and
they will be enthusiastic members of the new organization. I think
that Pueblo, Trinidad, Grand Junction and the|other cities of the
state will fall into line without any trouble. At the moment I do not think there is anything more to be said.
I daresay I will when your letter arrives I shall know how exactly
you propose we should get to work. Sincerely yours,
Michael Harkin P.S. Someof the things I mentioned might be treated, I think, as
confidential. Office now at 1929 Champa. P.S.S. It would be a splendid idea to write Dan Sullivan,
Colorado Hotel 17th Street and Tremont, Denver, on the question
of electing new officers, after the F.O.I.F Come over.
He is very influential and a good works. I know
these people like to have invitations or letters
direct. Meantime, I shall see him. Already I
have been speaking to John McGauran and others.
M.H.