BRANDEIS, LOUIS D. Three letters, each to Philip P. Wells: Two Typed Letters Signed * Autograph Letter Signed. The letters, concerning a meeting on water power, acknowledging that his employment situation had not changed, and expressing a view on the abuse of state power. Together 3 pages, 4to or 8vo, two on personal and one on Supreme Court stationery; 1912 letter with complete horizontal tear inexpertly repaired with tissue on verso (not affecting text or signature), folds. Boston, 30 December 1912; 20 June 1913; Washington, 19 October 1924
1912: "I . . . do not think that there is any great difference between your views and my own on the conservation questions. ". . . [T]ake it up with Senator LaFollette. He thoroughly understands the water power question; and . . . if he will take an active part, it will be impossible for the bill to be passed over the President's veto. ". . . Charles R. Crane told me recently that he would arrange to have Mr. Gifford Pinchot confer with Governor Wilson on conservation matters. . . ." 1924: "Of course there are State abuses. But history . . . teaches: Put not all your eggs in one basket. The stream cannot rise higher than its source. Quis custodiet custodiens? . . ." With--Small archive of over twenty letters to, or retained drafts from, Wells, mostly concerning legislation, mostly from attorneys or senators. Vp, 1910-28. Philip Patterson Wells (1868-1929) served as chief law officer for the US Forest Service in the Taft administration between 1907 and 1910; he was instrumental in the passage of an important piece of environmental conservation legislation, the Weeks Act, enacted on March 1, 1911.
