Albany, New York. February 17, 1931. 1p. 4to. To Rear Admiral William B. Franklin, "I have received the following telegram from the Secretary of the Navy: 'Pratt away. Suggest waiting...' The letter from the Secretary of the Navy to Hasselman is amazing. The statement that the states' naval militias are in excess of any probable Federal needs...would blow any Secretary of the Navy out of the water if it were made public...does the Navy expect to fight its next war with its existing personnel, plus the few hundreds that are in the Naval Reserve?" On State of New York, Executive Chamber letterhead. Slightly dusty, backed on heavy paper sheet. Provenance: Charles Sessler receipt, dated 2,11, [19]46.