March 8 Wednesday – In Florence Sam answered Frank Bliss’ Feb. 21 proposal, agreeing to a cheaper edition of Sketches New and Old for a ten per cent royalty. He released Bliss “from the requirements of the 50,000-clause appended to the original contract.” He advised that he’d also cabled his agreement, then hit Bliss with a matter that had been a burr under his saddle:

Frank, why don’t you bill books to my firm on better terms? You discriminate against me on my own books. Don’t you sell to all trade houses? And do you make them buy at these prohibitory prices? [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Frederick J. Hall, advising him to “Make a memorandum” of establishing an “emergency account” and of “everything we need to talk about & have it ready — then we shan’t overlook anything.” Sam also wanted Hall to take a room at the Glenham Hotel, so he’d be able to spend “two or three evenings undisturbed” with Sam discussing company affairs. Though four or five years in the future, Sam looked forward to the need to renew copyrights on his old books, Sketches, New and Old being the first to expire. Sam planned for a productive trip:

I shall hope your friend will have good and exact news about the machine when I arrive, so that I can go to Mr. Arnot with a clear case for his eye [MTLTP 341].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore advising him to pay his Players Club dues regularly. He wanted to maintain his membership, though he wrote he “would quit those other N.Y. clubs if I could do it with decency.” He also enclosed the new American Publishing Co. contract for the safety deposit vault.

I wish my firm had all of my books instead of only half of them, then my royalties would support me without other help — but those ancient fool contracts are in the way for good & all! I sail in a couple of weeks [MTP].