Charles W. Chesnutt to Munson A. Havens, 6 March 1931
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March 6, 1931
Mr. Munson Havens,
Secretary Chamber of Commerce,
Terminal Tower,
City.
My dear Munson:
I got so hard hit financialy last year that I find my Chamber of Commerce dues burdensome. I have enjoyed my membership, though it has been rather inactive, a large part of my pleasure being due to the contacts it gave me with you. If you will permit me to resign, my membership to lapse as of Febraury 1, 1931, I shall appreciate it. You will remember I spoke to you about this in January last.
With thanks for your many courtesies and kindnesses and the hope that you may long continue to guide the course of this very valuable public enterprise, I remain,
Sincerely yours, CWC:MKCorrespondent: The Cleveland Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1848 to represent the interests of its businessmen in city politics. Its influential executive secretary (1905–1938), Munson Aldrich Havens (1873–1942), a White man from Washington, D. C., joined the Chamber in 1898 and contributed significantly to its growth. Chesnutt was a member of the Chamber from 1912 to 1931, and wrote his 1930 article "The Negro in Cleveland" at Havens' request for the Chamber's magazine, The Clevelander. Chesnutt knew Havens personally as a writer, bibliophile, and member of the Rowfant Club.
