Tough Tarbell Trivia

[Rob Wick]

One problem with the biography is that Young was being spoken of as a possible presidential candidate in 1932. The book was looked upon by many as an extended campaign advertisement.

As for Tarbell's feelings about the book, in a letter written to Helen B. Russell on October 10, 1932, Tarbell wrote, "Between you and me it is not a very good book, nowhere as good as it ought to have been or would have been if I could have taken more time and done it under different circumstances. However it is not the last book that will be written on Mr. Young."

Tarbell wrote a letter to Harry Elmer Barnes on July 22, 1932 in which she wrote "Apparently I failed to even suggest to you and Mr. Stolberg [Benjamin Stolberg, reviewer for The Nation] that I had any reason for writing the book other than that of creating a plaster saint. That I can only explain by faulty craftsmanship (I am supposing that you both read the book you see). Should not one thank the critic who makes him feel that he should look to his technique rather than protest that he has done so?"

Barnes responded "Whatever Mr. Stolberg thinks I had not thought of criticizing you for deliberately creating a plaster saint. My main point is that the newer industrial leaders, though more soft-spoken, really make less of a contribution to human welfare than the old pirates you have so justly attacked."

Best
Rob