TLS: Wednesday, December 15, 1920

Provincetown, Mass.
Dec. 15, 1920.

My dear Madden:

A letter that I mailed to you just before yours reached me this p.m. will explain all about Tyler and "The Ole Davil" and my feelings about it. I couldn't have written you any sooner as the first word I had from him about the play was yesterday.

I do not think from what he wrote that Tyler can promise anything definitely either for spring or any other time. He said: "I do want to produce either this play or "The Straw" sometime this winter - and both of them if possible, but we should have the right theatre and perfect casts for both." Just fair words meaning nothing perhaps! I have written him a letter getting down to cases and hinting broadly that promises don't pay the rent, and that what I am after is a production, that I can see no excuse for his having a theatre for other plays and none for mine. As I told you, I am sorry he likes this play. It is just my cursed luck.

As for the Guild, they are quite wrong in thinking I have any personal feeling against them. What feeling I have is not because of anything said or done to me, but on account of the way they recently "ran out" on the P.P. and of other things they have perpetrated on friends of mine. It is probably all due to their unweildy method of function. Three or four members assure you of something, giving you to understand they are speaking for the Guild; and then later you find their committee has flung the whole thing overboard. So, in this respect, they are not to be trusted. But by all means do all you can to effect any arrangement that will assure me a certain production at a definite date. I am strong for the Guild as far as their work goes, and I like the individual members very much - but damn their committee worship. What I want is a chance to be heard and anyone that gives it to me is my pal for life.

I am going to intimate to Tyler that under no consideration will we renew "The Straw" contract if he does not produce it by June 1st. You can do the same if you see him. I also hope Williams will have to let "Gold" drop. He seems to be able to do nothing with it, and I am sure Hopkins would be glad of a chance at it.

And hereafter, on all future plays, let us try to pin them down on a short term contract. The jamb theatre advent has created a new condition, manifestly unfair to the author, and it ought to be met with new terms.

Yes, I'm quite sure I will be down around the 27th. But write me in the meantime if this Guild thing developes, will you? (And I'll promise to be a sober, industrious author, bent upon business, when I next come. Last time was really vacation)

Eugene O'Neill.