October 11, 1946
 
Mr. Karle a. Koons
O'Connor & Farber
120 Broadway
New York 5, New York
 
Dear Mr. Koons:
 
Many thanks for your recent (two) letters, the last one on
October 5. 
 
I have re-read father's will carefully and it seems ot me
that he has lodged complete discretion wiht the Executors
and/or Trustees to do what we believe is the fairest hting
for the respective heirs.  i would, therefore, like ot
suggest htat we neither sell, nor advertise for sale, the
land east of the Violet Avenue Road at Hyde Park, but that
the Trustees consider leasing this land to mohter for
herlife time for a nominal rent of $100.00 per year- all
upkeep, taxes and repairs to be assumed by her.  This would
assure her of the use of the entire property east of the
Violet Avenue road during her life time and woudl
discriminate in no way against any of hte surviving heirs. 
It owudl, also give Elliott time to test out and see if he
really wnats to buy the property at such timeas we would
later sell it.
 
I believe that hte land west of Violet Avenue can readily be
sold quite seperate and apart from the land leased to
mother.  May I make the very positive request that no
actoin be taken to advertise the property for sale until we
have had a full Executors meeting.
 
Thanks for your information baout Weeden & Co.; I have so
informed the Messrs. Willis & Christy.
 
I have no plans for being in New York until after the first
fo the year, but if it is desirable for me to come I will,
of course, make hte necessary arrangements.  The factors to
be considered are: Mrs. Roosvelt is expecting our second
child early in December, and I would like to remain wiht
her in the weeks just before and for several weeks
afterwards.  If it is possible, therefore, to postpone the
mettering until after January 1, I think it woudl be
advisable purely from my personal point of view!
 
Best of everything to you.
 
                                       Sincerely yours, 
 
                                       James Roosevelt