ASSOCIATE JUSTICE FELIX FRANKFURTER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/06/1938 - HFSID 42639

FELIX FRANKFURTER
The year before he is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Frankfurter, "a teacher of many law students each year", regrets that he cannot write a recommendation as "it's a fixed rule of mine not to suggest people for jobs unless asked by some appointing power".
Autograph Letter Signed: "Felix Frankfurter", 2p, 5¼x8, front and verso. Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1938 December 6. On letterhead of Law School of Harvard University to "My dear Mr. Hayden". In full: "I have your letter & feel your plight deeply and wish I could help. But the press accounts of any relation to young men and jobs have been quite misleading. As a teacher of many law students each year I come to know really able young men & so am able to recommend them whenever asked to do so. And that's all there is to it. But it's a fixed rule of mine not to suggest people for jobs unless asked by some appointing power [several words illegible] the qualifications of young men. I'm sorry not to be able to write you more [illegible] - but you will believe me that it's beyond my power. With good wishes/Sincerely yours". Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Minor show through of writing. Minor stain on verso at one word. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by original mailing envelope, 6¼x3½. 3-cent embossed postage, postmarked Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 7, 1938. Addressed by Frankfurter to: "J. Hubert Hayden/1748 Vineyard St./Philadelphia,/Pa". Portion of Frankfurter's imprinted Harvard Law School return address at upper left. Lightly creased and soiled, touching writing. ¾x2-inch portion torn away at left margin, removing part of return address. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on front, pencil transcription (unknown hand) of letter on verso. Overall, fair condition. Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965), who would serve as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1939-1962, was a member of the Harvard Law School faculty from 1914-1939. His liberal reputation was derived from his many involvements: Frankfurter helped found the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920, and he actively supported the Zionist movement and labor unions. Frankfurter also served as advisor to President Woodrow Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference (1919) and advised Franklin D. Roosevelt during both his governorship and presidency. FDR appointed Frankfurter to the Supreme Court in 1939. While on the Court, Frankfurter emphasized the Court's function to base all opinions on constitutional law rather than personal opinion.Two items.