Todd, Albert M.

[Albert May Todd (1850-1931) was a political economist, entrepreneur and philanthropist in Michigan. He supported prohibition, advocated public ownership of utilities and served one term in the United States Congress. He retired in 1929 as President of the Todd Foundation "for enlargement of the happiness of mankind."]

Letter, July 15, 1929168

[Mr. Todd wrote to Gandhiji on April 25, 1929: "Because I wholly approve of you and your work, I would like to send some money, perhaps five hundred dollars... If I find that you are in need of help, I will be glad to give, so far as I am able..."169]

July 15, 1929

It is kind of you to offer me pecuniary assistance if I satisfy you that I am in need. Though I always remain in need by the very nature of the philosophy of life that I have adopted, my needs are supplied by those in India who are interested in the activities I am engaged in. I send you herewith the constitution of the Ashram which will give you some idea of the various activities.

M. K. G.

 Letter, November 8, 1929170

[Mr. Todd sent another letter on September 25, 1929, asking Gandhiji to let him know when he needed aid for the election campaign. He asked for another copy of Gandhiji's letter as it was lost.171]

Camp Hathras,
November 8, 1929

Dear friend, 
I thank you for your letter of 25th September. I do not remember having told you in my letter that we would be having an election campaign in the spring and at that time I would be glad to receive financial help from you. It may interest you to know that I do not take part either directly or indirectly in any election campaign, being wholly against ourselves having anything to do with election campaigns till we have got redress according to our demands. I enclose herewith a copy of the latest number of Young India which I am editing. This will give you some notion of my activities. And if you are still further interested you can have upon application to Mr. S. Ganesan,Printer and Publisher, Triplicane, Madras, a copy of my writings in book form.

Yours sincerely,

Albert M. Todd, Esq.
Kalamazoo, Michigan

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