All Articles For TenElshof, George

Esteemed Editor: The undersigned would appreciate space in this paper for the purpose of asking several questions which have perplexed me. The questions which I in all seriousness ask are these namely: If an institution, be it company, corporation or organization, declares bankruptcy, it is not true that an institution must under the state law (by whose authority they also declare bankruptcy) dissolve or disband and discontinue to do business under their former name and must re-organize or re-incorporate before again commencing operations? If such be the case, namely that the statements in question number one are true, may such...

Esteemed Editor: The undersigned was interested to note that in your Jan. 1 issue of The Standard Bearer he has received his classification card from Mr. Veldkamp. He is classed as an extremist which is extremely interesting. It appears from B.V’s. article that there are three classes or schools of thought in regard to labor organizations. There are, on the one hand, the radical materially-minded C.LO.’s and the A.F.L.’s; on the other hand the extremists such as Rev. Hanko, Mr. Ten Elshof and others and between the two we find B.V. and his social justice plans which he expects to...

Esteemed Editor: May I again be privileged to use your paper to further substantiate statements which I made and which are seemingly assumed to have no basis in fact and remarks for which I supposedly must hang my head in shame? First of all I must say that it is not my intention in this controversy over the CLA to become personal in respect to those who disagree with me. Neither do I think we should stand on the heights and classify our opponents and call “shame, shame” or say that this or that is not to his credit or...

There are matters which we classify as touchy topics. They are matters which are subjects of debate and argument. If we would be known as being tactful and polite, we make it a point not to discuss such matters before certain people or groups of people because they have a tendency to cause an explosion and hard and bitter feelings and even sever friendships. Think for instance of life insurance, union membership, theological points of dispute, etc. And so also the topic which we wish to discuss for a few moments could be classified as a touchy topic. It was...

Esteemed Editor: Allow me please a little space for a reply to your article entitled “As to ‘Touchy Topics.’” But first let me thank you for your generosity in allowing my material to be published in its entirety even though I apparently came in the back door after the guests had been advised as to who and what was to be found in the chambers of the Standard Bearer. I shall make no conjectures for this manner of dealing nor shall I allow myself to be disturbed by the conjectures and insinuations of others. In the first place you seemingly...

Esteemed Editor: It is to my deep regret that you have deemed my former communication to be so full of sarcasm and insinuations that you will no longer exchange views on the matter. I will admit that I attempted to present the matter in a manner which might arouse some from what appears to be a deep sleep or a careless indifference, but I had not intended to deliberately and maliciously attack anyone personally only insofar as was necessary to clarify or substantiate my argument. Hence I am now submitting an apology which is conditional but if the “ifs” are...

Esteemed Editor: Once again from the prolific pen of Mr. Gritter we note a contribution which purposes to enervate certain propositions as set forth by a Mr. Van Putten of Holland, Michigan. This contribution is marked by its customary clarity and courteous presentation which, no doubt, have served to always make his contributions acceptable to your venerable publication. It was to be expected that Mr. Gritter would attempt a refutation of the thoughts presented by Mr. Van Putten. We have seen him rise on many occasions to the defense of that organization which is apparently so dear to his heart....

Esteemed Editor: May I have just a bit of space to answer the questions raised by Mr. Gritter in regard to my former contribution? In the first place it appears that Mr. Gritter does not know that the following words, among many others, are also synonyms for adversary and opponent: adverse party, opposition, disputant and contestant. I have quoted from what is generally accepted as an authority, namely, Roget’s Thesaurus. Can it be possible that he has never heard of a debate wherein one party addresses the other as “my opponent”? His second question stems from his failure to follow...

The reader will, no doubt, recall that some time ago I reflected on a remark made, in Concordia, by Mr. Geo. Ten Elshof, and my request that he either explain himself or apologize. The brother delayed answering a long time. At the time of this writing it is about the end of May, and I just received the reply. I am sorry that I could not publish it in the issue of June 15, but this time of the year I have to work ahead for our Standard Bearer because of the busy week of synod, and my vacation following...

April 24, 1950 Esteemed Editor: