John Carter wanted Steinbeck to appear with him on the radio on 13 September 1938. Though he was pressured by Frederick Soule (the Regional Information Adviser at the San Francisco office of the Farm Security Administration) to do so, Steinbeck did not wish to go on the air because it would be "deadly" to his life (see his journal entries for 7 and 8 September). Lorentz agreed with Steinbeck, and sent a series of at least three telegrams (MA 6426.31-33) to that effect on 8 September. See Working Days, ed. Robert Demott (New York: Viking Penguin, 1989), p. 67-69.
MA 6426.31-34 were originally pinned together in that order.
Part of a collection of letters and telegrams primarily between John Steinbeck and Pare Lorentz.
Noting that he did not suggest that Steinbeck go on the air with John Carter, and indicating that Steinbeck would be "foolish" to make a public appearance.