I am going to trouble you in a matter, as I understand you are still going to the Island of weekends. Mr. Wood hears all the gossip, and I fear good-naturedly absorbs it a bit too readily. But we are glad to know of anything even though it may irritate from standpoint of correctness and the necessity of paying attention to it. (Mr. Wood is possibly C. D. Wood who at the time was chairman of the Electric Light Committee seeking the franchise on Shelter Island from the Town Board.)
    During the summer it was intimated to Mr. Otis by Mr. Morrison that the Town was willing to erect a slip, dredge and maintain a channel to the Town dock, if we would maintain a ferry service of the Poggatticut during the winter months, and would like a proposition from us.
    On consultation we decided, I think property, that it would be dangerous for us to make a proposition. The point being, this is nothing of profit for us. It’s a loss. A tribute to the Town people. If we sought the arrangement, as we would if we initiated the thing, we would in the seeking assume an obligation. In short, the Town would be induced by us to expend on the slip and undertake a continuing expense in maintenance of [the] channel. And in the ultimate we might have to do things we might not want to. So we said LET THE TOWN COME TO US. Let them seek. We have no interest other than to be nice which we want to do. Then allow our Directors to decide as to the service and contributing a loss. Mr. Otis wrote to Mr. Morrison along these lines, stating our willingness to consider any proposition the town cared to make to us. (Caps and underlining here and below are those of Mr. Raymond.)

In 1905, when this photo was taken, the telephone had arrived on the Island. Thus the telephone pole. Power would come in the 1920s. This is the end of the State Road where the Town dock was located. Clarence Wilcox's dock and yard for coal and wood is on the right. Across the harbor from left to right are the Henry Belknap house, the O. E. Lohrke house, and the Yacht Club.

    Mr. Wood would have me bulletin for the benefit of the town people, how much we love them, how much we are willing to lose in serving them, and turn the other cheek when they smite us by patronizing Rouse in the summer. They retail "We refuse to consider their desire to erect a slip, we have sold one of the floats, and their service is thereby cut down, etc., etc." ... But I decline, as Mr. Wood suggests, to bulletin our actions in reference to town clamor, thereby indicating we are on the defense or subject to its domination. Mr. Wood desires that the Ferry Company delegate someone to met with Mr. Smith and discuss the subjects. The supervisor I think. He suggests leaving Morrison out of it. I suppose Mr. Morrison, being "it" will object. But I think if you will kindly do it -- see Mr. Smith.
    Simply relate the circumstances of there being some misunderstandings, which we desire to clear away. (a) That we did everything humanly possible to obtain a meeting before we left the Island ...(b) That we indicated willingness to receive a proposition from them ...(c) I personally agreed to a meeting with Mr. Morrison... (d) That nothing has been sold by the Ferry Company. (e) That the only thing offered for sale is the Menantic. (f) That we cannot hope to run except at a loss during the winter yet we had not allowed that thought to determine against trying to meet the necessities of the town people and were and are receptive of any proposition they care to make. (g) That it is up to them to get busy.  It is not our business.  As what is involved, is not a thing beneficial financially to us, but a thing they want as of convenience and need. (h) That any proposition they care to make should be sent to me, and that I will promptly see that it goes before the Ferry Company for consideration and acceptance, rejection, a counter proposal.

Again the end of the State Road during the Summer of 1910. Conklin's Dock is fully in operation.

    The Town of Shelter Island is contemplating making necessary repairs and improvements in the way of putting in a suitable slip and deepening the water to allow the landing of large ferry boats.
    A special town meeting will have to be called to have the matter voted upon by taxpayers.
    In spending such an amount as is necessary for the above purpose, the taxpayers feel that some guarantee by the Ferry Co. should be given, that the boats will continue to make the Town Dock the regular landing for a term of years, except when the hotel is open.
    Will you so kindly send me a tangible reply that can be laid before the meeting, saying that the boats will come into Town Dock if the landing is made suitable?
    If you will give me an early reply it will be greatly appreciated by the committee in charge.

    It will be evident at all times there has been no spirit of unwillingness to go into this matter and come to some conclusion. I shall appreciate your making this plain to the parties who seem to be at work to wrongfully state our attitude.
    Further on the very day of receipt of your letter, today, Mr. Otis at my request is to see Mr. Smith and place these facts before him, as Mr. Otis was going down he kindly consented to perform this service. This was arranged last Thursday evening between us.
    With this clear explanation to you, and Mr. Otis to Mr. Smith, I am hopeful the situation will be better understood so far as we are concerned.