Steven:

I have located several pages in THE REASONABLE WOMAN that are lifted,
almost verbatim, from an article I published on how to argue about
values. This article appeared around 1985 in a debate journal for high
school students, "LD/Extemp Monthly." I no longer have a copy of this
article, so it will take about a week to track it down. But when I
receive it, I plan to post several pages of parallel quotations, as I
did with the previous material. 

In addition to my unpublished F.O.R. manuscript, that will make three
published pieces by me from which has Wendy plagiarized en masse: My
"Fundamentals of Reasoning" handout (which you have a copy of), my book,
ATHEISM, AYN RAND AND OTHER HERESIES, and the above-mentioned debate
article. 

I know this is a miserable business, but I have a simple solution. I
have no desire to stick Prometheus with legal damages, whatever your
liability may be. As I said before, you are an innocent third party in
all this; indeed, we have both been victimized by Wendy in this scandal.
All I want is a public acknowledgment by Prometheus that I am right in
this matter. That's all. Just a public statement - not even an apology,
and no money. 

I propose the following: That Prometheus sign the following statement
and send it to me: "We hereby acknowledge that George H. Smith wrote a
substantial portion of THE REASONABLE WOMAN by Wendy McElroy, for which
he did not receive proper credit." Enclose with this statement a legal
release for all my rights and a pledge that I will forgo any legal
action against Prometheus Books. I will sign it and return it to you
immediately. And that will be the end of this, so far as I am
concerned. 

I think this is the best resolution for all concerned. You can even
continue to distribute the book under Wendy's name, since I will have
transferred all my rights to you. I don't want a share of the royalties,
or anything like that - just a public acknowledgment. 

I will post your statement on the internet, along with my statement that
I am satisfied with this resolution, and will have nothing further to
say on the matter. I will also state that I regard Prometheus Books as
an innocent party in this whole affair. 

I know this is an unusual resolution, one that a lawyer might never
recommend. But, after reviewing the material I sent to you, there is no
way that you can possibly doubt that I have been completely truthful in
this matter, whatever the legal technicalities might be. I sincerely
hope that those in charge at Prometheus will do the right thing and
settle this disgraceful matter quickly and equitably. 

I think seven days should be sufficient for you to reach a decision. I
hope to hear from you by then.

George H. Smith