Scope and ContentLetter of introduction for Willy [William] G. Keuffel, President of Keuffel & Esser Co., Hoboken, April 20, 1915. Printed letterhead, 8-1/2" x 10-7/8" high, typewritten with attached photo, corporate seal (blind emboss) and notary public seal. Signatures of company officers Carl M. Bernegau, Vice-President and Treasurer, and W.L.E. Keuffel, Secretary. See notes for text. Keuffel (President, 1908-1942; son of W.J.D. Keuffel, co-founder of the company) was to travel to Europe where K&E had business relationships including sources for products that they made or had made for them and imported to the U.S. As World War I was underway (the U.S. had not entered it at this time) the letter was apparently to help provide safe passage for Keuffel while in Europe. Passage to Europe would not have been easy as German submarines were actively targeting merchant vessels in the North Atlantic. Ocean passenger travel was considered especially perilous in this period and the sinking of the Lusitania would happen on May 7th, less than three weeks after this letter was written. World War One caused severe disruption of the supply lines for many K&E imports.The company responded by developing domestic manufacturing capabilities to replace them. Noteworthy is the fact that K&E had been making equipment and instruments for the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy for many years and that role would grow when the U.S. entered the war in 1917. As President of the company Keuffel would have had specific knowledge of these products and research.