Stigler adopted an earnest and collegial tone, expressing "embarassment [sic] and distaste" for the society's quarrels concerning "personal manners, which a society of scholars and gentlemen should not even have to consider." He then presented an incongruous ultimatum: "if Roepke does not resign by February 1, 1962, I shall submit my resignation from the Society."

Angus Burgin, The Great Persuasion, loc. 348