Tom,
As you and I have discussed offline at some length, there are several things in your introductory paragraph that really need to be clarified.
In the middle of your paragraph, you posted: "...I see that The Titanic Historical Society has taken his story and rewritten it with a new title. He originally wrote it for his family. From what I understand They were allowed to sell it, [the book not his story], to help fund the society. Now it seems they are trying to profit from it. It makes me sad because Ed was supposed to be a good friend to Grandpa. My Grandpa met Ed around 1963-64. My Uncle had sent him an article about the fledgling group. He spent his own money and time contacting survivors and promoting the society. He went to their meetings on his own expense and never took payment for speaking to its members. When he passed, my grandmother had the book published..."
Tom, as you and I have talked about, there are several points in this post that are just wrong, and I know you would appreciate having the truth about what actually happened regarding the above copied sentences. "I see that The Titanic Historical Society has taken his story and rewritten it with a new title." Actually, no, this isn't so. "Echoes in the Night" was first published by the THS, and had a foreword by Walter Lord, a preface by Don Lynch and an introduction by Ed Kamuda. (Ed and Karen asked Walter Lord, Don Lynch and your grandmother, Victoria to each write something for the book.) Ed then titled the book "Echoes in the Night". The current revised version, titled "Titanic Witness My Story" has been edited and annotated by Karen Kamuda, but is still the story that was written by your grandfather with much additional information added to this history.
"He originally wrote it for his family." This is so. Frank wrote the story down for his three sons. For years, Frank also paid THS dues for his sons as well, but none of them ever renewed their membership once Frank was no longer paying their way (this happening in 1976).
"From what I understand They were allowed to sell it, [the book not his story], to help fund the society." Victoria gave the manuscript to Ed
Kamuda for the THS to use in any way the THS saw fit, apologizing in her handwritten note to Ed because she didn't think anyone would be interested in it.
"Now it seems they are trying to profit from it." The first edition of "Echoes in the Night" was prepared for publication by volunteer labor. The new edition, "Titanic Witness My Story" was also prepared by an unpaid member of the THS -- Karen Kamuda, as well as many other THS volunteers. Up front costs for publishing the book notwithstanding, there are also costs for warehousing, shipping, marketing and publicity, discounting to mass marketers and so on. (Frankly, it costs cold hard cash just to warehouse two pallets of books -- they've got to be stored somewhere until sold.) Will there be a true profit from the sales of this book? Probably not; just as the first edition only paid its way, the second edition will likely wind up only doing the same.
And, Tom, I'll ask this question of you: since the manuscript was given to the THS for use in any way that the THS saw fit, how would making a few dollars to help perpetuate the story of the Titanic and its passengers be a bad thing? Frank Goldsmith left a manuscript behind that had been forgotten by all except his wife; it was then given a narrow distribution and now his story has another chance to be told to an even larger audience. Given that Frank spent a great deal of time giving talks on the disaster, this would be what he wanted. Frank was a true friend to the THS and its officers. Remember too that in Victoria's note to Ed Kamuda, she specifically mentioned having the story printed and sold to benefit the THS.
"It makes me sad because Ed was supposed to be a good friend to Grandpa." Huh? I first joined the THS in 1978, and I remember very well each article dealing with any aspect of your grandfather. He was treated like royalty, and truly loved and respected not only by the membership of the THS and any others who came into contact with him, but by the officers of the THS and especially Ed Kamuda. Bob Gibbons has also told me seemingly endless stories of your grandfather and the many ways that he worked spread the story of not just the Titanic but of the THS as well; I also have a complete file of the "Titanic Commutator" on hand, and the same thought and sentiment were reflected in every page, every mention of Frankie Goldsmith going back to the beginning. Ed Kamuda was indeed a good friend of your grandfather, and no one is going to be able to successfully refute that statement.
"My Grandpa met Ed around 1963-64." True. To be exact, it was in 1964.
"My Uncle had sent him an article about the fledgling group." Maybe your uncle did this as well, but Walter Lord himself first contacted Frank about the TEA (now THS).
"He spent his own money and time contacting survivors and promoting the society." As do I. No one has, or can, profit from the THS. First as a club (the TEA), then as a non-profit corporation (THS) and currently as a 501(c)(3), no officer, member or contributor receives money from the organization. Your grandfather loved doing what he did, and actively promoted the society by passing out brochures during each of his talks. He was one of the top boosters of the TEA/THS, and was well loved for his contributions to the society.
"He went to their meetings on his own expense and never took payment for speaking to its members." At the time, every survivor did the same. Kudos to each and every one of them.
"When he passed, my grandmother had the book published." Victoria gave the manuscript (not a book) to the THS. The THS had the manuscript published, and has kept his memory alive by taking the manuscript and reprinting it once again. The THS had and has full authority from Victoria Goldsmith to use this manuscript as the THS saw fit. That the THS has kept the memory of your grandfather and your great-grandparents alive by doing so is a credit to them, and especially to your grandmother Victoria.
Even the most recent issue of the "Titanic Commutator" pays homage to this wonderful man, his mother, and their heart-rending story as it played out on the decks of the Titanic 95 years ago.
I'm not writing these criticisms to denigrate you, but to merely point out that these parts of your post have severe problems and should be lifted in their entirety. (As with many message boards, you will have to ask a moderator to delete or change previous posts. On ET, the posts are locked after one hour.) I'm sure that there were many things about the story of your grandmother's gift of the manuscript that you were not aware of, but should be given your standing in the Goldsmith family.
I'd be glad to discuss this further if you like. I am not writing on behalf of the THS; merely as a member of the organization that wants to see the record set entirely straight.