Viewing page 410 of 429

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

April 8, 1926. 

My dear Dr. Wetmore: 

   I think the Museum or the Smithsonian should set up some sort of clearing house for information regarding scientific expeditions of all kinds, no matter what their size, purpose or destination might be. 

   In the course of my South American trip, on a number of occasions I heard that such and such a scientific man had just passed through or was soon to be expected. I wished that I had known of it before hand, more than once, and so that others in the future could make use of such knowledge I broach this matter to you. 
    An information bureau of this sort to which all prospective investigators and expeditions would send detailed information, as soon as their particular trip was definitely arranged for, and from which in turn they could get similar information regarding other trips to the same region they intended visiting, would certainly be of great help to all concerned. 
    Many an expedition could thus give another timely pointers on the territory traversed, if only as regards helpers, hotels, and prices. I have a number of travelling salesmen to thank for a great deal of time and money saving advice. And I will never forget the pleasure of my two weeks sojourn at the same hotel with Dr. Metcalf in B.A. after having been in the field more or less along for four months. 
    It would seem that a note in Science could be made to start the ball rolling, and the Division of Correspondence could keep it going. Does it not seem worth a trial? One usually reads about expeditions in Science and other journals after they have started or returned, but what I have in mind in advance notice that would be mutually helpful to all parties. 
          Respectfully, 
          Curator, 
Division of Marine Invertebrates. 

[[handwritten note]] I think it/is advantageous to know even if only approximately where and when a scientific expeditions might be, or expected to be in a given country. For instance I shall be/going to S.A. about Aug. 1st for six months. 
 What expeditions are now in the field in S.A. [[/handwritten note]]