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Omaha is an ugly town with nice country around it;about 225,000 inhabitants. It is provincial,and somebody said:"If people here become wealthy,they go to live in California. If they become intellectual, they go to live in the East." There are no collectors in the town;and not many people with any money. But I may be able to work up a few collectors in a small way.

I hear that Portland,Oregon,has had a sizeable bequest with no strings attached. I wonder whether it might be worth while to motor out that far. In any case,I plan to go to the Coast the latter part of August and to Texas and Oklahoma. I heard rumors that McKinney is leaving Los Angeles.

Several dealers have been going lately to Omaha;but I missed them all,and,of course,no business was done:Silbermann,O'Toole,Newhouse, Schaeffer,and others. Evidently the Trustees have in mind buying one "king-pin" a year,a painting worth perhaps $30,000.,and spending the rest on paintings and a few sculptures varying from $1000. to $10,000. each,and of all schools. Of course I am disappointed that there seems to be no possibility of inducing them to make a capital expenditure at this time;but with the great decline in the income from their investments,I can see their point in wishing to keep the maintenance of the building assured. It is beyond my control;but there is just the possibility that when I have set the galleries up with a fine lor of things in November that I shall be able to induce them to make an expenditure of about $200,000. Two of the members of the Board are already favorable to such a procedure. Anyhow,it is another constant purchasing fund.

I hope you are getting a good rest and some much needed relaxation;and that I may see you out here shortly. In any case,do send me a line to the above address.

Sincerely,

^[[Harold]]