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Merida, Yucatan 
April 26, 1945

Mr. Elton R. Silliman
Cia. Mexicana de Avicación
Mexico, D.F.

Dear Elton:-

As you will note from above, and after failing in making connections with Pan-Am, I am in Merida with the Merida electric company as superintendent of constriction for a new steam-electric unit that is being installed here.

Equipment ordered from the states will probably arrive after the installation is completed, and I am in dire need of an air compressor, tow or three jackhammers, a paving breaker or tow, a few lengths of air hose, and a 14S concrete mixer. I have located these items in Merida among the equipment that was sold by the A.D.P. to the Azteca after the construction of the Merida airport, but I have been not at all successful in contacting any one with the authority to rent or sell them, nor, indeed, anymore who can tell me who to contact.

I started my study with the local American Consul. He referee me to Mr. Medina, local CMA manager. He told me to be at the airport at four this afternoon, where I would see Mr. Camara. Mr. Camara was not there at four and at fourthirty his assistant called him for me at his home. Mr. Camara said that I should see Mr. Castillo, the local Azteca man, and gave me his address. At Mr. Castillo's address, I was told that he had left for Campeche, and from there would go to Mexico city, and that "no habia ni cuando regresa." 

I wonder if it would be asking you too much of a favor to put me in touch with the right man. The air compressor, and its comprementary toolsm are extremely urgetn with me at the present. We are breaking into huge blocks of cement masonary with sledge hammers and cuñas, and with men who are entirely inexperienced in any kind of work. 36 of the 40 peones employed had their hands so blistered at the end of the second day that they were all but worthless on the job the rest of the week. The urgency for the concrete mixer will be aggravated by the length of the time that it takes us to clear our the old foundations and build forms for the new. Your assistance in this connection will be sincerely appreciated. 

Yours,


Arthur. C. Wheatley
c/o cia. Electrica de Merdia
apdo. 193,

Transcription Notes:
I am unsure of what to put in place of the signature.