Category Archives: Uncategorized

January 10, 1940

Stationery from the Hotel Shirley-Savoy, Denver, CO – “Home of KLZ.”

Wednesday PM.

My dear Ina & Boys,

The meetings are over and most of the folks have gone home. Strong, Gaddis and some of the state men are here yet. Think Strong will leave tonight. My speech was well received and I have had some good compliments on it from state leaders. Strong says he is pleased. The group gave me a rising vote of thanks for the good work of the last two years and this brought a good statement from Strong. I had requested a return to research and that I was one of the very best research men in the Bureau, that he had asked me to consider carefully. My request was being granted but he had an idea that I was going to find the contrast so great that I would now want more action. He said that should I make such a decision the Bureau would have a control job for me because they had many such projects. State leaders have shown a very appreciative spirit toward me and from one source I am told that a committee will record in a rather permanent way this high point in my career. I imagine a published resolution.

January 10, 1940

January 10, 1940

The meetings have gone as Strong and Gaddis planned them, but there was a very close approach to an explosion from state leaders. The Bureau still spends the money and supervises the work of its agents. It did permit a Committee from State leaders to handle any difficulties arising in any state-Bureau difficulty direct with Strong. This Committee will be authorized to make trips when necessary.

The meeting at Mpls on Monday includes a small group there, and both Gaddis & Wakeland asked me to meet with them before continuing my trip south. They cannot conveniently arrange to attend. Unless something changes it I’ll be home in time to attend that meeting & will then resume my travel toward Texas & the West. If there is a change I’ll wire, otherwise I’ll see you about Saturday.

R.A. is here & he thinks the move to Denver from Salt Lake is OK. Their lease terminates Jan 31st. He has been in Texas on leave and looks fine.

I cannot describe to you the feeling of turning over the throttle of the ‘hopper work. There is no let down feeling but one of duty to my family and my own health. I don’t mind saying that it is not an easy change and that the past two days and night have had me on edge. For the rest of the time here I’ll try to clarify any unfinished items of business, and pass along useful information. I have an appointment with the Chief this afternoon for a little talk on the N.W. situation, and will go over my immediate plans with him.

With love,
Your
Walter.

December, 1939

This is an organizational chart for the “Screw worm educational and control” project Walter is now working on again. You can click to enlarge it. Screw-worm is a type of myiasis caused by C. hominivorax larvae, for those who’ve just joined us. Note that Bishopp is directing the project overall, while Walter is in charge of all of the control activities. At this point, those activities consist mainly of educating farmers about animal husbandry practices to prevent screw-worm infections in livestock. One other name to note: E.F. Knipling, who is now an assistant entomologist in the research branch of this project. In a few years, he’s going to come up with a truly ingenious strategy for controlling this pest. He’ll also be heavily involved in another project that will later shape Walter’s career.

December, 1939

December, 1939

December 14, 1939

Thursday Night – 12/14

My dear Sweetheart,

Yours of yesterday morning was received a few minutes ago and I telephoned Claudelle. We are so sorry that Lewis Dunbar has chicken pox and you are correct in keeping him at home. He should not get outside in the cold as it might develop into pneumonia. If he stays in he should have no difficulty.

The following are the best addresses I can furnish and I think they will be OK.

December 14, 1939

December 14, 1939

Skipping the names and addresses of friends to receive Christmas cards…

Had a talk with Dr. Annand & later with Mr. Rohner today on my transfer, both of which were quite favorable. Dr. Parker is expected here tomorrow & after a conference on grasshopper research I’ll be ready to go to Orlando & other Fla. stations. I’ll not have time to go to Texas stations until after Xmas, & will return from them to Denver on Jan. 11 & 12th. I am planning to come home about the 24th and will send an arrival letter or a Tourate telegram.

I’ll mail the check to Mother Dove.

I love all three of you lots and lots,

Your,
Walter.

Claudelle has written to you that she is going to Uvalde first but I don’t know when.

December 10, 1939

Sunday Night
Dec 10, 1939

My dear Sweetheart,

Saturday PM Mr. Gaddis took Claudelle and I to lunch, to visit his house which is being remodeled and enlarged, and then to dinner. We had another invitation from the Bishopps Saturday night so we went out there, and again we got back about 2 AM Sunday. The Bishopps brought us back to town. Mrs. B. was so dog goned mean in her manners last week at the office that I am considering the party last Saturday as a sort of a peace offering. Although the Bs appear most cordial in every other way, I know that they resent deeply my being returned to the project. I will be in the status of investigating his project until my assignment is determined, also I may be considered as serving in Cushing’s place. Both of these give me right of way to discuss things with the chief’s office.

December 10, 1939

December 10, 1939

Gaddis has been very fine indeed to me and I am sure that he feels that we can be of mutual help in the future. He seems to be in good grace in the Chief’s office again, but he was in the dog house this season.

I expect to visit some of B’s workers at Beltsville & at Martha’s Vineyard this week, also review Dr. Back’s work & others in the office. I have annual reports for the past five years and quarterly reports for all stations for 1939, also budgets for the past three years. I’ll probably leave here about Saturday night, after seeing Dr. Parker & Wakeland, and go to Orlando to meet King. Think I’ll ask Bradley to meet me there, drive me to Ft. Pierce, New Smyrna, & Gainesville. Then get Brody to come to Gainesville and drive me to Panama City. From there I want to go to Dallas and Menard & get to Minneapolis by Xmas. Claudelle is planning to leave about Saturday & I am pretty sure she will come to Mpls & will try to make Uvalde by Xmas. Laake is in the hospital with a hernia & it may be an operation like Dr. Drakes.

My check for salary on Dec. 1 also two small expense checks should be at the office. I’ll have to endorse them for deposit. Would you mind telephoning Miss Beckwall and ask her to mail them to me care Mr. Gaddis. I’ll cash the small ones & return the salary check to you for deposit. The check for Dec. 15 could be sent to you from the office if you will tell her for me.

With all my love,
Your
Walter

December 9, 1939

Saturday Night
Dec. 9, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

We were so glad to have your letter of Thursday night today. I had been thinking and thinking of your conference with Dr. B., and wondering how it would come out. It looks as if you have things going your way, doesn’t it? I’m glad that you will have so much to say about the consolidation etc; also, I’m glad there was no struggle over the salary. Now I’m wondering where your leave comes in, and when we are going to move. No doubt those things will have to be decided after you have made your trip to Texas.

December 9, 1939

December 9, 1939

Lewis Dunbar was so pleased to have your letter. He wanted to write you and Claudelle tonight, but I persuaded him to wait until morning as he was so sleepy.

We are very happy that Claudelle is coming. Polly and I want to know just when she will arrive, so we can meet her.

I read Polly’s letter from you over the telephone to her. She asked me to thank you for it and to tell you that she would be glad to remain in Mpls. as long as she is needed here; also that she was glad to know that she still had a job. You know her name has been omitted from most of the plans for the personnel. She was glad to continue working this month instead of taking leave, because she really had no place she cared to go, and she would hardly know what to do with a vacation in Mpls. Not that she complained at all when it looked like she was going to have to take leave, but I just know she preferred to continue working.

Kenneth was pleased when I read him the paragraph you wrote about him.

We had a good time last night. I left the children with Louise while Polly & I entertained Kenneth, Helen, and Hallie Fulcher at dinner at the “Wishing Well.” It is on LaSalle back of the Y.M.C.A. The food was good, and Mrs. O’Brian, the fortune teller, is remarkable. I’ll tell you some things she told me when you return. The fortune telling is included in each dinner. Polly & I plan to take Claudelle there. After dinner Kenneth & Helen took us to a movie.

Honey, will you please send me a list of the men in the work to whom you wish to send Christmas cards? Or would you prefer sending them yourself? If so, will you tell me the names so we will not duplicate? Of course I realize that you don’t want to send one to all the men, but I know there were a few special ones you wished to remember.

Dr. & Mrs. Dickinson & baby had hardly gotten out of Mpls on their way east when someone ran into their car and demolished it, but fortunately they were uninjured. The man who caused the accident was sentenced to a number of days in jail, and the Dickinsons hope to get a new car from the insurance co. About the same time, I believe, Mr. & Mrs. Gray Butcher and children were making a trip in their car when a coal truck ran into them as they (the Butchers) were passing another truck at high speed, Mr. Butcher admitted. The children were uninjured, but Mr. B. received a severe cut on the face, almost from ear to mouth, and Mrs. B. was very seriously injured about the head and elsewhere, I believe. She is still in the hospital. I almost forgot to say that the Dickinsons proceeded to the east by train a few days after their accident.

I have mailed all Christmas packages except to Mother Dove & Revah. I thought I would send a shirt to Revah – size 18 collar, I believe – and Mother Dove prefers a check. Would you mail her the check please? I believe she would appreciate it more if it came from you.

Our weather continues to be very mild – down to about 23º at night and up to 45º or 50 during the day – and as dry as a bone. I noticed that last month was the driest November in Minn. for over 100 years.

Your last letter was unique; it is the first one I have received from you in almost 2 years that did not contain a mention of grasshoppers. When I told Kenneth about it he was pleased; he said your change of thought will refresh you. I’m glad you are having a little social life while you are in Wash. Kenneth & I agreed that a touch of that in the future would be of great benefit to you.

We are very happy that you plan to be with us at Christmas; it just wouldn’t be much Christmas without you.

Lots of love to you & to Claudelle.
Ina.

December 7, 1939

This letter was out of order in the file, but I’m back-dating it on the blog so it’ll be in the proper order now. Sorry for any inconvenience to those reading on the site’s RSS feed.

Thursday Night

My dear Sweetheart,

I have just had dinner with Mr. Gaddis & Claudelle. We left Claudelle at her address and BM brought me here a few minutes ago. It was a very good dinner.

December 7, 1939

December 7, 1939

Had my first good talk with Mr. Bishopp today, and I have asked for reports for the past five years, his work program for each project and a copy of his budget for this year. They are still looking up files to find them & when Miss Lynch returns tomorrow I am quite sure I’ll get them. He had proposed to transfer two men to take care of me, but I told him today that the amount saved in them would not be enough and that I was quite sure that the chief did not intend that I be reduced in salary. He said that he understood that I was to have the minimum of the principal grade, $5600. This means that there is now no doubt about that and that my job is to see that the new alignment will provide this much with advantage to the work. I have some good ideas on how to affect the economies. He agreed that Schroeder could be transferred to Alfalfa Weevil survey & I’ll take steps to transfer him between June 1 to 15th.

I’ve seen a few motions from Bish which I am skeptical of, but I think I can handle. Stage should have left here today but left Wednesday with stops planned at the different research labs in Florida & Texas before returning to Portland. If he is out covering up weaknesses before my arrival I’ll be pretty sure to detect it.

Claudelle & I were invited to Bishopp’s last Saturday & I was treated very fine. Yesterday I went to his office at noon & not finding him there I opened different doors to locate him and Stage. After I opened Cushing’s door & peeked in, a voice in the hall asked whom I was looking for. It was Mrs. Bishopp & she asked in a mean accusing manner. Bishopp was with her. I told her I was looking for her. Then I told her I wanted to see Stage before he left. I was then informed that Stage left yesterday & was driving to the southern stations.

Today when I saw Bish he invited Claudelle & I to come to another party at his house on this Saturday night to meet some more folks. We are going. The conference today did not continue the icy atmosphere yesterday, but apparently with a full understanding that I was to examine & report on his division & recommend such changes as would provide a place for myself & improve the efficiency. Gaddis seems to enjoy my assignment & thinks it OK for the Bureau.

Hearings before the Congressional Committee eliminated the new item for encephalomyelitis but with no other cuts for Bish’s division. In other words we can plan next year on the same basis as funds for this year.

In about another week or so I’ll visit Florida & Texas stations. Claudelle is planning to come to Mpls & then go to Uvalde for Xmas. She plans to leave here the Saturday after next.

Please give my very best wishes to Kenneth Helen & Miss Fulcher. The Gulfport project needs Kenneth. Tell him his stock rates high in Wash. His promotion will not be to the next grade but two less than the next grade & the same as Messenger’s.

With love,
Walter

December 5, 1939

Tuesday Night.
Dec. 5, 1939.

Dearest Sweetheart:

We enjoyed your letter of Sunday night which came today. Walter White was so pleased when I handed him his. He thought your remark about Mrs. White’s being in charge of Mr. White and the boys was very funny. He remarked that Daddy can make some pretty good wisecracks when he isn’t too busy. I had him promise not to tell Lewis Dunbar about the letter, because Lewis is very jealous of the mail Walter White receives; he doesn’t know that most of it is in return for a label or a box top. Even your promise to write him next time would not have sufficed.

December 5, 1939

December 5, 1939

Between 7 and 8 o’clock tonight I went to the Douglas school to the annual “open house.” The rooms were decorated, each child’s work was on his desk and the teachers were on hand to welcome the parents, and to try to say something nice about their children. I was pleased with Walter White’s exhibit of the works he has done so far this year. Sometimes he talks like he isn’t doing anything, you know. However, this afternoon he told me that his teacher said his work was one of the best in the room, and there are 40 children. Lewis had a little toy puppy he had made on exhibition. With his teacher’s assistance he made a really cute one of black oilcloth, stuffed it with cotton, and sewed it with green wool thread. He told me that they must keep their Christmas presents a secret, so he wasn’t going to tell me that he was going to give me a little black puppy that he has been making in school.

Polly and I are going to have Kenneth, Helen, and Hallie Fulcher down town to dinner Friday evening. We plan to present each of them with a little inexpensive remembrance. As you know, Kenneth received his marching orders today, and Nellie is leaving Saturday afternoon. Polly doesn’t know when she is expected to leave.

So Mrs. B. gave a bridge party for you and Mr. Stage! Did you really play?

Lots of love to you and to Claudelle.

Always, your
Ina.

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

Sunday A.M.

Dearest Sweetheart:

Your letter this A.M. was most welcome – it was thoughtful of you to send it “special.” I was finding it hard to make up my mind to wait until tomorrow to hear. The outlook looks pretty good, doesn’t it? I hope you will insist upon the $5600 though; that is the least that you can expect. Of course you hvae not had time to make definite plans, but it may be that we shall want to move to Menard after Jan. 26 (mid-term at school) during your leave. It would not be so bad to stay down there without you for a while. Of course we would want to go to Washington if you were going to be there many months.

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

December 3, 1939 (Ina)

We are so happy that Claudelle may come by to see us. Lewis Dunbar cried the other day because you were going to get to see her and he wasn’t. Perhaps you and she could come home together. We must put in an order for a big snow and freeze-up for her – not that the snow would be new to her. Today is quite cold with little snow flurries. The children have just returned from Sunday school with the rosiest of cheeks.

I telephoned Polly this A.M. and gave her such news as I thought you would not mind my giving. She promised not to hint it to a soul, and I’m sure she can be trusted. She seemed greatly relieved that she would have some old friends in the Denver office.

Now for a little local color. Our neighbors upstairs are having a round with the new janitor this morning. I had no trouble hearing it because it happened at the back door (and you know their voices). The house became a little chilly last night, due to the cold wave. All during the night I could hear Mr. D. running down stairs to do something to the furnace. Well, it seems that he found the furnace room door padlocked when he came down this A.M. You should have heard his and Louise’s angry voices, especially after the janitor “just stood there and grinned at you, Father,” so I heard Louise reminding Mr. D. after their interview with him. They are excitedly running about trying to get in touch with Mr. Vieman or one of the Thorpe Bros. because “I’ll bet we get a new set of janitors, Father, because we can’t afford to be grinned at, you know,” says Louise.

I must go prepare some dinner. Wish you were here, although I’m sure you will have a better dinner elsewhere. It’s lonesome without you.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Rainbow Cafe at Lake & Hennepin.

Give our love to Claudelle. We hope to be seeing you both soon.

Lots of love from the 3 of us.
Ina.

December 3, 1939 (Walter)

Sunday AM

My dear Ina,

Last night Claudelle and I went to the Bishopps for a little get together, expecting the Bishopp office force. It turned out to be a bridge party for Mr. Stage and myself. At least he and I had cherries on our ice cream and the others did not. About 4 tables or 16 people were there. Mr. & Mrs. Hoyt, Mr. & Mrs. Annand, Mr. & Mrs Hyslop, Mr. & Mrs. (Harmed’s assistant), Dr. & Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Hoyt was very interested in Wayne Hill and she told about how Mrs. Wright enjoyed their dinner with us and what a fine wife and sons I had etc. Mrs. Hoyt smokes cigarettes but otherwise she is a prim and dignified little lady like her mother. Like Hoyt she is also a democratic and diplomatic type. She said that she would like for me to meet the daughter, so I imagine I might get an invitation to eat dinner with them. I think this is a good opportunity to get in a good visit with Hoyt. There are a number of things I want to discuss with him.

December 3, 1939

December 3, 1939

Strong is in Chicago for a meeting tomorrow.

We have not had the hectic meetings I expected which is due to delayed meetings of state leaders to Jan. 11 & 12th. As a matter of fact the meeting will be for extension directors and Commissioners of Agriculture, primarily, with a suggestion that state leaders should also be present. So far my recommendations to B.M. are going right through regardless of others’ recommendations. Consolidation of cricket & Ghops, with RA as asst project leader. Messenger & Landrum will probably have assignments very similar to the ones they had last year & on the same basis for next year. Dickison to be at Mpls.

Claudelle is thin but not more so than usual. We ate together about three o’clock yesterday afternoon & visited until we went to the Bishopps.

I cannot give you anything definite yet. Will try to travel to the Texas stations between now & Xmas if possible to push along enough to select a house at Menard. I’ve got to make recommendations on the place & maybe we can get more cooperation from some other place. Unless there should be a strong reason for some other place we could not justify changing from Menard. Bishopp is more than courteous etc. Also others in the Bishopp family. Mrs. Bishopp looks bad & he is not as bright eyed as at Dallas.

More later & as soon as I can tell you something more definite.

With love to all three of you

Walter.

Enclosed in the same envelope:

Sunday A.M.
Dec. 4, 1939 [sic]

Dear Walter White,

Yesterday, I met a Mrs. White and two boys. The boys are the sons of Bill White and they are 8 and 12 years of age. They are real boys just like you and Lewis Dunbar. Daddy has known Bill White for about 20 years and likes him very much. Bill is in charge of the division of insects affecting truck crops. Mrs. White is in charge of Bill and the boys and I think she has the hardest job.

Next time I’ll write to Lewis.

Daddy.

December 1, 1939

Another gap. Walter went back home after his previous meeting in Washington, and now he’s returned for negotiations around his new position. For those who haven’t been following since the beginning, “B” and “Bish” refer to Dr. Bishopp, Walter’s former collaborator in screw-worm research, with whom he parted on somewhat chilly terms.

Friday Night

My dear Sweetheart & Boys,

Dr. Wakeland and I arrived as per schedule and I am finding things rather encouraging. Strong is away but he made no doubt about his wishes, though I am not supposed to know yet. This afternoon I called at Dr. B office just to say hello and for a conference later on, which he suggests for about next Thursday. He did say that Mrs. B wanted Mr. Stage and some of the others to have dinner at his home, and perhaps tomorrow night. Stage works on mosquitoes at Portland Oregon & had arrived yesterday. Bish was most cordial but moved about in his chair in an uneasy manner. Bish suggested 46 the minimum of the senior grade but Strong stated that his wishes were that I be kept at the maximum of the grade (which is $5600*). By this I would lose the Prin. grade of $200 which is not so bad. I am sure that B will try to reduce it, but I’m holding out for that much. Although official word has not been given to me I am to review Bish’s entire setup on the work and make recommendations on consolidations & future work. Rather an investigation, with a view to consolidation of all Texas stations and to recommend procedures. It was Strong’s suggestion that I work here temporarily in Cushing’s absence and to review the set up. He stated that the proposal made by Bish was not acceptable (Panama City).

December 2, 1939

December 2, 1939

Mr. Gaddis has been most helpful and is in a position to help a great deal. Annand and Roehner support the views expressed by Strong and I am quite sure of Hoyt. Claudelle has been helpful and appears to be greatly concerned on the outcome and wonders why I want 2 months leave & what I am going to do with it.

Last night Yeomans was here and I spent the evening with he and Gaddis. Tonight Claudelle and I ate together and visited until almost 10 o’clock. Everyone seems to know that I am to be here temporarily in Cushing’s place & that I am to visit field stations, but Yeomans advises me to stay with B.M. Wakeland is going to visit some larger control offices in the east for ideas. He has been obliged to agree to a consolidation of Mormon Cricket & G hop at Denver and with R.A. as an assistant project leader. The alternative was to let R.A. run crickets as a separate project, which Wakeland cannot agree to do. The matter of Messenger as another Asst has not been decided, but the odds are against it and also against all other general supervisors for such a place. It needs to be someone with fiscal experience. Otherwise, it will mean running the projects from the Wash. office. Schmidt may be Asst in charge of Mormon cricket. He is considered almost a second Quarterman, for which I am proud. Tell Polly that Mr. Townsend will be in charge as this will ease her mind until I can arrange to steal her. Claudelle thinks it impossible for me to get Polly. Kenneth should be able to get away about the 15th of Dec. & it looks like we can close the office there about that time except for a few details. Rainwater & Lugginbill will be there to summarize chinch bug survey but they will not need much help. The meeting will be at Denver on Jan. 11 or 12th & will include Extension directors and Commissioners of Agriculture with less emphasis on state leaders. Regardless of my work here or visits to field stations I am planning to be home Xmas. Claudelle is uncertain but she wants to go to Uvalde & is going to look up rates with a view of going by Chicago & make a side trip to Mpls. She may not know for a few days yet.

With love
Your
Walter.

* That’s $93,534 in today’s dollars, so Walter’s pretty high up on the government pay scale now.