401 Cecil St.
University Park,
Hyattsville, Md.
Sept 3, 1933.

Dear Dove:

I do not know how to apologize for not acknowledging your good letter of Aug. 2 sooner. I have been thinking that something more tangible would show up most any minute, but it hasn’t yet. Let me first thank you for your thoughtfulness and efforts in my behalf, also for the nice things you had to say of me. This last year and a half have shown me that friends are invaluable.

September 3, 1933

Now with reference to Mr. Garner I don’t know whether he will do much in this case as he has never seemed very friendly to entomology. It is certain that if he should interest himself that he could be a big factor. It will certainly do no harm to have him informed. Probably if several of his Texas friends should ask him to support the work of the bureau and recommend my appointment he would take some action. Your plan to have Mr. Lewis write Mr. Garner reminding him of their conversation is sound. If you think it desirable, you could drop him a personal note confirming your conversation, but I think that letters from his Texas associates especially officers of the Livestock Assn’s would be better. Maybe a line from you to Parman would help. I don’t think he knows of the situation here, at least not from me.

One of the difficulties here is the lack of knowledge of what is going to happen to the Bureau and who is close to Sec’y Wallace and others directing the policy of the Dept. One of my friends who has been writing some letters in my behalf sent me several letters. One of these was from Asst. Secy. Tugwell (in reply to a letter to Secy. Wallace). In this he said he would be glad to give careful consideration etc “if an appointment to that position is made.” This certainly hints at a dismemberment of the Bu. or possibly a fusion. Joining the Bu. & the Bu. of Plant Quarantine has been mentioned as a possibility. A good many feel that if this is done they wouldn’t want to see Strong, Chief of Quarantine made Chief of the consolidated organization because he is not an entomologist and not a college man. This they fear would make him an unsuitable leader for research, and might cause in him a lack of appreciation of research, especially of a fundamental nature.

The question of maintaining the Bureau as an administrative unit is paramount and I feel that every entomologist should do everything possible to hold our ground. In this direction, I am working on methods of disseminating favorable propaganda. Probably a committee of the two associations will be working on this soon. My feeling is that such work should be done very quietly, that is so it does not appear to be organized. This should create backing among the public and help educate the powers that be on the importance of the science. The com. could also contact industrial, and commercial & agr’l organizations and encourage their active support. Let me have your ideas along this line.

All join in sending best regards to all.

Sincerely
F.C.B.

I understand that the Committee on Bu. affairs appointed by the 2 assn’s have filed a statement with the Sec’y outlining the qualifications of a Chief of Bu. of Ent. but not mentioning names. E.F. Phillips (bee man of Cornell) appears to be a candidate. He is chairman of the Committee.

The next letter in the file is nearly a year later, on a completely different subject.

401 Cecil St. Uni Park
Hyattsville, Md.
July 31 – 1933

Dear Dove:

It now appears practically certain that Dr. Marlett will retire upon reaching his 70th birthday in Sept. This makes the appointment of his successor a matter soon to come before the Secretary. As a matter of fact, a committee was appointed to represent the two entomological associations to make certain recommendations to the Secy regarding the Bureau, and one of these, I understand was the importance of an early appointment of a successor so that he might be ready to proceed energetically and intelligently with the conduct of Bureau affairs as soon as the Chief retires. I have been informed that the committee is unanimously opposed to Mr. Rohmer as Chief, though I don’t know that they have agreed to push any special candidate. This committee consists of E.F. Phillips, W.E. Britton, E.P. Felt, J.S. Houser and E.N. Cory. Phillips is receptive to the appointment and there is some indication that he is doing some active pulling for the job.

July 31, 1933 (from Dr. Bishopp)

Within the Bureau, apparently Dr. Marlatt expects to push Mr. Rohmer into the place, though he is not favorably looked upon by most of the division heads. Larrimer & I are the only other Bu. members whose names I have heard mentioned favorably.

I think it a worthy ambition for any entomologist to desire elevation to that important position and while I recognize my many shortcomings I feel that my experience, knowledge of the personnel and work of the Bureau and my knowledge of the entomological problems of the country and of the point of view of the farmers is at least equal to that of others. I have been encouraged greatly in making some effort to secure the appointment by the concentrated support of a goodly number of my associates in the Bu. and friends outside.

If you think I can handle the job satisfactorily I shall greatly appreciate your support where opportunity offers. A word now and then among the entomologists will help crystallize sentiment. There is every indication that some political wires are being pulled for certain others outside the Bu. so that slant may be very helpful and very necessary. I hope that the appointment will not take on a purely political aspect, but partisan consideration is having quite a part there these days. While I can’t claim being an old line Democrat, I’ve helped elect many good Democrats including F.D. (with 3 votes from our family). While the gov’t man is getting his bumps now we hope it will come out all to the good in the end.

We still hope and are working hard for the maintenance of the Bu. as a unit and the committee feels that the early appointment of a new Chief will be an important step in that direction.

Such help as you may lend will not be forgotten.

Wish you and the family could get up this way this summer, we would all enjoy a visit from you so much.

With best regards from all to all

Sincerely
FCB