Monthly Archives: September 2012

December 19, 1934

Letterhead from the Georgia Emergency Relief Administration, Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. W.E. Dove,
Entomologist,
In Charge of Screw Worm Control Work
P.O. Box #22
Savannah, Georgia

Dear Dr. Dove:

We are attaching hereto a copy of our state project number S-160-B18-11 A, which was approved yesterday covering an extension of the original screw worm project.

December 19, 1934

This project will be worked similar to the original approval, and you should get in touch with Mr. Harry Harmon, State Purchasing Agent, Georgia Emergency Relief Administration, Ten Forsyth Street Building, Atlanta, Georgia regarding the purchase of Benzol, Pine Tar, and other supplies for which a purchase release has been granted.

Very truly yours,

(Miss) Gay B. Shepperson
Relief Administrator for Georgia

RLM/WSS/et

Walter’s grant renewal for the screw-worm control project totaled $5,000, which would be $85,962 in today’s money. Only $1,900 was for labor, so they were distributing a lot of pine tar and benzene.

October 30, 1934

Stationery from the Hotel Mayflower, Jacksonville, Florida.

Slashes indicate premature line endings from mouse damage.

Tuesday A.M.

Dear Folks,

The meeting was/ one in every way. I am att/ Rotary here this noon. This/ John and I are going to Orlando to see Dr. King. He is dis/ over the fact that the Florida Extension people asked me to/ to the County agents on screw worms, when he has a program with them at the present time.

October 30, 1934

Will spend tonight at Orlando and tomorrow morning.

With love,
Walter.

August 7, 1934

Office of State Entomologist, State Capitol, Atlanta.

Dr. W.E. Dove
403 Postoffice Building
Savannah, Georgia

Dear Dr. Dove:

I am more than extremely sorry that the articles that appeared in the Savannah Evening News implicated you or indicated in any way that you were involved in political activities or criticised another Federal Department. I know that you were extremely careful in all the statements that you made to Congressman Parker and if I remember correctly, I did about nine-tenths of the talking with Mr. Sutlive. I am quite sure that he in no way desired to involve you in any way in any controversy but that it was his over eagerness to be of help. You may rest assured that if any trouble develops that I will do everything in my power to see that you do not suffer, for I know positively that you have not connected yourself with any political activities and have not criticised any other Bureau.

August 7, 1934

I realize, however, that Parker was interested in this project from a more or less political view point and that I made a mistake in asking for his assistance. However, I knew that that was our last hope.

I know that in case (which I do not believe will develop) any accusations are filed against you that you will not only have my support but the support of hundreds of your friends in your section. I know that Col. Butler would fight to the last ditch.

Miss Shepperson did not agree to our project as submitted and would not agree to purchase any materials. She has asked me to talk with Mr. Vansant, who is in charge of all their farm supervisors in the state and work out a project along the following lines:

FERA has a farm supervisor who is a graduate of the State College of Agriculture for every three counties in the State. Miss Shepperson proposed that we have meetings with these farm supervisors, discuss the situation with them and instruct them on how to treat the cattle and they in turn go into the counties assigned them and hold meetings in from three to six sections of the county depending entirely upon the size of the county. She also indicated that it would be possible where found necessary to have FERA workers destroy carcasses.

The only alternative she offered was to secure a special allotment of funds directly from Hopkins’ office for this work but did not advise strongly that we try to secure these funds.

I have not as yet talked with Vansant and desire to have your reaction before I do talk with him. I would greatly appreciate your wiring me collect tomorrow morning your reactions and if you and Roberts would be available for these sectional meetings. Frankly, I do not see how we can carry the project unless we do have your support.

I am quite sure that you are fully aware that I have never attempted to play politics with any of the FERA work and can assure you that so far as I am concerned, there will be no politics in these meetings. I think that the three of us could hold the meetings.

With kindest personal regards, I am

Yours very truly,

M S Yeomans

msy/as

September 19, 1933

Stationery from the Hotel Appling, Baxley, Georgia.

Walter and Ina are now living in Savannah, GA, and he’s touring the countryside giving presentations to ranchers about how to prevent and control screw-worm infestations in their livestock. At some point during this period, he worked with a film crew to create this educational movie. Additional 16mm footage from those filming sessions was part of the archive I inherited. Those film reels and other materials from Walter’s research are now stored safely at Johns Hopkins University, in case anyone needs to refer to them.

Tuesday Night.

My dear Sweetheart,

We ate lunch at Waycross and reached Alma about 215 PM. There were about 200 at the meeting but apparently very few screw worm cases in that county. Dr. Roffensperger did not come today. His wife is ill and he will not be with us until possibly Friday at Sylvester. We have the two meetings tomorrow as per schedule and one at Nahunta Thurs. A.M. Friday at 11 am we have the last of the week at Sylvester. If we get through there promptly we should get home early Friday night, that is about 10 o’clock.

September 19, 1933

So far there is one meeting after this week in Wayne County which is quite near Savannah. I think the county seat is Jessup. It is about 65 miles from Savannah.

The meeting went over OK today. We divided Dr. Roffensperger’s talk between Dr. White and myself.

Dr. White thinks that Oct 1st will close all of the meetings. I think we are near the close by the end of this week.

I am expecting some word from Mr. Sanders at Savannah. Would you please tell Mr. Hall of the meeting at *

Nahunta 11am Thursday 
- Western Union - Tifton Thursday night. 
Sylvester 11 AM   "

I love you lots and lots Honey and before long I expect to stay at home more.

Your
Walter.

* Walter wrote out the schedule in a tabular format, which I’ve tried to duplicate in the transcript. The reference to Western Union may mean that he wanted Ina to telegraph the information to Hall.

September 3, 1933

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.

July 31, 1933 (from Dr. Bishopp)

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

August 21, 1932

Western Union Telegram

NATCHEZ MISS AUG 21 1932

MRS INA LEWIS DOVE

222 WEST MESQUITE CARE J N LEWIS UVALDE TEX

LEAVING FOR NEW ORLEANS MONDAY MORNING WILL BE READY TO LEAVE THERE TUESDAY MORNING AND WILL MEET YOU SP STATION IF YOU CANNOT MEET ME THAT TIME WIRE ME JUNG HOTEL AND ADVISE WHEN TO MEET YOU PROJECT HERE NOT COMPLETE LOVE

WALTER

813 AUG 22

August 21, 1932

August 19, 1932

Natchez Friday PM.

We are having broken pump welded this PM. Mr. D & Revah are busy with the curbing. It is going down slowly. Last night it was 6-1/2 from the bottom. They went down about a foot this morning. We are hopeful but it takes a lot of patience. Claud Holley is with me and will help us as much as we need him. Don’t worry about me. We work cautiously.

Walter.

August 19, 1932

August 14, 1932

Sunday P.M.

My dear Sweetheart,

Nothing exciting to report. The new curb was lowered in place Sat PM and by rocking it, it settled to about six feet of its destination. Claud Holley Pritchard was with us Sat. Mrs. Darden came with her adopted daughter (Annie Grey) and they returned last night. Mr. Darden will be here again tomorrow AM & we hope that it goes in place OK. The water comes in from the bottom some. There is about 1 ft difference in the water levels. It won’t take long to bail out sand when the curb is in place. Revah plans to use a strong jack in forcing the culvert down. There has been more of a delay than I had thought, but there seems to be no way of rushing this thing.

August 14, 1932

I have no news for you, other than that I have a cold. Was caught on the road in a hole & the rain gave me a cold. I went to Natchez for a chain pulley & was on my way there when I got caught in the rain. The cold is not serious. I am using all of my handkerchiefs.

Monday A.M.

Uncle Bernie came and I visited with him last night. My cold is much better, thank you. It will be at least a couple of days and perhaps longer before we will know if you are going to get into the pot.

Hope you are enjoying your visit. Give my love to all the folks. Tell Walter White that Daddy says W W must be a good boy.

Your,
Walter.

August 10, 1932

Roxie Miss.
Wed. Night

My dear Sweetheart,

I mailed a short note from Natchez last night. It was written on the steering wheel of your car. After the truck wheel was repaired we got the culvert loaded and we reached home at 12 last night. The road was dry and the truck came over OK. Mr. Darden and Revah are running true to form. Test today shows about one foot more sand but we think it came into little curb from the bottom. We like to think that Pharoh [sic] did not move. Mr. Darden and Mother wished that you and W W had come by here. They send regards. If we have good luck we should be able to try the door next Tuesday. It will take about a day to get the door open.

August 10, 1932

I have no news of importance at this time. With the exception of Revah’s elbow bumper the health is 100%.

Tell Walter White that I am expecting him to be a good boy and that I will be glad to see him when he comes back on the train. Also I hope that he and Ina are having a good time.

With lots of love,

Your
Walter.