Walter apparently applied for work with the World Health Organization. At this point, the WHO was five years into the doomed Global Malaria Eradication Programme. The program relied primarily on DDT, a compound on which Walter was probably the world’s foremost expert at that time. It seems the WHO wasn’t interested in what he might have to say about it.
February 26, 1960
Sunday AM Jan. 31
Dear Sweetheart,
Mr. Yeomans came down yesterday PM and left a few minutes ago by car with his clothing etc. He and I called on Dr. Montgomery and visited last night until about 11 PM. So far as I know he is through at Gainesville and his connection with our office is now complete. His feelings are very high concerning Bruce and he says that Newell won’t stand for Bruce being canned. He does not know what Bruce’s status is to be, but is assuming that Bruce is to be let out. He does not know that the plan is for RA to come here, but says that he is going to protest if RA comes down.
January 31, 1937
Strong and Dutton have been in the state service since last Tuesday noon when they arrived here and have contacted some of the field workers. Last night Yeomans phoned to Miami and located the chief but was told that Strong was checking out and would be in Washington Wednesday. This probably means that Strong and Dutton will return here Monday and that Strong will leave Tuesday PM. Bruce has been in bed with malaria the past week but was sitting up when Yeomans and I called on him yesterday. Several days ago I told him what he could expect and that Strong was determined that he should not head one of our units. He does not want to go back to Bishopp’s division and said he would resign. They asked me to eat dinner with them today and I will do so. Will talk the thing over with him and advise him not to resign but go back to research and work.
Had two meetings last week at night and the movie helps a great deal in difficult areas. There are some tough customers in “them thar” swamps.
The two offices are combined and some changes in assignments of duties. McG is given a job on reports, personnel efficiency & accomplishments and special field work. A lot of the trouble is due to his slowness and lack of cooperation with Bruce. Both are at fault.
My salary check for Jan. 15th was sent here for endorsement & was carried to San Antonio by Mr. Townsend for deposit. In Washington I drew $50 and since I’ve been here I have given two checks for $50 each. One check of $5 was given to the Entomological Society for dues. No other checks have been written.
I had no idea I’d be away this long but may be here longer. In fact I am sure that it would be better for the work, if R.A. were left in S.A. & I stayed here. With love to all of you and hoping to see you before long.
Your
Walter.
Stationery from the Hotel Savannah, “Rates posted and radio in every room.”
Sat. June 21, 1930.
My dear Sweetheart,
We have been on the go all day. This morning we had a sanitary inspector (malaria control) to take us to points on the Island. At noon we met the Georgia Healthcare group of health officers, and had lunch with them. We accompanied them on their tour this PM. This place has most of the mosquito breeding places under control. They have about 300 miles of ditches which permit drainage & minnow access to mosquito breeding places. They are anxious about sand flies. Last Feb they gave quite a bit of annoyance to winter tourists. On April 6 they caused 50 guests to leave. The season was shortened by 3 weeks. Since the hotel is open for only about 4 months during the year, this is quite an item.
June 21, 1930
We are going to look around more tomorrow morning and then go to Charleston tomorrow afternoon or night. Savannah has lots of history and several monuments. It has a population of 87000, with 45% negroes. I like the spirit of cooperation but I am not yet sure about living here. It is not a progressive and growing place. I imagine that Charleston is about the same way.
Yesterday PM Bish and I went by the acreage at Jax. He thinks that the investment is a good one. There is some building along the high way, an overhead pass has been made for the group of railroad tracks in Jax, and soon the Lake City highway will be made twice as wide. There are some homes between our acreage and Jax. The old man with the filling station says that no real estate is being sold now but that he thinks the prospects are good for the future.
B just had a letter from Mrs. B. All three of the children were honor students. Bitsie goes to Baltimore every-day with a questionnaire for the Jewish families. I think she has to get 12 each day. During the late summer she is to be a dietician for a girls camp.
I love you, Honey, and I’ll be mighty glad when I get your letters at Charleston.
Always,
Your
Walter.