Tag Archives: management

January 29, 1938

Stationery from the White House Hotel, Gainesville, FL.

Jan. 29 – Friday*

Dear Sweetheart,

It was a joy to get your letter yesterday and I am sure that my letter reached you. I know that you have not been as comfortable in that house as you should have been, and I hope you are getting the best use of Madie with the fires and attending children. I think you should call on her to do all those jobs. You have had a lot of cold weather. It is cold here now but for the greater part of January it has been like summer.

January 29, 1938

January 29, 1938

Strong insists that he won’t have Bruce at the head of one of his offices & steps have been taken to get Mr. Roberts down here. On account of the strong friendship between Bruce and the University people here, they are going to resent this & are apt to make efforts to keep Bruce. Yeomans will protest if Roberts comes down & Bruce goes out. He likes Bruce & the Fla. job. There are a number of small things, lax methods etc. against Bruce & probably more against McGehee. Strong & Spencer were here two days. Strong is in the state now & will probably leave Dodson down here for further checks. I am sure that they will go over the actual field operations in some detail & that later some of them will check the San Antonio office too.

Bruce is sick in bed with malaria & I’ve discussed the plan for him to return to research with Bishopp. He does not like the idea & says that he will resign. The university here have been trying to get money & to take Bruce from us in the next appropriation as a leader.

I do not know how long I’ll be here but at least for a week or more. May be advisable for me to keep Roberts out but I’ve already followed the suggestion of Strong to get Roberts down here. Yeomans is going to give trouble & he is going to resist on another appropriation. Strong does not want another one on SW.

With lots & lots of love to all of you.

Your
Walter.

* Probably right date, wrong day.

January, 1938

This is apparently a list of people who previously worked on grasshopper control projects for the USDA, but were laid off. The marginalia suggest Walter was looking to recruit some of them back (he’s about to be transferred to grasshopper control). If you wonder why the government had employed so many people for this, or why so many of them got dismissed and then hired back with funding fluctuations, check out Jeffrey Lockwood’s outstanding history of this astonishing pest.

January 1938

January 1938

February 6, 1937

Saturday PM 2/6

My dear Sweetheart,

I am returning herewith an endorsed check for deposit at San Antonio National Bank and wish that you would go to the bank and make out a deposit slip to cover it. I will draw another check for hotel bill and expenses and it will probably be $75 which will be enough for me until I get home.

February 6, 1937

February 6, 1937

When Mr. Roberts arrives I’ll try to get him oriented as rapidly as possible and also will try to get Mr. Bruce on his assignment. He is getting adjusted to the idea and I think he harbors no ill will toward me. The case against him could be made much stronger than it was. In fact I have been finding some instances of neglect and intent to get around the regulations by permitting men to get around them. It is my feeling that things are better organized and that the work is progressing without being affected by office changes. The university people here have not had an opportunity to protest in behalf of Bruce, but I would not be surprised if they did so. Roberts will have to stand an acid test here but I believe he will make it OK.

I attended three meetings during nights last week and they went over OK. The movie helps a great deal. Every night next week meetings are scheduled for 2 sets of speakers and movies. If R.A. comes he will get into harness quick. It makes a long day for one to drive to night meetings and also work all day.

I hardly know what to tell Claudelle about her foot operation. I’d like to see her have it and I believe the quiet season of the year is the proper time. We have no assurance of a program next year and I cannot promise her anything then. She could take sick leave and be paid for the time, but am I fully justified if I tell her she can do so? I think not, I’d rather talk to her about it when I come home. I hope to be home about this time next week. I am getting anxious to see my wife and sons.

A little note is being enclosed for Claudelle.

Tomorrow Dr. McGovern and Dr. White are coming down to see me. They will be here about noon and I plan to have them eat dinner with me. The visit is a social one but I have an idea that they wish to discuss Mr. Bruce’s return to the research work with me.

With love to all of you,

Your
Walter

February 4, 1937

Thursday Night 11 PM.

My dear Sweetheart,

Was glad to get the letter from you today but more than surprised about Thelma Lee’s marriage. The little rascal. I think I could have found an entomologist for her who would have been almost human, but it is not any easy matter to pick for some one else. In fact one does pretty well to pick for himself and is fortunate if he can pick his own teeth. Am glad that no one scolded her for it. It was a kid like way of doing it and I think everything should contribute to make the union a success. I don’t blame Paul for the early marriage when he had a chance to get her, because Thelma Lee is beautiful and might find some one else before he returned. If he does not return to college, can he earn enough to support Thelma Lee? She is worthy of a good man and I hope he is made of the right metal [sic]. Is he going to work on a ranch this summer? Thelma Lee said something about visiting on a ranch in West Texas, and I wonder if he is going to work out there. Would he make a good man for screw worm control? I shouldn’t ask this because the chief is set on not having another program. It may be forced on him, however.

February 4, 1937

February 4, 1937

Bruce goes back to research, the chief told me in no uncertain terms that he simply would not have a man like that to head one of his offices. The best we could do was to get Bruce fixed up as well as possible, and I think he is reconciled to the transfer though at first he wanted to resign. He didn’t seem to have a grasp of his responsibility and his work with McGehee was not coordinated. The two offices should have functioned as one but both of them seem to have had the idea of winning support of the men. McG had passed the word of Bruce’s transfer to the men before it was generally known in the office. As a result, he got his letter from me on his failures, but that on account of his good work we were not discontinuing his services but were transferring him to a field assistant’s job. The letter told him that the position would close the latter part of April. Strong really did not go into McGehee’s case very well, but made it known to me that he did not think either Bruce or McGehee had been state supervisor. McG is as slow as Christmas and as contrary as the devil. Bruce was fast enough but also contrary. Both of them gave unnecessary favors to the men even to the extent of stepping beyond their authorities.

Since the storm struck I have been tightening up and have also been reducing expenses by eliminating some field men and in several economies at the office. Before Strong returned to Washington he sent me word by Dutton that I should drop every man that we could dispense with, and not have an abrupt closing in April. Five men are going off in West Florida Saturday, three in Georgia one week from Saturday and one was dropped in Fla. before Strong got here. The others are being combed carefully.

Dutton and Strong spent a week in the field, and Spencer spent a few days (two) at Gainesville offices. Before he left he was pretty well satisfied on the business end, and did not find anything other than what Strong had found on his first visit. Strong’s field trip gave him a better insight to the work, and Dutton indicates that Strong was pretty well pleased. Dutton assured me that my status in the Bureau was a secure one. He said “you are already made by the work you have done.” He indicated that a job was developing for me, one of putting control into research and somewhat of an efficiency man. The job would be a temporary assignment to the Secretary for work in other Bureaus and that Strong would not agree to release me permanently for other assignments or jobs out of the Bureau.

It seems that the Secy made such a request from the different Bureaus with an idea of introducing improved methods by temporary assignment of men in other work as efficiency men. Strong has not discussed this with me but Dutton says that this is in the making. He thinks that I ought to be assigned such a job in the Bureau to work with Bureau research groups and that I should travel among them all of the time. Strong and Dutton can’t understand the ultra conservatism and caution employed by research men and their failures to grasp significant facts of importance in control and they want to inject them with some hot apple sauce.

I was not told of my short comings on this program, but I recognize one in my organization which did not come up here. I organized the work so as to keep Roberts and Bruce free of vouchers etc., so as to keep them in the field and so as to place this on the state leaders. Bruce was inclined to interpret this as no responsibility of his regarding state offices and to consider each office a different unit. He did not seem to think that he had a responsibility in their work but acted as more of an official handshaker. Roberts on the other hand, felt every responsibility keenly and worried about some, much more than he should have. The result is that Roberts’s stock is pretty high. When Roberts gets here and becomes oriented I’ll leave for San Antonio. I’ll probably be here all of next week and plan to drive a car to New Orleans for Hollingsworth. Will take a train from there.

I love you Honey and things are OK as far as your husband’s connections are concerned.

Your,
Walter.

January 31, 1937

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

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.

January 24, 1937

Stationery from the White House Hotel, Gainesville, FL.

Margin note: Cashed a check for $50 at Gainesville. Townsend is sending last salary check here for endorsement & will return it to bank with deposit slip. W.E.D.

Jan. 24. Sun. A.M.

My dear Sweetheart,

My stay here has been of uncertain duration and it has not been possible for me to determine just when I could return home. Strong and Gaddis were here last Tues. PM & Wednesday. Strong was not in a good humor but had no criticism on the program itself. He questioned some purchases of stores by Bruce & McGehee and purchasing of materials for the screened hospital without bids, and told me that he was not through with it when he left. I had already decided that it was best to combine the offices and place Bruce in charge, and had told McG of this plan to which he agreed.

January 24, 1937

January 24, 1937

Since then, I called in the district men and with Yeomans we quizzed on every man here, obtained lists in order of efficiency in each district, got facts on the weak ones and requested two resignations from county men. When Mr. Strong was informed of this he wired that he would return Tuesday noon and wished Townsend to be present for the discussion. Will meet Townsend Lake City Monday P.M. at 4 o’clock.

Yeomans returned to Georgia Sat. AM & expects to have his appointment confirmed at Atlanta on Monday. It has been announced by the Governor. It seems pretty certain that he is now out of the Bureau though his resignation has not been received.

Strong is definitely set against a program for next year and I think this is the basis for his actions. He has no criticism of the one this year except he is taking exception to any purchases and he is looking for what he can find. Needless to say I have been looking for what I could find and I am in the middle of the road. I am not trying to shield anyone but will let the evidence be the deciding factor. As you know I have been bearing down on McG & through Bruce. This has not been brought out yet, but probably will on Tuesday. McG feels badly and says he did the best he could. Expect to see you the latter part of next week, and will wire. Bruce’s are having me to dinner today. I can’t refuse but I am in the middle of the road.

With lots & lots of love,
Walter.

June 12, 1936

YMCA Friday 10 PM. 6/12

My dear Sweetheart,

Guess you think your husband is neglecting writing his family. The new office and so many things seem to require some of my time. We are getting in better shape now and most of the office people are finding their duties. The office set up is first rate. Gradually we seem to be getting the sheep and goat raisers to see that our program is right. At their meeting in Kerrville yesterday they received Prof. Mackey very cordially and promised to work with us.

June 12, 1936

June 12, 1936

R.A. reacts in true form to many things. He did not favor demonstrations when the work program was written but now sees that it is the only way to get the program over in Texas. His individualistic damn cussedness has taken root in Frank, who seems to be a supporter of his. Think I can handle the situation but it will probably mean that I’ve got to dictate in no uncertain terms and see that they carry out orders. I made the mistake of assigning Frank with R.A. He should have been under a different man this year. It may be necessary to separate them yet. Frank is on the civil service list and was reached by the Public Health Service for a job at $2600 in California. He would identify fleas and mites from rats. I encouraged him to accept it, because it would get him a civil service status. I think screw worm work would profit if he accepted. Tomorrow I am going to offer more encouragement to that job. He and R.A. are going to headquarter across the hall from my office. They do not have a steno yet, and the problem is about the same that it was last year, except that they want to use my best steno. I think your old man is going to be pretty hard boiled and dictate what is what.

Tomorrow we are going to drive to Uvalde. Mr. Townsend and Yeomans want to go in Townsend’s new Packard and carry Claudelle and Miss Peets. We will return Sunday afternoon. It will probably be a week from Monday before we start the training conference at College Station.

With love to all three of you,

Your
Walter.