Tag Archives: screw-worm

May 19, 1940

Sunday Night 5/19-40

My dear Sweetheart,

Yours of last night was received a few minutes ago. I certainly hope the Cushings are not disappointed in the prospect of an heir, and they should not think for a second that I have any feeling about their going to Menard. I am very glad they are going. I also have the feeling that we will get somewhere on the SW problem through him.

May 19, 1940

May 19, 1940

Even though Panama City is said to be mine, I just don’t have the feeling that we are going down there. I think the assignment would be pleasant work and we could get something accomplished. Yet, if I do not go there I just do not know of anyone else to do it. Of course it could continue just as it has been for the past few years. Bruce could not supervise Dr. King’s work, and I doubt if they would let him go just for Panama City. That would be one way of reducing Dallas. Also if Laake came to Wash., that would leave only Wells & Eagleson to be transferred. My suggestion would be that, but I doubt if the Bureau is ready to boost Mr. Bruce that much. The other alternative would be to get Mr. Lindquist down there & to move Stage to assist Dornier. That would not meet with Mr. B’s approval either. Annand wants me to go & get King in good grace of Strong.

Strong did not discuss the matter with me. My visit was very short, a hello & the highlights on the bran market & our purchases. He listened with very little comment. Thought it best not to discuss Florida unless he brought up the subject.

Am returning the statement for the Liberty Mutual Co. Please look in your check stubs. I am quite sure that I gave a check when I signed the application. Also, the cancelled check should be in the April lot & listed on the statement. If not, would you send one to them. Pls. look in the black folder with my name printed on it, under auto insurance, & I think you will find the policy & the receipt.

Yesterday PM (after 5 o’clock), this AM & again this PM I took some long walks and exposed myself to the sunlight. I can breathe much better tonight & I feel better. Will continue to do this. I believe that is why I felt so much better when I came home the last time.

With love,

Your,
Walter.

The grape fruit, oranges & ham sound mighty good & it was nice of Mr. Gaddis to share them with us.

May 16, 1940

Thurs May 16, 1940.

My dear Ina & Folks,

The sleeper plane was just fine and for the first time I actually undressed & went to bed just as one would in a Pullman. From Cleveland we traveled upstairs most of the way (about 10 to 11 thousand feet). At Cheyenne Mr. Messenger joined me for the rest of the trip. Have spent two past evenings with him as he has been in the field & will leave again Sat or Friday night. R.A. is doing just fine. Dr. Wakeland is away with Mr. Dutton.

May 16, 1940

May 16, 1940

Two years ago today I had the first big fire built under me by a delegation from ND, then drove to Fargo that night. Was having trouble with one of my Butchers then. Today it is quiet and things are quite different for a grasshopper office. It has a disturbing pulse but no headaches.

The pictures made on our arrival at Great Falls seem fair & the ones of the falls look as though they will print OK, but the others did not show up well enough to try prints. Will mail them as soon as prints are obtained.

I have not written to anyone about not going to Menard and I think you should let Mother Lewis know of it. Could you break the news gently? Believe we should not say much about Panama City yet. I hope the Chief feels well enough to discuss it here Saturday or Sunday, although I do not intend to crowd him for any opinion or reaction. Think he will give it of his own accord & will give an opening for a discussion if he feels anything like normal.

With love
Walter.

Walter is apparently still helping with the grasshopper program as it gets going under new management, which is why he’s traveling back and forth between Denver and Washington. Meanwhile, it sounds as if he’s considering taking a post at the USDA research facility in Panama City, FL instead of the screw-worm facility in Menard, TX.

February 6, 1940

Stationery from the Sunset Limited, Southern Pacific Railroad.

Tues Nite – En Route to Yuma.

My dear Ina & Boys,

I had a most pleasant day at El Paso with the Pettits and tonight the Trotters came to the train with me. Dinner at the Pettits’ tonight, chicken & all of the trimmings. Visited the irrigation plant this AM & this PM we drove on the River Road above the city.

February 6, 1940

February 6, 1940

Yesterday I had a good day at Amarillo. Attended the USDA Club luncheon at noon where about 250 were present. Was introduced to the club from the speakers table but was not called on for a speech. The weather was hazy & not good for flying so did not go up in the auto-giro or Cub plane but I did visit the storage & shop. Spreirs had me to dinner lats night (steak & all the trimmings including apple pie). Landrum took me out to his house to meet the Mrs & the new baby who is about 3 weeks old. Mrs. Landrum is still in bed & weak but baby has good lungs and a strong vocal apparatus. At both places I was entertained and all seemed very glad to see me. The trouble is that they want to transfer to me. Miss Anderson & I had a cup of coffee Monday afternoon & she wants to go to Menard or Uvalde too. I told her about Polly’s wish & that it looked like Miss Autrey would continue.

Wednesday I’ll be with Mr. Rainwater at Yuma & I expect to see Mr. Schroeder there too. I should be able to see Frank about Friday & Lindquist Saturday. Think I’ll try & call on Prof Harris at Berkeley & also visit the University Exp. Sta. at Davis for a little while.

On my return from Portland I want to stop at Hamilton to see the new Public Health Lab & to see what they are doing. I should get some ideas on construction of the lab at Uvalde. Also I hope to spend a little while at Fargo before reaching Mpls. I know that all of this seems a delay in our moving from Mpls but it is all important.

John thinks that things are moving rather slowly in Denver & that the general supervisors (now called field supervisors) should sit in on the state conferences with Wakeland, RA, Mr. Holton & Mr. Dutton. It seems Messenger is with Townsend at Denver & others are in the field.

With love to all three of you,

Your
Walter.

February 4, 1940

Stationery from the Amarillo Hotel, Amarillo, TX, “The Panhandle’s Meeting Place Since 1889.”

Sunday Night Feb 4, 1940.

My dear Sweetheart & Boys,

My train got here a few minutes ago and I have just arrived at the hotel, about ten-thirty PM. It is too late to phone any of the office folks though I am sure that Duck or Landrum would come down. I’ll see them tomorrow morning and will spend the day with them, arriving at El Paso Tuesday morning. Will see AK for a few hours & go to Yuma Tuesday night. From there I’ll go to San Francisco to see Frank, then drive or take a bus to Clear Lake to see Lindquist. Will be Clear Lake about a day then north to Portland about one day. Should you write me, the best address would be care Frank Prince, US Public Health Laboratory, San Francisco, or better still in care of his residence. I intend to go into Lundquist’s lab & to Portland without any notice.

February 4, 1940

February 4, 1940

Things are breaking much better in Texas than I had anticipated. After I talked with you I called upon Mr. Parman & gave him the news about moving to Menard. He questioned the wisdom of moving there or of consolidation of the stations and said that he guessed he would quit the Bureau even though he would like to get the program going in that area. I took him to lunch at the Kincaid & then he suggested that we should call on the Chamber of Commerce as a courtesy. The Secy was much concerned about it & thought we should find out how much Uvalde could do. He took us to the airport, Bureau of Fisheries & a new livestock pavilion west on US 90. The city C of C had donated land to all of these & he felt certain that he could give us 49 acres in one tract (which they have leased for 50 years) and that they could buy 6 acres with a 6 room house adjoining the livestock grounds and deed it to us for a building site. They have a good well 300 gals. per min. which will be used by us without charge, electricity available & we could also use the pavillion grounds when not in use by them. Land across the road & adjoining our tract can be rented & he is quite sure at 75ยข per acre. We pay 1.25 at Menard. It looks mighty fine & I think I have some good arguments for the chief. I have a feeling that Uvalde will be the place though I talked the advantages of Menard at Dallas. All of them except Mr. Parish at Menard seem to welcome the idea of Uvalde, even Dr. Laake. Strange to say Laake hopes that I’ll be in charge & that I’ll not be there just to organize but to direct the work. The notice (press) by Strong had prepared all of them for my visit & I received a most cordial reception everywhere. Different ones told me that they were glad & wanted to work with me. Mr. Parman did not say so, but seemed enthusiastic about the C of C offer. I am not worried about his cooperation.

I’ve tried to interest myself in the details of work of different men & how the move would affect them, though it does seem rather tame compared to ‘hopper work.

One thing I want to do here regards the use of an auto giro for tests at Uvalde. Parman & Barnett think we can find strong goats & sheep from the air & were enthusiastic about tests. It is worth trying soon.

Lots of love & hoping to see you before very long.

Your
Walter

Miss Autrey (Mrs. Baker) thinks she would like to go to Uvalde. My guess is that she will find a place at Dallas in a new govt. agency. WED.

January 19, 1940

Plain postcard

Jan. 19, 1940.

Am leaving KC by Rock Island for Dallas at 110 PM today and should be at Arlington early tomorrow morning. After taking care of mail forwarded from Denver I expect to drive direct to San Marcos also San Antonio for likely sites. Then I’ll be able to weigh Menard pro & con. This would begin at Uvalde about Tuesday or Wednesday with a day or two with Parman, then Sonora, Menard & Dallas. Believe this a better route if roads OK. Will drive carefully.

Walter.

January 19, 1940

January 19, 1940

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 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 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 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.

September 17, 1939

Telegram from Dallas, via Postal Telegraph.

1939 SEP 17 AM 400

MRS W E DOVE=
1928 FREEMONT AVE SOUTH MPLS=

CONSOLIDATION DALLAS MENARD SONORA AND UVALDE AT MENARD SUGGEST STRONG AND MEETING BISHOPP HERE JEFFERSON HOTEL SUNDAY. I WOULD PREFER MOVE MENARD WITHOUT GOING WASHINGTON=
WALTER.

September 17, 1939

September 17, 1939

Translated: Walter is probably going to be put in charge of a consolidated USDA research facility in Menard, TX.