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

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-March, 1937

I’m not going to transcribe all of these items, which should already be accessible in the public record anyway, but I think this packet of paperwork provides a neat snippet of the behind-the-scenes lobbying that was (and remains) typical in funding large pest- and disease-control projects.

February-March 1937a

February-March 1937b

February-March 1937c

February 27, 1937

Western Union telegram, received at San Antonio, TX. Walter is traveling further afield now, still promoting prevention and treatment strategies for screw-worm infestations in livestock.

BOZEMAN MONT 27 320A
MRS W E DOVE =
533 WEST MAGNOLIA ST SAN ANTONIO TEX =

BISMARCK MONDAY AND WILL ADVISE ITINERARY SOUTH BUT NOT BY SALT LAKE CITY PROBABLY BY MINNEAPOLIS =

W E DOVE

February 27, 1937

March 28, 1937

“Easter Greeting by Western Union.” This was almost certainly a “canned” message the telegraph company would send at a discount rate.

WATERTOWN SDAK
WALTER WHITE DOVE AND FAMILY =
533 W MAGNOLIA ST SAN ANTONIO TEX =

I SEND YOU GOOD CHEER, NEW HOPE AND BEST WISHES FOR GREAT HAPPINESS THIS EASTER =

WALTER.

March 28, 1937

May 14, 1937

Stationery from the Gulf Coast Limited train.

Friday the 14th.

My dear Ina,

Will reach Gainesville this noon and will be with Roberts until about Saturday PM. A bill was introduced in Fla. legislature for $100,000 for the next two years for control of S.W. There are also some matters to discuss with Roberts.

May 14, 1937

The SW item passed the Senate Committee for only $75000 and Strong says that is all we can count on but that we will get that much. Conferences in Wash. were quite satisfactory. Am getting 6 new cars on this year’s fund with trade in of all 1935 cars. Will have two new 4 door sedans at San Antonio, 1 new 4 door sedan and 1 2 door at Gainesville. Also will get 2 pick up trucks & 2 new sedan deliveries. Bishopp conference resulted in abbreviated section on carcass burning with statement that it was a sanitary procedure but should not be depended upon to control the screw worm. I think I won a decisive battle on this. It was not carried to Strong for a decision. Strong was friendly and most pleasant but made me win my case on the automobiles. Spent one night with Prof. & Mrs. Harned. Did not see Halls or Mrs. Cushing. Mr. Cushing is in Texas now. With love to all of you & especially to my wife.

Walter.

August 26, 1937

Walter’s travel schedule has calmed down a bit, so the letters are further apart. During this trip, Ina is apparently staying at her parents’ house in Uvalde, TX.

Thursday PM.

My dear Ina,

I spent Sunday night at Rock Springs, Monday AM at the Ranch Exp Sta., Monday PM with Mr. Babcock at Sonora, drove to Menard Monday night and was there Tuesday and Wednesday until noon. Arrived home yesterday PM and just in time to catch some needed correspondence with Washington.

August 26, 1937

The trip was an enjoyable one and a hot drive. All of the stops and visits were much worth while. All were friendly and cordial. Dr. Melvin had me to lunch and dinner and during the evening the Kniplings* came over with their two girl babies. One about 6 mos. old and one about 1-1/2 years old. The Menard lab bunch are hard workers and the work is well planned. They seem to be going somewhere and I think they are going with screw worm control. The treatments look mighty good and they are anxious to contribute something to help us.

Mr. Brundrett turned in his equipment and is packing for Valdosta. Dr. Brennan is leaving Saturday AM (Daylight) to report Wash. on Sept. 1. We are continuing to shrink.

Mr. Gaddis phoned from Houston this AM regarding some cars. Says he is mighty well pleased with the different people from our division. I mentioned Miss Chindenen but he does not hold that against us.

Tell Walter White and Lewis Dunbar to be good boys and I am going to find out about it when I get there, which may be Saturday PM.

I wanted to surprise you by mowing the lawn but there is no lawnmower on the back porch or under the porch or in the garage. Maybe it is in Madris’ house. I hope it was not stolen.

With love,
Walter.

* Remember the name Knipling. He will become very significant in the screw-worm control story.

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 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

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.

February 7, 1938

Stationery from the law offices of Lawton and Cunningham, Savannah, GA. I believe Walter and Ina held onto their house in Savannah and rented a place in San Antonio when they moved. Now they’re selling the house in Savannah, as Walter’s new job in grasshopper control won’t be based in either of those cities.

Savannah February 7, 1938

My dear Ina,

Enclosed find Deed already signed and notarized by me. You should go to a notary and with one other witness & execute it in the place indicated for your signature. Be sure to get seal. There is a lady notary on N. Flores about 2 blocks from your house where you and I went. Then mail the deed to Mr. George O’Donnell of above address. The 180 notes @ 37.17 and Debt Deed have been examined and are in good shape according to Mr. O’Donnell & as far as I am able to tell. The insurance check had already been received when I called at the bank this A.M. Having lunch with John Sarah & R.A. tonight. Leaving 8 PM – arriving Wash. at 11:30 AM tomorrow. Check, notes, & Debt Deed will be mailed to you from here, together with statement of adjusted differences on taxes, ins. etc.

With love
Walter.

February 6, 1938

February 11, 1938

Stationery from the Bellevue Hotel, 15 E St. NW Washington, DC.

Friday Night.

My dear Sweetheart,

I am beginning to get oriented in the status of the g hop program but I have a lot to learn about it. Mr. Gaddis was not able to get away so soon and I welcome this chance to get some of my own SW work rounded out and to learn more about my new job. It is about the biggest control job when one considers the area of about 20 states extending from Arizona & Texas to the Canada line, and the very short season filled with long days.

February 11, 1938

I think you should finish the school year and plan to move to Mpls after the big rush is over. If the program does not go over perhaps we can stay in Texas and research screw-worms.

I talked to Claudelle last night. She is coming up here about the 16th to work here.

RA had a time deciding to accept the Mormon Cricket job as assistant leader but I phoned him tonight and he says OK. Bishopp offered him a place in charge of the Menand station but at a lower salary.

Have just had a wire from Quarterman & he accepts a place as 3d in command of the G-hopper ship. He will report when I call for him. At first he declined but I wired him again. Also he phoned me last night.

I spent two nights with Cushings & then came here. Prof. Harned invited me to his home but I told him I had so much paper to work & study that I had to decline. This gave me a chance to come here, otherwise he could criticize me for going to Cushings. He would recommend a man for every vacancy if I visited with him on that line. We have some good college graduates to choose from, ones with previous experience on G-hopper control.

Pauline was operated on for appendicitis but I have not seen the Halls. She is getting along OK & today is about the 5th day. May see them Sunday if I am here though I expect to have a lot of study & plans.

Had dinner with the Bishopps the 2nd night I was here and they were very cordial. Bitsie’s husband does the same kind of advertising work as she. They work for the same advertising company & he makes colored pictures of her pies & cakes etc. He seems to be OK.

Am enclosing a receipt for premiums on the annuity for 6 mos. This was added to our loan of $1500. The policy was forwarded to me here & I’ll send it to you when I have a long envelope. Did you return the deed to Savannah? You will receive 180 notes & the debt deed. They should be kept in the safety box at the bank.

With love
Your Walter