THE PRESIDENTIAL CRUISE OF 1938 

 FOREWORD 



I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to say publicly that, in 

 addition to the personal pleasure his presence afforded those of us 

 who made the cruise aboard the U.S.S. Houston last summer, it 

 was a source of great satisfaction to have Dr. Waldo L. Schmitt with 

 us in the role of scientist representing the Smithsonian Institution. 

 I am advised that the collections he made, with the assistance of the 

 officers and enlisted men of the Houston, have contributed greatly to 

 the treasure of exhibits the Smithsonian already has gained posses- 

 sion of through previous explorations by its scientists in that part of 

 the world we visited. 



I believe our experience points the way whereby the Smithsonian 

 Institution, in the future, at practically no cost whatever to itself, 

 will be able to extend its research work into other parts of the world 

 and make it possible for its scientists still further to enrich our knowl- 

 edge of natural history. I have no doubt but that the Smithsonian 

 would have gained much worthwhile information had any one or a 

 number of its scientists accompanied the Naval Expedition which 

 went last year to the Enderbury and Canton Islands. That Expedition 

 was exclusively astronomical in character. Its members went to 

 observe the eclipse that took place on June 8. They were not particu- 

 larly concerned about natural history nor in learning of the other 

 interesting phases of life as it exists on the Islands themselves or in 

 the waters thereabout. 



If the Smithsonian Institution, in the future, would care to be 

 represented in such expeditions as the United States Navy and 

 other government services send out from time to time, I shall be glad 

 to help make the necessary arrangements. 



We cannot know too much about the natural history of this world 

 of ours. We should not be satisfied merely with what we do know. 



Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

 The White House 

 Washington 

 December 20, 1938 



