October 15, 1938 
Lieut. Commander T. J 
U. 5 . S. Houston, 
San Pedro, California 
Any old time will do for those fish. Don’t let it interfere 
with anything you are. or need to he doing. That cold storage room of 
yours is a wonderful place, and those fish heads would keep in good condi- 
tion in there for years. 
■ 
I have been doing everything else bat ay own specialty for the 
President’s material collected, The ii sh list which I completed, I take it 
is now in your hands along with Commander Callaghan's log which you folks 
are to bring on board. 
I asked him to mention to you that I wool A like to get 100 
reprints of the list alone. For these, 1 will be glad to pay for the cost 
of paper and printing. I want these extra copies to distribute among in- 
terested scientists, especially the workers on fishes. 
Pe wired about the heads that you found, in the freesser because 
we did not want to take a chance on having those go the way of the whole 
fish. It was certainly good of you to reaasiber our wants when you were 
cleaning house. 
fimt do you mean by returning those Government stamps? Uncle 
Sam was paying for them. If he was doing the same at your end, I won’t 
send them back unless you let me know to the contrary. 
It is a funny thing about Clipper ton. We must get back there 
one of these years. We should have brought out a f aw of the coco:. nuts, I 
ass told that cocoaxmt palms T Bft to several vanities, and that botanists 
can distinguish them on the characteristics of the nut. I aa getting to 
the point where I will be able to scad some of you folks some prints of the 
pictures I took on the cruise. I do not know whether I mentioned this in 
my last letter to you or not, but the President has not yet gotten his set 
although it will be ready for him In a couple of days. 
Thank you for your good wishes. We are all feeling tip-top and 
at rest. I am looking forward to a good brisk winter here in Washington. 
Say what you want about California climate, but I do enjoy a good cold wint< 
with plenty of snow. My wary beat to you and yours. 
Waldo L. Schmitt, Curator 
