Bred in Exp. — Society Ids. 
AIR MIL 
Dr. " Irene McCulloch 
July 20, 19$6 
9$3 West 30th St. 
Los Angeles 7 , Calif, 
Dear Miss McCulloch* 
lour July 7 letter does relieve iae greatly, I am glad that 
September before you try to start the ball rolling. 
it may be 
Just yesterday I had a call from OMR. Oar proposal®, though a bit 
steeper than anticipated, have merit and should be underwritten without fail. 
However, the key figure in AID will not be backed until mid-August, so every- 
thing -will have to be held in abeyance until then, nevertheless, much hope has 
been expressed that we shall be able to present that with an acceptable pronosi 
tion. ' * 
It is a funny thing* we are in the businessof doing the vary thing that 0!IR 
is trying to promote in this instance bat for which, as an institution, we cannot 
secure Congressional appropriations. On the other hand, if a defense agency or 
AEG approves our project, it will be prime evidence that it is of significance 
and of real value. Once proved up in this fashion, the Smithsonian Institution 
would be able to take over the project at the end of the first 3 years and on its 
own secure the necessary funds making it a permanent affair. To think that one 
has to go at it in such a roundabout fashion. As goes the old saying , "the 
longest way .round is often the shortest way home.* 5 Once launched, and with a 
reasonably successful year behind it, the project would cooperate with or at 
least encourage similar undertakings elsewhere. It would be foolish to work up 
the south central Pacific material without regard to that which so well repre- 
sents the eastern Pacific and the Galapagos Island area-— the Hancock collections. 
As you opine, we do not seek a vessel. We hope to put our major efforts on work* 
ing up and reporting upon collections already made and in prospect. There would 
be only enough field work to facilitate study and the revision of groups and to 
produce related data that the supporting agencies felt entitled to, 
Hit ioraainif er a in the beginning would form a no insignificant part of the 
whole undertaking. At present , however , it is ’’fishes,* "larger invertebrates* 
and “plankton* which latter would include the microscopic forms. Loeblich will 
be in the field another two weeks at least. He left more than a week ago. When 
he returns I shall talk for am plates to big again. 
The for d people, with all their millions, should condescend to do a bit of 
systematic work. 
Re that needed library addition, with your urging and your help the Uni- 
versity should be able to persuade the Doheny heirs to do a bit more for that 
fine manorial. The Government anyway will take as much or more in taxes frost 
them than the addition will ever cost. 
I am sorry that we are situated so farapart, but I hope to write you soon 
again, I intend, to keep .you posted as to developments because our two proposals 
are so closely a*cin. The systematic work we have in mind will make more headway 
if we mrk together than if we work separately. 
^Thft best of luck to you and your ideas. Remember me to Sr. Baery, % 
would have enjoyed seeing him. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo L. Schmitt, Head Curator, 
of 
