Bredin Exp, — Society Ids 
Schroeder, Dr. C. R. 
AIR HAIL 20, 1956 
Dr. Charles R. Schroeder 
Managing Director 
San Diego Zoological Gardens 
P. 0, Box 551 
San Diego 12, Calif, 
Dear Dr. Schroeder: 
This is an acknowledgment and a word of thanks for your letter of 
July 9* 
I am afraid that Carroll has become an expensive proposition, that 
is, if yon count the cost of paper and postage. Still, I am awfully 
glad to have this latest word from you, particularly the letter from 
Keith Sheard. He is a great scout, and I enjoyed him no end when he 
was here in Washington! in fact, we had a staff luncheon in his honor j 
we learned a lot and laughed a lot. We all wish that he might* be able 
to come back soon again. He certainly is a happy representative of 
the Australian people. Funny thing too, after his visit to Washing- 
ton, I had occasion to attend a meeting at the University of Miami, 
and there he was too, as big as life, the guest of a Col. John K. 
Howard, a big game fisherman, who is quite a patron of the Marine 
Laboratory of the University down there. 
Be good and live a bit longer. If you do, I'll be seeing you 
one of these days, but just now I don't seem to be able to get away, 
jfy- good friend of the African and Caribbean expeditions is now talk- 
ing Society Islands , and that reminds me: Do you know of any one 
with a yacht down there or who might be sailing that way on the occa- 
sion of the Balboa to Tahiti Yacht Race coming up in September? Some 
of the racing fans, I have been told, like to winter in that part of 
the world, and, if they do, they might accommodate a party of perhaps 
four naturalists who want to visit all the various islands in the 
Society group. We would be glad to pay a charter fee, crew costs, 
food, "refreshments , " and such other expenses as may arise. Of course, 
if you do know some one of that sort, I would like to have some idea 
of what they would expect in the way of financial return and what 
they estimate it costs to maintain and supply a yacht for five to 
six weeks , in the Archipelago , if that is feasible. In the West 
Indies we had a 86- foot schooner that set us back about $1200 a week. 
That included everything, harbor fees as well as fuel. Do not go to 
any bother about this. I am just asking in case you jhave some off- 
hand knowledge of the kind of vessel we are looking for* 
Forgive me this long rambling letter* I hope I asi not raking 
advantage of you or your time. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo L. Schmitt 
1d,b seek Head Curator, Dept, of Zoology 
