January 20, 1939 
Mr. R. B. Thompson, SK3 C 
U.S.S. HOCJSTON 
c/o Navy Yard 
Norfolk, Virginia 
Bear Thompson: 
Thank you for setting me straight on the shore party for 
the palm hunt . 
I would that I might be aboard for the maneuvers, but I 
understand there will b® little opportunity for any extensive collection 
even though a certain amount of fishing will be done by the President 
whenever possible. 
1 do not know just when you will be in Norfolk. Barron is 
going to try to get up and 1 hope that I may have a chance to see you, 
too. My trip south w. 11 necessitate my departure from lew York about 
the 21st of March, and I won’t be back again until early in May. If 
I do not see you before, I shall certainly get to New York to visit 
the ship while she is lying off the Exposition grounds. 
My best to you and yours. 
Sincerely, 
Waldo L. Schmitt, Curator, 
Division of Marine Invertebrates. 
